What a weekend! I haven’t seen such amazing weather on a visit to the City by the Bay in a long time. 79 degrees and perfect! Short sleeves and no sweater in San Fran? Rare indeed! What a great time we had playing tour guide for the in-laws. Here is the gorgeous view from atop Fort Scott, looking towards the Marin headlands.
On a beautiful day in San Francisco, it’s fun to take a driving tour past famous stops like the Palace of Fine Arts or Coit Tower. Personally, I love to drive the neighborhoods and admire all the painted Victorians!
Gorgeous, aren’t they?
My kids have never been on a cable car, so we hopped on one just to catch a few glimpses of the more famous stops.
Here’s the famous Grace Cathedral:
For lunch, we dined at one of my favorite places to eat in the state ~ the Cliff House! Perched on a bluff next to Ocean Beach overlooking the mighty Pacific, the Cliff House is always a treat for the San Francisco local or traveler. Often you’ll see seals frolicking in the surf, and if you’re lucky, a blue whale!
The Cliff House has an amazing history dating back to 1863. It burned down twice, then went through a series of remodels over time, including some funky facades in the fifties and seventies. It was finally restored in 2004 to its original white glory, and is always worth a visit.
We only go about once a year because the Cliff House is pricey, but on a clear day, and especially when the in-laws are treating, we indulge. If you’re in the mood for crab, and it’s crab season, and you’re in San Francisco, this is one place to splurge.
Downstairs is the swankier Sutro’s ~ I love this amazing blue glass tile!
For lunch, we ate at the more informal Bistro upstairs, filled with boisterous conversation and fantastic lunch fare. All over the walls, you’ll find all kinds of nostalgia. How cute are these sweethearts, unaware I’m snapping pics!
I love these vintage prints you’ll find on some of the walls. I believe they’re printed on wood slats, wouldn’t they be perfect in any room where you want a beach vibe?
I always get a spicy Bloody Mary and the dungeness crab cocktail.
Other family members couldn’t resist other popular crab dishes. Poached eggs with crab? Yep. Crab Louis? Yes, please. Crab, crab, and more decadent crab !!
There is one universal truth in my world: there is no such thing as too much crab.
The food is superb at the Cliff House, but the real appeal, and the reason we take two hours for lunch, is the stunning view.
I highly recommend the Cliff House on your next visit to San Francisco!
Want to see some other sights? Here’s a few other tours of San Francisco. The Palace of Fine Arts and Ghirardelli Square; the Ferry Building Marketplace; Christmas in SF and a tour through Chinatown; and Fisherman’s Wharf and Fleet Week.
Coming up next, a charming little dresser revamp in the perfect shade of blue gray!
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San Fran is one of my favorite cities!! Gorgeous photos!
Wow! I had several friends visiting SF yesterday – I guess I missed out ;) Thanks for sharing. I love reading about local destinations!
My cousin lives in San Fransisco and i visited her once a couple years ago and it’s one of my favorite places…can’t wait to go back!
looks like an amazing time! wonderful photos! whenever I see homes like that I always think of the TV show, ‘Full House’ :) yes, they ARE gorgeous!
Oooh, I just adore it there! Great pics!
If I wasn’t a die-hard New Yorker, I’d totally pack it in and move to San Francisco. I went to the Cliff House on vacation when I was about 12, and didn’t even realize it until I just saw your pictures! Thanks for conjuring up a lovely childhood memory for me!
If I wasn’t a die-hard New Yorker, I’d totally pack it in and move to San Francisco. I went to the Cliff House on vacation when I was about 12, and didn’t even realize it until I just saw your pictures! Thanks for conjuring up a lovely childhood memory for me!
I have never been to California but your pictures and post were so interesting I almost felt like I had been! Thanks so much for a lovely read!! Hugs, Judi
The Victorian homes always remind me of the intro to “Full House”! We’ll be there for Christmas this year, with an almost 6-mo old (well, staying with relatives in the East Bay area, but close enough). Do you have any recs for things to do with such a wee one? I was thinking the science academy, and maybe a drive to Monterrey to the aquarium.
*sigh* So beautiful! That view. Wow. I’ve never been to SF but now you have me wanting to visit. :) The Victorian homes are so lovely too. My kids would love to ride on a cable car.
Wow. The architecture and size of those homes are truly unique to SF. Amazing to look at and (I’ll bet) an arm and a leg to upkeep! I had no idea Cliff House was so lovely. Thanks for the recommendation!
I’m a tad envious! I love San Francisco and I’m so glad your weather was wonderful!!
I’ve never eaten at the Cliff House but will have to try it the next time I get to go to the city by the bay!!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Beautiful photos. We travelled the coast of California last year. We loved San Francisco…however I remember sweaters and sweatshirts were a must in June. Lucky you.
Oh, I love those houses! And thank you; now I’m hungry. ;) Thanks for sharing your visit!
I too love the Cliff House, it is a special place. BUT, if its out of budget (or you want the view twice) there is an awesome retro diner in the same parking lot. Its straight out of the 70’s and has cheap diner food, but its perched on the same cliff as The Cliff House, right over the Roman Bath ruins. Its a experience all on its own!
makes me appreciate my city all the more! the weather was incredible this weekend– darn law school kept me inside though, sigh. at least i could watch the sailboats cruise around alcatraz from our hill. Cliff House is our tradition for mom’s bday in April and grandma’s bday in October- it’s the best for the view!
What a classic shot of the bridge- beautiful! My husband and I just decided over the weekend to go there for our anniversary in December.
I’ve never been to San Francisco. Thanks for the glimpse of this beautiful city. La
It really was a glorious weekend. I spent some time walking through Golden Gate park. I’ve never been to the Cliff House, but your pictures definitely make me want to go!
Oh Kate, I was in SF this weekend as well and I still can’t get over the perfect weather. I’m considering ditching work early and going back today! :)
We went there on our honeymoon. Its a beautiful place and I love the rocky coast line. We went to Monterrey Bay and Napa Valley too. I want to go back!
Oh I love SF! The hubs and I went for this first time this summer. We were there in August and one day it was in the high 90s…people literally didnt know what to do because it was so “hot”. For us it was a nice break from the 100+ and 100% humidity summer days of Baltimore but I guess temps for SF like that are unheard of!!
Wow! Great shots! I was so excited to see this post – I read a mystery last year that took place at the Cliff House at the turn of the last century – so cool to see it!
Gorgeous photos!! What a pretty day. I love taking tours *with* you. ;) How nerdy is this…seeing the SF houses always makes me think of Full House. ;) Now I am dreaming of seafood. And maybe a Bloody Mary.
Wanted to let you know that I’m hosting a Thanksgiving linky thing this week b/c I (FINALLY!) get to host Thanksgiving dinner this year. Was wondering if you had any Thanksgiving related posts you might like to link up. No need to link back or anything like that, since I’m doing this for purely selfish reasons…I need some ideas! ;) Any recipes, tips, tricks, tablescapes, etc. are welcome! Hope your day is going well, girlie!
Ah! How I miss my city! When my parents told me how nice it was over the weekend I was so jealous! I also love the homes there…I could drive around for hours admiring (: Glad you had fun! I’ll have to try that restaurant soon!
San Fran has to be one of my favorite places in the world. Slightly jealous that you were there, but SO happy you enjoyed it!! :p And I LOVE The Cliff… excellent, excellent restaurant.
Gosh, I haven’t been to the Cliff House in years! And what a perfect weekend you picked to visit it! Your photos are fabulous:)
I was loving the weather in the East Bay yesterday and even today!! I have lived in the Bay Area my whole life and have never been to the Cliff House. I will have to keep it in mind next time we have a reason to celebrate.
Glad you had great weather. I visited San Fran, checked with the weather forecast and packed for the usual cool temps (as predicted) What did we get? Historical heat wave – 100+ degree weather! Made for quite the memorable trip, esp since our hotel didn’t have air conditioning!!
What a fun weekend! Those Victorians are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
I adore those victorian homes, they are just gorgeous, and the view from cliff house,is worth all the crab gorging!
Thanks for sharing, hopefully we will get there one day!
Looks like such a blast! I am head over heels in love with that blue tile. It’s gorg!
The Bay Area is what I miss most about not living in California anymore. S.F. is such an amazing area filled with beautiful architecture and culture. Glad you had a good trip!
I miss Northern California. Can’t wait to visit SF next month – I’m going to gorge on dungeness crab – yum!
Beautiful photos, Kate, and that crab looks divine! I was in SF yesterday and the weather is absolutely stunning. Most unusual for the middle of November. Last week I was bundled in sweaters and this week t-shirts, skirts and sandals. Sounds like a wonderful outing with your in-laws.
Agreed, it was an unexpectedly stunning weekend here in northern CA! You certainly caught the city at its best in these pics. (I hope those “sweethearts” aren’t married to other people – you just outed them if so!
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Hi Kate-
What a lovely weekend. Sounds perfect. I lived in San Fran in the 80’s the year that the cable car system was not running. Never got to ride on one, maybe someday :)
Great pics, Kate! We love SanFran & have been twice in the last 5 yrs. Would love to come out that way again & try that restaurant. I remember Ghiridelli Square WELL!
It looks like a beautiful day! By the way, are you going to BlissDom this year? I just bought my tickets!
Gorgeous….I can’t blame Mr. Sugarplum for always going on and on about his hometown! maybe someday we’ll be able to move back…for now, we visit! :)
This takes me waayy back- yes, I have been to the Cliff House- at least 15 years ago- beautiful views.San Francisco is one of my favourite cities.Looks you had a great day!
Beautiful pics. I’d love to get back to SF again soon. :)
Hi Kate,I’ve never been to San Francisco and at my age probably never will but I sure enjoyed your pictures….especially of the old painted ladies (those great old victorian houses). Maybe it’s because I can relate to them. LOL. Thanks so much for sharing with us. The internet definitely makes this world a smaller place. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!!
I love SF but have never been to the Cliff House. Sounds like we’ll have to try it!
been following your blog for a while now but a first time commenter! love the photos of SF. I live in the south bay and I actually used to babysit for a family that lived in that green house you took pictures of… not sure if they’re still there but what a small world huh?! Loved all of the photos and couldn’t agree more about the cliff house :) I <3 SF