San Francisco Romantic Getaway
Valentine's Day is coming soon, so it's best not to wait till the last minute to plan something romantic. Now, if you can't afford the time or the money to travel to the "Romance Capital of the World," which is Paris, you might want to try something a little closer to home.
How about San Francisco?
San Francisco is one of the most romantic cities in America. Why? Maybe it's the climate, or the Golden Gate Bridge, or that it's so close to the romantic wine country. But, couples go there year after year to experience the romance.
What are some romantic things you might do in San Francisco?
Take a Walk
San Francisco is a walking city, and there are many great areas to walk. My favorite is Golden Gate Park, but there are numerous walking tours everywhere in San Francisco. You can go on a paid walking tour, or go on free tours provided by San Francisco City Guides, a non-profit organization of more than 200 trained volunteers who lead free walking tours in San Francisco. Their website at sfcityguides.org lists all the many different walking tours of such sites as Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and even ghost walks of supposedly haunted locations.
Visit Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park's great for walking as well. Buy some cheese, meats and bread at one of San Francisco's great delis and have a picnic in Golden Gate Park. After your picnic, perhaps you can rent a rowboat and take a trip around the lake on bicycles.
Get a Massage
After your walk or bike ride, you and your romantic other might consider getting massages at one of the best spas in San Francisco. CitySearch readers have come up with their all-time favorite:
In-Symmetry
2221 26th St #101
This spa is located in Potrero Hill and features a Deep Tissue/Zen Hot Rock Massage for $70.
Visit a Winery
Okay, you will have to leave the City for this, but the wineries of Napa and Sonoma Counties are just an hour or two drive up north, and well worth the gas. Napa of course is more well-known to people, but I tend to like visiting the Sonoma county wineries better. They're not as crowded, and parts of Sonoma County just seem more fun to visit, especially the city of Sonoma itself.
Where to Stay
As for lodging; although San Francisco can be an expensive city in which to stay, you can find some budget lodging. Try Lombard Street, which runs through the Cow Hollow and Marina districts in the northern part of San Francisco, near the Golden Gate Bridge.
You can find a nice room on Lombard Street for just under $100 a night, which is a far cry from the hotels on Union Square. But, what kind of room will your $100 get you? Of course, you’re not going to get the luxury of a fancy hotel, but you’re not paying for luxury. You’re paying to enjoy San Francisco. Your $100 will buy you a comfortable, clean room. Also, you will generally receive free parking. If you drive to San Francisco or rent a car in San Francisco, free parking is a big deal.
Just north of Lombard Street is Chestnut Street, with a movie theater, shops and wonderful food. To the south a few blocks you’ll find Union Street, with upscale shops and, again, wonderful food. Lombard Street is also a good location for bus service to all parts of San Francisco, eliminating the need for expensive taxi rides. Just remember to ask for a room in the back if you want some quiet, as Lombard Street can be loud.
You have numerous choices for lodging along Lombard Street. I’ve stayed at the Cow Hollow Motor Inn (415-921-5800) and find it to be a good, inexpensive choice, with free parking, with a nice, inexpensive Italian restaurant located just north on Steiner Street (Ristorante Parma).
One caveat I have about Cow Hollow, which can probably be applied to any of the motels on Lombard Street, is that you will probably want to request an inside room off the main streets, as they can get quite loud. Another motel you might consider would be La Luna Inn (415-346-4664), a recently renovated inn with some luxuries you wouldn’t expect from a budget motel, such as pillow-top mattresses, flat screen TVs, wireless internet access and complimentary muffins, breads, coffee, tea and juices served every morning. The rooms look really sharp, though I have to say I haven't stayed there, but will give it a try on my next trip to San Francisco.
How about San Francisco?
San Francisco is one of the most romantic cities in America. Why? Maybe it's the climate, or the Golden Gate Bridge, or that it's so close to the romantic wine country. But, couples go there year after year to experience the romance.
What are some romantic things you might do in San Francisco?
Take a Walk
San Francisco is a walking city, and there are many great areas to walk. My favorite is Golden Gate Park, but there are numerous walking tours everywhere in San Francisco. You can go on a paid walking tour, or go on free tours provided by San Francisco City Guides, a non-profit organization of more than 200 trained volunteers who lead free walking tours in San Francisco. Their website at sfcityguides.org lists all the many different walking tours of such sites as Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and even ghost walks of supposedly haunted locations.
Visit Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park's great for walking as well. Buy some cheese, meats and bread at one of San Francisco's great delis and have a picnic in Golden Gate Park. After your picnic, perhaps you can rent a rowboat and take a trip around the lake on bicycles.
Get a Massage
After your walk or bike ride, you and your romantic other might consider getting massages at one of the best spas in San Francisco. CitySearch readers have come up with their all-time favorite:
In-Symmetry
2221 26th St #101
This spa is located in Potrero Hill and features a Deep Tissue/Zen Hot Rock Massage for $70.
Visit a Winery
Okay, you will have to leave the City for this, but the wineries of Napa and Sonoma Counties are just an hour or two drive up north, and well worth the gas. Napa of course is more well-known to people, but I tend to like visiting the Sonoma county wineries better. They're not as crowded, and parts of Sonoma County just seem more fun to visit, especially the city of Sonoma itself.
Where to Stay
As for lodging; although San Francisco can be an expensive city in which to stay, you can find some budget lodging. Try Lombard Street, which runs through the Cow Hollow and Marina districts in the northern part of San Francisco, near the Golden Gate Bridge.
You can find a nice room on Lombard Street for just under $100 a night, which is a far cry from the hotels on Union Square. But, what kind of room will your $100 get you? Of course, you’re not going to get the luxury of a fancy hotel, but you’re not paying for luxury. You’re paying to enjoy San Francisco. Your $100 will buy you a comfortable, clean room. Also, you will generally receive free parking. If you drive to San Francisco or rent a car in San Francisco, free parking is a big deal.
Just north of Lombard Street is Chestnut Street, with a movie theater, shops and wonderful food. To the south a few blocks you’ll find Union Street, with upscale shops and, again, wonderful food. Lombard Street is also a good location for bus service to all parts of San Francisco, eliminating the need for expensive taxi rides. Just remember to ask for a room in the back if you want some quiet, as Lombard Street can be loud.
You have numerous choices for lodging along Lombard Street. I’ve stayed at the Cow Hollow Motor Inn (415-921-5800) and find it to be a good, inexpensive choice, with free parking, with a nice, inexpensive Italian restaurant located just north on Steiner Street (Ristorante Parma).
One caveat I have about Cow Hollow, which can probably be applied to any of the motels on Lombard Street, is that you will probably want to request an inside room off the main streets, as they can get quite loud. Another motel you might consider would be La Luna Inn (415-346-4664), a recently renovated inn with some luxuries you wouldn’t expect from a budget motel, such as pillow-top mattresses, flat screen TVs, wireless internet access and complimentary muffins, breads, coffee, tea and juices served every morning. The rooms look really sharp, though I have to say I haven't stayed there, but will give it a try on my next trip to San Francisco.
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