San Francisco: Dads, Daughters, Pizza, and Views

The Experience

This trip sounded like the start of a joke: three dads and two daughters go to San Francisco… but by the end, we had a weekend packed with memories and plenty of fun. The city was also buzzing with Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament energy — though our team got knocked out the first night, this gave us two full days to explore Northern California with zero distractions.

One unexpected highlight? We got to try a driverless cab through Waymo — it was futuristic, surprisingly smooth, and you could even pick your own music. Definitely an amazing experience, and the girls loved it even more than I did.

We made a few iconic stops in San Fransisco — a visit to the famous Full House house for a quick photo op (yes, it looks exactly like it did on TV) and a drive to the Golden Gate lookout on the Sausalito side for sweeping views of the bridge and bay.

The following day, we rented a car downtown and headed for the coast, cruising down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk was a huge hit with the girls — and the dads, too. Classic boardwalk fun: a legit roller coaster, a good mix of rides, and of course, we had to hop on my personal favorite, the Tilt-A-Whirl — a nostalgic nod to growing up near the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair.

After Santa Cruz, we made our way inland to San Jose for a Sharks game at SAP Center. Even with the Sharks already eliminated from playoff contention, the arena was packed and the crowd brought serious energy. It was loud, loyal, and full of good vibes.

What to Expect in the City

San Francisco is a city of charm and contrast. Cable cars clang down steep hills, old Victorians sit beside glass towers, and the weather can change block to block. It’s undeniably beautiful — with iconic views around every corner — but gritty and unpredictable, too. Pack layers, plan ahead, and stay flexible. It’s worth it.

Where We Stayed

• The Palace Hotel, San Fransisco - a grand, historic hotel in downtown San Francisco. The building is beautiful, the ceilings are high, and the architecture feels like a throwback to a more elegant time. But the experience was mixed.

  The rooms were fine — nothing luxurious. The biggest letdown was The Pied Piper, the hotel’s iconic bar beneath the Maxfield Parrish mural. The bartenders seemed annoyed to be there, and the service was stiff. We gave it a 1 out of 5, despite the setting. Overall hotel rating: 3.5 out of 5.

• Signia by Hilton, San Jose - After our visit to Santa Cruz, stayed at the Signia by Hilton in San Jose, which earned a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a modern, well-designed, higher-end Hilton property with a sleek atmosphere. The bar was a nice touch — stylish, with the usual lineup of well-made (and higher-priced) hotel cocktails. A great spot to unwind before or after the game.

Eat and Drink

• Pie Punks – 5/5
  Detroit-style pizza done right. Crispy, cheesy, thick-cut perfection. The bartenders spin old vinyl on a 1970s Cerwin Vega sound system, giving it just the right amount of dive-bar-meets-vintage vibe. Total surprise hit.

• Franciscan Crab Restaurant (Fisherman’s Wharf) – 4/5
  We ordered the Crab Feast for the table — Dungeness crab, garlic noodles, and butter by the ladle. The view of Alcatraz from the floor-to-ceiling windows? Unreal.

• Ghirardelli Square
  A sugar stop that felt more like a rite of passage. Over-the-top sundaes, chocolate everything, and prime people-watching. The girls were in heaven.

• Scoma’s of Sausalito – 4/5
  A polished seafood lunch spot with a killer view across the bay. Classic dishes, fresh ingredients, and easygoing charm.

• Sam’s Chowder House – 4/5
  A cozy coastal stop with an ocean view. Classic clam chowder, chill vibes, and a surprisingly good piña colada before our drive down Highway 1.

• Pied Piper Bar at The Palace Hotel – 1/5
  Historic setting, famous mural, and... disappointing service. Beautiful room, but the experience missed the mark.

Tips for Future Visitors

• Hire a driver — worth it for stress-free travel and tight parking.

• Pack layers — the temperature changes constantly.

• Franciscan is worth it for the view alone.

• Pie Punks is a can’t-miss.

• Watch a game — SAP Center or Chase Center, even if it’s not your team.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a San Francisco weekend — it was a road trip full of early core memories, from landmark views to boardwalk rides. From driverless cabs to buttery crab feasts, this stretch of California gave us its best. And we soaked it up — one bite, one turn, one view at a time.