San Francisco Guide

View our notion guide, which contains some more general tips here: https://samandnick.us/sf

Wedding Spots

This is everywhere we will be for the wedding. Sorted in the order of them occurring

Piccino Presidio

Piccino Presidio offers a seasonally driven menu with bright & fresh antipasti, hand tossed pizza, homemade pasta, mouthwatering entrées, a curated wine selection, and craft cocktails from the bar. They source local and sustainable ingredients from their own farm in Healdsburg, California and other hyper-local farmers and producers. (Also, if you're a movie fan, it is right next to Lucas-film and Industrial Light and Magic, so you can walk around and see the campus!)

St. Ignatius Church

Saint Ignatius Church is a beautiful structure with amazing stained glass windows, a large nave, beautiful altar space, and an impressive dome. One of the city's largest churches, its location on a hilltop as well as its twin spires and dome makes it a prominent San Francisco landmark. Its backdrop, as viewed from the west, was the sky of San Francisco until Salesforce Tower was erected in 2018.

Presidio Chill Time

This is where the bride and groom will be relaxing and taking some photos while watching the Blue Angels fly for Fleet Week! Food Trucks are available here for purchasing stuff to eat. Coming to this is optional, feel free to use this time to rest at the hotel, grab some lunch or explore the city! We'll see you at the bowling alley!

Presidio Bowl

Presidio Bowl is a 12-lane San Francisco bowling alley in the Presidio with a bar and grill and outdoor patio seating. Bowling in the Presidio began nearly 100 years ago on a single lane in the quartermaster's house. The military built a bowling center at Fort Scott in the 1950s and moved it to its present location 20 years ago. The Army left in '94 and Victor Meyerhoff, a bowler from age 6, has run the 12-lane Presidio Bowling Center ever since.

Alamo Square Park

Alamo Park is on the top of a hill overlooking much of downtown San Francisco, with a number of large and architecturally distinctive mansions along the perimeter, including the "Painted Ladies", a well-known postcard motif. If you've ever watched Full House you won't want to miss it! Here we will be having some breakfast pastries and coffee from Lady Falcon, who serve delicious coffee from a vintage 1948 GMC bread truck. Stop by, have a chat and enjoy the view!

Our Home!

We live here! We know there are so many first timers coming to visit our beautiful city, so we welcome you all to stop by and check out our home built in 1947 (the view is worth the trip!)

SF Classics

These are places super unique to the city and what most tourists know about

Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island, known as “The Rock,” is one of San Francisco’s must-see spots, famous for its old prison that once held big names like Al Capone. The prison shut down in the 1960s, but you can still walk through the cellblocks and hear real stories from people who lived and worked there. Plus, the ferry ride over gives you some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the skyline

Fisherman’s Wharf / Pier 39

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are some of the most popular (and busiest) spots in SF, packed with seafood stands, shops, and street performers. Pier 39 is especially famous for the sea lions that lounge right by the docks. 🌊🦁 The Musée Mécanique is also nearby, and it’s free to visit! Must see if 20th-century penny arcade games and artifacts are interesting to you. And yes they still work!

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate Strait, the mile-wide strait connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. It is renowned for its stunning Art Deco design and its striking International Orange color, making it one of the most photographed bridges in the world. Visitors can walk or bike across the bridge for breathtaking views of the bay and the city.

Lombard Street

Lombard Street is famously known as the "crookedest street in the world" due to its eight sharp turns. This iconic street features beautiful flowerbeds and offers stunning views of the city and the bay. It's a popular tourist attraction and a great spot

Ferry Building

The Ferry Building is a historic landmark and marketplace located along the Embarcadero. It features a variety of gourmet food vendors, restaurants, and shops, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The building also hosts a farmers' market on Saturdays and offers stunning views of the Bay Bridge

Cable Car Museum

The Cable Car Museum is dedicated to the history and operation of San Francisco's iconic cable cars. Visitors can learn about the mechanics of the cable car system, view historic cable cars, and explore exhibits that showcase the city's transportation history. The museum is located in the Nob Hill neighborhood and has all the cable lines going through it, so you can see how they work first hand

Parks and Nature

Muir Woods

A United States national monument managed by the National Park Service and named after naturalist John Muir It is an old-growth coastal redwood forest regularly shrouded in a thick, coastal marine layer fog in the summer, contributing to a wet environment that encourages vigorous plant growth.

Lands End Trail (SF Coastal Trail)

A coastal hike on San Francisco’s wild northwest edge, with views of the Pacific, Marin headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Feeling like a longer hike? Do the whole California coastal trail (link below), which includes old military defense batteries, rocky cliff views, and the bridge. Still not long enough?? You can walk over the bridge, or keep going and walk along the coast the entire time for hours and hours, I think up until you hit Oracle Park! (We've never done this)

Corona Heights

A rugged one‑mile trail that winds past exposed red chert rocks and up to a summit with breathtaking 360° views of the city and Twin Peaks. Features the free Randall Museum, which has native animals, a train village and a tasty cafe

Salesforce Park

A gorgeous rooftop garden sitting four stories above the city, stretching nearly four blocks long with lawns, walking paths, and over 600 types of plants. It’s a quiet escape right in downtown SF, perfect for a picnic, stroll, or just relaxing away from the city noise. The park also hosts free yoga classes, concerts, and other community events throughout the week.

Dolores Park

Dolores Park (aka Dolores Beach) is a popular park in San Francisco known for its vibrant atmosphere, beautiful views of the city, and recreational facilities. Commonly one of the warmest areas of the city, you will often find sunbathers and lawn parties on sunny days.

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is a large urban park with beautiful gardens, museums, and recreational areas. It is home to attractions like the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Garden. The park offers a variety of activities including walking, biking, and picnicking, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and exploration.

Neighborhoods

Chinatown

San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America and is famous for its bustling streets, shops, and authentic Chinese cuisine.

Marina District

The Marina District is a picturesque neighborhood known for its stunning views of the bridge and bay. It features beautiful waterfront parks, trendy shops, and a vibrant dining scene. Its also home to the Palace of Fine Arts, a historic landmark built during the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition

Castro Neighborhood

The Castro Neighborhood is one of the first gay neighborhoods in the United States and is known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ community, colorful streets, and historic significance. It features a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as the iconic Castro Theatre, making it a lively and welcoming area for visitors and locals alike.

North Beach (Little Italy)

North Beach is known as San Francisco's Little Italy, famous for its Italian restaurants, cafes, and vibrant nightlife. If you're feeling a fresh cannoli with espresso or a pizza by the slice, here's your place.

Haight-Ashbury

Known for its history as the center of the 1960s counterculture movement, Haight-Ashbury still carries a bit of its edge. Think colorful murals, vintage shops, and a mix of longtime locals, street performers, and wandering tourists.

Mission District

The Mission District is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse community. It features colorful murals, trendy restaurants, and a lively nightlife scene. The area is also famous for its Mission-style burritos and the historic Mission San Francisco de Asís, the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco.

Japantown

A neighborhood known for its rich Japanese culture, featuring shops, restaurants, and cultural events. It's a great place for grabbing sushi, ramen, and exploring the kawaii stationary and anime merch

Cow Hollow

Cow Hollow is a charming neighborhood known for its picturesque streets, boutique shops, and vibrant dining scene. Located near the Marina District, it offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and is a popular area for both locals and visitors to explore. The neighborhood features a mix of historic homes and modern amenities, making it a desirable place to visit

Emporium Arcade Bar

Want to keep the party going? For bars that stay open past 2am, we recommend the Emporium, this Chicago-based bar's first out-of-area location! Emporium San Francisco brings games, drinks, and music back to the Harding Theater, a 100-year-old historic San Francisco venue.