The Perfect Fall Weekend In San Francisco

my journey to falling in love with the city 🌁 plus, a 3 day itinerary for an ideal weekend in sf!

scroll all the way down for the itinerary.

i'm about to hit my two-year (!!!) anniversary of living in San Francisco, and i'm going to be real with you: for the first year and a half, i was convinced moving here was the wrong decision.

when we left NYC in 2021, we fully expected to move back. but a year later, when it came time to settle down, something pulled us back to California. despite spending years in the East Bay for school, i had no real connection to San Francisco.

if you’ve turned on the news at any point in the last few years, you’ve probably heard San Francisco compared to Gotham City. there are parts of the city that are undeniably sad, especially with the visible homelessness crisis. but living here has shown me that San Francisco is more than its headlines—it’s something you have to experience to really understand.

my first summer here felt like hell on wheels. it’s cold—like, bone-chillingly cold during the summer months. when you’re new anywhere, everything is as beautiful as it is terrifying. you’re constantly trying to find your place, figure out the rhythm of the city, and somehow build a community. i knew some friends had left when we moved here, but the impact of the mass exodus post-covid really shocked me. it’s hard enough forming a community when you move somewhere as an adult, but in a city like this—where people come and go constantly—it felt nearly impossible.

i still remember my first weekend here alone—i was so sad (and i love being alone). i spent 8 hours doing a paint-by-number, then dragged myself to a museum and wandered around for 45 minutes before getting bored. i ended the day with a good cry on my couch and a bowl of elbow noodles and cottage cheese. it’s the universal experience of being somewhere new—there’s always that curve when you’re out of your comfort zone, and you just have to ride it out.

scenes from that first weekend alone. fyi paint by number is hard as fuck

i’ve always believed that good things take time. it wasn’t until this summer, when i spent a month in New York, that i started feeling a real longing for home—my home, in San Francisco. i found myself missing the slower pace, the cooler weather, and the quiet moments i’d grown used to.

one thing that completely transformed my experience here was learning to embrace the lifestyle San Francisco encourages, instead of trying to force my own routine onto it. training for the triathlon was a big part of that—getting outside, taking advantage of the nature, and slowly starting to build community. making friends hasn’t happened overnight (still working on it), and finding my place is taking even longer, but i’ve come to realize that’s part of the process.

the in-between moments in sf

San Francisco’s beauty never ceases to amaze me. walking in the presidio enveloped by morning fog, with the crunch of leaves beneath my feet, feels like a personal moment of serenity. swimming in the bay alongside a diverse group of people, each with their own stories and body types, reminds me of the city’s incredible inclusivity. and the food—with cuisine from so many cultures, constantly blows me away. i love how new places are always popping up, and even if a spot isn’t in my neighborhood, it still feels like a local gem. i’m deeply grateful to call San Francisco home.

if you’re struggling to find your place wherever you are, remember that it takes time. sometimes, it’s in the moments of discomfort and adjustment that we find our true connection to a place and its people. it’s a profound realization that growth often happens in the spaces between challenge and ease.

all that being said, i’m still working on immersing myself in different parts of the community, learning and growing with each new experience.

while it’s nearly impossible to capture everything SF has to offer in a single guide, i’ve put together a 3-day itinerary for what i believe would be the perfect fall weekend here. autumn in SF is a special time—warm and sunny, with crisp, clear skies. farmers markets burst with fresh fall produce, and the city’s trails offer some of the best hikes. i’ve got a list of cozy cafes and my favorite used bookstore, plus… obviously… alllll the food and much more!

i hope this itinerary gives you a taste of what makes this city so wonderful. if you’re living in SF or somewhere else and any part of this essay resonated with you, please throw a line below! i love hearing from you and having conversations in the comments.

My Ideal Fall Weekend In San Francisco

all of the neighborhoods are listed beside each recommendation.. this will help you get a feel for what’s close to each other. i’ve sectioned all reccs out to make the most sense geographically so you’re not all over the place each day. i also recognize that a lot of you reading this are local and just want some new spots, which is great and i think this will be very useful for you!

i loved making this… even though it took me 3 hours lol. i plan to make more in the future as there are so many other spots and activities to highlight in the bay area.

like all my guides, this isn’t a comprehensive manual but rather a personal take—just one view among many to help you shape your own adventure. i hope you enjoy!

FRIDAY

— take a morning yoga class at Love Story Yoga on Valencia Street. i’ve never been here but i’ve heard great things and it’s at the top of my list for yoga places to try out! (Mission District)

— grab coffee at Marigold Café (Mission District)