San Francisco: the city Flowers power, Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz. In addition to the obvious sights, there is much more to experience in ‘City by the bay’.
1. Church of 8 Wheels
In an abandoned church on Fillmore Street you will find Church of 8 Wheels: a disco roller skating rink that you sometimes see in American movies. The entrance to the roller skating rink is ten dollars and you can rent a pair of roller skates for five dollars. You can only pay in cash. Not so sure of your skills in rollerblading? Then you can also take lessons in Church of 8 Wheels.
Address: 554 Fillmore St.
2. Japanese tea garden
In the middle of Golden Gate Park is the oldest Japanese public garden in the United States. In the garden there are pagodas, stone lanterns, walkways, Japanese plants, ponds with koi carp and a zen garden. A visit to the Japanese tea garden costs $ 10 or $ 12, depending on the season you visit the garden.
Address: Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive 75
3. San Francisco Botanical Gardens
Also in Golden Gate Park is the San Francisco Botanical Garden. You will find more than 9,000 different plants from around the world here. The plants are located both inside greenhouses and outside in the garden. A ticket is $ 9 on weekdays and $ 12 on weekends.
Address: 1199 9th Ave.
4. SFMOMA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest modern museums in the United States. There are works by, among others, Frida Kahlo, Gerhard Richter, Andy Warhol and Julie Mehretu. The museum has seven floors, so plenty to see. A ticket costs $ 25 for adults.
Address: 151 Third St.
5. Baker Beach
Baker Beach is a beach northwest of the city. From Baker Beach you have one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also see the Marin Headlands and Lands End from the beach. If you are lucky, you may spot a seal or a dolphin on the surface. Oh, and if you are not particularly fond of nudist beaches, do not go to the northern part of the beach.
6. Cartoon Art Museum
Close to Fishermans’ Wharf you will find the Cartoon Art Museum. This is the perfect place for anyone who used to grow up reading comics. The museum has changing exhibits throughout the year, for example about Batman and Popeye. A ticket is ten dollars, but every first Tuesday of the month it is ‘Pay what you want today’, which means you can decide the price of your ticket yourself.
Address: 781 Beach St.
7. Pakwan
San Francisco is not exactly known for affordable food. If you want to eat cheap out in the city, go to the Pakistani-Indian restaurant Pakwan. Pakwan has three locations in the city: one in Mission District, one in Sirloin and one on Ocean Avenue. Order typical Indian dishes like curry and biryani at a good price and fast service.
8. Café X
Café X is not a typical coffee shop like Starbucks and Peet’s: a robot prepares your cappuccino or latte macchiato here. You order your coffee via an iPad, after which the robot barista prepares your order. Then enter the code you received from iPad and you can grab your coffee.
Address: 135 4th St., 578 Market St. and 1 Bush St.
9. Boudin Bakery & Cafe
Boudin Bakery & Cafe is especially known for its sourdough bread. Scattered throughout the city are several places in the bakery. You eat e.g. Here clam chowder in a bread bowl, a typical dish in San Francisco. Boudin also serves sandwiches on sourdough bread, salads, soups, pizzas (with a sourdough base) and various sweets such as cookies, brownies and muffins.
10. Super duper burgers
When you say America, you mean fast food. During a trip to San Francisco, you do not necessarily have to go to McDonald’s, Burger King or Wendy’s. In San Francisco, there is also the lovely fast food chain Super Duper burgers. The Super Duper Burgers menu consists of burgers, chicken burgers, veggie burgers, fries, softies and milkshakes. All this made from local and fresh ingredients. For $ 8.50 you have a whole menu consisting of a hamburger, french fries and a soft drink.
Address: More locations in town: 721 Market St., 783 Mission St., 2304 Market St., 2201 Chestnut St. and 346 Kearny St.