SAN FRANCISCO
We had the opportunity to spend a few days visiting San Francisco through the eyes of local Michigan company, seeds marketing + design, who makes trips to the city often and has cultivated their regional favorites. We curated this 48HR city guide in partnership with this small but mighty team to fully experience the city as if we were part of it ourselves. The guide features one of their biggest projects to date: The Global launch for the Audi e-tron. Set sail below to learn more insider SF tips and even a peek into the event from the eyes of a guest - it was pretty electric.
M | K | N
DAY 1
8:00 am | Step into Le Marais, a family-owned Persian’s paradise on an adorable corner in SF. Head over early to grab a table inside or soak up some sunshine on the outdoor patio as you sip your cappuccino and indulge in a locally-sourced organic dish.
2066 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA
8:45 am | A short drive or leisurely walk from breakfast is Tartine, another charming and delicious bakery from a 20-year old concept by a husband and wife duo. Don’t let the line wrapped around the building scare you away, it moves quickly and is definitely worth the wait. Hop in to eyeball (and drool over) your takeaway selections prior to reaching the cashier. Pro Tip: You can also book a dinner at the Manufactory if you’re in town for an extra night!
600 Guerrero St
San Francisco, CA
9:30 am | Channel your inner Stephanie Tanner as you lay out your picnic blanket and set-up shop in Alamo Square park. The ‘painted ladies’ are Victorian and Edwardian houses and buildings that were repainted in three or more colors to enhance their architectural details. You’ll have a perfect view of this “postcard row” as you nibble on your flaky croissant you boxed up from Tartine or Le Marais.
Steiner St & Hayes St
San Francisco, CA 94117
10:30 am | Just a half-mile up the road is Hayes Valley has some of the cutest local shops you could imagine. Take a nice stroll through these streets for treasures you never knew you needed from a selection of posh modern boutiques. The neighborhood also features a community garden, a pocket park with art installations, and access to music and a theater near the Civic Center.
If you’re in the mood for shopping on a more national-scale, Union Square is always a good idea. A bit more touristy, every brand at every price point you could want line these cable car-filled streets.
12:30 pm | Hotel Axiom sits right in front of a cable car stop in the Union Square district. Pro Tip: Don’t pass up the lobby café/bar- the whiskey was a great ending to each night and the RAW charcoal juice was a lifesaver in the morning.
28 Cyril Magnin St.
San Francisco, CA
1:30 pm | After some retail therapy and a quick re-fresh at the hotel, Wooden Spoon is sure to add a bit of color to your afternoon lunch. If you’re visiting during the weekend, the wait can get up to 2 hours for brunch, so try to sneak in before or after the peak hours. There are tons of vegan and vegetarian options on this menu (vegan chorizo, can we get a heck yes?!).
2172 Market Street
San Francisco, CA
2:30 pm | If you need to spend some time catching up on emails or any sort of work while you’re traveling, the Interval at Long Now will surely inspire you. This bar, café, museum, and the home of The Long Now Foundation features “a floor-to-ceiling library of the books you might need to rebuild civilization, mechanical prototypes for a clock meant to last for 10,000 years, art that continually evolves in real time, and a time-inspired menu of artisan drinks.” Grab an old-fashioned and settle yourself into a cozy booth or couch as you take in these scenic gallery and coastal views.
2 Marina Blvd. Building
Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, CA
3:30 pm | Another quick carb load-up in the little Italy neighborhood is something you can’t miss while you’re in SF. Grab a wood-oven slice from Il Casaro on your way to your next stop and thank us later. This is by far the best pizza we’ve come across in the area and you cannot pass up the burrata starter. Talk about authentic Italian za. Pro Tip: Mozzarella bar, need we say more?
348 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
5:00 pm | Just a few blocks from little Italy, we took a short walk to spend a few moments to wind down before heading to Pier 3 for the Audi e-tron launch with a quick glass from Bodega. Grab a seat facing the window to squeeze in some people watching.
700 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA
6:00 pm | For a global reveal of such an impactful machine, the event itself had to manufacture history. On September 17, 2018, seeds marketing + design curated “The Charge”. The announcement of Audi’s first all-electric SUV, the Audi e-tron, was destined to make worldwide waves, and seeds played no small role in making this come to fruition.
We arrived at Pier 3 to board the San Francisco Belle, a 292-foot sternwheeler that was awaiting the 1,600-some attendees. Every level of the boat was stocked and ready to be infiltrated by the countless automotive, press and other various guests eager to see what would come next. Whispers of the drone show, musical guest & of course the e-tron spread throughout the dock as the line formed to board on our journey for the evening.
An introduction from LED-outfitted drones flying above the boat in the shape of the Audi logo welcomed patrons to the show’s secret location, finally revealed- the Craneway Pavilion. This massive, historic 45,000 square-foot facility in an award-winning Ford Assembly Plant building that dates back to 1931. The entire space was programmed, including the adjoining open-air patio, which cohesively blended the indoor and outdoor spaces. The atmosphere was buzzing and ready for the show to begin.
A few key narrators from German and U.S. Audi offices welcomed the large group with individual components of what makes up this new venture for the company and how proud they were to finally introduce something so significant. These notable speakers were no other than: Bram Schot, Marc Lichte and Scott Keogh.
The e-tron is a sporty SUV with a highly efficient energy recuperation systems and optional electronic mirrors. The battery is a large-capacity 95-kWh unit and one of the biggest packs on the market. Oh, and did we mention that Audi partnered with Amazon to integrate the Alexa command system into the car’s voice control features? Yeah. We’re pretty pumped about that one, too.
With the conclusion of the unveiling, it was time to party! We felt like we were at a Vegas nightclub as the lights changed patterns and diplo took the stage. The energy of the room was activated and lively and set the tone for the remainder of the high-spirited evening. Electric certainly has gone Audi.
The next morning we still had much we had to learn about Audi’s newest line of innovative automotive technology. We made our way to the Tech-Park, the coterminous portion of The Charge event, where we interacted with designers of driverless cars and interfaced with virtual reality to explore unseen features of the e-tron. From start to finish, the seeds curation of sequence of events for The Charge will keep our minds buzzing for years to come.
7:30 pm | Obviously the Audi e-tron event put on by seeds was a one time gig, so in place of that, Octavia is your go-to. Nestled into a neighborhood that makes you feel like you’re part of the community yourself, the restaurant was founded by award-winning Executive Chef Melissa Perello. It truly boasts “simple and expertly crafted dishes that reflect her fine-dining pedigree and down-to-earth personality.” A small and comfortable setting with an open and interactive kitchen, you’re sure to fall in love at first bite. Pro Tip: If you really want an experience, the chef’s table seated dinner merits having to unbutton your pants afterwards.
1701 Octavia Street
San Francisco, California
11:00 pm | Get down to Brass Tacks with an after dinner drink at this seeds team favorite. Located on a quaint avenue in Hayes Valley, you’re sure to have as much fun as we did after the show. Grab a craft cocktail or a vodka soda and have yourself a night.
DAY 2
9:00 am | Dan, the founder of seeds, loves to start his day off with a morning run along the SF streets. He jogs to Blue Bottle coffee in Mint Plaza and digs into his gorgeous avocado toast and a coffee, which he swears by.
10:00 AM | Run back to Axiom Hotel and get ready for the day, there is a lot more (hilly) ground to cover!
11:00 am | Get excited for a fiesta of a brunch at El Techo located in the heart of the Mission district on top of the BOH powerhouse sister restaurant Lolinda; the menu features street food and cocktails “del sol” on a buzzy rooftop with sweeping city views. No matter the weather, the outdoor patio stays open come rain or come shine, thanks to heat lamps and wind screens. Pro Tip: The line starts forming promptly at 11AM and the group doesn’t take reservations, so come a bit early to secure your seat.
2516 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
If the wait is too long and you’re craving a “California burrito that will make your momma cry”, another highly recommended stop by Dan and the seeds crew is the Tacorea on Brush Street. Their pro tip: Grab a 22 of beer in a bag at the liquor store across street while you wait, it’s already 5 o’clock with the time difference, right?
809 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA, 94108
12:00 pm | If you weren’t an early riser like Dan and didn’t have a chance to get your AM coffee at Blue Bottle, Ritual Coffee has various locations around SF, including the Mission and Hayes Valley.
1:00 pm | Get on over to the Ferry Building for a great view of the bay and unique public market walk. Peruse around for friendly faces showcasing the local flavor of the city. The seeds team loves the Hog Island Oyster Bar for catching up over pre-lunch “bay to bar” oysters on the waterfront.
Hog Island Oyster Co.
20215 Shoreline Highway
Marshall, CA
12:30 pm | From one slurping sensation to another, the Slanted Door sits literally next door to Hog Island and offers modern Vietnamese food to appeal to all ages. Get a few family-style dishes that are simple yet intense and are sure to please your whole group.
One Ferry Building #3, SF, CA
2:00 pm | If you have some time to explore, ChinaTown is worth an hour or so of walking around- as it’s the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and oldest in North America. Grab some authentic bubble tea and a fortune cookie to see what the future of your trip should hold.
3:30 pm | For another cultural endeavor, visit the SFMOMA to view the award-winning exhibits and take in the modern creativity showcased throughout the internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art.
151 Third Street
San Francisco, CA
5:00 pm | Feel like a local at Beretta, a cozy Italian industry favorite of the area. If you didn’t get your pizza fix in yesterday, they’re pretty well-known for their thin crust pies. This joint delivered some of our new favorite veggie starters, including the beloved walnut bread and eggplant caponatina. Our favorite thing about the BOH restaurant group is their concept-driven creations of restaurants that encompass the spirit of the neighborhood they reside in. If you can’t make it for apps, they’re also open for brunch. Pro Tip: Ask for their ‘Field Guide to the Birds’, a secret off-menu cocktail collection of variations on the classics, each named for a bird, using approachable ingredients in interesting combinations.
1199 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA
6:30 pm | You can’t do Cali without sushi, and PABU grants a modern take on traditional Izakaya-style dining. Award-winning chef Michael Mina’s À La Carte Menu highlights “seasonal small plates, traditionally grilled items from the robata and composed entrées.” The interior of PABU reflects on elements of light and air to intensify your authentic experience. We loved our seat on the glass-enclosed patio lined with Japanese ikebana flowers. The sake list is robust with 250 in-house offerings, but we recommend you go with Stewart’s handmade batch. If sake isn’t your jam, the cocktail list is also worth getting excited about, our personal favorite being the “tasteful noods", trust.
101 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
10:30 pm | Another industry favorite, Trick Dog is the last stop of your evening, where you’ll find your cocktail on a menu that changes every six months. Their team likes menus to look like just about anything other than a cocktail menu. They have been in the form of a paint swatch books, dog calendars, Chinese restaurant menus, you name it. We were greeted with “What Rhymes with Trick Dog?”, a children's book.
3010 20th St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
8:30 am | On your way out, Wrecking Ball coffee is sure to keep you energized for the trek back home. The pour-over oat milk latte is sure to steal your foam heart (sorry for the bad barista joke). Don’t skip out on one of the baked items beautifully aligned in the glass case, like our favorite the classic savory scone.
1580 Folsom St.
San Francisco, California
Thank you to the team of seeds marketing + design for bringing us on their SF journey, as well as: Interval at Long Now, El Techo, Beretta, PABU and Wrecking Ball Coffee for being such gracious hosts!
on to the next city!
xx