San Francisco is 7 square miles (11 square kilometers) of fog-shrouded magic, offering incredible bay views alongside edgy neighborhoods and beautiful open-air spaces. Travelers come for cable car rides and the Golden Gate Bridge—and never run out of things to do in San Francisco. Take guided tours of old-school ethnic enclaves in Chinatown and North Beach (SF’s Little Italy), sail to glimmering Alcatraz and Angel islands, cruise down the most crooked street in the world, and take guided day trips to Muir Woods, Wine Country, Yosemite National Park, and beyond.
San Francisco has virtually constant pleasant weather, but spring and summer are best for a visit. The Cherry Blossom Festival, with traditional Japanese music, cultural activities, and blossoming cherry trees, is held over two weekends in April, while summer sees major music festivals in Golden Gate Park. No matter the season, the fog rolls in at night. The city’s top attractions, such as Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Pier 39, are open year-round.
The MUNI bus and light rail system can get you all around the city from Chinatown to Ocean Beach. For straight-line trips near the city center and east and south bay journeys, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains will do. Bike rentals, ferries, and ride-sharing services are solid options, while the famous cable cars are ideal for reaching North Beach and Pier 39. To visit wine country, driving or guided tours make the most sense.
Travelers interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path should visit San Francisco’s tiled staircases. The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, the most popular of the bunch, comprise 163 mosaic-filled steps to Grand View Park in the Sunset District—a residential neighborhood on the west side below Golden Gate Park. There are enough staircases for days of urban hiking, including the Cascade Walk, Quintara Steps, Mandalay Steps, Moraga Stairs, and the Hidden Garden Steps.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone PST (UTC -8) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 110 | Tours 829 | Reviews 61,445 |
A San Francisco native, Gianmaria is a writer making his life between Northern California and Italy.
take a cable car—you’ll ride a mobile National Monument through some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
starts with coffee from Cafe Trieste, includes a break for a picnic in front of the Conservatory of Flowers, and finishes with a sunset at Lands End.
the Golden Gate Bridge and its surrounds, including Crissy Field, the Presidio, and Fort Point (where parts of Hitchcock’s Vertigo were shot).
try walking some of the original seven hills, starting with Nob Hill, Russian Hill, or Telegraph Hill.
Twin Peaks is legendary, and the De Young Museum’s Hamon Observation Tower is one of a kind.
is packing for Santa Monica or Malibu. San Francisco is often cold, windy, and foggy during summer.
California’s 4th-largest city, San Francisco is known for its steep hills and photogenic attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and Alcatraz Island. The city also has a thriving gourmet food scene and is an urban hub for innovative tech companies.
...MoreDepending on who you ask, the best thing about San Francisco may be its diverse cultural attractions, miles of scenic shoreline, farm-to-table food scene, or walkable neighborhoods. Others love the urban parks and proximity to nature havens like Muir Woods, beaches, and the Marin Headlands.
...MoreYes. San Francisco is popular with tourists thanks to its scenic location on the San Francisco Bay, array of cultural attractions, and diverse food scene. Its compact size is easy to get around, and visitors can experience museums, beaches, urban hikes, and world-class dining all in one day.
...MorePier 39 is the most-visited place in San Francisco. This family-friendly pier on Fisherman’s Wharf features souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and the Aquarium of the Bay. It’s also a departure point for boat tours to Alcatraz Island and home to a noisy colony of California sea lions.
...MoreVehicle break-ins and property theft are the most commonly reported crimes in San Francisco, though drug use, traffic accidents, and violent crime are also concerns. Visitors can help keep themselves safe by crossing streets carefully, remaining aware of their surroundings, and never leaving valuables inside a car.
...MoreThe most popular things to do in San Francisco include a tour of Alcatraz Island, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, taking a San Francisco Bay cruise, and exploring the waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf. Walking around neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach, and the Mission is also a great way to explore San Francisco.
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