San Francisco Vacation

mtallen

I'm traveling to San Francisco this week for vacation. The husband & I plan to hang out with our best friends shopping, eating, sightseeing and taking pictures. Any suggestions on what to pack clothing, jackets, shoes. Also where are the best restaurants for eating on a budget! Thanks in advance.

10 years ago

Inspiration

12 replies

Latest reply was from Melinda SF

Joy

Veteran

For actually being in SF, bring a jacket. I have never been as cold as I once was on the 4th of July in San Francisco. Otherwise layers are key.

10 years ago

mtallen

Active Member

Thanks Joye. I'm trying to alter my go-to travel capsule template from Outfit Post for San Francisco

10 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Bring jackets and lots of layers! It gets foggy and cold in the morning and late afternoon, but can be hot and sunny depending on where you are in the city. Comfortable walking shoes--nothing slippery because you can be walking up and down steep hills.
Good thing is there are lots of restaurants to choose from! What kind of food do you like? And are you talking about super cheap or "upscale" cheap? Ie, Slanted Door is at the Ferry Building and is great Vietnamese with wonderful Bay views, and they have a takeout counter next to their restaurant. Super cheap, I'd go with PPQ Dungeness Island in the Richmond. Nice dimsum--Yank Sing in the Financial District. Cheap Chinese--Ton Kiang, Five Happiness, San Tung (Richmond, Sunset). There are a lot of very inexpensive restaurants with good food. The ethnic restaurants tend to be less expensive. It also depends which area you are staying in.
These are some lists to get you started:
http://www.businessinsider.com.....co-2013-10
http://www.sfgate.com/food/sli.....-72570.php
http://sfist.com/2013/05/29/be.....ncisco.php
I can give you more recs if you tell me what kind of food and where in the city...
Have fun!

10 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

Repeat of what others have said...I was never as cold as I was one summer in The City...Jackets, layers, maybe a woolen sweater...I was really cold...smile..

10 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Even with several layers I froze on a boat trip on the bay. Down might have worked. Seriously, it's unlike other places. The upcoming forecast is for highs around 70F, and partly cloudy. I would be too cold to wear skirts or sandals.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

What everybody has said - super comfy shoes for walking, a good sweater and coat. Short sleeve tops to wear underneath. Pants. I'd add a hat that covers your ears...

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

How funny, I am literally in sf right now visiting! On phone so keeping this short, but here are my thoughts (I come here quite a bit):

--def bring a jacket, something that closes, has long sleeves, pref wind resistant. I brought a leather jacket. I've seen a bunch of those, and also popular are gear type jackets (like lulu lemon type).
--comfortable, flat shoes that fasten to your feet securely. Lots of steep hills!
--layers! I personally like to bring pants that can be rolled up so they can be worn long or cropped, and leggings to go under my skirts (for warmth and wind)
--a scarf is always a good idea and looks chic too.
--if you're planning to leave the city at all be aware that places like South Bay and napa are a lot warmer (but still cool down at night).

For a four day trip I have (in small carry on):
-1 jeans (can be cuffed up)
-I linen pants (ditto)
-1 skirt (plus leggings)
-1 thinnish fashion sweatshirt
-1 linen sweater + cami
-1 ss blouse
-1 sleeveless tunic
-sack dress (worn to work in boiling hot Boston and then on plane)
-casual knit moto jacket (this feels more like a cardi and can be layered under the leather jacket)
-leather jacket
-denim jacket
-flat oxfords
-comfy flat sandals
-dress, shoes, and hat for the wedding I'm attending.
-2 scarves

Note I'm planning on spending some time in the South Bay (so warmer) and I have a formal event to attend.

Hope this helps!
As for food, go to the mission district and get burritos! I also like wandering thru the ferry market and getting food at the various stands.

10 years ago

Melinda SF

Active Member

I live here in SF and can help in any way. Most of us have a closet full of jackets and toppers because the fog tends to come up in the afternoon--so never leave the hotel without them!
If you are going outside of the city, it can get VERY hot, so I highly suggest a nice straw hat, and light clothing. It rarely gets humid, but the sun is very intense.

There are many hills in the city, so if you will be walking, comfortable shoes are a must. Most women here focus on comfort in our shoes, we're a pretty athletic culture.

10 years ago

Elle

Veteran

It's been very cold and foggy in the actual city of SF lately so if you are staying here, bring a jacket and long pants. Once you leave the city itself, you will probably find summer weather again (80's to 100). As far as restaurants, frommers.com has some good options and you can also check yelp. Some good restaurant streets are Chestnut (between Steiner and Fillmore) and Valencia (18th-22nd) but there are good restaurants all over.

My favorite bakeries are Tartine (Guerrerro & 18th) which unfortunately has long lines on the weekend and b. pattisserie on California near Divisadero. If you have a car or don't mind a bus ride, I recommend going to the Land's End trail and/or Chrissy Field for beautiful short urban hikes with amazing views or go to Baker Beach for a great view of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Have fun!

10 years ago

Laura

Active Member

I live on the shore of the North Sea area where it is cool in the summer, like San Francisco which is cool in the summer due to the arctic ocean current along their shores.

I like what you have selected for your outfit. Given that SF is very hilly and also a very sporty place where you can dress casual like the local population, be sure to have a nice wind breaker and sport shoes might be worthwhile too.

10 years ago

mtallen

Active Member

Awesome advice new friends! I'm here in the city and everything you all have said is spot on. I brought a couple skirts but I'm going to have to find leggings if I'm going to wear them, thanks for the top Diana. Where do you suggest for good shopping? By cheap food I mean "upscale cheap" $$$ or less! Golden pig I really appreciate the links! My friends are bringing children & need to watch the budget, but we all love good food.

10 years ago

Melinda SF

Active Member

i meant to suggest visiting Uniqlo if you don't have one in your city. really inexpensive but high quality clothes, great colors. can be very slim. but they will hem pants to fit! (and usually can find basic t shirts, tanks for $5-10, great way to add color to the wardrobe.

other options: for athletic clothes we all go to sports basement (there are multiple locations, great deals on all kinds of athletic clothing, including plus size workout gear)

Hayes Valley is really the epicenter for shopping in SF,especially for men. while there are pricey stores there are also affordable ones there. lots of neat things like Goorin brothers (hats), tailor stitch (bespoke mens and now off the rack for women too).
There's a big shopping mall (Westfield) in Union Square with a Zara, and other great stores that might not be in most small towns but nothing special if you already live in a major city). The Levi's flagship store on market will do custom jeans and it's worth a trip in just to see their new line of high end clothing and the jeans bar that goes on for days...

10 years ago

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