San Francisco Travel Guides
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Meet our San Francisco local creator Laura McFarland. Laura is a second-generation Bay Area local who is passionate about environmental advocacy, local food and wine, adventure travel, and exploring as many parts of her home city as she can.
Why We Love San Francisco: San Francisco is one of the most prominent destinations in California. From the exemplary food and wine culture to the famous architecture of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is the cultural capital of Northern California. One of California’s biggest cities, San Francisco has long attracted travelers to its welcoming and diverse metropolitan atmosphere. Explore local art and music, swim or surf at the chilly beaches, marvel at the historic Victorian architecture, and wander through world-class museums in this hilly city. The cozy Mediterranean climate brings temperate weather year-round, making San Francisco one of the best cities for outdoor recreation.
Best of San Francisco
✨ Things to Do
Almost every activity in San Francisco is iconic. Try delicious culinary delicacies, explore the steep hills of the city via cable car, and bike or walk across the historic Golden Gate Bridge.
- Golden Gate Bridge – The historic red arches of the bridge are easily the most recognizable postcard photo of San Francisco.
- Golden Gate Park – Walk, run, or bike through the city’s gargantuan park that stretches over 50 blocks and is filled with gardens, museums, meadows, and more.
- Alcatraz Island – Explore an old penitentiary on the San Francisco Bay that housed world-famous criminals.
- Coit Tower – Hike several flights of stairs and pose for a photo at the top of an iconic San Francisco viewpoint.
- Fisherman’s Wharf – One of the most popular locations in San Francisco right on the bay with freshly-caught seafood.
👉 Explore all things to do in San Francisco.
🗺️ Where to Stay
You can’t go wrong staying in any of San Francisco’s vibrant neighborhoods. Each has its own charisma and charm but these three take the cake for the best:
- Nob Hill – Luxury hotels and iconic views dominate this hilly and historic neighborhood close to downtown.
- Alamo Square – Home to the famous Painted Ladies Victorian-style houses and the leisurely Alamo Square Park.
- Fisherman’s Wharf – Stay close to the waterfront to be walking distance from tourist attractions like Pier 39 and the Golden Gate Bridge.
👉 Read the complete guide to where to stay in San Francisco.
🛎️ Best Hotels
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San Francisco hotels are eclectic and versatile. There’s something for everyone from luxury 5-star hotels to budget-friendly hostels with shared dorm rooms.
- Vintage Inclined – An art-filled home with an elegant, old-timey atmosphere in one of the sunniest neighborhoods in the city.
- The Fairmont San Francisco – One of the most luxurious hotels in town, with world-class views and a famous underground tiki bar.
- Noe’s Nest Bed & Breakfast – An affordable bed and breakfast in a family-friendly neighborhood, with an included breakfast buffet and garden views.
🍽️ Restaurants
San Francisco is no stranger to culinary acclaim. The city’s dining scene can be summed up in one word: variety. From delicious Asian soup and noodle dishes to freshly-caught seafood and traditional Italian food, San Francisco meals don’t disappoint.
- Scoma’s Restaurant – Try tasty seafood at this family-owned waterfront restaurant. All seafood is caught in small boats by local fishermen.
- Saison – Make a reservation at this Michelin-starred fine dining establishment, the highest-ranking SF restaurant in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
- Tony’s Pizza – A San Francisco staple, Tony’s Pizza has won international acclaim thanks to its head chef, a 13-time winner at the World Pizza Championships.
- Boudin SF – The mouthwatering sourdough bread bowls of Boudin are one of the main waterfront attractions.
- House of Nanking – This Chinese restaurant in Chinatown is known for its inventive flavors. It’s very trendy, with lines usually out the door.
🍽️ See the full list of best restaurants in San Francisco.
🚗 Day Trips
- Yosemite National Park – The most popular national park in California, Yosemite has hundreds of hiking trails next to jaw-dropping waterfalls and sheer granite cliffs.
- Carmel-by-the-Sea – One of the best California beach towns, this fairytale village charms all who visit.
- Sausalito – The Mediterranean vibe of this fishing town across the Bay attracts SF day-trippers who want to escape the city in one quick ferry ride.
- Berkeley – A famous college town, there are many things to do in Berkeley including visiting museums, exploring gorgeous hiking trails, touring UC Berkeley.
- Muir Woods National Monument – Hike under a redwood tree canopy in one of the best old-growth forest preserves in California, just an hour outside of the city. Plus, it’s accessible by public transportation!
🚗 Read the full list of best day trips from San Francisco.
🏘️ Neighborhoods
- North Beach – A hilly neighborhood known as “Little Italy” with the best Italian restaurants and live music venues in town.
- Mission District – A predominantly Latinx neighborhood with colorful murals, exceptional food, great nightlife, and newly trendy boutiques.
- Haight-Ashbury – The epicenter of the 1967 Summer of Love, Haight-Ashbury retains strong ties to its artsy and peace-loving past.
- Castro District – Historically an LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood, the Castro comes to life with theater performances and bars.
- Chinatown – The largest Chinatown in the world outside of Asia with delicious food and festive celebrations.
🏘️ See our full guide to the best neighborhoods in San Francisco.
🍸 Bars
- Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge – Enjoy a classy cocktail with 360-degree views of the whole San Francisco Bay.
- Pacific Cocktail Haven – Locals and visitors alike flock to this stylish bar near Union Square offering inventive cocktail combinations with an Asian twist.
- Smuggler’s Cove – A renowned tiki bar with over 1300 varieties of rum and a coveted spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.
- Buena Vista – This 100-year-old bar became famous as the first bar in America to serve Irish Coffee.
- Zeitgeist – A neighborhood beer garden with over 64 varieties on tap and live music on weekends.
👉 See the full list of best bars in San Francisco.
🎨 Museums
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art – Explore the ever-changing modern and contemporary art collections at this popular museum near downtown.
- Asian Art Museum – Enjoy the thousands of Asian artworks at this museum, some of which date back 6,000 years.
- San Francisco Cable Car Museum – Learn about the historic, downtown cable cars- a landmark of the big city.
- Exploratorium – Bring your little ones to this hands-on science museum situated right on the waterfront, or have an adults-only night at their special After Hours cocktail club.
- de Young Museum – This fine arts museum sits in the middle of Golden Gate Park and specializes in worldly art. Plus, don’t miss the view from the observation tower.
🎨 See the full list of best museums in San Francisco.
🥾 Hikes
- Glen Canyon Park – Take a stroll along the 1.8-mile loop at the park and discover wildflower blooms and rock formations.
- Lands End Lookout – Wander down the rocky shoreline next to the Golden Gate Bridge to reach this rock memorial on the sand.
- Mt. Sutro – This forested preserve in the middle of the city is home to numerous hiking and mountain biking trails.
- Fort Funston – Hike up a steep cliff for dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean
- Marin Headlands – These coastal trails take hikers past the Point Bonita Lighthouse and through backcountry California campsites.
🥾 See the full list of the best hikes near San Francisco.
San Francisco Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit San Francisco is in the late summer and early fall months when the weather is warmest, the infamous fog is minimal, and fun festivals dominate the weekend schedule. August and September are peak tourism months.
- 🌞 Summer – San Francisco comes alive with festivals, street fairs, and free concerts nearly every week. Just pack a jacket, because the summer fog makes for deceptively chilly days.
- 🍂 Fall – San Francisco is at its warmest in the early fall, with sunny days and no fog. Late fall brings changing colors and cooler temperatures.
- ❄️ Winter – Winter is the coldest time to visit San Francisco, but the weather is still comparatively temperate. It’s also the off-season, so tourism is low and accommodation is more affordable.
- 🌼 Spring – San Francisco blooms again in spring. Wildflowers, crisp and sunny days, and the start of baseball season bring visitors back to the city.
👉 Read our full guide to when to visit San Francisco.
🚌 Getting Around
Public transportation is so prevalent in San Francisco that you don’t need to rent a car. The BART and MUNI subway systems are the most convenient way to get around but ride shares are also widely available.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – Numerous pedestrian paths and parks make San Francisco a very walkable city. You can walk the horizontal length of the whole city in under 3 hours.
- 🚇 Public Transit – The BART underground railway has stops within the city and in the suburbs around the Bay, while MUNI operates buses and subways for shorter travel within San Francisco.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – Bikes are available to rent by the minute at many self-service stations around the city. Make sure to get an E-bike if riding in a hilly area.
- 📲 Ride Share – Ride shares like Uber and Lyft are widely available. You can also use Waymo, San Francisco’s self-driving car system.
- 🛴 Scooters – Public scooters are available to rent with a credit card on the sidewalks of SF.
- 🚗 Driving – Keep congested traffic in consideration if you choose to rent your own car in San Francisco. Renting a car is not necessary for travel within the city, but is necessary for many San Francisco day trips.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🚄 – Use Public Transportation – Save some serious money by using reliable public transportation in SF instead of renting a car.
- 🌫️ Prepare for Fog – San Francisco’s fog is particularly prevalent in the mornings and evenings. Go sightseeing in the middle of the day for the clearest views.
- 🧤 – Pack Layers – San Francisco can be chilly even in the summer. Always pack layers and have a jacket on hand just in case.
- 💵 – Find Deals in the Off-Season – Most attractions and hotels double in the summer and fall tourist seasons. Visit in the winter if on a budget.
- 🎆 – Visit During Special Events – Join in on SF pride by visiting for iconic and free city events like Pride in June, Fleet Week in October, and Chinese New Year in February.
🧳 What to Pack
- 📷 – Camera – San Francisco is one of the top sightseeing destinations in CA. Bring your camera to document the famous landmarks.
- 🥾 – Hiking Boots – Most people don’t expect to hike when they visit SF, but this city has some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities of any major metropolitan area.
- 🚰 – Reusable Water Bottle – Not only is a reusable bottle good for the planet, but it will also save you money. Most places in San Francisco will fill up a water bottle for free.
- 🧥 – Warm Jacket – Always have a warm jacket on hand when visiting the Bay Area. You can also buy one at a souvenir shop along the Embarcadero, but they’ll be pretty overpriced.
- 👟 – Walking Shoes – Most attractions are within walking distance in San Francisco. Bring comfortable shoes because you will likely be walking a lot.
🤓 Facts & Info
- Census Population (2024) – 827,526
- Time Zone – PST Time (CA (GMT-8))
- Area Codes – 415, 209, 408, 559, 831, 510, 925, 650
- Airports – San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- Nickname – SF, The City by the Bay
- Demonym – San Franciscan
- State – California
- Country – United States of America
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $180/night average
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $150/night
- Rental Car – $40/day
- Public Transit Ticket – $2.75 – $5 ($11 to airport from center)
- Rideshare from Downtown to Airport – $30-40
- Take Out Meal for Two – $30
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $50
- Draft Beer – $9
💵 See our full San Francisco budget guide for more.
FAQs About Visiting San Francisco
Is San Francisco safe for tourists?
San Francisco is a safe city for tourists. Most visitors have no problems when visiting the city, but you should take precautions to avoid theft or car break-ins. For more, see our full San Francisco safety guide.
What is the best time of year to visit San Francisco?
There are benefits to visiting San Francisco during all months of the year but the high tourist season is typically July-October. San Francisco experiences the best weather at this time and most special events take place between these months.
What should you not miss when visiting San Francisco?
You should not miss main San Francisco attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Mission Dolores Park, the Painted Ladies, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, and Alcatraz Island.
Is 2 days in San Francisco enough?
2 days is enough to see the main parts of San Francisco. This does not allow enough time to visit all the major sites and attractions, but it is a good amount of time for a short introduction to the city that will leave you wanting more!
Is San Francisco worth the trip?
The sheer amount of things to do in San Francisco makes it worth the trip. It is one of the most popular cities in California. Loosely known as the cultural capital of Northern California, this city has a rich history, stunning natural scenery, beautiful Victorian architecture, and some of the best food and drink in the country.
Meet Our San Francisco Travel Experts
Laura McFarland
Laura McFarland is a writer, second-generation Bay Area local, and an environmental justice activist. Laura fell in love with traveling and chronicling her adventures after moving with her family to London for several months and co-writing a blog at the ripe age of 12. Laura is passionate about travel, climate change mitigation, sustainable food systems, and being outdoors whenever she can. In her free time, you can find Laura chatting with farmers at a local market, going for a swim in the nearest body of water, or drinking a pale ale.
📰 San Francisco Travel Guides
San Francisco is the metropolitan capital of Northern California but California is such a vast state that the Golden Gate City just scratches the surface. Check out the rest of our San Francisco travel guides to help plan for your upcoming trip, all of which were written by experts from the area.
- Where to Go Camping Near San Francisco (By a Local)
- 19 Best San Francisco Weekend Getaways (By a Local)
- My Favorite Coffee Shops in San Francisco
- A Guide to San Francisco’s Music Venues
- 67 Epic Things to Do in San Francisco (By a Local)
- A Local’s Guide to San Francisco’s Neighborhoods
- The 43 Best San Francisco Restaurants (By a Local)
- Where to Stay in San Francisco, By an Area Local
- Where to Stay in Napa Valley (4 Best Places & Areas)
- San Francisco Itinerary (3 Perfect Days, Planned by a Local)
- 17 Things to Do in San Francisco in Winter
- San Francisco on a Budget – How to Eat, Stay, & Do It Cheaply
- Best Time to Visit San Francisco (According to a Local)
- Golden Gate Park (The Ultimate Guide, By a Local)
- 23 Best Day Trips from San Francisco (By a Local)
- 37 San Francisco Date Ideas for Every Occasion (By a Local)
- A Local’s 32 Essential Bars in San Francisco
- Is San Francisco Safe? (Honest Advice, By a Local)
- 19 Best Museums in San Francisco