In San Francisco for 24 hours? Explore the best of the city.
Less7AM : Watch the sunrise from Coit Tower’s car park. It’s best to arrive a half hour before the sun comes up to see the sky gradually lighten and reveal the San Francisco Bay Bridge, Treasure Island and the East Bay cities of Oakland and Berkeley. The plaintive call of a foghorn provides the soundtrack.
8AM : Head for Sweet Maple in the Pacific Heights for a hearty breakfast. This popular spot has an extensive and varied menu, which includes some ingenious ways of preparing bacon.
10AM : Visit the newly expanded San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It has one of the largest collections of artworks in the world. Getting there shortly after opening is the way to avoid the crowds.
11:30AM : Stroll through Yerba Buena Gardens, a broad green expanse where you can sit back with a book or simply watch the world go by. Don’t miss the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Fountain.
1PM : Treat yourself to a lunch at Tartine Manufactory, a reliable choice in the Mission with the look of an industrial warehouse. It has a huge oven for its legendary homemade breads and offers salads, quiches and sandwiches made with ultra-fresh ingredients.
2:30PM : Take a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most beautiful walks in the country. Whether it’s sunny or foggy, this is one experience that never fails to thrill. Be sure to take some warm clothing – temperatures can be considerably cooler high above the water.
4PM : Find a book that evokes Beat era values at City Lights. The store has been a literary gathering place since its founding in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti. It’s where Beat poets including Allen Ginsberg convened to read verses.
5PM : Have a skincare consultation with the friendly experts in organic and natural beauty products at Credo Beauty. Its Fillmore store is full of luxury specialist products, as well as make-up guaranteed natural and non-toxic.
6:30PM : Dine at Greens Restaurant, that rare phenomenon, a top-rated vegetarian spot, with the dual advantage of panoramic views of the Fort Mason marina and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy yourself, in line with current health regulations.
8PM : Order one of the very special Martinis at Martuni's, the cocktail bar, piano bar and cabaret with timeless retro charm, where the evenings sometimes end in a sing-along.