Aside from that bridge, San Francisco lacks the iconic monuments and attractions of other major conurbations. But this is a place that enjoys life and is persistently voted among the world’s most liveable cities. So, although you might be on a jam-packed city break, you’ll find there’s ample opportunity to chill out, too. Perhaps in a kayak on the bay, in one of the city’s most tempting brunch spots, over a quiet beer in a microbrewery, or just exploring Chinatown. Whether you want bustle or you’d prefer an easy time of it, contact your lifestyle manager and we’ll create an itinerary designed to get the very most from your trip.
'San Francisco is fabulous for shopping. The best place to kick off a day of retail therapy is at Union Square. This large plaza surrounded by palm trees is home to some of the biggest names in fashion, from Louis Vuitton to a Macy’s department store. For a break and a moment to admire your purchase, head to The Cheesecake Factory at the top of Macy’s for spectacular views over the square. A short tram ride takes you to Westfield, where there’s a two-storey Abercrombie & Fitch store and plenty of high-end brands. For something a bit more unique, I’d recommend going slightly off the beaten track to Mission Street. It’s packed with quirky boutiques and cafés, punctuated by markets, bakeries, and local shops that hint at the area’s Latin roots. The only trouble is figuring out how to get all this shopping home.'
Sophie Johnson – travel writer
What we can do for members in San Francisco
- Book you a place on board the wine tour train from San Francisco to Napa Valley and recommend the best labels to pick up while there.
- Arrange Alcatraz tour tickets and get you on the early bird, day, or night tour.
- Source bike hire for you and your family, in case you feel like cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Prepare an itinerary and directions, or arrange car hire if your visit is part of a brief or lengthy American road trip.
- Find yoga, rock climbing, or Tai Chi lessons – whatever you want.
What we can’t do
- Change the law so you can recreate Steve McQueen’s legendary car chase in Bullitt. We can, however, source a Ford Mustang GT so you cruise around in the same wheels. Sensibly, of course.
Set your sights
Fill your camera with snapshots of the city’s famous Golden Gate Bridge painted in its fiery signature colour, ‘International Orange’. You can take a walk across it, or for a highly original perspective, bob beneath it in a kayak. Apart from the bridge, San Francisco’s most famous landmark is Alcatraz, the island prison which once contained America’s most notorious criminals, including Al ‘Scarface’ Capone. Contact your lifestyle manager for recommendations on the best tours available. Head to the waterfront and wander the six or so blocks containing Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghiradelli Square and Pier 39, though the iconic sea lions are rarely seen these days.
Seize the day
Take control and see San Francisco the way you want to.
Brunch: Dottie's or Mama's are really the only places to be when you're bleary-eyed, even if the queues are quite long. Or you can try a rousing coffee at the Italian cafés in North Beach. Ask your lifestyle manager to look into whose ‘steamin’ Joe’ is best.
Morning: Head over to City Kayak, where you can rent by the hour or for a whole day. Alternatively, ask your lifestyle manager to book you on to a kayak tour – these range from a leisurely thirty-minute paddle to a three-hour trip out to Alcatraz.
Lunch: You may still be full from brunch. In which case we advocate a sundae lunch – skipping sensible sandwiches for one of Ghirardelli's legendary creations. Feel indecisive over the World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae, the Golden Gate Banana Split or the Rocky Road Sundae.
Afternoon: The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) has large exhibitions and a great collection, which manages to appeal to all ages.
Spa: Tru Spa is a sleek day spa where couples can indulge in a Pair's Polish, ladies can be bestowed with 'Glamour Eyes' and gentlemen can smarten up their toes with a men's pedicure. Ask your lifestyle manager if you’d like further spa suggestions.
Dinner: For Bay cuisine at its very best, make sure you’re booked in at Michelin-starred Murray Circle, where diners can work their way through the tasting menu (roasted maitake mushrooms, truffle-scented partridge breast, and pear tart with cracked pepper ice cream). Chase this with a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon on the veranda.
Show: Not the most conventional show, granted, but the eerie prison in the sea is best viewed after dark. The Alcatraz night tour offers the most comprehensive look at the place and is consistently voted the best tour of the bay.
