A Guide, From Us to You

San Francisco

If you're flying into SFO, we highly recommend giving yourself some time in San Francisco before heading north. It's one of our favorite cities to explore, and there is a lot to see, so don't feel like you need to do it all.

Where to Stay

• The Palace

  Our new go-to favorite place to stay in the city. Part of Marriott's Luxury Collection, it gives you true historic San Francisco luxury in an amazing, central location.

• Fairmont San Francisco

  One of Ashley's favorite hotels in the world, and our go-to for years before we switched to The Palace. Perched atop Nob Hill, the views are unmatched.

Neighborhoods to Explore

• Haight-Ashbury

  If Ashley could live anywhere, at any time, it would be the Haight in 1967. Wander the incredible vintage and independent boutiques, soak up the music history, and see the homes that made the neighborhood legendary — including Janis Joplin's former home (635 Ashbury St.) and The Grateful Dead House (710 Ashbury St.).

  

• The Mission

  We think the best character and food in San Francisco is in the Mission — incredible restaurants, independent shops, colorful murals, and neighborhood energy. It's also where you can find amazing Burmese food, unique to the area; seek out Burma Love or Burma Superstar.

• The Castro

  How could we not mention San Francisco's gayborhood? The historic Castro is home to LGBTQ+ history, queer-owned businesses, bars, restaurants, and plenty of San Francisco character.

  

• Union Square

  It's not quite our 14th Street, but Union Square is incredibly centrally located and makes a great jumping-off point — close to major landmarks, shopping, the cable cars, and plenty of places to eat and drink.

• Temescal, Oakland

  Want to cross the bridge? Head over to Oakland and explore Temescal, one of the city's oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods, packed with independent shops and great restaurants.

Things to Do & See

• Ride the Cable Car — Everyone knows Eli loves transportation, so this had to make the list. Head to the Powell & Market turnaround to watch the operators crank the cars around, then ride the line to Fisherman's Wharf.

• The Presidio — Beautiful trails, incredible views, and a completely different feel from the rest of the city. It's also home to Lucasfilm, so keep an eye out for some Star Wars history.

• The Painted Ladies — Head to Alamo Square to see San Francisco's famous Painted Ladies. Full House fans, this is your moment.

• Ghirardelli Square — A classic San Francisco stop and a fun place to wander, particularly if you want something sweet.

• SFMOMA — For the art lovers, SFMOMA is one of our favorite museums in the city.

• Catch a Valkyries Game — If your trip lines up with a home WNBA game, go see the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. The energy is incredible.

Sausalito

The perfect first stop on the way to Wine Country. Want to travel like Ashley and Eli? Fly into SFO, pick up your rental car, and head north over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito.

This beautiful little waterfront town is pure magic and, thanks to a great recommendation from Ashley's parents, has become a staple of our Bay Area visits. Park on the street or in one of the little lots around town, explore the shops, walk along the water, and grab a bite. Our go-to is Venice, our favorite sandwich shop — we like to grab sandwiches and sit outside overlooking the water.

Wine Country

While Napa and Sonoma are technically different valleys, we tend to think of the whole area as one big place to explore. Our biggest advice: don't try to do everything on one trip. Pick a few towns, plan a few great meals, do one or two must-dos, and leave room to wander.

• Sonoma, Sonoma Valley

  The part of Wine Country that feels most like us — small-town feel, walkable downtown, and an entire afternoon spent wandering without much of a plan. Sonoma Plaza is the perfect place to start, and it's just a couple minutes from our wedding venue and host hotel.

  

• St. Helena, Napa Valley

  Our favorite of the Napa Valley downtowns. Its historic Main Street is packed with locally owned boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and little places to pop in and explore.

• Petaluma, Sonoma County

  Adorable, historic, and worth the detour — beautiful old buildings, independent boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries along the river. Feels a little less like traditional Wine Country.

• Downtown Napa, Napa Valley

  A little more lively and urban than the other towns on this list. Walk along the river, browse First Street Napa, wander Oxbow Public Market, and don't miss Copperfield's Books, our favorite local bookstore.

  

• Yountville, Napa Valley

  We stayed here on our first Wine Country trip and think it is just magical — tiny, beautiful, and walkable, and home to The French Laundry. It's also where we took our hot air balloon ride.

Eat Your Way Through Wine Country

Things to Do

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

One of our absolute favorite experiences. We flew with Napa Valley Aloft out of Yountville — you get up early, watch the valley wake up below you, and see Napa from a completely different perspective. We highly recommend it. And if you do it, go to Bouchon Bakery afterward for a croissant. Trust us.

• Ride the Napa Valley Wine Train

  A fun way to experience the valley without worrying about driving. The train runs through Napa Valley and offers different dining and tasting experiences.

• Explore the Resorts

  You don't have to be staying there to enjoy the properties — check out Stanly Ranch, Four Seasons Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil, and Carneros Resort and Spa.