Courtney’s Guide To San Francisco

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The best recommendation is by word of mouth…

Monday we met one of my muses, Courtney Klein, who is kicking off a series I’m starting on inspiring women across the United States in partnership with Pandora who focuses on these kind of modern day women. Whenever I travel to a new city I can’t call home I always want to know from people who share my same sensibility, where to go! Courtney gave me a list of her S.F. favs including a few that sounded so good I had to see for myself:

1. Gravel & Gold

“An expertly curated collection of beautiful ceramics, beauty products, clothing, home goods, and other bits and bobs that have a totally California vibe.”

I may or may-not have bought a few things for our studio

Above: Courtney wears a single Pandora’s silver chain with Courage, Wisdom, and Balance charms. 

2.  Press Works On Paper

“Excellent neon sign and I love perusing their quirky collection of vintage books.”

Being totally foreign to car culture living in New York, Courtney taught me about how they ‘pay the meter’ now with a phone app that is sync’d to your credit card! 

Above and below: Courtney wears the Pandora Wisdom & Love charms which you can read about why here. Hat by Columbia Knit she bought from Gravel & Gold / Dress by Demylee / Shoes by Superga

I’m always so charmed by the streetcars, it reminds me of my pervious trips to the city by the bay

3.  Hog Island Oyster Co –

“The Hog Island Oyster farm on Tomales Bay is one of my favorite places to visit. Closer to home, I stop by their SF outpost in the Ferry Building during off hours for a bowl of clam chowder.”

Kevin and I first experienced Hog Island Oyster Co on our honeymoon leg of Napa!

Below: Courtney wears a trench & turtleneck by J. Crew / jeans by Raven Denim / Shoes by Tara Subkoff for Easy Spirit which she said “fun fact, they are the first pair of expensive shoes I ever bought myself after moving to NYC.” and Pandora’s Love & Wisdom charms. 

I love that we all have those kind of “FIRSTS” moments!

Also on her list:

4.  Craftsman & Wolves

“Incredible pastries, and in a city that loves it’s coffee it’s nice to find a place that loves tea too. If you stop by try “The Rebel Within” a soft-boiled egg somehow hiding inside a fully baked muffin. “

5. Taqueria Vallarta’s Taco Bar

“The taco cart at the front of the restaurant has the most delicious tacos in SF. And the wall murals alone are worth a trip!”

6. Fort Funston

“One of the prettiest beaches in the city — and it’s for dogs! We take our pups Erie and Scout here as often as we can. “

7. Archimedes Banya

“Zach introduced me to this place. With steam rooms, saunas, pools, beer, and even a roof deck, this is a great place to detox.”

 8. SF Flower Mart

“You don’t have to be a pro to get access to incredible flowers and plants, the market opens it’s door to the general public Monday -Saturday at 10am. I bought all the plants in our house at the market.”

9. Hotel Vitale

“They do a Japanese soak with two tubs outside that is amazing. I always send my parents there to stay. It’s in a little bit chiller neighborhood of S.F., Embarcadero. “

What are you favorite places in San Francisco?! Leave a comment and let me know, I’d love to add them to my growing list!

  • Great picks! I love popping over to Tartine Bakery to grab a delicious morning bun (or chocolate croissant). If it’s a nice day, I’ll bring my treat (and a good book) over to Dolores Park!

  • Leith Mahoney-Maver

    Like! So happy to see my beloved city on here! I may dream of moving to New York, but we’ve got it pretty great out here on the Left Coast too. Thank you so much for posting this! -Leith
    http://outsidelanddiaries.blogspot.com

  • Tarragona IN

    It’s great to visit a city wiht someone who live there, because you can enjoy it better than a turist 😉
    http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es

  • kimair

    love all of courtney’s picks! i also love mira mira, which is right down the street from gravel & gold…affordable womenswear with a bit of hippie meets rocker vibe. another favorite shop is la boutique in jackson square—a store meets gallery with cool european brands. head to quince nearby for dinner or spruce in laurel heights is a lovely place to go for a date night, or sit at the bar and get the burger.

  • I’ve only been to SF once, and found it so beautiful. My fave part about it was getting to wear a trench!!! You captured that perfectly. Didn’t get a chance to visit all these places, what a list!

  • Caitlyn Searles

    I will definitely be making trips to these! Also love Sightglass Coffee, Miette bakery, and this store called Nest on Chestnut street : )

  • I don’t know if all these places are still open but I land in SF on Aug 28 and will definitely be referencing this list! Thanks for publishing it.