San Francisco: A must-see place for singles to visit

By Diana Kelly for SingleEdition.com   San Francisco made Forbes Magazine’s top 10 rankings of Best Cities for Singles the past four years. This popular city received soaring scores in cultural opportunities, recreational activities, nightlife, jobs, online dating and percentage of singles in the area–hovering around 30% according to the 2009 list. Travelers can’t stop raving about the Bay Area and keep coming back---San Francisco was voted the number-one U.S. city to visit by Conde Nast Traveler’s readers for the 17th year in a row in 2009.

With its gorgeous weather, stunning scenery, top-rated restaurants and bars, and laid-back locals, this town has now made our list of top places to travel solo--or with friends. Read on to learn more about where to stay, where to go, what to do and how you can mix and mingle as much as you please in this dynamic waterfront city.


Hotels
The Omni Hotel has excellent customer service, gorgeous rooms and a great location in downtown San Francisco. It’s a short walk to historic Chinatown or the shops at Union Square, and has plenty of great restaurants and bars right around the corner at Belden Place. Omni is constantly having promotional packages—from retail therapy, to baseball games, to weekend retreats—so browse for the deal that suits you best. Omni has great opportunities for kids and will let you bring Fido along if he’s under 50 pounds.

Another top pick is Hotel Vitale, a luxury boutique hotel on the waterfront with a fabulous spa and rooftop hot tubs. We also like the Comfort Inn by the Bay for its comfort, affordability, bridge and bay views, and walking distance to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Restaurants That Rock
For a dining experience you won’t forget, make a reservation at Ozumo, a contemporary Japanese restaurant, overlooking the Bay Bridge. The staff here are extremely knowledgeable and are happy to guide you through the intricate menu, making excellent recommendations and bringing out the perfect sake pairings to accompany each dish. The Sake Lounge in the front of the restaurant allows you to experiment with their large sake collection and pair it with some small plates. The main restaurant consists of the sushi bar and robata grill—with contemporary flavors to suit every diner's preferences. The presentation, food, and ambience of this restaurant make for an experience you’ll want to repeat each visit to San Francisco.

If you’re looking for a top-notch seafood place to dine near Ghiradelli Square with waterfront views, visit McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant. Stop by on Sundays for a delicious brunch that’s affordable enough to keep the cocktails flowing. This restaurant has something on the menu for everyone and even impressed this finicky fish eater with their fabulous sturgeon.

For a French restaurant that scores big on service and fantastic food, dine at Chez Papa Resto in Mint Square. While the bar and cocktail area isn’t large, it always draws a spirited crowd and is a popular place among locals. The interior has a dark and sexy yet modern feel while the menu features French classics with tasty twists and exceptional wines to match.

Epic Roasthouse and Waterbar in the Embarcadero district are two fantastic restaurants under the Bay Bridge opened by restauranteur Pat Kuleto. Epic is known for its fresh grilled meats and has a bar overlooking the restaurant floor where a lot of singles go for great cocktails and food. Waterbar is more of a draw for diners seeking the freshest, sustainable seafood and an elegant dining experience. Both restaurants share a large outdoor piazza for al fresco dining—and people-watching. 
More bar and restaurant top picks for singles:

Pisco Latin Lounge: This bar and tapas locale in the Mission district has great drink specials, fun cocktails, and music.
Paragon: Located one block from AT&T park, stop by this American brasserie for beef and brew before a Giants game. During the weekdays you’ll spot the locals sipping drinks on the patio after work.
Slanted Door: The modern Vietnamese restaurant in The Embarcadero neighborhood uses locally grown produce and meat from nearby farms. If you can’t get a reservation, stop by the takeout counter, "Out the Door,” for quick, tasty nibbles.

More Ways to Keep Busy
You can’t come to San Francisco without going on the Alcatraz Island tour, and we recommend booking an earlier time to beat the crowd. Wear comfortable shoes and pick up the audio guide for a self-lead tour around the island. Another fun daytime activity, whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, is the Chinatown Local Tastes of the City Tour where a local guide takes you on a walking tour that explains some of the city’s history and Chinatown’s part in it. Embark on this tour with an appetite because you’ll sample a nice variety of dim sum, fortune cookies, and local delicacies that you wouldn’t have found on your own. There is also a North Beach/Little Italy tour if that’s more your style. Don’t miss a long stroll down Fisherman’s Wharf, a waterfront marketplace that has restaurants, shops, museums, and more. You should also plan to spend a few hours walking around Fort Mason and the Marina Green Drive where many athletic (re: hot) San Franciscans spend their time running, walking their dogs, biking, or participating in water sports. This is a great place for taking pictures and striking up conversations with the locals. Soak up some sun, scenery, and chill out on the pristine lawns. If you prefer to do most of the San Francisco sightseeing on your own, it pays off to preorder a GoSanFrancisco card (featuring over 50 attractions) or the San Francisco City Pass booklet (5 main attractions) before you go to experience the city’s popular destinations at a discounted rate.

Pampering with Perks
Gentleman and ladies will love The Barber Lounge, a cool, hip salon/barbershop/spa in the SOMA district. It’s a full-service salon specializing in men’s hot towel shaves and haircuts but also has hairstyling and other services for ladies. Owner Greg Griffin says that he’s seen quite a few hook-ups happen amongst customers while waiting in the lounge area and having stylists introduce clients to one another. Griffin also has mixers and events every few months to get clients to mix and mingle.

More San Francisco Planning Resources
For a good website on San Francisco’s nightlife visit SanFrancisco.com for a district-by-district guide to the best bars and clubs to suit your tastes. Or check out this City’s Best Singles Scene list for more bar reviews. Get information about the must-see events and concerts that will be taking place when you’re in town.