Travel Tuesday – Local Edition: The Perfect Day in San Francisco along the Great Highway

I’ve lived in San Francisco all throughout college and loved every minute of it. Coming from a small town, I thought I could live the big city life and now as a parent, I realize that my suburban roots have come back to me, but sometimes that college girl in me still yearns to be in the City, which is probably why I only live a ten minute drive to the edge of San Francisco. In college, I used to love driving down the Great Highway and my sister taught me a trick while doing her daily commute that if you drove 35 mph, you’d hit all green lights. I still use that trick today and what do you know,  it still works!

And while most tourists are usually found near the piers, wharfs and the Embarcadero, there is definitely something about being near Ocean Beach and the Great Highway that is very much San Francisco.

8:00 AM: Breakfast at the Beach

To spend a perfect day on the Great Highway, you’d have to start with breakfast at the Beach Chalet with a window seat overlooking the Ocean and the brave surfers who don’t mind the cold er, freezing water. Here, order anything with seafood or try the classic benedicts.

10:00am: Zip by the Zoo

After breakfast, walk it off at the San Francisco Zoo where you can enjoy the abundance of animals from big to small. You can definitely spend the rest of the day here or take it all in. You can also enjoy a train or carousel or play in the amazing playground. Our favorites are the giraffes, penguins, gorillas and the hippo among other things.

12:30pm: Seek Adventure at the Sutro Baths

Lunch here at the zoo is also not a bad idea as they have some good options, but if you’ve finished up early enough, you can take a drive back up the Great Highway to park just above the Cliff House and grab some yummy picnic items like a sandwich or salad from the Lookout Cafe (or bring your own) before you walk down to the Sutro Baths for some amazing photos and views.

Again, I’ve lived in the Bay Area for over 16 years and I finally went to see this gem of a landmark last year. I’ve always gone to Ocean Beach to hang out but never actually took the time to check out the old remains of the Sutro Baths. The history and significance of this pool still amazes me so I am surprised it took me so long to see. Enjoy challenging your balance as you walk amongst history and visit a cave to hear the water crashing just below you.  It was well worth it and a great place to take Dahlia and the dogs exploring.

2:00pm:  Hike Lands End for the Views

Next on your day out is to take a hike on the Lands End Trail. You can leave your car in the same parking lot as the Sutro Baths and enjoy the views of the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day. This hike is dog-friendly so bring the pups and can be stroller-friendly only up to a certain point. We didn’t bring our stroller and poor husband had to carry our Dahlia a lot of the way, so if you have a hiking backpack it’ll be even better if you have a little one. We didn’t make it all the way to the famous Labyrinth but you could definitely see it along this gorgeous hike that hugs the coastline.

There are also some benches along the way for you to take breaks, visit one of the beaches below, have a snack or in our case, take a nap (for Dahlia, of course).

5:30pm: Dinner at the Cliff House

After a fun day out along the Great Highway, make one last stop at the Cliff House.  You can eat in the casual Bistro Restaurant on the main level that has a classic San Francisco style menu with amazing views of Ocean Beach and the Pacific Ocean. However, if you’re looking for a seasonal California coastal menu for dinner, then head into the elegant Sutro’s which is also at the Cliff House and offers panoramic views of Seal Rocks and the Marin headlands.

Dinner at the Cliff House is the perfect ending to your already perfect day in San Francisco. You could even make your way down to Ocean Beach to watch the sunset or frolic along the sandy beach as you watch the waves crash down. Perfection!

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What else do you like to do along the Great Highway?