Handlery Union Square Hotel
Spending four nights in San Francisco this past August I experienced great joy and happiness doing some of the things I love most in this amazing city with my children. Prior to our trip I had found a great deal online staying at the Handlery Union Square Hotel with free parking included. It was my third time visiting this property and it did not disappoint. We stayed in the older tower of the hotel and our room was incredibly spacious!
Prior to arriving to San Francisco I made a few reservations for restaurants and events creating an itinerary that included seeing friends, eating out and seeing sights that I thought we would enjoy. Having worked in San Francisco in my 20’s I know how to navigate around the City and feel very comfortable planning itineraries or going with the flow. The goal of this particular trip was to show my kids what I love about San Francisco with the hope that they too would find it a special spot to visit.
Union Square Shopping
The Palace Hotel- Garden Court Leaded Glass Ceiling- How beautiful !!
After settling in at the hotel we walked to Union Square, which was one block away. Next we started shopping! The kids and I visited Macy’s Department Store, strolled the streets and walked down Maiden Lane. We also made a quick stop in the Palace Hotel to see the beautiful leaded glass ceiling.
Hanging Out and Dining in Haight Ashbury
Craving some good paella, we made our way to ChaChaCha Restaurant in Haight Ashbury for dinner. There are two locations for this restaurant in San Francisco and I opted to go to the one that would have easier parking. I had originally planned to Uber there, but the rates were so high that I drove my car the short distance instead to dinner. What I did not realize until after we arrived is that my daughter really enjoyed visiting the land of hippies and grooved on Haight Ashbury’s psychedelic feel.
Cable Car Ride to Pier 39 and Walking Around
The next morning we hopped on the cable car that runs up and down Powell Street and headed towards Pier 39 and the waterfront. We lucked out with a free fare, as we learned that during the month of August the cable car lines were not charging for rides! Instead of paying $8.00 each for a one-way trip to the waterfront and other spots we took advantage of the this offer taking the cable car around town whenever possible. Arriving to Pier 39 I discovered that it was pleasantly empty due to our early arrival and lack of tourists’ traveling due to the pandemic.
Boudin Bakery – Summer Grill Dining
We ate lunch that day at the Boudin Bakery complex; I am a big fan of Boudin Bakery sourdough bread. Back in 2005 they built a factory with a demonstration bakery, market, café, bistro and museum & bakery tour near Pier 39 on Jefferson Street. On this particular trip I was excited to experience the newly installed “Boudin Summer Grill” for outdoor dining for lunch. I enjoyed my roasted crab while the kids ate a sourdough chili bowl and a Margherita wood fired pizza on sourdough crust.
Dessert Time in Ghirardelli Square
No visit to Pier 39 is complete without taking a short walk to Ghirardelli Square for some chocolate. There was a long line to eat in the ice cream and chocolate shop so we went to the retail store, bought chocolate and ordered our desserts to go! There was seating here too and we took a break to enjoy our sweet treats!
Our Hotel Pool
Having big plans to attend the San Francisco Giants baseball game that evening we headed home to relax. I visited the hotel’s pool with my free time. I did not swim, but I was actually surprised that it was warm enough to swim in a city that is usually cold in August with its warmest temperatures in September.
Fun Times at the San Francisco Giants Game
I enjoyed the walk to the Oralce Park with the kids and many other Giants’ fans. The San Francisco Giants are my favorite baseball team. On that note I must admit that it is hard to be a Giants fan living in Los Angeles, where so many people are passionate about the Dodgers. That evening I definitely enjoyed the atmosphere, fans and the stadium that the children were finally able to visit. I have made a point of going to a Giants game my last three trips to the city, but this third trip was the first time I could share the fun experience with my kids! They loved it. Unfortunately, the Coca Cola Slide in the fan lot was closed due to the Covid pandemic, so I guess that means that we will have to return next summer and see if it is open! The Giants lost to the Colorado Rockies, but it was still a great game!! Go Giants!!!
Coit Tower – Filbert & Greenwich Steps!
Waking up early the next morning I was a year older! To start the new year on a positive note I rode a bus over to the Coit Tower. I had not taken the stairs to the top of this monument in at least 20 years and welcomed the challenge. After exiting the bus I made my way down the streets of the modern day Barbary Coast that was pretty empty less one club that still had a line to enter. Walking towards Levi’s Plaza I did not encounter another person until I made it to the top where the tower is located. I had a peaceful walk up the Filbert Street stairs. At the entrance to Pioneer Park I spoke to a man walking his dog and continued on in the fog to the front of the landmark. I felt a sense of accomplishment having made this journey early in the morning and I was glad that I had taken this impromptu trip here. I took the Greenwich Street stairs back enjoying the beautiful gardens as I descended below taking in great views of the Bay Bridge, which was becoming visible in front of me with the fog lifting.
Vermont Street is Definitely Crooked!
Most tourists know that Lombard Street is coined as the most crooked street in the world. It is located near Pier 39 and is a popular tourist attraction. Over the years I had read about another crooked street in San Francisco and this trip I found the time to make my way to Vermont Street. There was a nice park at the top of the street in this quiet part of town. Although this street is not maintained to the same degree as Lombard Street it did not disappoint. I enjoyed navigating my way down and was happy to check off another spot on my “things do to in San Francisco list”!
Park Chalet Restaurant
Golden Gate Park’s Koret Children’s Quarter
Lunch that day was spent with friends at Park Chalet Restaurant, which is located across the street from the Pacific Ocean on the edge of Golden Gate Park. That particular Sunday there was a triathlon going on from Alcatraz Island and this area was particularly busy. I always enjoy eating at Park Chalet since it is family oriented with Golden Gate Park as its backyard, who could ask for a better park to play in. We experienced the coldest temperatures of our trip on this side of town, but after having a drink and chatting away with friends I quickly warmed up. After brunch we continued on to Koret Children’s Quarter and played in Golden Gate Park.
Alamo Square and Mrs. Doubtfire’s House
On the way home we picked up dinner at a grocery, visited Alamo Square, home of the famous painted ladies, and drove past Mrs. Doubtfire’s house which was made famous in the comedy film with Robin Williams. Not going out that evening was welcomed by all after having run around continuously since the moment we had left Los Angeles a few days prior! We ended the night eating dinner and dessert by the pool.
North Beach Fun Day!
I had made reservations via SF Parks & Recreation to play tennis in North Beach, which is the Italian section of San Francisco, the next morning. We took a bus over to Joe DiMaggio Playground and had time to play on the structures before our reservation began. Many years ago they updated the park and library in this neighborhood and the upgraded facilities are a welcome change. The park is well maintained with great views of the city surrounding it. Tennis was fun! After tennis we ate an amazing lunch at Il Casaro Pizzeria. Our meal was delicious and included spiendini di calamari, Margherita pizza and lasagna. For dessert we had authentic Italian gelato at Lush Gelato on Columbus Avenue. Their mint flavored gelato was soooo good!! When I ate it I felt like I was at the tea house by the Jardin-des-Plantes in Paris having Moroccan mint tea, it was that tasty!!
UC Hastings School of Law
San Francisco Shopping Center
Following our time in North Beach my daughter and I took a short walk to the Tenderloin district and visited the University of California, Hasting College of Law School. She wants to go there one day and I had to show it to her. Although the school is located on the edge of the Tenderloin, which is a sketchy area of the city, it is a great law school. We stopped at the San Francisco Shopping Center on the way back to the hotel so I could show her the cool spiral escalator inside the mall.
Spark Social- SF Dining Experience
Twin Peaks has Amazing Views
That evening we dined by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with a colleague of mine who works in San Francisco at the university. We ate at Spark Social SF, which is a food truck park just north of the university. It was a great spot to meet as there were multiple options on what to eat and I enjoyed a tasty meal while catching up with my friend. On our way home I detoured to Twin Peaks and we saw the sun set over the City. It was a little windy and cold, but beyond beautiful. Timing is everything!
Cable Car Ride from the Wharf
University of California Berkeley
The next day we left the City after another trip on the cable car to Pier 39 to eat breakfast and loading up on bread at the Boudin Bakery! We spent that day driving home after visiting where I once lived on the East Bay and a quick trip to University of California, Berkeley!
San Francisco is such a beautiful city with great people, amazing food, beautiful architecture and so much to do. My children thoroughly enjoyed this trip and were able to see why I love San Francisco. Mission accomplished l!
Living and Dreaming in the South Bay 