San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and Fisherman’s Wharf are popular, but these sights only scratch the surface of what the city has to offer. Each steep block of the city has a rich and unique blend of history, scenery, culture, and modern industry. It is a city that is both historic and modern which gives a unique experience to every type of tourist.
City Overlook.
The climate is warm, and there are many attractions. Some of the best ways to see the city are to take a cable car ride, ride a rented bike, visit Fisherman’s Wharf and eat Dungeness crab, or visit the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. These activities will help you connect with the city like never before.
Best Time to Visit
The weather in San Francisco is moderate with only a few rainy months and very little snow. The best months for sightseeing are May to June and September to October. The rainy months are December to February.
Costs
San Francisco is one of the more costly places to live in the United States. Rent, groceries, attractions, restaurants, and transport are all more expensive than the national average.
Be sure to budget for the conveniences that you will use throughout your travels.
Public Transport: Bus, subway, cable cars, streetcar lines (yes, there are historic ones!)
- San Francisco has THE most extensive public transport services within most major cities, so visiting the major neighborhoods and attractions is definitely most affordable and easiest with public transport services.
Driving: The main tourist corridors may look easy for driving but, in the city itself, it can become very complicated. Be prepared for one-way streets, steep hills, narrow streets, and sometimes very limited parking. In addition, there may be a lot of vehicular traffic that is aligned with major attractions in the city so, plan your time accordingly if you are needing to park.
Air Travel: There are 3 major airports in travel distance to San Francisco. They are, going from south to north: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and San Jose International Airport (SJC), which is located approximately 1 hour south of San Francisco.
This world-famous landmark is "The Golden Gate Bridge" and has more than 100,000 tons of steel in its construction. It exemplifies the greatest achievment in modern-day bridge engineering. The Golden Gate Bridge has become a major filming location for movies and tv series and has also been assigned to be a postcard from San Francisco. Location: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA, USA. Admission: Free Hours: Every hour of every day. Directions: Take a bus to the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza stop (This includes routes numbered: 2, 4, 8, 10, 18, 24, 27, 38, 44, 54, 56, 58, 70, 72, 72X, 74, 76, 92, 93, 97, 101, 101X). Official website: \_\_\_\_
Overview: Fisherman’s Wharf is a very recognized and famous waterfront district in San Francisco and runs the distance from Ghirardelli Square all the way to Pier 35. At Pier 39 you will see shops, restaurants, street performers, and even sea lions! They have great views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge. Even though it can be busy and has a lot of tourists, the views make it worth it. Address: Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA Cost: Free Hours: Open all day Getting there: Take the 2, 4, 8, 18, 24, 27, 38, 44, 54, 56, 58, 72, 74, or 76 buses to Beach St & Taylor St and walk 2 minutes. Or take the F Market tram to Beach St & Stockton St or The Embarcadero & Stockton St. Lombard Street Lombard Street is famous for its crooked section that has eight sharp turns. There is also a pretty view of the Bay Bridge and Coit Tower. Address: Lombard Street, San Francisco, California Cost: Free Hours: Open all day Getting there: Powell-Hyde Cable Car Line to Lombard St & Hyde St. Website: Not provided Alcatraz Island Alcatraz is a 22-acre island that used to be a federal prison. It housed inmates who committed serious crimes. They closed the prison in the 1970s and it became a historical monument in 1986. You can still see the cell blocks, dining hall, lighthouse, water tower, and warden's office. A visit to Alcatraz is atmospheric, unsettling and critical to the traveller looking to see more than just the postcard perspective of San Francisco.
Address: Alcatraz Island San Francisco, CA
Admission: Daytime fares are listed as $37.25 for adult, $37.25 for youth, $35.25 for senior, and $23 for child. Nighttime fares are listed as $37 for adult, $36 for youth, $34.25 for senior, and $21.75 for child.
Hours: 08:45–21:25
Transport: Ferry Service from San Francisco’s waterfront.
Official site:
Palace of Fine Arts
Overview: Ancient European ruins may come to mind when standing at the center of the sprawling columns of the rotunda, the dome that is reminiscent of Roman design, and the elaborate sculptured designs of the Palace of Fine Arts a true architectural gem dating back to 1915 in San Francisco. The building is in front of a lagoon and a lawn where a few swans and ducks swim. This is a very peaceful spot now a favorite for locals needing to escape the rush of the city.
Address: 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Admission: None
Hours: Open all day
Transport: PresidiGO Crissy Field bus to Palace of Fine Arts stop.
Official site:
Golden Gate Park
Overview: Golden Gate Park is situated at the western edge of the city facing the Pacific and extends to the center of San Francisco. There are playgrounds, museums, art galleries, botanical gardens, tennis and golf courses, and more. Golden Gate Park is a perfect place to spend time outdoors in a slow and relaxed manner. You can experience the local side of the city more easily here. Location: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, USA Price: Free Hours: Open 24 hours Public Transport: Buses 21 and 33. Get off at Stanyan St & Hayes St. Website: Twin Peaks Twin Peaks offers the best option for seeing the Bay Area and San Francisco at night. Both hills rise to about 270 meters and are natural hills of the city. You can drive up to the top of the hills and see large views of the entire city. Location: 501 Twin Peaks Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94114 Price: Free Hours: Open 24 hours Public Transport: Bus 37 will take you directly to Twin Peaks. Website: Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower Coit Tower, which sits on the slope of Telegraph Hill, is another place to see incredible views of the city. At 60 meters tall, the tower is easily spotted and offers a full round view of the city, the bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge Another notable public structure in the area is located at 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133. Admission to the facility is free, and elevator rides to the top are $9 for adults and $2 for kids. The building is open from 10:00 to 17:00, and to get there, you can take buses 2/4/8/18/27/24/38/44/54/58/72/74/76 to Sansome St & Lombard St and walk 200m west along Lombard Street. \ Official Website:
\ Suggested Itineraries
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\ One Day
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\ You can do a lot in one day, but there are multiple vantage points at San Francisco’s iconic landmarks. Route 1: Union Square (30 min) – City Hall (30 min) – Fisherman’s Wharf (1 hr) – Lombard Street (1 hr) – Palace of Fine Arts (1 hr) – Golden Gate Bridge (1 hr) – Twin Peaks (1 hr) – Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (30 min)
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\ Route 2: Palace of Fine Arts (1 hr) – Golden Gate Bridge (1 hr) – Lombard Street (1 hr) – Fisherman’s Wharf (1 hr) – Saints Peter and Paul Church (1 hr) – Alamo Square (1 hr) – San Francisco Beach (1 hr)
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\ Two Days
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\ With two days, you can zone in on the most popular attractions in the city more easily, and with a more organized approach, you can avoid rushing things.
DAY 1: Fisherman’s Wharf (1 hr) – Alcatraz Island (3 hrs) – Palace of Fine Arts (1 hr) – Golden Gate Bridge (2 hrs)
DAY 2: Lombard Street (1 hr) – Telegraph Hill (2 hrs) – Golden Gate Park (2 hrs) – Twin Peaks (2 hrs)
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\ Three Days
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\ With three days, you can cover 11 of San Francisco’s You have the opportunity to explore popular destinations at a more reasonable pace, focusing each day on different areas of the city. Itinerary until Alcatraz Island Day 1: Alcatraz Island (3h) - Fisherman's Wharf (1h) - Palace of Fine Arts (2h) - Golden Gate Bridge (2h) Day 2: Lombard Street (1h) - Telegraph Hill (2h) - Chinatown (2h) - Union Square (2h) Day 3: San Francisco City Hall (1h) - Painted Ladies (1h) - Golden Gate Park (2h) - Twin Peaks (2h) - Cliff House (1h) Where to stay San Francisco has many boutique hotels which ooze character. Listed prices range from around $100 - $300, with overnight parking at $35 - $50 for most hotels. Most people prefer to stay in Union Square for its transport links and proximity to attractions. Fisherman’s Wharf can be more expensive but is more convenient for dining and accessing the waterfront. Where to eat
Crabs House
One of the most famous restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf, the Crabs House is known for its up volume of crab dishes. Recommended dishes are their Killer Crab, grilled crab legs, crab chowder, Crab Caesar, and crab cakes. Address: 203 C Pier 39 San Francisco CA, 9413
Boudin Sourdough Factory
A must stop while in San Francisco, most guides describe it as iconic for it's famous sourdough bread bowl chowder. The bowls are offered with crab and chili beef as two of their many popular options. The aromas from the on-site bakery draw in visitors, who gather near the window to catch a glimpse of the bread baking process.
Address: 160 Jefferson St. Lower Level San Francisco, CA 94133
Cliff House
Established in 1858, this restaurant built on a cliff at the western edge of San Francisco, allows diners to enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding historical landmarks.
Address: 1090 Point Lobos, San Francisco, CA 94121
Conclusion
San Francisco offers California visitors an experience unlike any other. Explore the culture, take scenic rides on historic street cars, and enjoy the views from the bay.
