Travel Guide of San Francisco in United States by Influencers and Travelers
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco and colloquially known as SF, San Fran, Frisco, or The City, is the cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California.
The Best Things to Do and Visit in San Francisco
TRAVELERS TOP 10 :
1 - Golden Gate Bridge
7 km away
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
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2 - Union Square
Union Square is a 2.6-acre public plaza bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton Streets in downtown San Francisco, California.
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3 - Tours & Sightseeing | Alcatraz
Start your tour on the north end of Fisherman's Wharf and take in bayside views of two of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks – the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Your guide will fill you in on the city's history, going from Gold Rush boom and earth-shattering earthquakes, through to the global metropolis it is today. Make your way along the wharf and take in the smells and sounds of food stalls selling regional specialties like crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. You'll also walk a section of the Barbary Coast trail and learn about its past. At Pier 39, see sea lions, admire historic ships, and enjoy the buzz of the entertainment district. After that, it's time for Alcatraz. Say goodbye to your guide after they've taken you to the ferry, and explore Alcatraz Island and the famous prison during an audio guided tour. Make sure you bring your camera!
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4 - Twin Peaks
The Twin Peaks are two prominent hills with an elevation of about 925 feet located near the geographic center of San Francisco, California. Only 928 foot Mount Davidson is higher within the city.
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5 - Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is a neighborhood and popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, California. It roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Avenue east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street.
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6 - Coit Tower
Coit Tower is a 210-foot tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, California, offering panoramic views over the city and the bay.
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7 - Transamerica Pyramid
The Transamerica Pyramid at 600 Montgomery Street between Clay and Washington Streets in the Financial District of San Francisco, California, United States, is a 48-story futurist building and the second-tallest skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline.
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8 - Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, United States, is a large urban park consisting of 1,017 acres of public grounds.
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9 - Alcatraz Island
6 km away
Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison from 1934 until 21 March 1963.
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10 - Lombard Street
Lombard Street is an east–west street in San Francisco, California that is famous for a steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns.
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11 - Ocean Beach
6 km away
Ocean Beach is a beach on the west coast of San Francisco, California, United States, bordering the Pacific Ocean. It is adjacent to Golden Gate Park, the Richmond District, and the Sunset District.
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12 - Rodeo Beach
12 km away
Rodeo Beach is a beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area located in Marin County, California, United States, two miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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13 - Mount Tamalpais State Park
23 km away
Mount Tamalpais State Park is a California state park, located in Marin County, California. The primary feature of the park is the 2,571 feet Mount Tamalpais. The park contains mostly redwood and oak forests. The mountain itself covers around 25,000 acres.
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Pictures and Stories of San Francisco from Influencers
20 pictures of San Francisco from Denys Nevozhai, Lili Popper, KEITH WONG and other travelers
- Foggy Weather In San Francisco ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Corey Agopian | ©Unsplash
- First Time In San Francisco ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Alex Radelich | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit San Francisco ?
Travel to San Francisco if you like:
🌉 Suspension bridge 🏘️ Town 🌲 Forest 🏖️ Ocean 🗼 Landmark 🌉 BridgeLearn More about San Francisco
San Francisco personifies the America of the libertarian movements, where the dream of freedom led by the Amerindians, Africans, Spaniards and Asians can be found in the different districts of the city. The new pioneers of the city, Google, Facebook and other multinationals watch over the avant-garde spirit of the city that you will discover with the help of the cable car. From the Golden Gate, to Alcatraz, to Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco's illustrious flowery neighbourhoods lined with its famous Victorian-inspired houses on its sloping streets will captivate you.
Dubbed the most charming city on the West Coast of the United States, traveling to San Francisco you will admire and discover beautiful tourist attractions. The most photographed place in America: Golden Gate Bridge.
It is a suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Martin Country in the north. The bridge took 7 years to build and was completed in 1937. The Golden Gate Bridge is the largest suspension bridge in the world completed and it has become an internationally recognized symbol in San Francisco and California. Did you know its "International Orange" color was choosen because it stands out through the fog and it is a warm note inside the Bay landscape?
How To Get Around San Francisco ?
Walking in San Francisco is a good way to discover many treasures but be aware that it is a pretty steep city: you walk on a flat street and the one on the corner can be up to 41° grade!
Public transportation:
- On and off a cable car: this is an emblematic transportation in the city. One goes down from Hyde Street to Powell Street until Market Street. The other one goes from the intersection of Drumm and California Street to Van Ness Avenue. Nice and fun pictures are taken every day in and out cable cars. The ticket price is $8 as soon as you get on and for any time ride,
- The historic streetcar lines (from $1,50 to $3/person) run six miles each way between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Castro District,
- BART train (fares depend on your trip),
- Buses (start from $2/person).
Good to know: there are single ride tickets but also 1-Day, 3-Day, 7-Day and Monthly Passes.
Things To See And Do In San Francisco
Neighborhoods and Districts
They are just some places or activities you cannot miss while visiting San Francisco. It starts with knowing San Francisco main districts:
Castro: Harvey Milk was the pioneer of San Francisco Gay Community and he has its own memorial, the Harvey Milk Plaza (which is also a BART station). Walking through this district, the feeling of pride, joy and fight for rights is tangible. Keep an eye open and you will find fun window decorations and beautiful instagrammable rainbows everywhere.
Haight-Ashbury: this area was the heart of the Summer Love movement in 1967 and its vibrant streets were home for many revolutionaries and hippies in San Francisco. It is right next to the Golden Gate Park. There, you will find hippies bright colors in each corner.
Chinatown: Founded in 1840, San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest and most prestigious of the largest Chinatowns worldwide. The Chinese who come here are mostly merchants and migrant workers. Find its unique and very popular gate called the Dragon Gate, at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue. Walking in Chinatown, you must stop by the oldest factory of fortune cookies on Ross Alley, it’s a delicious treat and it is interesting to watch!
Little Italy: Up north and right next to Chinatown, this is the place to be if you are an Italian cuisine lover. So many pizzas and exquisite dishes to try! Appreciate a lunch break (or any kind of break) in Washington Park and take a look at the beautiful Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Market Street is one of the main streets in the city. It starts at the Ferry Buildings and brings you through the Financial District, to Union Square, which is a very popular area for its boutiques and its decoration on holidays (specially the gigantic Christmas tree and its ice rink) to Twin Peaks (one of the great panoramic views of San Francisco).
Monuments and other discovers
Do we have to mention the obvious Golden Gate Bridge? Yes, we do because there is not just one spot! Farther down this page, we picked the best spots for Golden Gate Bridge pictures.
Located in the heart of the financial district, Transamerica is another icon of San Francisco beyond the Golden Gate. According to the architect who built this structure, his ideal pyramid shape has provided more air and light for the roads below.
Alcatraz Prison is undeniably part of San Francisco’s history. You must book in advance (we are talking several weeks or months in advance) online or within an activity’s combo tour. There, you will walk on the same prisoners paths and discover their stories and even if feel what they felt. You like a little fright? Go for the night tour!
The Palace of Fine Arts is a Greco-Roman palace that sometimes hosts art exhibitions but is most known for private parties or shows. It has a tiny pond and the lights are magical at night.
Fisherman's Wharf is one of San Francisco's most popular tourist attractions. For a century, by the historic waterfront, this is where San Francisco's fishing fleets congregated. To this day, it still holds a bunch of the best seafood restaurants. Walking through Pier 39, you will be called by a bunch of seals, waiting for you on their wood boards.
The MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) is paradise for lovers of all forms of art! It has 7 levels filled up with beautiful and impressive exhibitions.
Mission’ street art is very appreciated by artists and art lover. There are two pedestrian alleys you must go to enjoy and photograph San Francisco Street art: Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley.
Next to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Lombard Flower Street is one of the most popular destinations for tourists when traveling to San Francisco. It is is famous as "the steepest street in the world" although it is not the steepest. Lombard Street is built in a wavy style to reduce the speed of traffic. Even if it can be tempting to go down this street with your own car, it is more enjoyable to watch (from the bottom) the other cars snake down.
Ghirardelli Square: iconic chocolatier in San Francisco, Ghirardelli has its own square. It is great for a delicious dessert right before sunset. It is a must to do while on Christmas break: get there for the Christmas tree lighting!
The Mosaic Stairway is a 163-step climb from 16th Avenue to 15th Avenue. Keep on climbing and get a great 360° panoramic view. Lincoln Park Steps is another pretty mosaic art composition. Get on the top and get an endless view of California Street.
Bonus: The Presidio of San Francisco hosts the Walt Disney Family Museum in which it is possible to learn so many aspects and secrets of Disney movies. Not far from it, Star Wars fans will encounter the Yoda statue near LucasFilm company (which keeps other Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises).
Parks
The Golden Gate Park is bigger than New York’s Central Park and is home of several amazing spots. The well-known Japanese Tea Garden is a must do for a complete change of scenery. The Golden Gate Park hosts important museums such as the incredible Academy of Sciences and the De Young Museum (both can be easily booked with a City Pass). Nature is flourishing and the possibilities to discover this park through lakes and walking paths are endless. A funny way to discover the most of it is to book a segway tour!
Dolores Park is THE meeting spot in Mission District. It is so huge that even if you think it’s crowded, you will find a great spot. Shows, musics and people themselves bring Dolores Park to life. At the very top, you will have a splendid view on San Francisco: its houses, trees and buildings.
Alamo Square is a nice park with a very famous view: the cutest Painted Ladies. These six houses are in all movie filmed in San Francisco and are a perfect sample of San Francisco’s architecture.
Beaches
San Francisco is a big city that also offers the pleasure and the beauty of enjoying a sand beach at anytime time. Ocean Beach is on the West side of the city and so along the Pacific Ocean. It is about 1 mile long (1.60 kilometer), it is pretty wide and has beautiful dunes you can hide in.
On the North-East side of the city, Crissy Field Beach water is a bit cooler than Ocean Beach but has a wonderful point of view of the massive Golden Gate Bridge.
Locations for the best Golden Gate Bridge pictures
- Eye to eye: the Golden Gate Overlook
- From Baker Beach and Marshall’s Beach (way rockier)
- From Crissy Field, walk to Fort Point and have an even closest spot for unique pictures
- On a cruise boat for an exclusive view
- Inside the Golden heart: it is possible to walk and bike on the Golden Gate Bridge. It is definitely a unique experience (take your jacket because it will be a bit windy)
- From Marin headlands (Battery Spencer): the most popular view
- From Kirby Beach and its swing: 25 minute-walk down from Batter Spencer parking lot
- From the US Coast Guard Station (Moore Rd Pier)
The Best Places To Eat And Drink In San Francisco
A full San Francisco Experience is none if you miss a bread bowl of chowder from the Boudin Sourdough factory. The restaurant is on Fisherman’s Wharf (Pier 39) so there are no excuses! Fishermans’s Wharf also offers delicious seafood restaurants such as Sotto Mare (serves the renowned Italian Cioppino), Dungeness Crab and Fog Harbor Fish House.
The Mission District is known for its Central American culture and cuisine. There, try burritos in different taquerias like El Farolito or La Cumber. You like tacos better? Get a Tacolicious, it’s … delicious!
Ribs lovers? We got you, go on 1906 Van Ness Avenue, House of Primer Rib. The restaurant’s name speaks for itself.
In a flowery and pastel décor, Son & Garden is a restaurant enjoyable all day long, solo or with friends.
Iconic in San Francisco, you must try the Buena Vista Café on Hyde Street. It opened in 1916 and serves its famous Irish coffees since then.
Writers with white page syndrome might want to get an espresso at the Caffe Trieste. Francis F. Coppola wrote The Godfather in this shop…
Seen earlier on this page, Ghirardelli Square offers the best chocolate recipes you will find in the city since 1960!
And what is a trip without yummy donuts? Well, try to find out which of Johnny Doughnut or Dynamo Donut & Coffee is the best and let us know... Dynamo D&C has donuts for your dog as well (just saying)!
According to your night life, San Francisco answers to all taste! Smuggler’s Cove or Bourbon & Branch are very popular. Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge is a significant experience as well as the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.
Written by Jenny Vincent
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to San Francisco
you'll have bus (1,5$/ person), F-Street cars (1,5$/person), BART train, Cable cars (5$/person),
San Francisco has a cool climate, so you can travel to San Francisco at any time, including the winter months or hot summer days. Even in the summer, when other American cities scorch an average of 40 degrees, San Francisco stays cool with a blanket of fog.
There are some hotels near the city center
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/stanford-court-san-francisco.html
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/marriott-marquis-san-francisco.html
If you only have 3 (full) days in San Francisco, dividing your days by areas, this is how you should plan your trip:
- 1rst day: Alcatraz morning tour (less tourists) + Fisherman’s Wharf (lunch and visit) + Ghirardelli Square + Golden Gate Bridge views + Lombard Street + House of Ribs dinner
- 2nd day: Coit Tower and/or Ferry Building + Cable Car ride(s) + Chinatown + lunch in Little Italy + Union Square and/or MoMA + drinks in Castro + dinner in Mission
- 3rd day: Alamo Square + Haight-Ashbury (souvenirs) + Japanese Tea Garden (visit and lunch) + California Academy of Sciences + walks in Golden Gate Park + Ocean Beach sunset
There are many activities and incredible sighseeings to do from San Francisco. If you have extra time during your trip, check out these places:
Within a hour...
Sausalito (floating houses, souvenirs - accessible by ferry), Muir Beach and Woods (hike between both), Stinson Beach, Berkeley (museums, university), Oakland (stadium)
Farther...
Napa Valley (vineyards), Sacramento (capital), Santa Cruz - Carmel - Monterey - Santa Barbara, Yosemite National Park
There is not time limit to spend in San Francisco... But, if you do need an idea, a week should be great to see the most and best of the city.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
More Travel spots to explore around San Francisco
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Discover more travel spots to explore around San Francisco
🏘️ Town spots 🗼 Landmark spots 🌉 Suspension bridge spots 🌆 Skyline spots 🌉 Bridge spots 🌊 Ocean spots ⛰️ Cliff spots 🏖️ Shore spots 🏖️ Headland spots 🏖️ Beach spots Panorama spots 🛣️ Road trip spots Jet bridge spots 🏖️ Sailing spots 🌲 Forest spots 🏖️ Coast spots Swimming spots 🏃♂️ Running spots 🌴 Jungle spotsTravel map of San Francisco
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