San Francisco: Dads, Daughters, Pizza, and Views

San Francisco: Dads, Daughters, Pizza, and Views

 

San Francisco: Dads, Daughters, Pizza, and Views

A fun, fast-paced recap of our Northern California road trip — iconic views, boardwalk rides, and a loud Sharks night in San Jose, with a few surprises (including a Waymo cab) along the way.

Zack’s Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)Ease of Travel: ★★★★☆ (4.0)

Wallet Friendly: ★★★☆☆ (3.0)

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 buzzing with Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament energy — even though our team got knocked out the first night, it gave us two full days to explore Northern California with zero distractions.

One unexpected highlight? We tried a driverless cab through Waymo — futuristic, surprisingly smooth, and you can even pick your own music. The girls loved it even more than I did.

We hit a few classic San Francisco moments: a quick photo at the famous Full House house (yes, it looks exactly like TV), then a drive to the Golden Gate lookout on the Sausalito side for sweeping views of the bridge and bay.

The next day, we grabbed a rental downtown and headed for the coast, cruising down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. The boardwalk was a huge hit — a legit roller coaster, a great mix of rides, and of course we had to hop on my personal favorite: the Tilt-A-Whirl. It was 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 — 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 Francisco — ★★★★☆ (3.5)

A grand, historic hotel right in downtown. 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). Overall: a solid stay for location and history, just don’t expect the service to match the setting.

Signia by Hilton, San Jose — ★★★★☆ (4.0)

After Santa Cruz we stayed at Signia in San Jose and it earned a strong 4/5. Modern, well-designed, and a higher-end Hilton feel. The bar was a nice touch — stylish, with well-made (and higher-priced) hotel cocktails. A great spot to unwind before or after the game.

Where We Ate

Pie Punks — ★★★★★ (5.0)

A total win. Great pizza, easy vibe, and exactly the kind of spot you want on a trip like this — casual, quick, and memorable. If you’re hungry and you want a sure bet, put this one near the top of your list.

Activities and Attractions

  • Waymo Driverless Ride — A must-try if you can snag it. Smooth, fun, and the girls thought it was the coolest part of the trip.
  • Full House House — Quick photo stop that’s weirdly satisfying if you grew up on the show.
  • Golden Gate Lookout (Sausalito side) — Big views, great photos, easy win.
  • Santa Cruz Boardwalk — Classic boardwalk energy, great rides, and a perfect day with kids.
  • SAP Center (Sharks Game) — Even in a down season, the crowd brought the energy.Tips for Future Travelers
  • Pack layers. SF weather changes fast and sometimes by neighborhood.
  • Plan the “iconic views” early. Morning/late afternoon light is best for photos.
  • Make time for a day trip. Santa Cruz + Highway 1 is an easy add and worth it.
  • Mix the schedule. A couple “must-dos” + lots of room to wander makes SF more fun.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a San Francisco weekend — it was a road trip full