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San Francisco: The way to the heart is through the stomach

Heading to San Francisco this summer? Everplaces guest blogger Nicole Murakami tells us about her recent trip to the golden gate city. 

As the song goes, many return from San Francisco with a true understanding of “I left my heart in San Francisco” and it’s not hard to see why. Though I’m a true New Yorker (meaning I still think New York wins), San Francisco possesses a special charm. 

The food

A foodie paradise, there are some restaurants that anyone traveling in San Francisco must see. First off and most importantly, there’s the In-N-Out Burger. You will never be able to have a serious conversation about burgers without being able to compare to an In-N-Out Burger, so be sure to find the only In-N-Out in San Francisco and order your burger “animal style”.

Afterwards work off the calories with a walk along the water to Pier 39 to see the sea lions (it’s not hard to find, as you’ll hear the lions from down the street).

Fast food aside, my favorite restaurant during the trip was State Bird Provisions. While it’s fairly hard to get reservations, they do reserve a certain number of seats for walk-ins and the trick is to wait in line before they open to get on the evenings waiting list.

This casual restaurant serves their food dim-sum style, making it feel as if you’re dining at a close friend’s house where they keep bringing delicious things for you to try. You will not be rushed and the server lingers with each table to help the diners choose their dishes; however I’d advise you to just say yes, and try everything!

Frances was another restaurant that I wanted to visit, and it did not disappoint. It’s a small elegant restaurant, that even though it’s fairly well known feels like a hidden neighborhood gem. The dishes are an unusual mixture of ingredients, resulting in creations like bacon beignets and chickpea fritters.

Nearby

While San Francisco is glorious in its own right, part of its wonder comes from being so close to natural treasures like Big Sur and Monterey. A day trip is definitely recommended, and provides a glimpse of why people love San Francisco so much. They have an amazing city, private beaches, trees taller than time and endless curving roads.

Take time to visit the many state parks in Big Sur, but be sure to book a hotel outside Big Sur for a much cheaper price. Montery is close by and while extremely crowded in the summer it is quiet during the winter months. I imagine that it’s beautiful throughout the year, as the town lies on the ocean’s edge. 

Nicole Murakami is a digital strategist & Everplaces guest blogger living in New York. She loves social media, discovering new places and grilled cheese.

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