I have a sneaky little feeling that had I visited San Francisco in my early twenties I may have never left. While I’m not a huge fan of cities in general, this is the kinda city that seriously gets under your skin. I only spent 5 nights there, but already I’m thinking about all the things I want to do and places I want to see the next time I get back there again (well… I’m hoping I’ll make it back someday anyway!). My days were kinda busy so there were some places I didn’t make it to, such as Omnivore Books, Wholefoods and Tartine Bakery (not that I could’ve eaten anything, but I still would have loved to drool!), but I still had a good look around, met some of my food heroes and ate plenty of amazing food! I thought there might be a few of you who would be interested to see the places that caught my eye, so I’ve listed them below… with a few other random favourites tacked on the end for good measure. I’ll be back with a recipe at the end of the week and an exciting giveaway too!
* Cookin‘. A treasure trove of vintage props! My kinda heaven.
* The Mill. Hipster cafe.
* Gracia’s Madre. Amazing vegan Mexican restaurant. I’m still dreaming of this place.
* Ferry Building Farmers Markets. Must see. Especially Far West Fungi and Rancho Gordo (both permanent stores, inside).
* Urban Picnic. Lovely, cheap, healthy Asian-inspired eats. Loads of Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten-free options.
* Berkeley Bowl Marketplace. What I would give to have this right outside my house!
* Bi-rite. Lavender and honey ice cream. The best.
* Umami Mart. Quirky Japanese-inspired store. Oakland and Divisadero St, SF locations.
* Marion and Rose. Beautiful art/design store, Oakland.
* Chez Panisse, Berkeley. An institution. (To get to Berkeley and Oakland from SF, take the Richmond bound BART from downtown, super easy and cheap).
* Next time I’m gonna eat here and here and here…
* Alamo Square. Take the #21 bus from Powell/Market St, jump off at Steiner St.
* If you missed all my other photos from my trip and wanted to see them, click here.
* We’re all a little guilty of this and it makes me more than a little sad.
* Nice version.
* So proud of my beautiful friend.
* This put a smile on my face!
* Love this idea! Waste-free takeaways.
* What a beautiful idea.
* Nice song.
* In this one moment, everything changed.
* Just wow.
* Must read.
* Beautiful song.
20 Responses
i fell in love with SF earlier this year too.
Really beautiful pictures Emm!Chez Panisse is my website in the depths of a prairie winter looking at their specials brightens my day!Great lists.
Wow what an amazing city. We're going later in the year I'll be sure to pin this and check some of thee places out!!! Mx
Your pictures are lovely!
Emm, welcome back and thanks so much for your beautiful post sharing the trip and all the other favourite links. : ) Joanne Weir came to cook at my cooking school many years ago!
Emma, your photos and links are amazing and have given me even more motivation to get to San Francisco. It has been on my list of 'places to go' for several years now and I REALLY hope to go next year. Your post makes me excited about the prospect 🙂
What gorgeous photos, I'd love to visit one day 🙂
Great photos and guide! I've been going to San Francisco since I was born (my hometown is just 90 miles away), and 20 years later I'm still trying to figure out how to get there and not have to leave at the end of the day 🙂 It's a city like no other, that's for sure!
I am really looking forward to visit SF, I have been wanting to for so long – long story too, but I have bookmarked all these spots for when I finally get to go. Thank you for sharing this lovely list. x
You're welcome! Hope you make it there some day xx
Hi EMMA,beautiful pictures, California rocks!
I wanted to ask you something, Im switching my diet to a complete gluten free. Which other books (apart from yours) do you recommend?
Many thanks, Clara!
Hi Clara,
Have you checked out Shauna's site? Glutenfreegirl.com? She was my biggest help in those early days and her last cookbook -Gluten-free Girl Everyday- has loads and loads of great recipes and information. xx
Wow, thank you so much!! I'll check them up!
Oh I'm SO happy you loved SF. It's pretty magical isn't it? So liveable…so tempting, rahhh!! Great pictures xx
Oh bugger! I live right near Chez Panisse. I could have met you there. Boo. Next time 🙂
Oh buggar alright! I was there two days in a row! How lucky are you living so close to that amazing natural foods supermarket… And everything else! Enjoy xx
I just had the privilege of living there for 6 months, and that STILL wasn't long enough to eat and see everything. I missed out on that honey and lavender ice cream for a start! Your photos have just made me rather nostalgic, in a lovely memory way.
san francisco looks like such an amazing place!
xo, cheyenne
I feel utterly blessed to call San Francisco my home. The city is hard not to love. Although, I have relocated and found a new home about an hour north in the Wine Country. With your love of the city, I am sure you will make a trip back, and when you do, I believe you would love the area of Sonoma and Napa County. Its a foodie paradise, that draws much of its inspiration for the Bay Area.
I was just transported right back there….I am going back in Feb next year for a few days…I can't wait.