We Asked 8 San Francisco Business Owners About Their Go-To Spot in the City, Their Answers Might Surprise You

San Francisco is one of the most well-known cities in the U.S. Here, you’ll not only find breathtaking natural beauty and iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, but it’s also home to unique architecture, loads of history, a diverse culture, and, in my opinion, some of the best food in the West. The City by the Bay is also where you'll find countless gems—attractions and destinations that make locals and visitors fall in love with the area.

So, I turned to the experts. I asked several San Francisco business owners to tell me their go-to spot in the city. It didn’t matter if it was a popular tourist attraction or a hidden gem; I wanted to know about the one place that made them fall in love with San Francisco or had captured the hearts of their guests. While I knew the answers would vary, I expected many responses to be focused on museums or restaurants. However, almost every person answered my question by naming one of San Francisco’s gorgeous city parks or local beaches.

City Parks You Can’t Miss in San Francisco

With more than 220 parks and open spaces, there are many outdoor destinations in San Francisco to choose from, but events reporter and marketing agency owner Courtney Lynn Muro says her go-to spot is the well-known Mission Dolores Park because “it captures everything great about San Francisco: playful, social, beautiful, and completely its own thing.”

From jaw-dropping skyline views to outdoor energy, we have to agree that Mission Dolores Park is a place that you’ll find hard to leave. “It’s basically an open-air circus mixed with intramural sports and whatever event the city decides to throw that day," Muro said. "It works like a giant communal backyard for everyone here. On a warm afternoon, thousands of people pack onto the hill with blankets, picnics, drinks, and music, and vendors weave through selling anything you can imagine. If you’re from the city, getting to your blanket means literally stepping over people you know—you’ll run into half your friends without even trying."

Of course, if you are searching for a quieter, smaller park that’s certainly bucket-list-worthy, Alex Alioto, Head of Growth and Partnerships, and cofounder of Whimstay, says every Saturday you’ll likely find him at Ina Coolbrith Park. “The views are spectacular,” he said, “and because it's perched on a steep hillside, it feels entirely different from your typical park.”

But the beautiful Ina Coolbrith Park isn't Alioto's only go-to outdoor space. He also recommends Lands End. As another city park that can be quite busy, he suggests you take the side path to find the stone labyrinth. Here, the views of the Golden Gate Bridge are absolutely incredible.

Of course, if you want a true hidden gem, a place where you can enjoy some time away from the crowds yet capture breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, David Westreich, owner of Go West PR, a San Francisco-based PR agency, recommends Presidio Tunnel Tops.

“I love bringing people there,” he said. “You can grab coffee at the Warming Hut or hit up the food trucks. Then, just hang out on the grass and take in the Bay. All-around awesome spot!”

San Francisco Beaches Locals Love

Yes, there's something special about San Francisco's city parks, especially if you want spectacular city views, but you can't overlook the city's beaches, especially Ocean Beach. This beautiful destination is San Francisco's longest beach, spanning 3.5 miles. Although the water is typically quite chilly and the currents are strong, the sandy shore is often filled with people playing in the sand, watching the waves, flying kites, or taking a walk.

It’s also not surprising that locals highly recommend Baker Beach. This gorgeous destination is best known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge views and for being the home of the first Burning Man festival. Today, however, it’s important that you know where you are going when you visit. The southern end of Baker Beach is family-friendly, with picnic tables, restrooms, and access to the California Coastal Trail (a trek I love to recommend!). However, the northern area is clothing-optional.

Honorable San Francisco Mentions

Yes, San Francisco's outdoor spaces receive a lot of love from locals and can easily capture your heart, but local business owners brought up a few additional places I felt deserved some attention as well. For example, if you are searching for a quintessential San Francisco experience, you must spend some time in the neighborhoods of Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, and North Beach. Each place has something truly incredible to offer. North Beach, for example, is known as San Francisco’s "Little Italy" and is home to incredible restaurants, bars, cafes, and much more. Walter A. Haas, co-owner at Graffeo Coffee Roasting Co., Inc., suggests visiting Biordi Art Imports in the North Beach neighborhood. This boutique is one of the leading importers of handcrafted, beautifully designed Italian ceramics.

Lynn Bruni-Perkins, from the San Francisco Travel Association, says that her go-to spot to take guests from out of town is Delancey Street Restaurant, located on the Embarcadero. Operated by the Delancey Street Foundation, this unique restaurant provides living and training for individuals who are former substance abusers, ex-convicts, homeless, or need help rising above their challenges. The food, service, and operations are all managed by residents. "The food is delicious, the views of the Bay are stunning, and dining there provides an opportunity to give back to the community and help others in need," Bruni-Perkins said.

It is easy to find one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants in the city, but for many, it's the outdoor spaces—parks, beaches, etc.—that make them fall in love with San Francisco. And once you've been to several of these destinations around this NorCal city, you'll understand why.

Is there a specific spot in Northern California that captured your heart? A popular tourist attraction or even a hidden gem? Let me know by filling out this nomination form. I’d love to hear from you. And if you are feeling inspired, try planning your own trip to San Francisco using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.