San Francisco: one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Filled with culture, entertainment, diversity, and nature; San Francisco has become a leading tourist attraction in the United States. With roughly 18.9 million tourists visiting San Francisco each year, it can be extremely hard to escape the crowds and find the parts of San Francisco that haven't yet been exploited. Don't get me wrong, many of the well-known tourist attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge or Fisherman's Wharf, are what makes San Francisco a gem of a city.

Having lived in San Francisco for most of my life, however, I have learned that it's the hidden parts of this city that make it beautifully authentic.

Here is a guide of "what-to-do's" for those of you who want to ditch the crowds and see San Francisco through the lense of a local:

1. Lounge at China beach

https://www.tripsavvy.com/china-beach-overview-1479122

The Golden Gate Bridge is arguably the biggest San Francisco attraction. However, getting a close look at the bridge means either standing at a crowded lookout or lugging yourself across the bridge itself, it's long and tiring. Instead, get one of the best views of the bridge while lounging on a quiet, secluded beach. China Beach, a small cove tucked away in the Sea Cliff neighborhood, has an astonishing view of the GGB. Beware, parts of the beach are in fact nude, so there is a chance you may stumble upon some nudity! However, the beach is still perfect for a warm beach-day or a sunset walk!

2. Fill your tummy at Off the Grid + SPARK Social SF

https://www.sfstation.com/2017/04/27/your-comprehensive-guide-to-off-the-grid-season/

One of the best parts of San Francisco is its plethora of different cuisines and unique foods. While each part of the city has its own array of restaurants and cafes, there is a special way to experience a taste of each cuisine in the city in one setting! Local food truck parks, such as Off the Grid and SPARK Social SF, are scattered throughout the city. Each food truck carries its own twist on traditional cuisines. For example, latin and asian fusion foods as well as vegan donuts are amongst the many different types of tasty meals you can find at these trucks!

3. Picnic at Dolores Park

https://www.sfmta.com/blog/labor-day-weekend-dancing-fillmore-cats-take-over-dolores-park-and-sf-giants-baseball

Dolores Park is one of my favorite spots in San Francisco. Nestled between The Mission and The Castro, this park is a green oasis in the middle of the city. On a sunny day, you will find the grassy Dolores lawn packed with people picnicking and bathing in the sun. For the ultimate picnic, stop by Bi-Rite Market (just down the street!) and grab fresh produce, a sandwich, or salad. When you get too hot at the park, walk across the street to Bi-Rite Creamery and cool yourself down with a scoop of one of their unique flavors like Honey Lavender or Roasted Banana!

4. Bike through Golden Gate Park

https://sfbike.org/news/golden-gate-park-for-the-people/

A San Francisco trip is never complete without visiting Golden Gate Park. GGP is 1,017 acres of pure beauty. While exploring the whole park by foot can take hours (and maybe even days), try biking through the park! On Sundays, GGP closes its roads to allow bikers and rollerbladers to roam the streets, free from cars. Stop by Stow Lake or the carousel for a break from biking and enjoy the perks of the park!

5. Grab a cookie in the Castro

https://www.foodlovergirl.com/hot-cookie/

The Castro is one of the most unique neighborhoods in San Francisco. Visually, the Castro stands out from other neighborhoods because of the hundreds of rainbow flags littered throughout the streets. The rainbows in the Castro are part of the way in which the neighborhood represents gay pride in San Francisco. Also, the Castro holds some of the best restaurants and cafes, my favorite being Hot Cookie. This cookie shop is notorious for being outrageous. One of their top selling desserts is a cookie shaped as male genitalia. In addition, the store walls are plastered with pictures of half-naked people showcasing their cookies on Castro St. Beneath their riskay fasad, their deserts are in fact delectable. This cookie shop is definitely not one to miss!

6. Visit Kirby Cove

http://go-on-adventures.com/kirby-cove

Kirby Cove is another spot to get an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge. One of the beaches unique features is a swing that overlooks the GGB. This is the perfect place for a beach walk or to take pictures!

7. Find the best brunch!

http://www.thekimchronicles.com/2015/04/eat-plow-sf/

Everyone knows that brunch is an essential part of every weekend. San Francisco has dozens of places for brunch, so a challenge arises in finding the few that stick out. Plow, a family owned farm-to-table restaurant, is among the best of the best for breakfast and brunch. The fresh ingredients in their innovative dishes, such as rosemary potatoes or lemon ricotta pancakes, make the restaurant stand out among the many brunch-star wannabe's. Plow's spectacular dishes do cause a crowd on the weekend, so make sure to get there bright and early!

8. Dinner and desert in the Mission

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60713-d360056-Reviews-La_Taqueria-San_Francisco_California.html

Keeping with the theme of delicious foods, San Francisco is also home to the one and only: La Taqueria. This mexican restaurant is known for its authentic crispy tacos and burritos. I could try and describe the food's greatness to you, but I could never do it justice. So, I will leave it to you to trust me and try it. You will not regret it. And after, if you are not too stuffed from gorging yourself with Mexican food, drive down Mission St to Mitchell's Ice Cream. The family owned creamery has been among the most famous ice cream shops in San Francisco since 1953. Never fear the line stretching outside of the shop, it is well worth the wait to try their amazing flavors (including flavors like Ube and Avocado).

9. Mini golf near Ghirardelli Square

https://www.yelp.com/biz/subpar-miniature-golf-san-francisco?start=40

Ghirardelli Square is another hot-spot for desserts in San Francisco. Located near Fisherman's Wharf, the chocolate factory is one of a kind, showing off the machines that make the chocolate as part of its decor. Stop by for one of their famous ice cream sundaes! But don't end your trip there. Near-by is Subpar Miniature Golf, an indoor mini golf park. After 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the golf course turns down the lights and everything is glow-in-the-dark!

10. Watch the sunset from the Marin Headlands

https://www.jharrisonphoto.com/Landscapes/Mt-Tam-Marin-Headlands-SF/i-q224XHD

The place to stop on your trip is located a bit outside of San Francisco itself. Just across the bridge, you will find the Marin Headlands. The Marin Headlands is one of my favorite places to go and watch the sunset. Overlooking the hills and the ocean, this is the best place to be immersed in nature. Before you make the drive, make sure to stop by Sol Food in Marin. This contemporary Puerto Rican restaurant has the best food in town, every local knows it. Get your chicken, rice, and beans to go and enjoy a sunset picnic in the headlands.

Whether you chose to visit the places on this list or not, San Francisco is a city that will never dissapoint!