The Basics
San Francisco Travel Basics
San Francisco is one of our favorite US cities. It packs a lot into not very much space. You can ride a cable car up a hill, eat a bowl of chowder overlooking the bay, and watch the fog roll under the Golden Gate Bridge all in the same afternoon. It's a walking city, a food city, and a city that rewards a little bit of wandering off the main strip. Plus, it's a great last minute destination because it doesn't require much planning.
Aim for late summer into fall if you want the clearest skies and warmest weather. San Fran has a lot of fog, and that's when the city's famous fog backs off the most. Winter trips are still doable (plenty of people, us included, have gone in February), just know it can be cold and windy near the water, so pack layers.
You'll fly into SFO, and from there it's an easy ride into the city. Public transit runs about an hour and costs around $10 a person, which beats paying for a cab or rideshare if you're not in a hurry. You can see the highlights without feeling rushed, and you don't really need a car unless you're planning to head out to Napa, the coast, or somewhere further south.
The Highlights
Top Things to Do in San Francisco
Start with a cable car ride! It's a staple. The Powell Hyde line is the one to take, since it runs from Powell & Market through Russian Hill, past Lombard Street, and drops you at Fisherman's Wharf. From there it's an easy stroll to Pier 39, where you can see sea lions all over the docks!
We recommend spending some time in Alamo Square too (home of the Painted Ladies!). These are Victorian row houses you've probably seen in photos. The Ferry Building is worth a stop too, less as a "sight" and more as a place to grab coffee or a snack and watch the city go by.
The Golden Gate Bridge deserves its own chunk of time. Rather than fighting the crowds at the main overlooks, we highly recommend Baker Beach. Especially if you can make it at sunset. So beautiful, very lowkey, and amazing views. And if you have any time left, North Beach (the city's Little Italy) is another nice place to wander with a coffee in hand, especially if you catch the Japanese Tea Garden first. It's free before 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Outdoors
Best Hikes & Views in San Francisco
If you're interested in hikes, Twin Peaks is a great move. It's a short walk that gives you a view of the whole city, fog permitting. Bernal Heights Park does something similar but with fewer people around, if you want to skip the crowds.
For bridge views specifically, cross the Golden Gate on foot and keep going up Conzelman Rd. to Battery Spencer. It's genuinely one of the best angles on the bridge you'll find, and most visitors never make it that far.
Base Camp
Where to Stay in San Francisco
We stayed at the Kensington Park Hotel in Union Square, and it's a solid pick if you want to be in the middle of everything. It was walkable to the cable car lines, North Beach, and most of downtown. If you're looking for something cheaper or fancier, Union Square and Nob Hill are the 2 neighborhoods worth comparing, since both keep you within walking distance of the main sights without needing a car.
Eat This
Best Food to Eat in San Francisco
Two spots we'd put at the top of the list: Daeho Kalbijim & Beef Soup and Coqueta. Daeho is honestly one of the best food experiences we've had in years of traveling. So, so yummy! They melt the cheese on the food right in front of you, and the drinks are awesome too. Coqueta is a completely different vibe but just as good: a Spanish tapas spot on Pier 5 with gorgeous bay views right near the Ferry Building. Get the croquetas and the wood grilled octopus and thank us later.
Beyond those two, you have to get the seafood chowder in a bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf at least once. It's so good! For something sweet, Stella Pastry & Cafe is the spot, and you really can't go wrong with the sacripantina, the tiramisu, or the cheesecake. If burritos are more your thing, La Taqueria gets called one of the best in the entire country on a regular basis, and it lives up to it.
For a coffee with a view, the Warming Hut Cafe looks right out at the Golden Gate Bridge, which is hard to beat. And if you want a proper sit down dinner, Italian Homemade Company and Lazy Bear are both worth building an evening around.
Spend Smarter
Ways to Save Money in San Francisco
A few easy ones: hit the Japanese Tea Garden before 10am on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and it's free. Take public transit in from the airport instead of a cab, it's a fraction of the cost and barely any slower. And remember that walking or biking across the Golden Gate Bridge costs nothing at all, so save your money for the things you actually can't do yourself. It's also worth checking what's happening around town while you're there. We caught Chinatown's Lunar New Year celebration, and free local events like that are often the best part of a trip.
Local Tip
Go Above or Below the Bridge
Skip the packed overlooks on the main side of the bridge and go above or below the bridge. It's quieter, more local, and incredibly beautiful!
