San Francisco Travel Guide

Discover the best things to see and do in San Francisco with this comprehensive travel guide. Explore culturally significant attractions, natural wonders, hiking and biking routes, food and drink recommendations, accommodations, and more!


Introduction

San Francisco is a city located in the Bay Area of Northern California. It attracts millions of visitors every year, drawn to its distinct charm and array of tourist attractions. With its unmistakeable hilly terrain, stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, and iconic landmarks, San Francisco has something to offer everyone, from history buffs and nature enthusiasts to foodies and nightlife seekers.

List of Places to Visit in San Francisco

San Francisco is home to a wealth of cultural and natural attractions that are worth exploring. Here are some of the top places to visit:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Golden Gate Park
  • The Ferry Building Marketplace
  • Alcatraz Island
  • The Exploratorium Science Museum
  • The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
  • The Asian Art Museum
  • The California Palace of the Legion of Honor
  • The de Young Museum

Natural Attractions of San Francisco: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area
  • Baker Beach
  • Lands End Lookout
  • The Presidio
  • Twin Peaks
  • Ocean Beach
  • Muir Woods National Monument

Hiking/Biking Routes of San Francisco

San Francisco is a great city for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the best hiking and biking routes in the city:

  • The Golden Gate Park Loop
  • The Land’s End Trail
  • The Presidio Promenade
  • The Bay Trail
  • The Embarcadero cycling path
  • The Twin Peaks hiking trail

Best Things to Do in San Francisco: Activities and Tours

San Francisco is full of activities and tours to enjoy:

  • A bike tour of the city
  • A ferry ride to Alcatraz Island
  • A hop-on, hop-off bus tour
  • A walking tour of Chinatown
  • A cruise on the San Francisco Bay
  • A trip to the San Francisco Zoo
  • A visit to Fisherman’s Wharf
  • A ride on the famous cable cars

Week-Long Itinerary for San Francisco

Here’s a sample itinerary to make the most of your week in San Francisco:

Day Activity
Day 1 Visit Golden Gate Park
Day 2 Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island
Day 3 Bike the Golden Gate Bridge and explore Sausalito
Day 4 Walk the Land’s End Trail and visit the Legion of Honor
Day 5 Explore the Castro District and Twin Peaks
Day 6 Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and take a cruise on the Bay
Day 7 Shop at the Ferry Building Marketplace and take a cooking class

Food and Drink Scene of San Francisco

San Francisco is known for its diverse and delicious cuisine, with plenty of options for food lovers. Here are some must-try dishes:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Cioppino
  • Mission-style burrito
  • Sourdough bread
  • Dungeness crab
  • Irish coffee
  • It’s-It ice cream
  • Dim sum

Local Beverages

  • Anchor Steam beer
  • Napa Valley wines
  • Irish coffee (invented in San Francisco)

Where to Stay in San Francisco: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

San Francisco has a variety of accommodations to choose from, depending on your budget and preferences. Here are some options:

  • Luxury hotels: Fairmont San Francisco, The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, St. Regis San Francisco.
  • Mid-range hotels: Hotel Vitale, Hotel Kabuki, Hotel Zephyr.
  • Budget-friendly options: HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf hostel, Pacific Tradewinds Hostel, Green Tortoise Hostel.
  • Guesthouses: Red Victorian Bed and Breakfast, Parker Guest House, Sea Breeze Inn.

What to Buy in San Francisco: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  • Ghirardelli chocolate
  • San Francisco sourdough bread
  • Golden Gate Bridge memorabilia
  • California olive oil
  • Wine from Napa Valley or Sonoma

Local Culture and Customs of San Francisco

San Francisco is known for its laid-back and accepting attitude towards people from diverse backgrounds. It’s important to note that:

  • Public transportation is widely used in San Francisco
  • The city is environmentally conscious, so it’s encouraged to recycle and use public transportation
  • Be prepared for the cool, foggy weather that is common in the summer months
  • Tip your servers and bartenders. A 15-20% gratuity is customary in restaurants and bars

Best Time to Visit San Francisco

The best time to visit San Francisco is from September to November, when the summer crowds have left and the city is warm, dry and sunny. Spring is also a good time to visit, as the weather is mild and there are plenty of cultural events happening.

Do’s and Don’ts of San Francisco

Do:

  • Do take a ride on a cable car
  • Do visit Alcatraz Island
  • Do explore Golden Gate Park
  • Do try the local cuisine
  • Do enjoy the views from the top of Twin Peaks

Don’t:

  • Don’t secretly toke up in public places. Marijuana is legal in California but smoking in public isn’t.
  • Don’t pass up on trying the sourdough bread.
  • Don’t leave your heart in San Francisco. Take it with you.

Safety and Health

Safety in San Francisco

San Francisco is a safe city to visit, but like any major city, there are areas that can be dangerous. Keep these safety tips in mind:

  • Avoid the Tenderloin area at night
  • Pay attention to your surroundings in public places
  • Don’t leave valuables visible in your car

Health in San Francisco

San Francisco has an excellent healthcare system and some of the best hospitals in the world. If you need medical attention, head to one of these hospitals:

  • UCSF Medical Center
  • California Pacific Medical Center
  • St. Mary’s Medical Center

Getting to San Francisco: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near San Francisco

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Oakland International Airport (OAK)
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)

Bus Stations Near San Francisco

  • Greyhound bus station
  • San Francisco Transbay Terminal
  • Salesforce Transit Center

Other Options

  • Amtrak train
  • Uber/Lyft ride from surrounding cities

How to Get Around in San Francisco

San Francisco has numerous transportation options and is easy to navigate. Here are some ways to get around:

  • Cable car
  • Muni bus and light rail
  • BART train
  • Uber or Lyft ride
  • Bike rental

Where to Go Next from San Francisco: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

San Francisco is a convenient starting point for a variety of nearby destinations, including:

  • Napa Valley wine country
  • Sonoma County wine country
  • Lake Tahoe
  • Yosemite National Park
  • Monterey and Carmel

Conclusion

San Francisco is a vibrant city with so much to offer. Whether you’re exploring the Golden Gate Park, trying local cuisine, or taking a ride on the cable car, there’s always something new to discover in San Francisco. Use this comprehensive guide to make the most of your visit to one of America’s most fascinating cities.

The Palace of Fine Arts The Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco International Airport at night San Francisco International Airport at night San Francisco and Alcatraz from a Sausalito ferry San Francisco and Alcatraz from a Sausalito ferry No left turns (or U-turns) allowed on 19th Avenue No left turns (or U-turns) allowed on 19th Avenue San Francisco rail systems (click to enlarge) San Francisco rail systems (click to enlarge) Caltrain is San Francisco's commuter rail line. Caltrain is San Francisco's commuter rail line. The Clipper Card in action The Clipper Card in action Streetcar on the Embarcadero Streetcar on the Embarcadero Cablecar at Powell & Market Cablecar at Powell & Market A BART train A BART train Parking can seem like a perilous task in San Francisco Parking can seem like a perilous task in San Francisco Lombard Street is very, very windy Lombard Street is very, very windy Looking up the Filbert Steps, just one of the city's many charming stairways Looking up the Filbert Steps, just one of the city's many charming stairways The Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio The Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio Chinatown Chinatown California Palace of the Legion of Honor California Palace of the Legion of Honor Temple of Music Golden Gate Park Temple of Music Golden Gate Park Approaching the Island of Alcatraz Approaching the Island of Alcatraz Davies Symphony Hall Davies Symphony Hall Oracle Park Oracle Park Crabs at Fisherman's Wharf Crabs at Fisherman's Wharf


    Bernal Heights
    Fisherman's Wharf
    Golden Gate National Recreation Area
    Haight
    Mission
    Nob Hill-Russian Hill
    SoMa
    The Avenues
    Union Square-Financial District
    Western Addition