San Francisco To-Do List

Living in San Francisco is a dream come true. I can't believe how much there is to do and eat, so this list will continue to grow over the years. But I've put together a beginner's guide of the big things to hit up. These are the classic postcard sites that are yes, a little touristy, but for good reason. And this doesn't include any of the incredible restaurants. That's a guide all on its own!

These are in no particular order, and it's an on-going list. (Click on the YELLOW links for more info/photos.)

1. Palace of the Fine Arts: Beautiful park and architecture with a pond with swans, grassy hills, and benches to enjoy the sun.

2. Chinatown: Eat at House of Nan King, or go to the fortune cookie factory.

3. The Exploritorium: The sweetest hands-on science museum for adults and kids.

4. Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39: Do the classics like eat overpriced clam chowder, ride the carousel, visit the seals. (The Codmother is the best place for fish n' chips.)

5. Golden Gate Bridge: Park in the visitor's center lot or down by Crissy Field. You can either walk across it, or you can rent bikes.

6. Stinson Beach: An hour north of SF on Pacific Highway, it's a beautiful drive.

7. Lombard Street

8. Coit Tower: Go to the top, the view is incredible.

9. Ferry Plaza Building Farmers Market: It's supposedly the best market in the country.

10: Alamo Square: Full House, need I say more?

11. Japanese Tea Garden

12. Conservatory of Flowers: Greenhouse full of exotic plants.

13. de Young Museum: A really fantastic art museum. Go to the top floor for a panoramic view of the city.

14. Golden Gate Park Music Concourse: This park reminds me a lot of the park in Paris by the Eiffel Tower.

15. Discovery Bay Museum: Pretty sweet play museum for kids.

16. Legion of Honor: Art museum with a ton of classics.

17. Watch the sailboats: Most weekends, the Bay is packed with sailboats. Walk along the beach at Crissy Field and watch them sail.

18. Baker Beach: Great views of the bridge.

19. Giants Game: Get the garlic fries. You won't regret it.

20. Trolley Ride: Take the Hyde to Powell line; it starts down at the Wharf near Ghiradelli Square, or at Union Square, but get on at the second stop to avoid the 45-min line at the end of the line.

21. Ghiradelli Square: If anything, they hand out free chocolate to everyone. But their ice cream is pretty good, too!

22. Grace Cathedral: The oldest Gothic Cathedral in the west, this is an art-lover must. Especially because it features Ghiberti's gold doors (the same ones at the Baptistry in Florence, Italy).

23. Land's End: A beautiful trail that walks along the coast, has a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a cool labyrinth.

24. Pacific Highway 1: This is probably one of the prettiest drives I've been on. Start in SF and just start heading south.

25. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: It's 1.5 hours south, but this amusement park on the beach is worth it.

26. SF Zoo: Who doesn't love the zoo?! FREE on the first Wednesdays to SF residents.

27. Carousel at Golden Gate Park: For only $2, this old-fashion carousel is a fun ride.

28. Presidio Walking Trails: There are a bunch of trails that hug the coast and then eventually lead down to the beach. Beware, the north end is a nude beach!

29. Farms and Pumpkin Patches: All down the coast south of SF are a bunch of farms and fruit stands. If you go during the fall, Arata's is a fun pumpkin patch.

30. Point Bonita Lighthouse: Gorgeous views of the city, GG Bridge, Pacific Ocean, sunsets...

 30. Stowe Lake: Great path along the perimeter of the lake, you can rent a row boat, and feeding the ducks is fun.

31. Alcatraz

32. MOMA: (Closed until 2016)

33. Muir Woods: Just 20 min. north of SF is the most beautiful redwood forest.

34. Window shop Clement: Clement [St.] is bursting with amazing restaurants, cozy bookstores, knick knack shops, and more.

35. Twin Peaks: A great view of the city--you can drive, hike, run, or bike.

36. Sutro Baths: Ruins of an old bathhouse right on the ocean. So cool!

37. Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden: In Golden Gate Park is a quaint tulip garden that feels just like Holland.

38. Botanical Gardens: 55 acres in Golden Gate Park of lush mini ecosystems from around the world. FREE every day to SF residents!

39: Monterey Bay Aquarium: It's 2 hours south, but if you're making a day trip, it's totally worth it.

40: Marina Boardwalk: All the way from Chrissy Field to Fort Mason is a huge path for walking, running, biking, long boarding, and even strollerblading. It's about 2 miles and has great views of the Bridge, Bay, and yachts.

41. Sunset Sail: We found a Groupon for Bay Breeze Charters and went sailing in the Bay for $40. It was incredible.

42. Walt Disney Museum: It's just as cool for adults as it is for kids. Kind of pricey, but we went on a free day.

43. Union Square/Market Street: Very touristy, but there are some fun places to shop and eat. Hit it up if you're close, but don't necessarily go out of your way.

44. Dolores Park: This is the best park for kids, hipsters, or afternoon strollers. It has it all! Plus, it's right by Tartine, BiRite, and Delfina's Pizza--all must-eats.

45. Lyon Stairs: Looking for a good workout or great views of the Bay? The Lyon stairs (291 steps, I counted) are perfect. Lyon and Broadway St.

46. Fort Mason: This old, outdoor port has science experiments from the old Exploratorium and fun shops and cafes.

47. East Beach: This beach is great because of its calm water, great views, and sailboat watching.

48. Presidio Veteran's Cemetery: Acres of beautiful, sacred grounds.

49. Gardens at Conservatory of Flowers: The Conservatory is only free the first Tuesday of the month, but the gardens are always free and sunny with plenty of pretty flowers, usually someone playing live music, and just a wonderful ambiance. 

50. Ocean Beach Bonfire: At Ocean Beach right across the street from the restaurant Beach Chalet are about 15 fire pits that make for a great bonfire. Bring your own wood and lighter fluid.

51. Walking Tour--Hidden Public Spaces: The city offers free walking tours at SF City Guides, which I highly recommend!

52. Ferry Building Walking Tour: Another free tour through SF City Guides of the Ferry Building's history.

53. Moraga Mosaic Stairs: 163 steps of beautiful mosaics that start with images from the ocean floor and gradually end with the sun in the sky.

54. Academy of Science: This museum is a combo of an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum. It's pretty great. Free on certain days of the year for residents, or you can check out a free family pass at the library.

55. Book Bay Bookstore: Hands down my favorite bookstore in the city. They sell used books of all sorts, vintage books turned into art, have a great children's section with books starting at $1, and a little cafe inside the store. We come here like every other week.

56. Kayak the Bay: Start at Baker Beach or East Beach and enjoy the views!

I know I'm missing a TON. Where do you go? Leave a comment below!