The post GUIDE: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA appeared first on JETSET WITH JASMINE.
]]>In this travel guide, I will share my tips for where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in San Francisco.
P.S. Don’t call it “San Fran” or “Frisco” – it’s “San Francisco,” “SF”, or “the city” to the locals.
STAY
There are many neighborhoods and hotels to choose from in San Francisco. I recommend sticking to the neighborhoods of Nob Hill, Union Square, or North Beach. Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular and convenient area for accommodations, but I, personally, think it is too crowded with tourists.
HOTEL EMBLEM
My husband and I stayed at Hotel Emblem, a Viceroy hotel, and have nothing but good things to say about our stay there. Keep in mind that this was three years ago (2019), so things may have changed over the years. What we loved was the convenient location and urban style of the hotel. The lobby bar was also a great spot to stop and ground ourselves with a plan before venturing into the city.
Book HERE!
MORE OPTIONS
Fairmont San Francisco, White Swan Inn, San Francisco Proper
EAT AND DRINK
If you know, you know – I’m always looking for a combination of good food and drinks AND good vibes when I travel. In my opinion, San Francisco gives NYC some competition in the bar and restaurant scene, which is saying a lot! When I return to a city, I like to try new spots, but I would honestly consider returning to some of these San Francisco bars and restaurants on my next visit because they’re THAT good.
I highly recommend making some dinner reservations in advance of your travels – I always check out Resy first.
COFFEE
Coffee: Equator Coffee, Sightglass Coffee, Philz Coffee
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
Breakfast & Brunch: Plow, Le Marais Bakery, Mama’s on Washington Square
LUNCH & DINNER
Italian: Flour + Water | My favorite meal – order a few dishes + wine to share.
Mexican: La Taqueria | A trip to SF is not complete without a mission-style burrito!
Greek: Souvla | This local chain is casual and delicious. You must order baklava frozen Greek yogurt.
Seafood: Hog Island Oyster Co. | Order oysters from the location in the historic Ferry Building.
American: Foreign Cinema | A vibey patio with movies playing on the wall. A great brunch option, too.
COCKTAILS
Cocktails: Trick Dog, Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, El Techo
Tip: Go to Trick Dog before dinner, Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar after dinner, and go to El Techo’s rooftop for happy hour (M-F 4-6pm).
SEE AND DO
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
Walking the Golden Gate Bridge is an obvious must-do, but I recommend a scenic hike leading up to the bridge itself. Start at the Palace of Fine Arts, continue on to Crissy Field, then Fort Point, and, finally, find your way to the Battery East Trail that will lead you to the Welcome Center at the south end of the bridge. It will take you several hours to complete the scenic hike + crossing the bridge, but the views are so worth it!
Tip: Note that crossing the bridge can be a windy and chilly experience so bring a light jacket!
LOMBARD STREET
Lombard Street is also known as “the crookedest street in the world.” Walk down the steep hill made of eight sharp turns for views of the Coit Tower and Bay Bridge. The perfectly manicured homes are a nice touch, too!
Tip: Start at the top!
MISSION DOLORES PARK
Head to Mission Dolores Park on a sunny day and have a picnic – a vibe!
THE PAINTED LADIES
The Painted Ladies are located along Alamo Square and have to be one of the most iconic sites in San Francisco. Not only are they known for their feature on “Full House,” but also for their picturesqueness. Alamo Square offers the best view of the houses and is also a perfect spot to stop and relax.
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
The Wharf attracts tourists all day long. Come here to see the sea lions at Pier 39, soak up the bay views (you can see Alcatraz Island from afar), and grab a quick bite. Don’t spend too much time here, though – there is so much more to see and do in this San Francisco travel guide!
WINE COUNTRY + MUIR WOODS
Take a day trip to Sonoma + Napa for winetasting! I recommend booking a tour that will pick you up in the city, drive you to the wineries/vineyards, and arrange for all of your tastings. The tour that we chose also stopped at Muir Woods to see the incredible redwood trees on the way to Sonoma/Napa AND at a Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint on the way back to the city. It was an all-around great day!
Book HERE!
If your flight is not already booked, I hope this San Francisco travel guide leaves you ready to book one! San Francisco should definitely be on your U.S. cities travel bucket list!
TIPS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
You can really visit San Francisco anytime! I have traveled here in July and November with no complaints about the weather. September, October, and November are considered some of the best months to visit, while the summer months tend to bring cooler temperatures and regular appearances from Karl the Fog. Regardless, the climate is mild – never too hot or too cold.
GETTING AROUND
To/From SFO Airport: The BART train is an affordable option – you can find the airport station in Terminal G Departures. Takes approximately 30 minutes to/from downtown. You can also Uber, which takes approximately 25 minutes to/from downtown.
In general, public transportation and Uber are the best ways to get around San Francisco. I love to walk, but the hills can be killer!
Tip: Save locations to a list on Google Maps – your hotel, bars and restaurants, sights, etc. for planning your days efficiently. This will help you see which sights, bars, and restaurants are in the same areas.
PACKING
It is essential to pack 1) comfortable walking shoes for the hilly streets and 2) a light jacket for the mild climate.
My complete guide to how to pack for travel is saved HERE!
COVID-19
With the spread of COVID-19, all travelers should prioritize their health and safety. Rules and restrictions are constantly changing, so stay updated HERE for related rules and restrictions in San Francisco.
Jetset with Jasmine contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you!
The post GUIDE: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA appeared first on JETSET WITH JASMINE.
]]>The post GUIDE: SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA appeared first on JETSET WITH JASMINE.
]]>In this travel guide, I will share my tips for where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in scenic and sunny Santa Barbara.
STAY
I haven’t actually stayed at a hotel in Santa Barbara, BUT there are plenty of hotel chains, charming inns, and Airbnb rentals to choose from. If you have a big budget, look to the Rosewood Miramar or Hotel Californian, if you are on a tighter budget, explore Airbnb rentals in the Funk Zone or Downtown. Outside of Santa Barbara, you may find options in nearby Montecito, Goleta, Summerland, or Carpinteria. I have been fortunate enough to always stay at my friend’s house in Montecito, which is an absolutely stunning location with scenic walking trails and mountainside views looking out at the ocean.
EAT
The dining scene in Santa Barbara does not disappoint. There are many farm-to-table options and a range of cuisines. The vibes and ambiance are impressive, too (see: ABOUT ME – vibes are just as important as the food on Jetset with Jasmine).
As always, I highly recommend making some dinner reservations in advance of your travels – check out Resy.
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
Helena Avenue Bakery
This counter-service bakery is perfect for a sit-down brunch or for a to-go picnic. I recommend that you order the breakfast sandwich on handmade brioche and the vanilla chai spiced french toast to share with the table. WOW. And come back in the afternoon for a wine tasting – the space is shared with Santa Barbara Wine Collective.
La Paloma Café
This place is iconic to Santa Barbara – it originally opened 37 years ago! You can really come here any time of day (brunch, lunch, happy hour, or dinner).
Brunch bubbly, anyone? 
This corner and sign are iconic in SB. 
Chilaquiles, please!
LUNCH & DINNER
The Lark
You NEED to make a reservation because 1) it’s super popular 2) the food is incredible (farm fresh and served family style) 3) the indoor and outdoor seating options are equally stunning.
Montecito: The Honor Bar, Los Arroyos
Two solid spots in Montecito located on Coast Village Road. This area is also great for boutique shopping.
The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
An absolutely magical experience. Make a dinner reservation, arrive early around dusk to see the rose garden, and order as much as possible because everything that I ate here was delicious. An ideal setting thanks to the rose garden, twinkle lights, and soft guitar music played live from the patio.
Rose Garden at San Ysidro Ranch 
Patio at The Stonehouse 
Maple Glazed Salmon at The Stonehouse
DRINK
COFFEE
Low Pigeon, Dune Coffee Roasters, Handlebar Coffee Roasters, Dart Coffee Co.
Low Pigeon 
Handlebar Coffee Roasters 
Dart Coffee Co.
COCKTAILS & WINE & BEER
Miramar Beach Bar at Rosewood Miramar, Test Pilot, The Good Lion, The Pearl Social, Santa Barbara Wine Collective, Melville Winery, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.
Disclaimer: I haven’t been to all of these places, but I did the research for you, so let me know if you go!
SEE AND DO
Santa Barbara is great for all kinds of travelers – the beach bum, the wine lover, the foodie, the explorer, the shopaholic, etc. Keep reading to find the perfect activities to complete your itinerary.
EXPLORE THE FUNK ZONE
A trendy neighborhood located near the beach. Here you’ll find wine tasting rooms (read about the Urban Wine Trail), breweries, restaurants, boutiques (check out The Shopkeepers and The Blue Door), and colorful murals. The area is very walkable – walk down State Street and detour through the black and white patio at Hotel Californian, then continue straight toward Stearn’s Wharf to catch a sunset sail (book Celebration Cruises).
Figueroa Brewery 
Hotel Californian 
Sunset Cruise
HIT THE BEACH
Santa Barbara’s coastal location offers plenty of beaches. Go for a swim and a tan during the day or to adore the sunset in the evening.
A few recommendations: Summerland Beach, Butterfly Beach, and Miramar Beach.
Summerland Beach 
Butterfly Beach 
Miramar Beach
TAKE A HIKE
For breathtaking views and a workout, take a hike! You will be in awe of all of the flowers, succulents, and fruit trees growing naturally along the trails, and the view is always best from the top.
A few recommendations: Inspiration Point, Romero Canyon Trail, Buena Vista Trail
On my next visit, I am hoping to get out to Solvang and Ojai, as well as visit some of the wineries in the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria valleys. Are you California dreamin’ yet?
TIPS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The weather is always perfection with temperatures hovering in the 60s and 70s year-round. For fewer crowds and lower prices, consider March to May or September to November.
If you stay exclusively in Santa Barbara, you could plan for a long weekend trip. If you plan to explore the suburbs, I recommend five to seven days for your trip.
GETTING AROUND
There are many options for getting around. Santa Barbara is super accessible by foot, and the year-round gorgeous weather gives you no better excuse to enjoy a sunshine stroll to get from A to B. If you are looking to be a bit more active, the city is also very bike-friendly (some hotels even offer them complimentary). Additionally, the Santa Barbara MTD (Metropolitan Transit District) is a solid public transportation option. Of course, having a car is ideal if you plan to visit any of the suburbs.
To/From SBA: The MTD #11 bus stops at the airport and at the Transit Center in Downtown Santa Barbara. Takes approximately 45 minutes.
To/From LAX: The Airbus conveniently stops at all LAX terminals and at several places in the Santa Barbara area. Book in advance. Takes approximately two and a half hours.
PACKING
If you have gotten this far in my Santa Barbara travel guide, then surely you have figured out that the weather is amazing. You can leave your puffer coat at home, but do pack some lighter layers (especially for the evenings) – think sweaters, sweatshirts, and/or a denim jacket.
COVID-19
With the spread of COVID-19, all travelers should prioritize their health and safety. Rules and restrictions are constantly changing, so stay updated HERE for related rules and restrictions in Santa Barbara.
Jetset with Jasmine contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you!
The post GUIDE: SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA appeared first on JETSET WITH JASMINE.
]]>