San Francisco is one of the most well-known cities in the US. It’s iconic attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and cable cars make it a popular destination. It’s also a great starting point for trips to Napa Valley and the northern California National Parks. Amanda spent quite a bit of time here between 2011-2013 and we’ve visited a few times as a couple. While the city may have gone “downhill” in the last few years (as of our experience in 2019), it’s still worth a visit.
How to Get Here
San Francisco has two major airports, SFO to the south and OAK to the north, which makes flying here quite easy from most locations in the US as well as from international locations. If you’re staying in the city or surrounding areas, we would recommend not renting a car. There are lots of public transportation options including Lyft, Uber and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). BART is a great option from either airport as it is far cheaper and you’ll avoid the highway traffic. You can buy a pass at the station or online and it provides frequent service into the city from the East Bay, Berkley, San Jose, etc. Once you’re in the city we highly recommend walking (after you take a ride on the cable car of course!). You’ll be able to get a good feel for all the neighborhoods as well as your daily dose of exercise…those hills are no joke so wear comfortable shoes.
Trip Length
We would recommend 4-7 days depending on whether you want to venture outside the city or not. The climate is pretty mild throughout the year. You’ll always want to pack layers, including a light jacket even in the summer months. Amanda’s favorite time to visit is September-October. The sun is usually out, and the busy summer tourist season is over.
Where to Stay
You’ll find plenty of options from boutique hotels, national chains and Airbnb’s. Since Amanda traveled here for work, she stayed just off Union Square at Hotel Abri where the client had a corporate account. This was a convenient location as it is close to a BART station, shopping and dining. There are other more cost-effective options in some of the other neighborhoods. One of the areas we would recommend avoiding is the Tenderloin and to some extent Civic Center areas. The Tenderloin has been known as one of the ‘rougher’ neighborhoods. This is quite a popular spot for the homeless population and always had drug activity, but Amanda noticed a definite increase in the number of drug deals occurring on the sidewalk during the day in a visit in 2019.
What to Do
There is a variety of things to do in this 7 x 7 (miles) city. Here are a few of our favorites:
Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point – one of the most recognizable bridges in the world! To get a feel for how massive the bridge is, take a walk across or rent a bike and pedal over. Fort Point, a national historic site located at the base of the bridge on the SF side, is open to visitors for free. Self-guided tours or ranger led tours are available. See website for hours of operation.
The Presidio and The Walt Disney Family Museum – located at the base of the GGB, the Presidio is a National Historic Landmark that once served as a military base. Today it provides recreational and educational opportunities to residents and visitors. Bike and walking paths wind around sports fields, a golf course and old military structures. On a nice day, grab a picnic lunch and watch the sailboats in the bay. The Walt Disney Family Museum is a must for any Disney fans. The museum holds memorabilia from the early days of Disney through today.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Golden Gate Park – There are quite a few small parks scattered throughout the city, but Golden Gate Park and the National Recreation Area are the other two large greenspaces outside of the Presidio. Check out the remains of the Sutro Baths and the views from Lands End. Grab a bite to eat with a view at Cliff House or Louis’ Restaurant. Golden Gate Park houses gardens, museums, sports fields, a golf course, small lakes with boat rentals…the list goes on. Two of Amanda’s favorites are the Botanical Garden and the Japanese Tea Garden.
Wine Country – California is known for its wine. Sonoma and Napa Valley are popular spots for wine enthusiasts. Tours run from the city out to wine country and there are lodging options there so that you can relax, enjoy some wine and stay safe. Book in advance and be ready to pay for the convenience and safety. It’s a fun way to get out of the city if you can go off season and avoid the crowds and traffic.
Alcatraz – one of the most popular tourist attractions in the bay area. Best known as a maximum-security federal penitentiary, the National Park Service now maintains this historic site. Ferries depart daily from Pier 33 and will take you to/from the island. Book your ticket online in advance so that you are guaranteed to get a spot on the ferry without spending hours in line. Audio tours and ranger led tours are available. The ‘Rock’ is full of history that will keep everyone in your group entertained.
Other things to see and do
Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 have all the typical tourist traps but it’s worth navigating the crowds to see the sea lions barking at all the tourists.
Coit Tower and Pioneer Park – Dedicated to the fireman of the city by wealthy Lillie Hitchcock Coit. Walk the stairs or pay a small fee to ride the elevator to the top and experience the 360-degree views on a clear day. Parking is limited so take public transportation or get your heart pumping with a walk up to the tower.
The Ferry Building – small farmers market, restaurants and other retail now inhabit this building which once served as a transportation hub for the city. This is a great place to grab some food and watch the ferries coming and going.
Cable Cars! Yes, you’ll look like a tourist. Yes, it’s worth it. A fun, affordable experience. It’s also a good way to avoid walking up some of those notorious hills. If you chose not to hop on, visit one of the manual turnaround stations as it’s not something you can experience many places (example: Powell Street). We have not visited the Cable Car Museum but seems like it would be a quick stop if you’re interested in more of the history.
Oracle Field (formerly AT&T Field) – Home of the San Francisco Giants. This is a fun stadium to visit. Sit a little higher than normal to have a view of the bay while watching the game.
Various Neighborhoods – even though the city is fairly small, there are many diverse neighborhoods. North Beach is Amanda’s favorite by far, likely due to all the yummy Italian food and cute parks. Bustling with locals and tourist, Chinatown and Union Square are smack in the middle of many of the sites we’ve listed thus far. Mission, Marina, Richmond, Sunset, The Castro, Haight-Ashbury, and more. Check out the SF Travel website to see which ones might fit your mood.
There are tons of restaurants and bars in this 7×7 sq. mile radius. There are too many to list but reach out if you’d like recommendations from two non-foodies.
There are many other sights to see in the “City by the Bay”. If you ever find yourself there and need a recommendation let us know!