San Francisco is home to generations of history and iconic features such as the Golden Gate Bridge, picturesque views from Twin Peaks, a tech-savvy Silicon Valley, and the Beat and Hippie Movements. San Francisco has a unique geography as it is surrounded by water on three sides and hills on the other. It has been the backdrop to over 100 movies, and its charming and distressed buildings, and large open roads give an unforced romance to the city. As we prepare to launch our San Francisco trip, we have prepared Plans A, B, and C for an organized stroll through the city. *** PLAN A: Enjoy “Wasting Time” at Museums and Bookstores To fully appreciate San Francisco’s hippie and Beat Writer culture, a whole day at the museums and bookstores is advisable. You may easily leave still wanting more time. A Place for Beat Writers to Meet City Lights was started in 1953 by poet laureate Lawrence Ferlinghetti together with Peter D. Martin. It is one of the best known - if not the best - independent bookshops in the Bay Area and has become a landmark of the city itself. From the very beginning it served both as a literary meeting place and publisher of poetry, essays, and short novels by local and international writers. City Lights was a key contributor to the cultural revolutions of the time. To this day, City Lights has published in excess of 200 authors, and the store itself has a remarkable collection of world literature. As a bookseller and publisher, Ferlinghetti describes it as “a place where the public is invited to participate in the great conversation between authors of all ages, ancient and modern.” With the city designating it as San Francisco Landmark No. 228, which makes it a must-see for tourists, especially if they happen to snag a copy of Kerouac’s On the Road.
CITY LIGHTS Booksellers & Publishers
Address: 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
More Surprising Than a Cat Darting Out of an Alley
Alley Cat Books & Gallery, the sister store to the popular Mission District bookstore Dog Eared Books, is a multifaceted independent bookstore and, once you step inside, small as it may first appear, it is surprisingly large, like a cat that suddenly appears from a side street.
The “gallery” area features local artists and provides an open space for reading groups, movie screenings, workshops, and other activities.
The shelves are stocked with used and remaindered books, while delightful diversions fill the odd corners with whimsical items, art, and other curiosities. They also house locally published literature, books on LGBT topics, and all sorts of other high-quality printed material. This is the kind of store where literarily-inclined customers will be able to lose all sense of time.
Alley Cat Books & Gallery
Address: 3036 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
An Art Museum Reimagined as a Community Space
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or SFMOMA, was established in 1935 as the first modern art museum on the West Coast of the United States. In 2016, an expansion in collaboration with Snøhetta added two principal entrances along the pedestrian pathway around the original building and on Howard Street, transforming this long-standing institution into a more friendly, community-focused art venue.
The extended SFMOMA has a total area of about 43,000 sq. m. The eastern side has over 700 fibreglass reinforced panels, which create a visual impression of the mist and water of the San Francisco Bay Area, changing with the movement of the sun. Importantly, the project not only expanded the exhibition space, but also the public space, thereby providing visitors more opportunities to meet, stay, and exchange ideas.
The museum still owns the 36 pieces that Albert M. Bender donated when the museum was established. Before he died in 1941, he is said to have donated over 1,100 artworks. During the original information time frame, general adult admission was $25, admission for visitors aged 19-24 was $19 while members and visitors under 18 entered free. San Francisco CityPASS holders got a 45% discount.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Address: 151 Third St, San Francisco, CA 94103
A Rich Record of American Art
The de Young Museum was established in 1895 in Golden Gate Park. It is one of San Francisco’s defining cultural landmarks and draws the public through the significance of the institution and its extremely unique design.
The museum was rebuilt and reopened in 2005, featuring a metal-clad inverted trapezoidal construction and a 44-metre tall tower. The top floor features unobstructed 360-degree views of the music concourse and Golden Gate Park, as well as the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. The building is wrapped in 15,154.2 square metres of copper cladding that will turn a green color as it oxidizes. The museum features landscaped courtyards that blend seamlessly with the surrounding park. Inside the museum is a large collection of American art from the 17th century to the present, as well as contemporary international art, textiles, and costumes. Some of the permanent collections include works of American artists, art from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Native American communities, in addition to modern and contemporary artists of international acclaim. The holdings are what make the de Young an invaluable asset for research and education. The museum is known to be among the top in the west for American art and one of the most significant institutions in the country for offering the history of non-Indigenous American art. de Young Museum Address: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118 // PLAN B: Immerse Yourself in Real Vintage Culture // Vintage culture is integral to the San Francisco aesthetic. The rich history of denim and workwear in the West is complemented by San Francisco’s access to authentic retro apparel, including a wide variety of classic workwear styles. A visit to a vintage multi-brand store is simply part of the itinerary. A Pilgrimage Site for Vintage Enthusiasts UNIONMADE, a long-time favorite of vintage enthusiasts, created a large collection of American vintage clothing, including reproduction workwear. Just under a year post-launch, the menswear boutique that doubled as a lifestyle store received accolades from GQ America as one of the top ten menswear boutiques. With wooden racks stocked, the effortlessly stylish dresser is catered for, with an offering that includes twill jackets, waxed-cotton jackets, nautical striped T-shirts, hardy leather boots, vintage jeans, and checked and striped shirts, all selected for their quality and craftsmanship. Additionally, UNIONMADE collaborated with Alden to sell exclusive styles of leather boots. Retro Japanese magazine, Free & Easy, vintage books, and homeware were also sold. It was a then-current lesson in authentic vintage culture and a place to shop. The store also purportedly offered two seasonal clearance sales that were highly anticipated by shoppers on the hunt for deals from Filson or LVC. UNIONMADE 493 Sanchez St, San Francisco, CA 94114 A Vintage Collector's Dream Store Located in Haight Street, Decades of Fashion is one of the best destinations for vintage collectors. The space is generously and theatrically decorated, reminiscent of a European palace. The collection also includes hats, suits, shoes, and accessories. Printed dresses are a staple in any collection due to their flattering cut and retro patterns from various eras. The accessory section contains vintage brooches that provide the defining piece of your outfit. The collection is made up of roughly a thousand items. Enduring their time, these designs present a unique aesthetic, one that cannot be rivaled by the appeal of overpriced, mass-produced alternatives. Decades of Fashion Address: 1653 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 A Laundromat that also serves coffee Laundré is mainly a self-service laundromat. However, it has been designed to transform the otherwise mundane experience of doing laundry. To provide customers a space to work, or socialize while waiting for their laundry, Arianna Roviello incorporated an open café into the main space, attracting customers beyond the laundromat regular patrons. The café has a large and simple open space with windows that make up most of the outer wall. It has seating along the windows and central bar, with the rest of the space remaining clear to provide flexible uses and promote a flowing creative environment. Laundré Address: 2401 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 // PLAN C: Food Stops Not to Miss From three-Michelin-star-dining to gorgeous, and mouthwatering bread, San Francisco presents a compelling case for fulfilling your culinary desires after a long day of walking. A food factory that specializes in pastries, charcuterie, and coffee Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson first operated a small bakery in San Francisco called Tartine. The success of the bakery required more space, leading to the building of a food factory that includes bread, pizza, charcuterie, coffee, desserts, and ice cream all under one roof. Tartine Manufactory opened in 2016 in a repurposed laundry factory and occupies 557 square meters. The design studio Commune used the structure of the warehouse rather than working against it. They used rustic metal, Isamu Noguchi lamps, and Douglas fir. Inspired by Danish cafes and Japanese tea rooms, the design manifests itself.
The open-concept arrangement of the bakery, pizza market, charcuterie restaurant, cafe, and ice cream counter allows for fluid movement among the different spaces. One could enter with the intention of only purchasing bread and end up continuing on to the charcuterie restaurant for a drink. Approximately one third of the expansive area was designated for dining; the other two thirds showcased the production of the food. Bread at Tartine was only available from 4:30 PM and here it was offered all day.
The location of Tartine Manufactory is at 595 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110.
The First Three-Michelin-Star Restaurant on the West Coast
Located in Napa Valley wine country, The French Laundry is one of the best-known French restaurants in the United States. Chef Thomas Keller purchased the property in 1994 and retained the original “French Laundry" name. The building was constructed in 1900 and features a rustic character typical of the rural surroundings. While the exterior is simple, and the dining room is small, the restaurant gained a reputation for its detail-oriented culinary techniques, exceptional ingredient selection, and extraordinary menus.
Much of the produce was harvested from the restaurant’s own garden and reflected the California code of “freshness”. The kitchen staff met daily to design the tasting menu, determining what would be served. Each meal could vary based on the available ingredients. From the first course to dessert, the dishes were created with artistic precision. As part of the signature items, the restaurant served salmon cornets which consisted of salmon tartare with chives, red onion, and crème fraîche served in a cone. This dish was definitely memorable, even if it was small. The French Laundry was awarded many honors, including being one of the few Bay Area restaurants to have three Michelin stars for multiple years in a row. Even those who did not manage to get a reservation found it worthwhile to visit as the restaurant also had a garden where guests could sit and socialize. The French Laundry Located at 6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599 They accepted reservations three months in advance. Saison opened in 2012, and just a year later, it had already earned a Michelin star. This restaurant was located in a power station in the San Francisco SoMA district. With its red brick facade and modern industrial look, you wouldn’t expect to find Asian fusion cuisine inside. The head chef, who was also a partner, trained at the French Culinary Institute, and so even though the restaurant was American, the name “Saison” was fitting because it referenced a seasonal menu. Saison's confidence was shown in its ingredients, and sealed it in an elaborate open kitchen. Guests had the privilege of watching the brigade led by chef Joshua Skenes as they cooked. Michelin stars should be earned for mere spectacle, and Saison certainly offered enough creativity and precise presentation to merit a three-star standard, especially considering the menu's emphasis on fire-cooked items. SAISON Reservations required up to 90 days in advance. Address: 178 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94107. Everything Is Arranged for the View Outside This top-floor Marriott hotel lounge doubles as a casual evening spot and a place for business socializing. The View Lounge makes a powerful statement with its design: an entire wall of curved high windows, a high ceiling, and a curved bar. Guests can sip one of the restaurant's signature cocktails and enjoy polished Californian-style tapas while overlooking the San Francisco skyline. The view includes the city lights at sunset, and all the surrounding hills, bridges, and streets. However, there is a high demand for window-side tables, especially from hotel guests and visitors who come for the view. Reservations are required. The View Lounge Address: 780 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 Elegant Detail Inside a Century-Old Building The Bacchus Group, known for venues such as Spruce and Village Pub, has another distinctive address with The Saratoga. This refined cocktail bar and restaurant has settled the 1907 building in the Tenderloin. Prior to its long renovation, the site had housed hotels and financial institutions, and the exterior showed signs of age. The Saratoga introduced a new atmosphere to the surrounding neighborhood. Its interior achieved a blend of classic and modern styles centered around a large, two-story circular glass chandelier by Coup D'Etat and Magnus Schevene. The deep grey tones established a calm, elegant atmosphere and reinforced privacy. Behind the bartenders was a generous collection of international spirits housed on the floor-to-ceiling shelves. It must have been no small task keeping track of all the bottles. Everything felt comfortable and easy and the recommendation felt solid. \n\nThe Saratoga\n\nAddress: 1000 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109\n\n// \n\n\nExcellent Boutique Hotels\n\n\n// \n\nChoosing where to stay may be the hardest part of planning any trip. Here’s our choice for boutique-hotel stays in San Francisco.\n\nA Boutique Hotel with Exhibitions\n\nTilden Hotel stood in downtown San Francisco, in the space between Union Square and Tenderloin, absorbing the pulse of both locations and the flow of the older urban fabric.\nArtist studios, galleries, restaurants, and bars filled the surrounding streets, and the hotel was adjacent to the Marrakech Magic Theater, Glide Memorial Church, and Shannon Street Murals.\n\nThe building was previously the Twain Hotel, constructed in 1928. It was one of the first hotels in downtown San Francisco and it underwent renovations by New York architecture and design firm Studio Tack after rebranding as Tilden Hotel.\nThey designed the space with an aesthetic of clean and warm materials throughout. The stone, timber, and wood finishes, along with large operable windows to California, created a sunny and inviting atmosphere. Walls were finished with bright, contemporary paintings.\n\nThe hotel featured 118 rooms and a café and bar that was open to the public. Tilden Hotel also launched an artist support initiative, showcasing local talent and hosting events and small exhibitions.\nTilden Hotel\nAddress: 345 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94102\n\nA Modern Hotel in a Historic Flatiron Building\nSan Francisco Proper Hotel was located in a historic flatiron building on Market Street and offered an intriguing version of the classic urban getaway. Kelly Wearstler’s design draws connections with the contemporary design of the city and its history. Rather than using history as decoration, she uses history to inspire and influence designs that create connections.
Blending early modernism with cubism and sec. design, her work provides a great combination of old and new in perfect balance.
Hotel Proper has 131 rooms and each one features individualistic designs inspired by different art forms. The original historic structure has been imaginatively transformed with the use of bold colors, various textures and design.
San Francisco Proper Hotel.
Location: 45 McAllister St., 1100 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Text: mars team. Images: sourced online; copyright belongs to the original creators.
