Seeking a calm weekend getaway from San Francisco? Look no further than Mendocino.

Growing up in Northern California, I thought I had weekend destinations here well established. Somehow it still took years of living in San Francisco for me to finally get to Mendocino. When I finally did, for the first time last spring, it quickly became a new favorite spot to get a change of pace from the city. Mendocino refreshes you in a way that is hard to describe.

Just a few hours drive up the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco, being here always feels like a breath of fresh air (maybe because it literally is?) Whether clear or misty, a wild, jagged coast awaits you, and no matter how many times you visit it feels like you’ve discovered some nature-filled secret. The redwood-lined drive in alone puts me instantly at ease.

I first ended up in Mendocino when looking for a weekend trip from SF where we could bring our dog along. It’s not only dog-friendly, it’s close for most of the Bay Area but is just tucked away enough to feel worlds away (in a good way!)

We first spent five days exploring the area and enjoying its beaches, trails, parks, gardens, and cafes. More recently I had the chance to return for my first trip with a newborn in tow.

If you’re looking for a coastal trip that’s beautiful, calm, and friendly to all, it is definitely worth treating yourself to a Mendocino weekend. Here’s what you need to know to plan a visit of your own.

Getting from San Francisco to Mendocino

From San Francisco, it’s a short 3-hour drive through Marin and Sonoma, up the coast, and through the redwood forest. Plan 4 hours for a more leisurely drive with stops. You can also take two buses to get there if a car isn’t in your plans, but it’ll take you about double the time. I recommend driving if you can.

My favorite place to stop along the way is Boonville. It’s always where we grab a bite (shoutout to the Disco Ranch, the loveliest wine bar and specialty food market) but you can also pause at any of the Andersen Valley wineries that call to you along the way. A few I recommend include Toulouse Vineyards, Husch Winery, Navarro Vineyards, and The Madrones, which has four tasting rooms in one beautiful location. Healdsburg is another favorite wine country spot that’s easy to stop at along the way — although I typically reserve this for its own visit as it’s much closer to the city.

Where to Stay in Mendocino

I stayed at the same spot for both visits to the area: the wonderful Stanford Inn. There are many lovely inns along the coast, but for me, Stanford Inn checks all the boxes for a weekend getaway — peaceful, pet-friendly, family-friendly, and in general, friendly (i.e. wonderful people run the place!)

It’s set in a meadow with organic gardens and farmland, with ocean views from many of the rooms. It’s quiet but still close to town and has its own truly fantastic vegan restaurant on site (plus, breakfast is included each morning with your stay.) A bonus of the location is its proximity to Big River, with Catch-a-Canoe rentals and launch area steps from the inn’s front door.

To me, the highlight of the Stanford Inn is its focus on wellness. I recommend relaxing on the property for at least one day to enjoy their gardens, sauna, and pool. They offer yoga classes, massage (in the forest!), gardening classes, plant-based cooking classes, and art therapy regularly. You can also arrange to experience acupuncture, Ayurveda, meditation, breathwork, or Chinese herbology with their knowledgeable staff. They even have free mountain bikes available to guests. Or, you can opt for my favorite activity as of late — lounging in front of the fireplace. There’s one in every room.

They welcome all pets, but for us, the small touches like freshly made dog treats and blankets so that our dog could sit comfortably on the couch with us, make all the difference. We opted for the two-room suite for our family of four (furry friend included) and it was great to have the extra space. Having stayed in multiple different room types there, you’re in for a treat no matter which space suits your travel style.

Things to Do in Mendocino

Whether you’re in town for the weekend or an extended stay, there’s plenty to see and do (in a leisurely manner, of course.) I like to mix and match something active with something relaxing, like a hike with a restaurant or a beach trip with a bike ride. Here are a few things to bookmark as you explore:

Take a Hike

There is a wealth of places to enjoy a stroll in nature and get your forest bath on. A few noteworthy trails include the Russian Gulch Waterfall Loop, the Fern Canyon Trail, the Big River Trail, a Mendocino Headlands cliff walk, and the newly opened Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail a bit further up north.

Rent a Bike

You can bike all throughout Mendocino and its surroundings. Biking leisurely around the downtown area is always fun, stopping for a snack or a drink along the way. Mountain bikers are also welcome on many of the hiking trails listed above. You can bike on old logging roads in Jackson Demonstration Forest. Heading inland a bit, Manly Gulch Trail is a great forest path for biking. If you’re looking to bike next to the ocean, check out the Ten Mile Beach Trail just north of Mendocino in Fort Bragg.

Visit a State Park

Many of the area’s best trails are located in state parks. Bookmark Van Damme State Park, Mendocino Headlands, MacKarricher State Park, Russian Gulch State Park, Caspar Headlands State Park, and Jug Handle State Reserve, and visit whichever works best for you on any given day (they’re all beautiful.)

Be on the lookout for grey whales passing through if you’re visiting during the winter. Year-round, we love exploring the tidepools at MacKarricher State Park. For those of you with pups in tow, the Headlands trail and MacKarricher boardwalks are both dog-friendly.

Catch a Canoe

One of my very favorite activities in this area is a calming paddle up Big River. If your preference is to stay on land, there is also a great hiking and biking trail that follows the river, or you can enjoy the views at Big River Beach where the river meets the ocean. Canoeing or kayaking all but guarantees a slower pace, with a sense of connection to the nature around you. We always see tons of wildlife, including birds, otters, and harbor seals.

Soak It All In

If after hitting the trails and beaches, you may be inclined to slow down a bit further. Up the highway, you’ll find the Mendocino Botanical Gardens, a sublime garden spread out over 47 acres. You’ll need to purchase your ticket in advance ($15,) and check their website for their opening hours which vary by season.

If you’ve had enough forest bathing and want to switch gears to actual bathing, look no further than the Sweetwater Spa. The eco spa in the center of downtown has outdoor soaking tubs to access either privately or communally (note that clothing is optional in the community tub.) There’s also a redwood sauna on site. You’ll want to reserve the private soaking tub in advance.

Where to Eat in Mendocino

These are my favorite places to grab a bite in and around Mendocino (after several visits:)

• Cafe Beaujolais – dinner, but The Brickery inside is fantastic for lunch
• Patterson’s Pub – lunch and dinner (don’t miss the fish and chips!)
• Good Life Cafe and Bakery – breakfast and lunch
• The Ravens Restaurant (Vegan) – breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus happy hour before 6pm
• Noyo Fish Company (Fort Bragg) – lunch and dinner, fresh from the sea at Noyo Harbor
• Princess Seafood (Fort Bragg) – lunch, women-owned, also at Noyo Harbor

And to drink, check out North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg if you enjoy craft beers! Fort Bragg is the area’s largest town, located about 15 minutes drive up the coast from Mendocino’s downtown.

I hope you enjoy the area, including the scenic drive from San Francisco to Mendocino, as much as I have! Let me know in the comments if you have other favorite spots you recommend exploring here.

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Both of us write about travel for a living, so as we planned our first retreat we considered spots around the globe for its location. We’re also two Northern California ladies living in San Francisco, though — and we realized that the beauty within a few hours drive from SF warranted staying closer to home.

Hopping in the car from SF, Carmel is just a two-hour drive from the city — and when you get there, you get a whole new vibe.

Dark green cypress trees frame deep blues and turquoises of the clear sea. Waves crash powerfully along the rugged California coastline. Colorful tiles line stairwells end at art galleries, garden passageways, and wine tasting rooms. Homes and shops feel a bit like they’ve been plucked out of a European fairytale.

Although I tend not to overuse the word ‘charming’ to describe a place, it’s the exact word that best suits Carmel-by-the-Sea.

I grew up visiting the coast from Monterey to Carmel often as a child. Still, we would need to thoroughly research the area and intimately get to know Carmel to host a group there in the way we wanted.

So now, I present…my heavily researched and double-triple-checked guide to Carmel, California — an easy day or (ideally) weekend trip from San Francisco. It’s one of my top picks for a getaway from the city.

Weekend Getaway: San Francisco to Carmel

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Getting from SF to Monterey/Carmel

Without traffic, it takes just over two hours to drive from San Francisco to Monterey and Carmel. For every recent trip, however, we left San Francisco just before 6 am to beat all the traffic. Because you drive through the city and down past San Jose, there can be several slowdowns. I’d recommend driving in off-peak hours if you can — even if you’re just driving from the SFO airport.

If you have the time, Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove or Pebble Beach (near Monterey) are a few other stops to consider. Going from San Francisco to Carmel via Highway 1 is another slightly slower, but more scenic option that winds around the coastline.

And then when you arrive? Here’s what you need to know:

Things to Do in Carmel

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Stroll the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Walking along Ocean Avenue will take you past most of the town’s highlights. Be sure to duck into alleyways and passages that often lead to patios and gardens. (The Thomas Kinkade Gallery side door leads to one of the best!) Check out the Tuck Box and Cottage of Sweets to see some of the most fairytale-esque spots.

Walk the trails of Point Lobos State Park

I especially love the walk to China Cove, where you will see not only beautiful landscapes but also dozens of cute, chubby seals chilling on the beach below. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife — it’s not uncommon to see sea otters, seals, native birds, even whales (December to May.)

Spend a leisurely morning or an afternoon at Carmel Beach

Carmel Beach at the edge of town (and no more than a few blocks from everything) is one of the most beautiful beaches in California to me. Its soft, white sands and deep blue waters, often accompanied by impressive waves, make this a favorite spot for many. Walk or bike on the bluffs above, check out the oceanfront cottages as you go, and sit and relax on the sand if the weather allows.

Visit the Carmel Mission

The California Missions are some of the most beautiful and important parts of our state’s history. (Ask anyone who grew up here which one they did a report on in grade school!) Mission Carmel is one of the most beautiful, and most traditionally restored, of the 21 missions across the state.

Take the scenic drive down Highway 1, or the 17 Mile Drive

As adorable as the town of Carmel is, there is nothing better to me than a relaxed drive down the coastline just outside of it. Drive for just thirty minutes south and you can see some of the incredible scenery of California’s central coast. The 17 Mile Drive, while stunning, requires you to pay to enter ($9.50.) It’s worth doing at least once, but to me, there’s nothing more freeing or appealing than just taking off down the winding coastline.

Carmel Food

Where to Eat in Carmel

These are my favorite places to grab a bite in Carmel-by-the-Sea (after several visits.)

• Cultura Carmel: dinner + cocktails
• La Bicyclette: lunch or dinner
• Brophy’s Tavern: lunch or dinner + drinks
• Chez Noir: dinner
• The Stationaery: coffee, brunch, or lunch

Read more about the Best Restaurants in Carmel << in this post!

Vineyard Visit

Best Wineries in Carmel Valley

Folktale Winery

When we began scouting spaces in June last year, we knew we wanted to find and highlight some of the great (and low-key!) wine they’re making in Carmel Valley.

As soon as we stepped into the magical place that is Folktale Winery, we stopped the search. Their property is stunning, especially if you love modern design meets French chateau meets greenhouse space!

To us, the atmosphere is so special (and reflects Carmel so much,) and the food and wine was great (try their sparkling rosé!) that short of spending the whole weekend in Carmel Valley, this one winery will more than suit your needs. There are tons of tasting rooms in town, but Folktale Winery is a short 10-15 minutes away by car and worth visiting.

Bernadus and Georgis Winery were the other two that came highly recommended if you want to add to your wine tour of Carmel Valley during your stay.

Best Places to Stay in Carmel

Hotel Carmel

What I love most about Hotel Carmel isn’t just its size (a handful of rooms,) its location (right where you can walk to everything without being in a busy section of town,) or its beautiful design, but just how much staying there feels like home to me. Everything from a lobby that feels like a living room to a self-serve breakfast of bagels with fresh homemade strawberry cream cheese to the local wines served fireside makes me feel both comfortable and like I’m giving myself a little splurge. It remains my top hotel choice for Carmel.

La Playa Carmel

La Playa is the largest, more beachfront sister property of Hotel Carmel. It’s got a little bit more of a classic Carmel resort (rather than fresh and trendy) vibe, yet it’s similarly comfortable with large fireplaces, a friendly staff, and a great patio. Check out La Playa to see if it’s more your style…also highly recommended!

Hofsas House

If you’re looking for a friendly and budget-friendly place to stay right in the heart of town, you can do no better than the pink-colored Hofsas House.

The family-owned property has a historic past but retains its hospitality and warmth today. Actual warmth — via the dry sauna and heated pool on site or the in-room fireplace if you’re lucky — is a huge bonus on a chilly coastal day. You’ll be welcomed with friendly service, free breakfast (with fresh local pastries!), free parking, large room size, and many more amenities that make this a personalized and all-around lovely base in Carmel. Ask about ocean view room availability.

Neighboring Getaways

There’s so much around Carmel-by-the-Sea that’s worth seeing. Here are a few spots you can add to your Carmel vacation if you’re continuing down the coast.

Monterey

Enjoy the Monterey Bay Aquarium (my forever favorite,) Cannery Row, scuba diving, whale watching, and more.

It takes about two hours to drive from San Francisco to Monterey, whereas Monterey to Carmel takes only 10-12 minutes. Even if my visit is just to Carmel, I make a point to stop at Captain + Stoker, an excellent coffee shop in Monterey. I also loved Alvarado Street Brewery.

Big Sur

The two stars of the Big Sur coastline (which is a star in itself the whole way down) are McWay Falls and Bixby Bridge — the likes of which you’ve no doubt seen all over Instagram. I’m a fan of driving to Bixby Bridge for sunset at the very least, and love stopping to take in the coastline in Garrapata State Park‘s beaches and rocky, seascape nooks.

If you have the time, a camping trip in Big Sur amongst the trees and fresh coastal air is also very worth it!

Other Good Things To Note!

• You can fly directly into Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) from many West Coast airports. It’s worth connecting there rather than driving from SFO if you can manage it. It’s about ten minutes in an Uber to Carmel from there.
• Carmel is one of the most dog-friendly cities I’ve been to! If you’re lucky enough to have a four-legged friend in tow, you’ll be surprised to learn that the majority of Carmel hotels and restaurant patios are welcoming to dogs.
• There’s a beautiful, beautiful beach just past Carmel Beach (if you continue down the road, past where the parking ends.) It’s shaped like a crescent, is hardly ever crowded, and on a sunny day rivals any other beach I’ve seen in this world for natural beauty.

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I’ve done the tough work of eating at the majority of Carmel’s best restaurants to bring you this seasoned advice. Please enjoy!

Updated January 2024

Best Carmel Restaurants

Where to Eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

La Bicyclette

Dolores & 7th Street

This is many people’s favorite of the downtown Carmel restaurants for a reason. Not only does the interior (and exterior, frankly) bring major Francophile vibes to life, but their food — including salads, wood-fired oven pizzas, and mains like steak and swordfish — brings together the best of California fresh cuisine and European bistro style. Can’t complain!

The Stationaery

San Carlos Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues

When I first began going regularly to Carmel, this delightful cafe was under construction. Fast forward to now, and not only is it one of my favorite spaces to hang out in town, but I recently found out a friend from college owns it with her husband. The thoughtfulness and design shine here. Highlights from their menu include any coffee beverage, baked eggs, French toast bread pudding, and the scrumptious patty melt. It’s undoubtedly one of the best spots for a meal in Carmel.

Brophy’s Tavern

San Carlos Street and 4th Avenue

Would you believe me if I told you that this small gastropub, attached to the Hotel Carmel, serves up some of the best fish and chips I’ve had outside of England?

Brophy’s is a small but stylish pub serving some of the most delicious food in the area, including their fresh local halibut fish and chips. Their cocktails, burgers, Cobb salad, and short rib fries are also all outstanding. A must-eat for me!

Chez Noir

5th Avenue, between San Carlos & Dolores Streets

The newest restaurant to make a splash in Carmel, Chez Noir is a four-course menu served for $125 with an optional $75 wine pairing. If you’re looking for a special night out with top-notch coastal California cuisine, this is your spot. In their most recent menu, everything — from the celery remoulade to start to the apple tart tartin to finish — is divine.

If you’re a fan of Dominique Crenn, the chef here took inspiration from his visits to Normandy with her and has an impressive background working in kitchens at Quince, Per Se, and Atelier Crenn. The seafood-focused menu focuses on the use of local products and handmade, in-house techniques to serve them. It’s bound to be your most unforgettable meal, if this concept speaks to you!

Cultura Carmel

Dolores Street between 5th & 6th Avenue

The second I heard that Cultura was a passion project bringing Oaxacan food and mezcal to Carmel, I knew I had to go.  (Mezcal ftw.)

Turns out not only is Cultura Comida y Bebida bringing some much-needed well, culture, or rather diversity to the area in terms of dining, it’s one of the most fun places to eat dinner in town. And it has quickly become one of the best Carmel restaurants. Everything is served with heart, but the chile relleno, calabacitas, and mole are what I liked most. You can even order grasshoppers (chapulines) here…if you’re feeling daring!

La Balena Carmel

Junipero Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

A Tuscan spot tucked back from a beautiful patio, and a Carmel dining favorite, the stars of the menu for me are the grilled octopus and pesce del giorno (fresh fish of the day, grilled.) Though the pasta is all delicious, too! I have a respected foodie friend who claims it is some of the best she’s had outside of Italy.

Village Corner

Dolores Street & 6th Ave

What I loved most about this classic Carmel cafe, aside from its wonderful outdoor patio space, is how local and welcoming it feels. Village Corner is a Carmel institution that serves fresh and local products, including artichokes and calamari from a few mere miles away (so delicious!) If you’re vegetarian, gluten-free, or committed to sustainability, they’re incredibly accommodating for all three. Fantastic lunch spot (to best enjoy the patio.)

For coffee, check out Carmel Coffee Roasters (they have several locations in the area, including right in downtown Carmel.)

Aw Shucks Oyster Bar

Ocean Avenue between San Carlos & Dolores

If being on the coast makes you yearn for fresh seafood, this is your spot. They prepare fresh oysters in three different ways alongside grilled and fried seafood and sandwiches. For a little bit of everything, try the chilled seafood sampler. They serve lovely cocktails, too.

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Beer lovers: Yeast of Eden is a new beer spot from nearby Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey that is focused on using wild and natural yeasts to produce their beers.

Here are a few more recommended spots in nearby areas, such as Monterey and Carmel Valley:

• Folktale Winery, a beautiful vineyard with small plates to accompany their wine tasting, and one of the best restaurants in Carmel Valley.
• Captain + Stoker, a lovely coffee shop and great workspace in nearby Monterey.
• Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Room, a humble dinner spot I’d never have considered that I now consider one of the best restaurants in Monterey.
• Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point, an oceanfront restaurant in nearby Pacific Grove that’s great for views (especially at sunset.) Worth visiting as there aren’t any Carmel restaurants right on the water. Note: I also recommend making a reservation and coming here right before sunset — there is an amazing oceanfront path you can stroll before or after your dinner and/or drinks.

On My List to Try Next:

• The Restaurant at Mission Ranch, another beautiful spot for a meal (as made famous by Clint Eastwood,) and one of few Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurants with a view.
• Carmel Belle, tucked away behind a storefront, it’s sort of a locals-only secret spot with delicious and fresh breakfast, sandwiches, coffee, and tea (plus, a warm fireplace!)
• Etats-Unis, a newer French restaurant in town with cafe-style seating. I went to brunch here on my last visit and the food was wonderful.
• Akaoni, a sushi spot that locals love (that I have yet to try!)
• Passionfish, a Pacific Grove spot just a short drive away with an emphasis on sustainable seafood.

Be sure to check out my complete Carmel Guide if you’re planning a trip! I’ve got tons of San Francisco food recommendations if you’re coming up this way, too.

The post Where to Eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea appeared first on Part-Time Traveler.

It’s an all too familiar scene.

Friends visiting San Francisco text to ask if I’d like to join them somewhere in the city. They know I love sharing my city with visitors, especially those who haven’t been before. Yet a small part of me cringes when I hear their list of plans: Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Union Square, Ghirardelli Square, riding in a cable car, clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

I resist the urge to text them back with “No! Don’t do it! It’s a trap!” …Those are all parts of San Francisco that I have fond memories of, especially as a child. And for those who haven’t been before, they’re essential parts of the SF tourist experience.
The moment in which I shudder has less to do with any given person’s San Francisco itinerary and more to do with thinking back to when that was all I knew of the city. It’s all that most who visit know of the city.

I grew up within a day trip’s driving distance of SF. While certainly no local, I made enough trips to the city to know (or to think I knew) about where to go and what to see. I visited often, with a quiet but magnetic draw to someday living in the city (though I wouldn’t become the person who could thrive there until later in life — I know this now.) Yet it wasn’t until I eventually made the move…when I fulfilled my dream of being a real San Franciscan…that I learned how little I actually knew about it.

Perhaps the biggest case in point — and the first place I send visitors to — is the Mission District. The neighborhood doesn’t tend to conjure up the classic visions of San Francisco that we see on postcards, but that’s exactly what I love about it. And while it has changed significantly since I was a child, and arguably even more in the last few years that I’ve lived here, to me it’s still one of the most interesting and exciting places in the city.

Another large part of why I love living in San Francisco is how walkable it is (car-free for three years here!) So when HI USA invited me along on one of their walking tours of the Mission District, I leapt on over there to take part.

First Stop:

Zeitgeist

San Francisco’s best beer garden is also an eclectic, locals-only bar and patio with one of the best Bloody Marys in the city. It’s the kind of original joint that is getting harder and harder to find. It’s the anti-trendy. Stop in for a beer, stay for the shaded back patio and people watching.

Next:

The Armory

One of the most intriguing buildings I’ve ever stumbled upon in SF, there’s certainly more to this historic building than meets the eye. Once an arsenal for the United States National Guard, it was built to replace the one destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. From there it functioned as a sports and events venue, a filming location for The Empire Strikes Back (this is a true story,) and then was threatened until purchased by kink.com (you can guess the business they’re in.) A fascinating landmark with many lives, it’s under renovation for its next life stage, so I recommend checking out the exterior or getting a drink next door at The Armory Club.

Next:

Clarion Alley

One of my favorite places in the entire city, Clarion Alley connects Mission Street to Valencia Street — and in some ways, it acts as a bridge between the two streets (traditional and gentrified…) and a symbol of the changing city. Social and political issues both local and national are present on its ever-changing walls, where beautiful art meets strong statements. Some sections of the alley’s walls, which are covered entirely with street art, rotate regularly while others claim their permanent place. The tension between the old and the new SF is palpable, and the expressions of the community can be clearly seen. If you’re lucky, you may even see one of the artists working as you walk down the alleyway.

Next:

Valencia Street

Other than Mission Street itself, Valencia Street is the main drag of the Mission District. Home to many of the shops, bars, and restaurants that have gentrified the area, it’s where you’ll find much of the city’s trendiest spots. It’s enjoyable to walk down Valencia and see old vs. new, classic vs. modern throughout.

Next:

Taqueria El Buen Sabor

I was particularly excited for this stop on the tour — one, because food, and two, a taqueria I hadn’t been to yet! It’s the sister stop of another favorite of mine (Pancho Villa, near 16th and Mission) and it has an excellent taco happy hour daily from 3-5pm. The first and only thing I knew about the Mission when I first arrived was the Mission burrito, which to this day remains one of my biggest delights. This is the true San Francisco treat, folks.

Next:

Mission Dolores and Dolores Cemetery

For all the times I’ve walked through the Mission District, I hadn’t ever realized the history behind the neighborhood’s namesake. Mission Dolores is both the oldest intact mission in California and the oldest building in all of San Francisco. It was one of the only structures to survive the 1906 earthquake. Aside from that it’s just amazingly beautiful. We were also told the history of the Dolores Cemetery, another one of few within SF.

(See, locals can learn something new, too!)

Last:

Dolores Park

If there ever was a place that summed up the Mission District, it’s Dolores Park. Perhaps it’s because at times it feels like the entire city is hanging out there — from tech bros to families to artists and hipsters. There’s the coconut rum man, the Macaw parrots, and any combination of yogis and lawn games to suit your style. If you can tear yourself away from the people watching, it also has one of the best views you’ll find of the city skyline.

Foodies may feel so inclined as to grab ice cream from Bi Rite or pizza from nearby Delfina and take it with them to the park (beware, everyone else does too.) Dolores is also one of the best spots to get some sunshine, even when fog creeps in on the rest of the city.

I couldn’t have been grateful to the other travelers who allowed me to join them. Germany, New Zealand, China, Australia, and Russia were some of the many countries represented on our walk. Thank you for the gift of seeing my city through traveler’s eyes!

The tour guides Mel and El were excellent, bringing to life some of what makes this my favorite city on Earth (and what might easily be overlooked by visitors.)

HI USA Downtown gives this Mission District walking tour to its guests every week on Saturday. I encourage you to learn more about HI USA’s Green Footprints and sustainability initiatives in San Francisco and throughout the US!

And I hope the next time you’re in San Francisco, you’ll give the Mission some of your time. I’ll meet you there…

BONUS!

Other favorite Mission spots….

Restaurants

• Mission Chinese
• Foreign Cinema
• Beretta
• Bar Tartine
• Flour+Water

Taquerias

• Taqueria Cancun
• El Farolito
• La Taqueria
• Pancho Villa

Bars

• Trick Dog
• Evil Eye
• Southern Pacific
• El Techo (Rooftop!)
• ABV

Coffee

• Four Barrel Coffee
• Ritual
• Sightglass

Bakeries and More

• Bi-Rite Market (ice cream!)
• Samovar Tea (get the chai)
• Arizmendi Bakery
• Tartine
• Dandelion Chocolate

Other

• Dogeared Books
• 876 Valencia (The Pirate Store)
• Aquarius Records

Note: this was not a paid partnership, just something I believe in!
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As a freelancer, I like a healthy balance between being in my own world and being surrounded by others. Routine is both my best friend and my worst enemy — I find it encourages productivity but stifles creativity. When I’m short on inspiration, sometimes it’s as simple as a walk through a new neighborhood followed by a couple of hours in a coffee shop with good vibes. I find that even changing up my seating in a familiar place can help me see things in a new light.

Finding a public space to work in offers the best of both worlds. And because there’s nothing like caffeine to fuel both productivity and creativity, for me, I find myself in the city’s best coffee shops more often than not.

When I’m on deadline, I have to prioritize the Internet connection and minimize distractions. When I’m out more to journal or generate ideas, I choose coffee quality above all else. Most days you can find me at my neighborhood go-to’s, which offer a bit of both.

Whether you’re a local (hello!) or a visitor to San Francisco (welcome!,) take it from me…this is my hard-earned list of the best SF coffee shops and where to work remotely in San Francisco:

Just Plain Good Coffee

• Sightglass
• Four Barrel
• Ritual
• Blue Bottle
• Philz

Cute Interiors

(Beware: No wifi!!! GASP!)

• Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters
• The Mill
• B Patisserie
• Le Marais

Excellent Work Space

• Workshop Cafe
• Yakini Q Cafe
• The Social Study
• The Interval at Long Now
• Capital One 360 Cafe

Best of Both Worlds

Also known as…where you’ll find me most days:

• Saint Frank
• Jane on Fillmore
• Coffee Bar

Best SF Coffee Shops To Work In, By ‘Hood

Mission: Haus Coffee
Hayes Valley: Arlequin Cafe
Castro, North Beach: Reveille Coffee
Pac Heights: Jane on Fillmore
The Haight: Flywheel Coffee
Marina/Cow Hollow: Illy Coffee on Union
Presidio: Starbucks (honestly, the prettiest little Sbux you ever did see)
Russian Hill: Saint Frank
Nob Hill: Contraband Coffee Bar, Nook
SOMA: Sextant Coffee Roasters, St Clare, Coffee Cultures
Financial District: Mazarine Coffee, Chai Bar
Inner Sunset: Hollow
Outer Sunset: Andytown
Inner Richmond: fifty/fifty

SF Coworking Opportunities

• WeWork SF: 25 Taylor Street (+13 more locations)
• Nomad-A-What: 639 Clay Street
• Parisoma: 169 11th Street
• Canopy: 2193 Fillmore Street and 595 Pacific Street
• The Laundry: 3359 26th St
• Bespoke Coworking: 845 Market STreet
• Spacious
• Covo: 981 Mission Street
• AvantSpace: 2181 Greenwich Street
• Makespace Coworking: Rotating

Coworking for Women in San Francisco

• The Assembly: 449 14th Street
• The Wing: 115 Sansome Street, Suite #200

Most of these co-working spaces are available by the month, but I haven’t quite wrapped my head around the idea of paying someone so I can go into an office. If I’m going to go into an office that much, you’ll pay me, thanks! (However, the women’s coworking spaces do tempt me!)

Last but not least, sometimes I actually do work best from home. Most if not all of the coffee shops listed here offer delicious beans for home brewing. I’ve been using this Italian-made espresso machine for years, and it’s the only thing that comes close to making delicious espresso at home (budget-friendly for what it is, too!)

Other resources, for finding workspaces and keeping your sanity:

• WHA App (Work Hard Anywhere) or Workfrom (app)
• Freelancers Union
• The Freelancer, by Contently
• Map of Best Coffee Houses by Wifi

Anything missing, San Franciscans?

If you liked this post, check out the rest of my San Francisco pieces. Also, my Instagram is full of my favorite SF spots! I love this city like no other, and it brings me great joy to see others fall in love as well <3

<< Book your San Francisco hotel >>
<< See more San Francisco guides >>

The post Best Coffee Shops to Work Remotely from in San Francisco appeared first on Part-Time Traveler.

•  Where: The Presidio, San Francisco
• When: Around 4 pm on a sunny Saturday
• What: Escape the city and walk amongst the trees (without leaving the city.) The Golden Gate Bridge is within short walking distance as well.

The post Afternoon Light in San Francisco appeared first on Part-Time Traveler.

You know what’s boring?

Hearing about someone else’s food tour, seeing the photos, and not being able to eat the food yourself.  It’s why I can’t watch the Food Network when I’m hungry.

So, instead I’m going to tell you what’s not boring: Oakland.
Let’s be honest, Oakland hasn’t always had the best reputation — in fact, despite being nicknamed “the new Brooklyn” and finding Bay Area residents flocking to live there in search of culture and cheaper rent, it’s still not a place many travelers (or locals) have on their bucket list.

You heard it here first (or here and here, but who’s counting)…Oakland is on the up (and up.)  It’s quick and easy to take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) across the bay to-and-from the city, and best of all, Oakland offers not only some of the same charm and beauty we San Franciscans love but, more importantly, a unique, burgeoning food scene.

I’ll travel just about anywhere for a food tour, especially as a way to discover a place I have yet to explore.  You can imagine my delight at only having to take the short trip across the bay to experience Oakland’s culinary scene, which in a word I would describe as:

Enter Savor Oakland Food Tours.

The owners are passionate advocates of the Oakland area, who took it upon themselves to do the taxing work of tasting, sipping, and exploring the traditional and progressive food scene of Oakland, only to present the best options to you.

My tour guide Carlo was not only an Oakland native and foodie, but a mythbusting machine that’s ready to tackle your hesitations about food, life, and travel in Oakland.  He proudly shared a wealth of knowledge about the city’s past, present, and future.  (Did you know Oakland made the New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in 2012, #5, the only place in North America on the list? Did you? I had no idea.)

We all know about San Francisco’s Chinatown, one of the largest and most famous in the United States (also, created for tourists…did you know? Also, hate to break it to you, but not the best place to eat in the city.)  When the chance came my way to explore Oakland’s Chinatown — I jumped on it faster than I do a piping hot soup dumpling. (And that is fast, people.)

A few things I learned about Oakland on my food tour…

• Oakland has 158 different neighborhoods (whoa.)
• Over 120 languages are spoken.
• Oakland gets roughly 300 days of sunshine a year (as opposed to the fog of SF, which I do love…)
• Oakland’s Chinatown is the 4th largest in the USA.
• Oakland’s history dates back to 1852. Many immigrants came from China, but at the time men did not cook unless it was for the Imperial Court. As a result, Chinese restaurants in America are derived from only one region’s food and placate Western tastes.
• There are more Chinese restaurants in the US than McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King combined! (Say whaaat?)
  Ever asked: why do they all have the same menu? (beef with broccoli anyone?)
• Fortune cookies are NOT from China. They weren’t even introduced in China until the 1990s.
  

Oakland’s Chinatown is so cool, that it’s not even strictly Chinese food — it’s more of a Pan-Asian neighborhood, meaning the tour showed neighboring countries like Vietnam and Cambodia some love (music to my ears.)

A few things you should eat (from the food tour:)

Classic Guilin noodles, a form of Chinese rice noodles that have been served around Guangxi Province since the Qin Dynasty : at Classic Guilin Noodles

Warm, fresh fortune cookies – with a side of accurate history lesson : at Tom’s Bakery

Ban Cuon Dac Biet, Goi Cuon (spring rolls,) Bahn Tom Chien Kuai (sweet potato fritters,) and mmm Vietnamese coffee : at Bahn Cuon Tay Ho

Vegan Chinese food – that basically tastes better than the non-vegan kind (how?) : at Nature Vegetarian

BBQ Pork Buns (‘nough said) and other delicious Chinese pastries : at Tao Yuen

Plair Sach Ko (tangy beef salad) and who knows what else (too full at this point) : at Battambang Cambodian restaurant

A few more places Savor Oakland recommends you feast:

Sun Hing – Hong Kong Style BBQ, roast duck, roast pork: 386 8th Street

Gum Kuo – Congee: 388 9th Street #182

Shen Dong – Hand pulled noodles: 328 10th Street

>> Better yet, take a food tour with Carlo or his awesome team yourself!

Can I get a ‘thumbs up’ for Asian noodles?  For a food tour that radiates local love from its guide and its plates?  Can I get two ‘thumbs up’ for authentic Asian noodles, ones that take your stomach to Asia, available in San Francisco’s own backyard?

It was like a little trip to Asia without the expensive flight and the jet lag.  Close my eyes, especially at the market, and I’m right back traveling in Asia.  My heart and my stomach are so full.

Glad I followed to this fortune and took a chance on Oakland.

Word up to my homies at Savor Oakland for inviting me on their awesome tour, and facilitating my new love for my neighboring city.  All opinion and word choice is strictly and definitely my own.

The post Exploring Oakland’s Chinatown appeared first on Part-Time Traveler.

But first —

What is the Mrs. Doubtfire House address in San Francisco?

Answer: 2640 Steiner Street

(just like she says in the film!)

That’s the thing about part-time travel: we strive to look at the world with the same eyes we do when we’re traveling — and sometimes this means making time to wander your own city.

I’ve begun setting aside time in my day for nothing but wandering.  Walking outdoors is almost always where my best ideas come from (and bonus: I love walking around appreciating San Francisco and sometimes, even taking pictures as I do so.)

Today was like any other day — I walked the twenty or so minutes to my yoga class midday.  Except that the world lost a beautiful soul this week, and in a particularly tragic way.  People’s response was overwhelming.

Now, I have mixed emotions about grieving for a person you’ve never actually met.  I have my own opinions about our celebrity-obsessed culture. But as I walked home today and heard the rustling of a crowd nearby, I followed my curiosity straight to a group of strangers mourning the loss of an icon — and I’m so glad I did.

I visited San Francisco as a kid, but I’m pretty sure my biggest impression of the city I would come to love so much comes from Mrs. Doubtfire  (a movie I still adore and watch, as recently as last year.)

I distinctly remember Sally Field’s character telling “Mrs. Doubtfire” the street address of the house for the interview, “2640 Steiner St.”  Turns out that’s the actual address in the city for the house that was used in the movie!

At first I was skeptical, and mostly glad that the home didn’t belong to the family of Robin Williams. Yet approaching the steps where San Franciscans have laid flowers, notes, and photos from his films, the cynic in me was quickly put to rest.

Having spent part of his childhood in the Bay Area, and filming several movies in the city — not to mention his obvious affection for SF — Robin Williams became a sort of San Francisco icon.  That’s something I knew even before I moved here.

He once said “I can walk down the streets of San Francisco, and here I’m normal.”  

This simple statement gives so much profound meaning to the heart of my own relationship to SF.

So as my Facebook and Twitter feeds blew up with individual mourning, as the media made its own statements about his life and his career… it was special to me to find a community outpouring of support and personal remembrance for Robin Williams — right in my own backyard.

Side note: I was featured on the CBS local news coverage of this memorial.  There’s an interesting story of the man who lives in the house now (there is a small connection to the film.)  I have one quick thing to say in my interview.  Watch the clip. (I’m at about 1:05)

My run-in with the tribute to Robin Williams left me, like many of us, reflecting on some of his most meaningful work.  Here are a few of the quotes from the characters in his films that I find particularly poignant:

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change this world.” –Dead Poets Society

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” – Dead Poets Society

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” – Dead Poets Society

“You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.” – Patch Adams

“Thank you for believing.” – Hook

“Real loss is only possible when you love something more than you love yourself. I doubt you’ve ever dared to love anything that much.” – Good Will Hunting

“Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Don’t be resigned to that. Break out!” – Dead Poets Society

“You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” – Good Will Hunting

 “If there’s love, dear… those are the ties that bind, and you’ll have a family in your heart, forever.” – Mrs. Doubtfire

“But oh, to be free. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world.” – Aladdin

“That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.  What will your verse be?”-  Dead Poets Society

I’ve been guilty lately of scheduling my days to a ‘T’…calls with clients, classes, coffee meetings, even penciling in my walks around the city. You never know where that may take you.  It’s important to leave space in your day for randomness, humor, and wandering. 

Something tells me Robin would approve.

The post Remembering Robin Williams at the Mrs. Doubtfire House appeared first on Part-Time Traveler.