The Marina is included on most San Francisco sightseeing tours, as it sits on the northern edge of the city between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. Bike, bus, and Segway tours pass along Marina Boulevard to show visitors the views of Alcatraz Island and the bridge. Other nearby attractions include the Palace of Fine Arts and Fort Mason.
Chestnut Street is the main commercial strip, with trendy bars, eateries, and shops concentrated between Divisadero and Fillmore streets.
There is metered and free street parking available, but pay attention to posted signs about prohibited parking during street cleaning or other times.
Bring a jacket or other warm layers; when the fog rolls in from the Pacific, it gets chilly fast.
The 22 bus runs along Fillmore Street and will take you straight into the Marina. Lombard Street marks the southern edge of the neighborhood.
On sunny weekends, do as the locals do: Take a walk along the water followed by lunch on Chestnut Street, or enjoy the nightlife scene and mingle with the neighborhood’s generally young crowd. The early morning hours and sunset offer great light for photographs of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. July and August are usually foggy, while September and October are the sunniest months.
Most of the Marina’s green spaces are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is under the umbrella of the National Park Service and includes the Presidio, Fort Mason, and Crissy Field. Don’t miss the chance to discover the natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural attractions of these coastal sites.
