travel

a weekend in San Francisco

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 Whenever people tell me they are going to visit San Francisco I ask where they are staying and they are almost always staying at some hotel in or near the Tenderloin. Don't do it! Stay anywhere else! San Francisco is a gorgeous city, but it's easy to get stuck in dirty areas or tourist traps (that being said, the Tenderloin definitely has some good bars and trending spots). If you're looking for amazing food, local favorites and a taste of the many neighborhoods in SF, check out these places instead:

Brunch

Outerlands If you're looking for locally sourced American brunch in a cozy, rustic setting by the sea, and are ok with waiting a few hours for a seat, this place is perfect. I usually put my name down then take a stroll to Trouble Coffee, Mollusk and sit by the sea until my table comes up. 

Boogaloos This was my go-to brunch with a twist. I only ever get one thing: Desayuno Tipico. Two eggs over easy, black beans with salsa, grilled plantain cake topped with tamarind sour cream and corn tortillas. 

St. Francis Fountain Best classic diner with the perfect coffee pot coffee. Old school candy shop and ice cream parlor, too. 

Coffee

Blue Bottle Best soy latte, ever. My favorite location is in Hayes Valley--take a stroll in the little park and grab a drink from their roll-up garage. 

Ritual No, they won't ice your latte. Don't even ask. But they will give you the best drip you've ever had. And you won't mind how much you paid for it. 

Four Barrel This is one of my favorite coffee shops not just for the coffee, but for the atmosphere. They also have affogatos. 

The Mill Their toast is AMAZING. Say yes say yes! 

Philz Last, but certainly not least, is my favorite everyday drip coffee. I always get the Tesora with medium sugar and medium cream. Stop by a panaderia on the way if you are going to the mission location. 

Dinner

Caffe Sport If you are going to North Beach and want dinner, this is my favorite spot for seafood in a kitschy atmosphere. It's a little pricey but worth every penny. 

Zarzuela Looking for an affordable, authentic Spanish meal? In one of my favorite neighborhoods? Check this place out in Russian Hill. There's delicious ice cream across the street.

Pizzeria Delfina Best thin crust pizza. To work around the wait - either order take out and eat in Dolores Park or wait for a table to open up at 500 Club.  

Halu I LOVE RAMEN. SO MUCH. This place is not only delicious, but it is Beatles-themed. Last time I went they didn't have their bacon-wrapped mochi, the most amazing thing ever, so be sure to ask in case it's your lucky day!

Drinks

The Phone Booth This is my favorite bar in San Francisco. It is often full of hipsters, so go on a weeknight if you can (I avoided on weekends). There is a pool table and a juke box. A great place to end a night. 

Hotel Biron Best place to meet someone for a glass of wine and some good conversation. It feels very European and is kind of hidden.

Trick Dog Your friends will think you are pretentious, but that's ok because their cocktails are fantastic. Dinner is good here too...I still dream about their kale salad. 

El Rio The best for outdoor drinking, weekday karaoke (I think it's on Wednesdays) and shuffleboard. 

The Homestead Excellent low key high brow place! They have peanuts and old fashions. 

Local Edition If you are downtown, stop in for some 20s paper boy style and delicious cocktails. 

Shopping 

Painted Bird There was a time in my life when I only shopped at this place. It was wonderful. They have a nice range of affordable pieces for your eclectic closet -- thrift and vintage. 

Little Paper Planes Filled with gorgeous, handcrafted goods and their new house-made clothing line. I love everything in this store. 

Acrimony Sleek, Minimal, Fun -- pieces for men and women that will elevate your wardrobe. 

Mill Mercantile Well made clothes in Americana style or Japanese interpreted Americana. 

Yoga

Bikram Yoga Hot yoga in the mission. A nice, friendly studio where you will feel comfortable sweating buckets. 

Urban Flow Great if you are a bit more advanced or want to push yourself to the next level. 

Yoga to the People Donation based with a mission location that looks over the city. Go for the candlelight practice. 

When in Chelsea: eating the way you want to eat

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Chelsea Piers Hudson River ParkThe hardest part of eating more consciously is eating the way you would eat at home--without your kitchen--when traveling. Eating is also such a big part of travel that it really means altering your experience when you alter your food choices. Most big cities have options for a variety of diets, but not all cities have excellent options that also add to the fun of trying new places to eat. Sometimes though, you strike gold! Like in Chelsea, NY, where you can get both: location + the local eating experience.

Not surprisingly, it can be expensive, but all food is generally expensive in big cities, and New York is certainly no exception. Instead of paying top dollar for a less-than-ideal meal, why not just pick a great one that will be full of vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, sustainable meat and keep you exploring a great neighborhood?

Yes, it is painful to pass up the buttery croissant or palate-pleasing cocktail--and you may notice a wine stem in one of these photos--because let's face it, you have to live a little. I'm a big believer in doing the best you can. If you want to try that local delicious thing, try it. Moderation and happiness is always better than strict rule following and blind restraint. In my opinion, learning how to pepper your diet with the things you love, and still be conscious of what you put in you body, is the only real way to sustain any kind of long term healthy eating plan.

And, if you are on a mission to follow a slightly crazy food challenge, like the #wfpst21days my sister and I are currently on, then try these places:

1. Foragers City Grocer 233 8th Avenue at 22nd Street

Foragers for dinner

Foragers Breakfast BarTheir original location is in Brooklyn and they are all about local + organic. This is a great place to get yummy snacks, like this amazing breakfast bar (no sugar, no flour, no oil), fresh fruit, salads and tea. And then you can always go in for the buttery breakfast bacon and egg sandwich when you feel like rewarding yourself. You can also eat dinner Tuesday - Saturday and brunch on the weekends.

2. Blossom 187 9th Avenue between 21st and 22nd Street Rigatoni in Porcini Cream (vegan)-BlossomI literally just walked in off the street after seeing a sign with the words 'vegan' and 'vegetarian'. I was seated immediately and they did not care that I was eating solo. Nor did they bat an eye when I asked my annoying questions. The rigatoni in porcini cream is vegan, uses whole wheat pasta with shallots, leeks, broccoli rabe, pistachio gremolata, truffle oil (oops), caramelized fennel & onion jam crostini and tahini. It is absolutely delicious! I was so happy I had a glass of wine. Beware--you may make vegan friends! Or be vegan-ized. I sat next to some vegans from Echo Park (crazy, I know, I used to live literally a few doors down from them) and they were super fun to talk to about LA vegan vs. the rest of the world. Basically, LA has the best vegan restaurants. Maybe it's my rosy memory, but I think it makes sense. They loved Blossom, too. And they worked in public radio, which just made me happy. KPCC + Echo Park + Vegan love win!

4. Organic Avenue 216 8th Ave at 21st Street

Organic Avenue

Great for fresh live juices (which aren't so great for a hotel room sans-fridge, but they did offer to give me a cooler bag with an ice pack), yummy snacks and meals. Eclectic recipes and easy-to-read ingredients.

3. Argo Tea 275 7th Avenue at 26th Street

Great place to find some caffeine-free herbal teas! And yes, they have almond milk.

How do you manage a healthy eating lifestyle + travel? Do you just give up? Where are your favorite places to eat when on a trip?