This is part 1 of our trip to San Francisco. If you enjoy reading this, continue here to find out more adventures we had during our stay in San Francisco!
In this journey, I will be sharing the most fun we had on the first day we arrived in San Francisco and making the most of your time at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.
In October 2022, we set out for the airport before sunrise to catch the earliest flight available without breakfast. After enduring a 6+ hour flight, we at last touched down at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The local time is twelve, which means it has already turned 3 PM in our original time zone where we departed. Our grumbling stomachs left us with no choice but to plot our first destination even as we waited in the boarding queue. That’s how we found this satisfying meal in Japan Town, San Francisco.
1st Stop: DaeHo Korean BBQ & Beef Soup
This restaurant specializes in braised beef, and their most popular dish is the sizzling hotpot with braised beef ribs and spicy stir-fried rice cakes, known as ‘Braised Beef Ribs.’ It’s generously topped with thick cheese, and once it arrives at your table, you will see the staff bring the torch lighter to melt the cheese and turn it into a beautiful golden and crispy exterior. The melted cheese on top of the dish really provided the creamy richness with the savory and slightly spicy flavors of the braised beef ribs. Their beef noodle soup is also worth trying; the broth is delicious and refreshing leaving us craving for more delicious food. I won’t go into detail about the rest, but as our first stop, I was fortunate that we didn’t disappoint and were able to enjoy such a delicious lunch!
After savoring our delicious lunch, we decided to take a leisurely stroll through Japan Town in the hopes of discovering more delightful culinary treasures. It was very interesting seeing someone dressed in costume cosplaying their favorite anime characters. And finally one ice cream shop immediately caught our eyes. The shop is called ‘舞姬’ (Maiko) ice cream and coffee shop. They offer ice cream cones wrapped in edible gold named ‘Shogun,’ which certainly intrigued our curiosity. However, given my post-lunch preference for something lighter after indulging in cheese and meat, and despite the temptation of the gold ice cream, I chose the matcha flavor, and it proved to be an absolutely delightful choice.
2. Fisherman’s Wharf
Next stop, we made our way to the hotel we would be staying which is located at Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf is a must-visit attraction in San Francisco. This place features its unique bay view of San Fransico and city history.
On that day, we also embarked on a boat ride from the pier, which offered a more intimate and private experience to explore the scenic beauty of the sea. These private-owned boat rides are typically priced per person, and the one I ride costs $20 per ticket. The route took us from Fisherman’s Wharf, around the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, before returning to the wharf, with the entire journey lasting approximately one hour.
As we passed beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, we found ourselves among the fortunate few who could appreciate the intricate details of the bridge’s structure from such a unique vantage point.
Finally, in the sunset, we walked to Pier 39, in particular, is a hub of wildlife, known for its large population of wild sea lions, drawing crowds of eager tourists daily.
Pier 39 also has many restaurants specializing in various seafood delights. One notable dish commonly enjoyed here is the ‘Clam Chowder in Bread’ which is generously filled with piping hot seafood chowder.
