How to Plan the Ultimate Girls Weekend in San Francisco | Top Things to Do for a Getaway

10 min readDec 31, 2020

San Francisco has a unique charm for girls with various shopping venues, spas, and chic cocktail bars. It’s instagrammable streets, and splendid dining out options are just a few attractions for girl crews ready for the most memorable getaway.

When you are checking into a new hotel for a weekend getaway, you need to follow a plan to make the most of your time. You also need to plan out a budget for your tours, so no one feels left out.

We’ll make it easier for you to pick the best girls getaway activities in San Francisco.

From cocktail bars to urban spas, here’s your guide to San Francisco getaways to bond with your gang and have the time of your life.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

Before we dive into the enjoyable activities, here are a couple of accommodation options for groups.

Hotel Kabuki

Hotel Kabuki is an elegant place located in one of the ideal neighborhoods of San Francisco. It distances you from the traffic of the city while still being at the center.

The hotel was recently renovated with zen-inspired design, pop art, and modern amenities.

Book a room on Booking.com with a balcony to get a view of the neighborhood lined with sushi spots and karaoke bars.

Marriott San Francisco

Marriott San Francisco is an ideal accommodation for your girl gang with spacious rooms and exceptional service at a superior downtown location. It is close to several highlights of the city including Moscone Center, Oracle Park and the sights of SoMa.

At the hotel, you can enjoy popular restaurants with your girls, such as The View Lounge which offers breath-taking views of San Francisco. The comfortable rooms make it an ideal place to relax and recharge after a long day of tours.

You can also join the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program to earn rewards for yourself and your friends.

The Alise

Located near Union Square, the hotel is ideal for young travelers who are on-the-go. It offers top-class amenities, comfortable lounges, and an upscale restaurant to relax and plan your journey.

It also provides bikes to cruise the seafront at the resort to re-energize your friends group after a long flight.

10 Best San Francisco Girlfriend Getaways

Every girl’s group is a blend of unique personalities with different tastes in holiday getaways. If your gang has planned to spend the week in San Francisco, get ready for some old-school charms infused with modern attractions.

San Francisco has a bit of everything; it has old-fashioned cable cars, exquisite art, Victorian architecture, savory food, and adventures for everyone. The magnificent landscape is the cherry on top.

Book a flight with Scott’s Cheap Flights to get amazing deals on your flight to the Golden City.

Without further ado, here are ten best San Francisco girl getaways for you.

Dine at Lazy Bear

Lazy Bear advertises itself as a “modern American dinner party” that will entertain you with the best brunch San Francisco can offer. Even though the prices lean towards the steep side, it is a must-go with your group of friends.

You start at the upstairs Cocktail Longue furnished with couches, lamps, and rugs. Then, move downstairs to be seated at one of two communal tables for a 15-course tasting menu.

Each course comes with an explanation courtesy of the chefs. It’s like going to the coolest dinner party of the century.

Enjoy Cocktails

Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge is causing some buzz in the newly opened Proper Hotel. The signature armchairs and lip-shaped loveseats indoors will make the perfect background for group photos.

In the evening, head to the outside space where plush lounge seating, fire pits, and sophisticated cocktails will make you and your girlfriends all warm and cozy.

The cocktails by The Bon Vivants are well-balanced and strong, with Mr. Jinks (mezcal, Lillet rose, shrub, guava, lime, and bitters) and Salem Saberhagen (St. George Terroir gin, orange muscat, pineapple, honey, and lime) being the crowd favorites.

If you are out on a cocktail excursion, another place to check out is El Techo de Lolinda. Go all the way to the top floor to enjoy a variety of cocktails and beers, along with Latin American–style street food, live music, and splendid views of the city.

The bar offers a “Happy Hour Menu” from Monday to Friday, 4 pm-6 pm, featuring $4 beers, $7 margaritas, and so much more. The regular menu has sharable plates for mostly under $10.

Visit the Beach

In case you didn’t know yet, San Francisco has fantastic beaches, so don’t forget to pack your bathing suits.

You can spend a day at Baker Beach, a mile-long patch of sand west of the Golden Gate. The rising tides and rip currents make the beach unsafe for swimming, but you can get picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and Lands End.

You can have a stroll along the shoreline and have a beach party with your girls. As you move towards the northern end of the beach, it becomes obvious that it’s a clothing-optional area.

If you want to see San Francisco from the water, hop on the Golden Gate Ferry, which will take you toward Sausalito. During the 30-minute ride, you will get to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and Alcatraz. Take pictures of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge with your gang in the front.

You can also make a quick visit to the city of Sausalito which is home to attractive shops, art studios, and a variety of restaurants and outdoor cafes that give the most stunning views.

Explore ChinaTown

The largest Chinatown outside Asia, San Francisco’s Chinatown, is a worthwhile visit for everyone visiting the city. Apart from the tourist highlights like Old St. Mary’s Church, Tien Hau Temple, and Waverly Place, you get to see a completely different side of San Francisco.

Start at the Grant Avenue Dragon Gate and make your way to the tourist street lined with eye-catching shops. You can then head towards Stockton Street, where you can hang out with the locals as they go about their shopping and bartering.

In Chinatown, you will find the most crowd on Saturdays. It’s up to you to pick the ideal day for your group and go for Saturday if you want to immerse in the culture of the area.

Relax at Onsen

Japanese bathing ritual draws on the idea of soaking to cleanse and restore your body and soul. Inspired by the bathing ritual, Onsen provides an intimate environment where your friends can soak together, char, and enjoy the hot water bath together.

The space has other amenities as well, including a redwood sauna, steam room, and showers. It is the perfect place to replenish after a long day of shopping and drinking.

Onsen also has a restaurant where you can eat without a reservation at the bathhouse. The menu focuses on vegetable-focused small plates inspired by Asian flavors.

The restaurant also has a variety of teas, herbal teas, and a selection of Japanese sakes.

Spa Day at Nob Hill Spa

The Nob Hill Spa offers a welcoming environment for the girls in the upscale Nob Hill neighborhood.

It is one of the best San Francisco girl getaways with steam rooms, a sauna, and an indoor pool with large windows that look upon the San Francisco skyline.

The spa services reflect the four cultures of San Francisco — Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Victorian. You and your girlfriends can get luxury facials, manicures, massages, and body treatments influenced by various healing traditions.

Try out one of the signature treatments of the spa, the Nob Hill Spa Ultimate Massage or the Nob Hill Spa Ultimate Facial. After the relaxing treatments, move to the sun-bathing deck, which offers views of Downtown San Francisco.

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Hop on Cable Cars

Get on one of the cable cars just outside the Big 4 restaurant in Nob Hill Spa. Yes, cable car San Francisco is a working transportation system in the steep hills of the city.

It is believed to be one of the most memorable adventures in California.

There are three cable car routes in the city. The California Line runs through the Financial District and Pacific Heights. The other two are Powell Lines that will take you through Chinatown, down to Fisherman’s Wharf.

A one-way cable car trip costs $7. If your group finds it thrilling enough to ride more than once, they can buy the three-day muni pass. You can catch the rides every ten minutes from 6 am until midnight.

You can also download the cable car map that shows the route and all the stops of the cable cars. Or, simply get a full San Francisco map.

Victorian Home Walk

One of the most notable San Francisco tours is the Victorian Home Walk, a visit to the Victorian era.

If your ideal getaway includes sightseeing, you will love the two and a half hour tour through the posh neighborhood of Pacific Heights.

The neighborhood houses colorful Victorian row houses, historic mansions, and lovely gardens. You can take a peek inside some of the most famous places, including Mrs. Doubtfire House.

Movie Night at The Castro Theatre

Fancy a movie night with your girls? Head to the Castro Theatre, one of the most iconic places with Spanish-baroque beauty that makes the neighborhood stand out.

As one of the oldest sites in the city, the Castro Theatre retains its original look, including the tile work and ceiling. It shows movies every day, and a live organist plays at most screenings. The midnight shows and sing-alongs to movies make for the perfect movie night.

Picnic at Mission Dolores Park

Alamo Square Park is one of the most beautiful places in San Francisco where you can have a picnic or grab ice creams from the nearby creamery to enjoy the views.

The park expands over 16 acres of land in the middle f a culturally diverse neighborhood. The tall palm trees, tennis courts, and dog play areas are a few highlights of the lush green space.

In addition to that, Mission Dolores holds festivals, cultural events, and a ton of recreational activities. Sunny afternoons attract crowds to lounge, picnic, and walk their dogs in the park while admiring the skyline of San Francisco.

When to Visit San Francisco

San Francisco is known for unexpected fogs rolling in on a sunny day, so you can never be too sure of the weather.

Still, the best time for san Francisco tours in spring and fall, when the weather is cozy without any rainfalls.

Spring

Spring is a good time for tours when the weather is mild with fewer rainy days.

The season is host to Macy’s Flower Show and SF Botanical Garden Magnolia Bloom, both celebrations of floral traditions.

During the same time, the Sonoma International Film Festival screens over 100 hand-picked films in the art venues.

Summer

June is one of the hottest months in San Francisco, and foggy too. There will be days when you won’t be able to see the sun, and the crowds head west in search of the sun.

However, the climate is unpredictable, and a fluctuation can quickly ruin a day at the beach.

Some of the famous summer events are North Beach Festival (duh), Union Street Music Festival, and LGBTQ Pride Weekend.

August brings on most tourism, so expect the high prices for flights and accommodation. You will also find bigger crowds during your tours.

Autumn

September is the beginning of autumn, and the weather tends to shift from chilly to warm and cold again. The skies are clear during autumn, and the city is less crowded than in summer.

During autumn, the city holds the Fringe Festival, a theatre festival that extends over two weeks, displaying over 40 shows. The Folsom Street Fair is also held in the same season, which sees about 400,000 visitors.

See Related: Top Day Trips from Palm Springs

Winter

Expect winter storms and rainfall in December, but no snowfall. It’s the perfect season to sip hot cocoa by the firepits.

Christmas and New Year festivities are a part of the season and a reason enough to be in the city during this time.

The rainy season lasts till February, and the mornings are cloudy. Whichever month you pick, pack layers to be prepared for when the temperatures drop.