Now that the U.S. has lifted its COVID testing requirements, San Francisco is now that much easier to get to for Canadians looking to experience one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the United States.
San Francisco was named the “Best City in the World” by Time Out in 2021. A host of direct flights will bring Canadians to the temperate climate that makes San Francisco a year-round favourite – never too cold, and never too hot – which will be a welcomed escape as the summer heats up! Effective public transportation, walkability, and a bike-friendly environment also make it an extremely convenient summer destination. And with a host of new places, new culture, new dining, and new hotels, San Francisco is primed to be the summer destination that Canadians need.
New Places to Explore
Presidio Tunnel Tops opens on July 17, built over highway tunnels, featuring scenic overlooks with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The 4.5-acre Francisco Park joins Lombard Street and Ghirardelli Square on iconic Russian Hill. It’s the biggest to open in the city’s urban core in nearly 40 years, combining previously inaccessible open space with the abandoned Francisco Reservoir, offering a panoramic views. The Presidio opened the historic Battery Bluff where visitors enjoy sweeping views of the Golden Gate, trails, and historic military batteries not seen by the public since 1936.
Crissy Field Beach in San Francisco. JIM BYERS PHOTO
New Culture to Experience
The first Portola Music Festival – from the company behind Coachella – is coming to San Francisco’s Pier 80, Sept. 24-25, for a two-day electronic music concert. Diego Rivera’s America at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is the largest exhibition of Diego Rivera’s works in 20 years, opening July 16.
For families, Walt Disney’s The Jungle Book: Making a Masterpiece at the Walt Disney Family Museum runs through the end of the year. This exhibition explores the making of The Jungle Book on its 55th anniversary. Meanwhile, The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited at The Contemporary Jewish Museum celebrates the late Jim Henson, a trailblazing puppeteer and animator, through Aug. 14.
New Tables to Taste
Canadian travellers can enjoy award winning international tastes in San Francisco. Six Bay Area restaurants received three Michelin stars in the 2021 MICHELIN Guide. Eight restaurants were awarded two stars. 50 Bay Area restaurants were awarded Michelin stars in 2021, accounting for 56% of California’s 90 starred restaurants.
Among new restaurants, The Palm Court Restaurant & Wine Bar offers a new live-fire dining experience set within a dramatic glass and steel atrium. Colibri Mexican Bistro reopened in May, serving authentic Mexican cuisine steps away from outlooks revealing the Golden Gate Bridge. The contemporary French-style bistro Mijoté opened with a menu grounded in French technique and guided by ingredients from local farmers and producers. Shuggies Trash Pies + Natural Wine Bar opened in the Mission, serving seasonal pizzas and share plates that highlight upcycled ingredients and sustainable proteins.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company unveiled its redesigned flagship Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store this May, allowing visitors to watch Ghirardelli chocolatiers hand crafting the brand’s signature hot fudge.
New Hotels to Stay
Following a renovation and redesign of all public spaces and 418 guestrooms, Sir Francis Drake Hotel will reopen its doors as the Beacon Grand on June 30. Located near San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, 1 Hotel San Francisco opened on June 1. The 200-room hotel is the city’s first mission-driven hotel that celebrates the beauty of the Bay Area’s natural environment. The LUMA Hotel San Francisco opens in June as the first hotel development in the evolving Mission Bay community.
Here’s a story I wrote about my stay at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco earlier this year.
Easy Flights
Air Canada has direct flights to San Francisco from Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.
