If I Could Plan a Weekend in San Francisco for You
10/1/2025 • 3 min read
You made a great decision to come to San Francisco—whether by chance, choice, or even if someone dragged you here. Either way, welcome. My name is Vale, and I moved to SF about a year ago. In that short time, I’ve collected a handful of spots that make the city shine—at least in my eyes.
So, if you only had a weekend here, these are the places I’d take you. No cheesy tourist traps—we’ll live like locals.
Day 1
Let’s assume you landed at SFO. Technically, you’re in San Bruno—not San Francisco proper—but close enough. Luckily, the first stop is only 13 minutes away in downtown San Mateo: Kajiken
Downtown San Mateo is a hidden gem packed with food options: Japanese curry, German bratwurst, bubble tea, you name it. But Kajiken is my pick—specialty noodles worth every slurp.
After demolishing those noodles, you’ll still have room for something sweet. We’ll grab a dessert nearby to-go before heading into the city.
Now that you’re settled, it’s time to switch gears—San Francisco is home to legendary sports teams. The Warriors, Giants, Valkyries, and yes, even the 49ers (though they play down in Santa Clara). For today, we’re off to Oracle Park to catch a Giants game.
Oracle is one of my favorite stadiums—right on the Bay, with kayakers floating behind the outfield just to watch the action. You can walk there, hop on Muni, or do both to stretch your legs after that carb-heavy lunch.
If we weren’t so stuffed, I’d sneak you into Garaje, a quirky spot five minutes from the park. Think vintage gas station vibes and license plates plastered everywhere. Their signature dish is the Californian Steak Zapato—basically a burrito panini that (somehow) translates to “shoe.” Don’t ask, just eat.
Dinner depends on your energy. If you’re up for it, we’ll walk (or bus) to the Exploratorium at Pier 15. Their “After Dark” series is 18+, which means no screaming kids—just drinks, music, and over 700 interactive exhibits blending science and art.
By now, we’re wiped. Call it a night—you’ll need rest for Day 2.
Day 2
Good morning! We’ll start at Arsicault Bakery in Mission Bay, where the lines aren’t as brutal as their original location. Founded by an MIT grad and named after his great-grandparents’ French bakery, Arsicault is famous for its croissants—so much so that Bon Appétit crowned it one of America’s best new bakeries.
Of course, pastries require coffee. Enter Sōhn, a Korean-American café in Dogpatch serving inventive drinks like house-made banana milk and coffee roasted in collaboration with Frank La, the current U.S. Barista Champion.
Fueled up? Perfect—because today is all about walking. San Francisco is one of the most walkable cities in the U.S., and the crown jewel is Golden Gate Park. With 1,017 acres of trails, museums, lakes, and gardens, it’s basically the city’s backyard.
When hunger strikes, we’ll head to Hook Fish Co. near Ocean Beach. Fresh, restorative seafood in a laid-back surf-shack setting. Get the fish tacos, poke, or a burrito—you can’t go wrong.
If we still have gas in the tank, we’ll end the afternoon at Mission Dolores Park. Bring snacks, spread out a blanket, and watch the city roll by. It’s one of the sunniest spots in SF and perfect for people-watching or sneaking in a nap.
For dinner, we’ll close strong at Good Good Culture Club. Think bold Southeast Asian flavors—Lao sausage, Laab tuna tataki, tropical cocktails—all inside a colorful, cabana-style space that feels like a jungle party. It’s fun, lively, and Michelin-approved.
Ending Our Trip
And just like that, the weekend’s over. Two days barely scratch the surface, but hopefully you got a taste of what makes San Francisco special—beyond the Golden Gate Bridge selfies.
If you want to expand this into a full week, stay tuned. The city is full of neighborhood gems waiting to be uncovered.
Oh, and if you liked this itinerary, I’ve uploaded it to Instaboard—copy it, edit it, make it your own. Thanks for coming along!