The city opens before you, friends
IN A HEALTHY PLAN
Cross the Golden Gate (you can do it by bike if you stop by the very modern City Ride Bike Rentals container business first) and escape from the city to explore Sausalito, in Marin County, a neat little suburban hippie-posh town just across the bridge . Begin your San Franciscan experience as one of many natives: with a completely authentic yoga class at Harmonia Marin. If you are convinced by the topic, you can even try one of their guided meditation classes as well.
Don't take off your yoga tights, a must when walking around Marin, and compensate for all the physical exercise with **a kale pizza, of course, at one of the tables overlooking the bay at Bar Bocce**. Petanque is optional.
Grab an Uber (if you don't feel like talking to the driver) or a Lyft (if you and your friends are social) and head over to the Marin Country Mart, an open-air mall where you can drink a very green cold-pressed juice at Pressed Juicery. If it's Saturday morning, check out the purple cauliflowers or purple carrots and potatoes at the organic farmers market.
Shall we explore Sausalito?
IN COMMITTED PLAN
Come back to the city and get closer to its cultural and social nucleus, the Mission neighborhood. Walking through its alleys, such as Clarion Alley, you can see some of its most demanding murals. If murals are your thing, pay a visit to Galería de la Raza, a nonprofit community organization that exhibits the work of contemporary Latino artists.
Also not-for-profit is Southern Exposure, another gallery dedicated to supporting and exhibiting emerging artists. Since you are in the area, you may want to appreciate the painted façade of the emblematic Women's Building: it is a community center that offers social services for the neighborhood and an icon of the city that we have been able to see recently in the Christmas special of the Wachowski sisters' Sense8 series for Netflix.
The most emblematic mural in the city
IN HEDONISTIC PLAN
go out dancing Do it in one of the city's most traditional gay bars, The Stud. If you don't like surprises, check the calendar first because there are many theme nights, but it's hard not to hit a burlesque show, a karaoke session or some retro music.
If you're into cultureta, stop by the city's Museum of Modern Art ( SFMOMA ) and take a look at the newly released exhibition on the beginnings of the American photographer Diane Arbus . And there is nothing better on a girls trip than a bit of a feminine perspective and a completely idiosyncratic look.
For those who prefer the experimental gourmet, there is always the option of signing up for one of the Cheese School's cheese tasting classes. And there is nothing like devouring some top quality cheeses, accompanied by wine, lots of conversation and friends. Also, this activity can be a good opportunity to meet some locals.
Do we taste?
IN CONSUMER THERAPY PLAN
It is inevitable that at some point during your visit you will end up in Union Square, Powell Street and the most commercial area of the city. Wait a bit and don't waste your entire shopping budget on Urban Outfitters, Nike, Anthropologie and other temples of globalized consumerism. Opt to order another Lyft, or take the 38 bus, and **go to Fillmore Street to at least poke around and try on your typical extra-soft cotton staple dress at James Perse** or rag & bone.
If you don't find anything, or if everything seems beautiful but at exorbitant prices, the trip will not have been in vain. You can have a chai latte with **some colorful macaroons or a chocolate croissant at La Boulangerie de San Francisco **, to give a sweet finish to that memorable getaway with friends.
A little piece of France in San Francisco