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Golden Gate Park

Miles of trails, hidden lakes, and enough weird corners to get blissfully lost in. Don't miss the Botanical Garden (we took our engagement photos here!): giant redwoods, cloud forest paths, and a pond full of ducks that are way too bold. Also, plenty of gems like the Shakespeare Garden, the National AIDS Memorial Grove, and the Japanese Tea Garden.

Alamo Square

Have a picnic on the grassy slopes for a postcard-perfect view of the Painted Ladies and the city skyline, as featured in our favorite family show from the '90s, Full House.

Crissy Field

Waterfront strolls, foggy bridge views, and wind strong enough to ruin your hair, even Will's, in every photo. Still worth it.

Fort Mason Park

Our favorite park to go and spend a sunny weekend afternoon, complete with views of Golden Gate Bridge and the cityscape. The farmer's market at Fort Mason is a fun visit on Sundays (9:30–1:30PM) for tasty eats and local goodies.

Dolores Park

This "16-acre outdoor living room" and cultural epicenter of San Francisco is well-known for its sweeping views of the city skyline and its close proximity to Mission neighborhood famous bites like Tartine Bakery, Bi-Rite Creamery, and El Farolito. On a warm sunny day (which is anything above 68 degrees!) you'll see what feels like the entire city at this park.

Golden Gate Bridge → Buena Vista Cafe

Do the bridge (many vantage points; our favorite is the view from Hawk Hill), then head to Buena Vista Café. Pro tip: sit at the bar and watch the bartenders line up Irish coffees by the dozen. You don't "nurse" these drinks — you overdo it and pretend it was intentional.

The Embarcadero & Ferry Building

Sure, it's on every San Francisco guidebook and can be a bit of a tourist destination, but even locals admit to enjoying an occasional afternoon here. Our favorites:

• Señor Sisig — Filipino fusion burritos with cult-level status.
• Hog Island Oyster Co. — raw bar + bay breeze = elite combo.
• Gott's Roadside — a seriously good burger.
• Lunette — Cambodian flavor explosion featured in Chef's Table.
• El Porteño Empanadas — your pick of delicious sweet and savory options.

North Beach + Chinatown Neighborhoods

Two iconic neighborhoods side by side. In North Beach, or "Little Italy," you're sipping espresso, eating cannolis and pizza by the slice (our recommendation: skip Tony's and opt for a square slice at Golden Boy!), and looking up at Coit Tower. Next thing you know, you're deep in Chinatown enjoying fruit teas, indulging in dim sum and other Cantonese specialties, and getting free samples at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Both have great dive bars (and plenty of upscale options), mouth-watering bakeries, and lots of community history.

The Castro

I mean, this is a gay wedding, so of course you have to visit the gayest neighborhood in the gayest city! Make it a night out in the Castro with great restaurants (our faves: Santeria, Poesia Osteria Italiana, and Canela Bistro Bar) followed by bar hopping (Blackbird and Churchill for cocktails, Twin Peaks Tavern for a strong old-school martini, Bar 49 for a neighborhood vibe, and Hi Tops for their fried chicken sandwich haha), and end on the dance floor at Badlands or Toad Hall.

Russian Hill Treasures

We love living in Russian Hill. During our nightly post-dinner strolls, we enjoy looking at the unique houses (we fantasy claim three of them) and taking in the gorgeous views. Some notable Russian Hill treasure spots — the first three are very close to each other:

• Ina Coolbrith Park — tiny, tiny park with giant views of the Bay Bridge. Great spot for local views.
• Macondray Lane — charming, lush walking path that was the inspiration for Barbary Lane in the Tales of the City series.
• Union & Leavenworth — a unique view opportunity: to the north, Alcatraz; to the east, Coit Tower and the Bay Bridge.
• Lombard Street — the "Crookedest Street in the World." It'll be busy, but the view is beautiful. Skip the drive and take a walk up and down the steps.

Hidden Garden Steps

Tucked away in the Sunset, this mosaic staircase is one of the prettiest little detours in the city.

Wave Organ

Pipes that "play" the ocean at high tide. It's weird, it's beautiful, and it always makes you feel like you stumbled onto something secret.

Grandview Park

A steep staircase climb, wind that smacks you around, and a 360° view of SF that always makes us stop talking mid-sentence.

Bernal Heights Park & Twin Peaks

Two of the best 360-degree panoramic views you can find.

Wine Country Day-Trip

There are close to a thousand wineries in the famous Napa and Sonoma wine regions alone! World-class wines are within grasp — whether you prefer white, red, rosé, or sparkling. Some are only an hour away from San Francisco and worth a visit. We prefer the Sonoma wineries for the laid-back and scenic vibes. Napa is splashy and fancier. If you're going the Napa route, hit the Silverado Trail for quieter, cozier spots where someone might actually talk to you about the wine without trying to sell you a membership.