San Francisco Food Tours

If there is something I love about traveling, it is getting to know new dishes, trying the gastronomy of the places I go to. That's why this time I want to share with you a complete guide of what to eat when you are in San Francisco.

From American food to multiple options of Asian and Chinese food is part of what you will discover in a gastronomic tour, which is also an activity that you can not miss among the things to see and do in San Francisco.

The Mission District is known for being the Latin Quarter of San Francisco. Inside this place you will be able to have an incredibly good Latin food experience, tasting mostly Mexican food, taking into account the influence of the proximity to the Mexican border.

One of the details that you have to take into account during this tour is that the mechanism that will work best for you to get to know the most amount of food during the tour, is to let yourself go by the 4-course rule that is common in this place. You can try one of two types of appetizers to start the meal, then a starter, main course and finish with dessert.

The idea is to try the flavors of several restaurants. Don't be scared if you see little food on the plate, first you have to take into consideration that the quantities are designed to give you a sample of what is Latin food.

Although I'm talking mainly about the gastronomic area, you will also have the opportunity to see some of the urban art that is very strong in the Latin Quarter. Both in the street area and in the cultural environment that recreates its inhabitants.

During the tour you can also learn how to make chocolate and of course you will taste some types of them. You will love this place and above all I think you will love to try tacos or different flavors of ice cream for dessert.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 60 euros.
• Duration: About 3 hours.
• Transportation: Walking tour from the meeting point.
• Advantages of this tour: Includes an experienced tour guide, gastronomic map to take away as a souvenir and 4 food tastings. The experience is personalized with a maximum of 12 people. Baby carriages are accepted during the tour.
• Disadvantages of this tour: On some tours the guides only speak English. Alcohol pairing is not included. Not adapted for wheelchair users. It is not recommended to bring small children. You should be prepared for a long walk of 2.4 kilometers long.

Little Italy is a place located in what was formerly known as Barbary's Coast. Nowadays little or nothing is left of that red light district, as Little Italy has become an ideal place to try Italian food like in Italy, which is why its Spanish translation is Little Italy.

As good Italian food, of course the tastings include the inevitable Italian pizza, pastas and pastichos, calzone and canolis. Some of the tours offer you the possibility to learn a little about Italian cuisine and even include a cooking class to learn how to make different typical dishes from that European country.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 60 euros.
• Duration: Three hours.
• Means of Transportation: In most of these tours, you will have to go to the meeting point on your own, either by private car or public transportation. Once at the site, the tour is on foot.
• Advantages of this tour: It is available for people in wheelchairs. Baby carriages are accepted. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, you just have to inform at the time of booking.
• Disadvantages of this tour: If you have any dietary restrictions you may miss some of the tastings during the tour. Tips are not included.

Continuing with the delights of Little Italy, this food tour takes you to North Beach to try not only pizzas, but also trendy pubs where you can enjoy dining options that you will love. The tour is at night, so you can have all the drinks you want to go with your pizza.

During the tour you will not only enjoy some of the most amazing pizzas in San Francisco, but you will also learn about the history of pizza and how it came to the city, as well as different pizza recipes. At the end of the tour you will be able to taste delicious Italian desserts.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 80 euros.
• Duration: About 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: To get to the meeting point you will have to travel on your own. The tour is on foot.
• Advantages of this tour: Dinner is included in the tour, but drinks are on your own. You will be able to taste pizzas from award-winning places.
• Disadvantages of this tour: These tours are usually in English. It is not wheelchair friendly. It is also not recommended for pregnant women or small children.

This is one of the first food tours in Sausalito, and the biggest advantage it has is that it gives you a complete tour of the center of this much visited area with a small group of just 10 people.

During the three and a half hour tour you will be able to visit up to four different restaurants sampling the food in bites. You will also have the opportunity to taste different kinds of wines.

The tour is incredible not only for the variety of food and drinks you will be able to taste, but also for how interesting it will be to hear all the stories of the region as you taste its vibrant gastronomy.

The chefs of the restaurants you will visit and the guides who will accompany you on the tour have many stories to tell you, so you better pay attention while you eat.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 230 euros.
• Duration: About 3 hours.
• Means of transport: To get to the meeting point you will need to go on your own. Once at the place you will make the tour on foot.
• Advantages of this tour: Meals, drinks, wine and liquor tasting and professional guide are included.
• Disadvantages of this tour: In many occasions it is only available in English. Tips are not included.

Together with Napa, Sonoma is one of the most important towns of the wine region in San Francisco, so if you like wine, I recommend you to go on a tour to Napa from San Francisco, to learn all the details of the manufacture of this liquor and how the grapes are grown to produce it.

Sonoma is not far behind and this area also produces many of the best wines consumed around the world. But beyond the wines, it is possible to take a gastronomic tour to learn all about the artisanal production of cheese and honey.

In this gastronomic tour you will have the chance to taste exquisite dishes and snacks that will blow your mind. Among the tastings that you will surely enjoy if you are a lover of seafood, are the dishes with oysters.

Other delicacies that you will be able to taste during the tour are chocolates of the highest quality, artisan cheeses and premium quality olive oil. This type of tour also includes a lot of stories and insights shared by the expert guide about the wineries, the different tastings and especially stories related to Sonoma's historic downtown.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 160 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately three hours.
• Transportation: Most of these tours depart by private bus from San Francisco to Sonoma. Upon arrival in Sonoma, the tour is usually on foot through the streets of the town.
• Advantages of this tour: It is suitable for people in wheelchairs. Strollers are accepted.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Some drinks are not included. The tour may be cancelled due to bad weather.

Visiting Chinatown for lunch is definitely a must-do activity during your visit to San Francisco. It is the Chinatown of this coastal city and of course all its gastronomic offerings are inspired by the ancient techniques of Asian food.

If you are looking for a tour that will take you to taste the most exquisite and select Asian food in San Francisco, this is your option. You will be able to enjoy the exquisite roast duck recipe, as well as other Chinese food must-haves such as pork and vegetable rolls.

In case you want to change the experience to vegetarian meals, you can also opt for meals without meat and animal products. The great thing about the Chinese food you will find in Chinatown is that there is a lot of vegetables and greens.

Of course, a visit to Chinatown to taste its gastronomic delights cannot be complete without learning about the history of this place. During the tour you can also have a deep approach to Asian culture, beyond its rich and colorful cuisine.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 65 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: Walking.
• Advantages of this tour: It has access to car for children. Wheelchair access is available. Vegetarian food options are available. Public transportation is available nearby. Reservation includes entrance to tasting locations.
• Disadvantages of this tour: It does not include hotel pick-up or transportation during the tour, so you must make your own way to the meeting point. Tips are not included, so you will have to allocate additional money for tips.

Since it began operations the Ferry Building soon became the most important terminal. In recent history it has been transformed into a small market where farmers and producers bring their seasonal products to offer and sell.

You will also find in the Ferry Building Marketplace, a place that since 2004 was established to provide tourists and locals of the city, the opportunity to taste French sweets and macarons in one of the most acclaimed pastry shops of recent times. In this marketplace you can also enjoy a wide range of artisan cheeses made by San Francisco producers.

Another gastronomic attraction of this place is the chocolate. Definitely a must-visit if you go to San Francisco and expect to stay at least for a couple of days. Although children would love to try chocolate and macarons, it is not an activity that I would recommend among the things to do in San Francisco with children.

If you are one of those people who have some kind of special diet, don't hesitate to say so when you make the reservation, because in this kind of tours it is possible to prepare a visit also to the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market, a place with much healthier options.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 90 euros.
• Duration: One hour and a half.
• Means of transport: To get to the meeting point you can use public transport. Once the tour starts, you will walk around all the chosen places.
• Advantages of this tour: It is wheelchair accessible. You can bring strollers if needed. It is a tour for all types of people. You can offer specific dietary information to better adapt your experience according to your eating habits. It is possible to bring assistance animals.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Transportation is not included to pick you up and take you back to the hotel. Gratuities are not included. Tastings may change according to the availability of a certain product or food during the tour. The tour may be cancelled if the weather is bad or if the minimum quota of passengers is not reached.

Hayes Valley has become in recent years a good destination to visit and especially to taste its gastronomy. That is why in this tour you will be able to taste the food offered by the most emblematic and critically acclaimed restaurants.

You need to wear comfortable shoes because the tour lasts about three consecutive hours, during which you will enter at least 7 different restaurants. During the food presentation, your guide will explain some of the history of the community and how it has changed over the past 20 years.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 60 euros per person.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transportation: To get to the meeting point, you will have to travel by public transportation, once at the place, the tour is on foot.
• Advantages of this tour: Small group of only 8 people maximum. It is suitable for people in wheelchairs. Baby carriages are accepted. The tour can be done rain or shine. Accessible for people with disabilities. Assistance animals are allowed.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Tickets are non-refundable because the tour takes place regardless of the weather.

• Generally these types of tours are designed for adults, so it is preferable not to do this activity with children, with a few exceptions.
• The tour can be long most of the time so you will want to wear comfortable walking shoes.
• I recommend you not to eat before going on the tour, you will be more than satisfied with the tasting of so many things.
• Dress in layers, you never know how changeable the weather can be in San Francisco until you experience it for yourself.
• Try to arrive at the meeting place by public transportation so that you avoid searching for parking for your vehicle.
• Inform at the time of booking, all the details of your diet if you are following a strict diet due to any medical condition, etc.
• You must take into consideration that the minimum age to participate in the wine and spirits tasting is 21 years old.
• You do not have to worry if you or any of the people accompanying you use wheelchairs, because these tours are generally adapted for that purpose.

Of course, taking a guided tour has considerable advantages over taking a food tour on your own. Keep in mind that if you have never been to San Francisco, then you won't know which dishes you can't miss and which appetizers you have to try.

In San Francisco food is one of the most interesting attractions to visit, that's why you have to take into account that visiting the restaurants with a guide will allow you to know the history behind every bite of food.