San Francisco Food Tours

If there's one thing I love about travelling, it's getting to know new dishes, tasting the gastronomy of the places I go to. That's why this time I want to share with you a complete guide on what to eat when you're 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't 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 can 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 greatest 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 flavours 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 taste of what Latin food is all about.

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

During the tour you will also be able to learn how to make chocolate and of course you will be able to taste some types of chocolate. You'll love this place and above all I think you'll love trying tacos or different flavours of ice cream for dessert.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 60 euros.
• Duration: Around 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Walking tour from the meeting point.
• Benefits of this tour: Includes an experienced tour guide, gastronomic map to take away as a souvenir and 4 food tastings. The experience is personalised with a maximum of 12 people. Prams are accepted during the tour.
• Disadvantages of this tour: On some tours the guides only speak English. Alcohol pairing is not included. Not wheelchair friendly. It is not recommended to bring small children. You should be prepared for a long walk of 2.4 kilometres in length.

Little Italy is located in what was once 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 it translates into English as Little Italy.

As with good Italian food, of course the tastings include the ever-present Italian pizza, pasta and pastichos, calzone and canolis. Some of the tours offer you the chance to learn a little about Italian cuisine and even include a cooking class to learn how to make different dishes typical of that European country.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 60 euros.
• Duration: Three hours.
• Means of transport: On most of these tours, you will have to go to the meeting point on your own, either by private car or public transport. Once at the site, the tour is on foot.
• Advantages of this tour: It is available for wheelchair users. Prams are accepted. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, just inform us 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. Gratuities are not included.

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

During the tour you'll not only get to enjoy some of the most amazing pizzas in San Francisco, but you'll 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: Around 3 hours.
• Means of transport: 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 get 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 suitable for pregnant women or young children.

This is one of the first food tours in Sausalito, and the great thing about it is that it gives you a complete tour of the centre of this much-visited area with a small group of just 10 people.

During the three and a half hour tour you'll 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 not only amazing for the variety of food and drinks you will be able to try, but also for how interesting it will be to hear all the stories of the region as you taste its vibrant gastronomy.

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

Details of Interest

• Price: From 230 euros.
• Duration: Around 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 do the tour on foot.
• Advantages of this tour: Meals, drinks, wine and liquor tasting and professional guide are included.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Often only available in English. Gratuities are not included.

Along with Napa, Sonoma is one of the most important towns in San Francisco's wine region, so if you like wine, I recommend a trip to Napa from San Francisco to learn all the ins and outs of wine making 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 in 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.

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

Other delicacies you can try during the tour include top quality chocolates, artisan cheeses and premium quality olive oil. This type of tour also includes a wealth 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.
• Means of Transport: 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 wheelchair friendly. Prams 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 offer is inspired by the millenary 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 can enjoy the exquisite roast duck recipe, as well as other Chinese food must-haves such as pork and vegetable buns.

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 strong presence of vegetables and greens.

Of course, a visit to Chinatown to sample its gastronomic delights cannot be complete without learning about the history of this place. During the tour you can also get a deep insight into Asian culture, beyond its rich and colourful cuisine.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 65 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Walking.
• Advantages of this tour: Accessible to children's car. Wheelchair accessible. Vegetarian food options are available. Public transport is available in close proximity. Booking includes entry to the tasting venues.
• Disadvantages of this tour: No hotel pick-up and no transport during the tour, so you will have to make your own way to the meeting point. Tipping is not included, so you will need to set aside extra money for tipping.

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

You will also find in the Ferry Building Marketplace, a place that since 2004 was established to give tourists and locals of the city, the opportunity to try French sweets and macarons in one of the most acclaimed patisseries 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. It's definitely a must-visit if you're heading to San Francisco and hope to stay for at least 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 have any special dietary requirements, don't hesitate to say so when you book, because on this type of tour it is possible to arrange a visit to the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market as well, 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 prams if you need to. It is a walk for all types of people. You can offer specific dietary information to better tailor your experience 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 your 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 the last few years a great destination to visit and especially to taste its gastronomy. That's why on this tour you'll be able to sample the food at some of the most iconic 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 last 20 years.

Details of Interest

• Price: From 60 euros per person.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: To get to the meeting point, you will have to travel by public transport, once at the meeting point, the tour is on foot.
• Advantages of this tour: Small group of just 8 people maximum. It is suitable for wheelchair users. Prams 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.

• These tours are generally designed for adults, so it is best not to do this activity with children, with a few exceptions.
• The tour can be long most of the time so you'll want to wear comfortable walking shoes.
• I recommend that you don't eat before you go on the tour, I'm sure you'll be more than satisfied after tasting 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 transport so you avoid having to search for parking for your vehicle.
• Please inform us at the time of booking, all details of your diet if you are on a strict diet due to any medical condition, etc.
• Please note that the minimum age to participate in the wine and spirits tasting is 21 years old.
• You don't have to worry if you or any of the people accompanying you use wheelchairs, as these tours are generally adapted for this purpose.

Of course, taking a guided tour has considerable advantages over taking a food tour on your own. Keep in mind that if you've never been to San Francisco, then you won't know which dishes you can't miss and which snacks 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 restaurants with a guide will allow you to know the history behind every bite of food.