Tourist in San Francisco

Always book on the official website. Other sites resell the same tickets for a lot more.

San Francisco seen from the plane — San Francisco from the plane

The map of San Francisco

Tap a numbered pin to see a photo. Use + and − (or scroll / pinch) to zoom, and drag to move around.

Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Overlook Point
Palace of Fine Arts
Ghirardelli Square & Fort Mason
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39
Alcatraz Island
Coit Tower
Lombard Street & Harry Potter door
Chinatown & Little Italy
Ferry Building
Embarcadero
Salesforce Park & FiDi
Union Square
Cable car (start at Market Street)
Mission Bay & baseball stadium
Dolores Park
Castro district
Twin Peaks
Haight-Ashbury
Painted Ladies
Golden Gate Park
Sausalito

1
Golden Gate Bridge
The city's icon. Walk or cycle across it for the full experience. It is free to walk or cycle across; by car there is an automatic $10 toll. Keep to the right side (the San Francisco to Sausalito side) on weekdays from 5am to 3pm; on weekends and after 3pm, use the left side. Best views from San Francisco: the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and the Golden Gate Overlook Point (see point 2).
How to get there
Easiest by Uber / Lyft or by bike. Parking is very limited.
Opening hours
The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center is open daily from 9am–6pm.
2
Golden Gate Overlook Point
An amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge between two giant trees. There are no tourists here. This is also the beginning of the Lands End Trail loop (5.7 km / 3.6 miles).
How to get there
By Uber / Lyft, or by bike. No issue to park.
3
Palace of Fine Arts
A grand rotunda and lagoon near the Marina, beautiful at dusk. Free to enter.
How to get there
By bike or on foot — it is very close to the Marina. Plenty of free parking nearby.
Opening hours
Open daily, free to enter.
4
Ghirardelli Square & Fort Mason
The old Ghirardelli chocolate factory near the Marina, now a square with shops and an ice cream parlour. Take the stairs and wander around. Fort Mason nearby is a grassy waterfront park with great views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
How to get there
Best by foot or bike. Not easy to park.
Opening hours
Daily from 9am–10pm. You can buy chocolates indoors and ice cream.
5
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39
Touristy, but worth coming to wander through Pier 39 — at the end on your left you will see the colony of sea lions. Boudin Bakery is famous for its sourdough bread baked in fun shapes (try the turtle). Walk the streets around the pier: very American souvenir shops, and there is also the only Biscoff (Belgian) coffee shop in the world. At In-N-Out, try the hidden menu by asking for a "toasted bun" and "well done fries". The Musée Mécanique is full of very old coin-operated arcade machines.
How to get there
Cable car, by foot or by bike. Not recommended by car — parking is very limited.
Opening hours
Boudin Bakery: 8:30am–9pm daily. Pier 39 retail stores: 10am–9pm daily.
6
Alcatraz Island
San Francisco's criminal past comes alive on Alcatraz Island. Only book on the official site, cityexperiences.com — other sites charge much more for the same ticket (around $50, ferry included). It sells out, so book 1–2 weeks or more in advance. The afternoon day tour gives a nice view of the city from the ferry on the way back. The moment you arrive on the island, first check the ferry board (a ferry goes back every 30 minutes), then walk straight up the road to avoid a long queue for the audio guide. Tip: there is a "no food or drink" sign on the island. Water is ok, and it's not very strict.
How to get there
Best by public transport, taxi or on foot. No parking at Pier 33.
Opening hours
Daily and night tours available. More information and tickets on cityexperiences.com.
7
Coit Tower
A tower on Telegraph Hill with 360-degree views over the city. Take the lift to the top. Entrance fee is $10 for adults.
How to get there
Walk up from North Beach, or take a taxi.
Opening hours
Daily 10am–5pm.
8
Lombard Street & Harry Potter door
The crooked street near Hyde Street. The Harry Potter door is at 2639 Leavenworth Street.
How to get there
To be added.
9
Chinatown & Little Italy
Two lively districts right next to each other. Chinatown is the oldest in North America, and Little Italy (North Beach) is full of Italian cafes and restaurants. Washington Square Park is a nice green spot in the middle of North Beach.
How to get there
To be added.
10
Ferry Building
One of the oldest buildings in San Francisco, with a large indoor market and great food options. From here you can take a ferry to Angel Island. The farmers market runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 2pm.
How to get there
To be added.
Opening hours
To be added.
11
Embarcadero
The waterfront promenade by the Ferry Building, with the Bay Bridge lit up at night.
How to get there
To be added.
12
Salesforce Park & FiDi
The Financial District is a nice area to walk through. Salesforce Park is an elevated rooftop park above the transit center. It is free to visit, and you can go up by a normal elevator or a free gondola.
How to get there
To be added.
Opening hours
To be added.
13
Union Square
The main downtown shopping square, ringed by big department stores.
How to get there
To be added.
Opening hours
To be added.
14
Cable car (start at Market Street)
The best start point is the Cable Car Turnaround at Powell Street (near the IKEA on Market Street). A ticket is $9 per person, bought at the ticket office near the start. A cable car leaves about every 10 minutes, so on weekends get there very early or you can wait up to an hour. The best views run from Market Street towards Fisherman's Wharf, but if you do not want to wait, take it in the opposite direction, where there are fewer people. Best spot: standing on the outside right. There is also a free Cable Car Museum. Tip: San Francisco also has streetcars, which look similar. Streetcars run on an overhead wire, while cable cars are pulled by an underground cable and have an operator at the back.
How to get there
To be added.
Opening hours
To be added.
15
Mission Bay & baseball stadium
One of the newer areas and one of my favorite spots to chill. Arsicault is one of the best bakeries here, and you can eat your almond croissant with a view of the baseball stadium. If you have never been to a baseball game, it is worth seeing one. Games run from April to October, several times a week, with tickets from $20. It can be boring if you are not a big fan, but the stadium has an amazing view, and you can bring in your own food and a reusable water bottle.
How to get there
To be added.
Opening hours
To be added.
16
Dolores Park
A sunny park in the Mission district, with amazing views of the city.
How to get there
To be added.
17
Castro district
San Francisco's historic LGBTQ+ neighbourhood, lively with bars, cafes and the Castro Theatre.
How to get there
To be added.
18
Twin Peaks
San Francisco's best angle, if there is no fog. From this hill you have views over the whole city. Tip: you need a car to drive up to the top. I would not recommend walking unless you are prepared for a full hike.
How to get there
To be added.
19
Haight-Ashbury
The heart of 1960s hippie culture, with colourful Victorian houses, vintage clothing and record stores. At the eastern end of Golden Gate Park.
How to get there
To be added.
20
Painted Ladies
A row of Victorian houses at Alamo Square. There is not much to do besides taking a picture with them.
How to get there
To be added.
21
Golden Gate Park
A huge park, free to enter. Things to do: the dragon near Rainbow Falls, the bison, the Conservatory of Flowers, the SF Botanical Garden, the Rose Garden, the Japanese Tea Garden (paid) and the De Young museum. Tip: entry to the Japanese Tea Garden is free between 9am and 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and the SF Botanical Garden is free from 7:30am to 9am every day.
How to get there
To be added.
Opening hours
To be added.
22
Sausalito
A pretty town across the bay. Bike over the bridge and take the ferry back. Lunch at Equator Coffees or Hook Fish.
How to get there
To be added.

Before you go

ESTA: apply on the official site only, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, at least 72 hours before you fly. Look-alike sites charge much more for exactly the same thing.
Medical insurance: check upfront that you are covered. Healthcare here is very expensive.
Payments: check that your credit card and Revolut work in the US. It is best to travel with a Revolut card. Referral: https://revolut.com/referral/?referral-code=juliet3fi!SEP1-26-AR-RFAC-H1&geo-redirect
eSIM: set one up before you land. I use Airalo: use code JULIE9230 for $3 off your first eSIM, or https://airalo.go.link/cQ2z4.
Lyft: do not download the app in Belgium, only once you arrive in SF. You get 50% off your first ride with my referral: https://www.lyft.com/i/COOREVITS97407?utm_medium=2pi_iacc
Uber: download the app once you arrive in SF.

What to pack

Layers (SF is sunny but windy): long pants, a t-shirt, a sweater and a small jacket that blocks the wind.
Sunscreen and sunglasses. The UV here is very strong.
A plug adapter: https://amzn.to/4qXkWcd
Comfortable walking shoes, since the city is hilly.
A power bank and a reusable water bottle (tap water is fine).

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Getting around

From SFO airport to the city: an Uber or Lyft is the most convenient. The cheapest option (about $10) is the BART train, but it is more hassle.
No need to rent a car if you are staying in the city. To visit Stanford (Palo Alto) or the Google visitor center (Mountain View), take the train (Caltrain) plus an Uber or Lyft. To go to Big Sur, the 17 Mile Drive or Carmel-by-the-Sea, it is best to rent a car.
Muni (tram and metro) and buses: $3 for 2 hours, paid with cash, a Clipper card or a credit card. The cable car is not included.
Bay Wheels bikes: rent them through the Lyft app, electric or normal. They are pricey without a subscription.
Waymo and Zoox: Waymo is a self-driving car from Google. Download the app here, and you can use my referral link for a discount: https://waymo.smart.link/4pcoqniy5?code=JULIEGXT4. Zoox, a self-driving car from Amazon, is not operational yet, but you can add yourself to the waitlist.

Money and tipping

Sales tax: about 8.6% is added at the register on non-food items, so the price on the tag is not what you pay. Groceries are exempt.
Tipping: only when you get table service. The general rule is 15%. With a group of 5 or 6 the tip is often already included, so always check the bill. A 5% SF health surcharge is separate, so still tip 15% and no more. No need to tip Uber, Lyft or coffee bars.

Areas to avoid

Tenderloin.
Market Street (from 5th to 9th).
The BART station surroundings at Civic Center and 16th Street Mission.
Car break-ins: never leave anything visible in a parked car, not even for a minute.

Conditions are extremely block by block in SF. A street can change character within a single block, so trust your eyes and turn around if a street does not feel right.

The classic bike ride: bridge to Sausalito

One of the best days out: the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, then the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf.

Rent a bike at Blazing Saddles, or book the electric bike and ferry option online for about $38 for 4 hours: getyourguide.com. Booking online is cheaper than paying in the store.
Normal bikes are fine. You do not need electric ones unless it is very windy.
Follow the water: go over Fort Mason (steep but short), down to the Marina, and do not miss the Palace of Fine Arts before you carry on.
On the Golden Gate Bridge: on weekdays from 5am to 3pm you cycle on the right side, next to the pedestrians. On weekends, and after 3pm on weekdays, you use the left side.
Lunch in Sausalito: Le Garage (French American bistro with a marina view), Hook Fish (great fish and salads), Equator Coffees (1201 Bridgeway, sandwiches and soups, indoor and outdoor seating) and Lappert's ice cream.
The ferry back (better than cycling back): buy the ticket beforehand, you usually get it when you rent the bike. There is only one ferry an hour, so do not miss it. Drop your bike on the lower deck and go straight to the upper deck for the view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the city and Alcatraz.

The left side of the Golden Gate Bridge — The left side of the bridge

Hook Fish restaurant in Sausalito — Hook Fish, Sausalito

Museums in San Francisco

SFMOMA: the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
De Young: a fine art museum in Golden Gate Park, with a free observation tower.
The Exploratorium: a hands-on science museum on the Embarcadero.
California Academy of Sciences: a natural history museum in Golden Gate Park, with a planetarium, aquarium and rainforest.

Food and drinks

North Beach (Little Italy): Barbara Pinseria and Cocktail Bar, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, and drinks at Bar April Jean.
Chinatown: House of Nanking.
Mission Bay: [restaurant name to add].
Greens: vegetarian food at Fort Mason, with a Golden Gate view.
More restaurants: Flores (Mexican) and Wildseed.
Drinks: the Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar, the tiki bar at the Fairmont.

Greens restaurant at Fort Mason — Greens, at Fort Mason

Something different

Line dancing on Wednesdays at Westwood, from 9pm. There are 3 lessons and a $5 entry fee: westwoodworld.com.

Day trips

Silicon Valley and the Bay Area

Doable by train (Caltrain) plus an Uber or Lyft, so no car needed.

Visit the Google office in Mountain View.
Visit the Apple Store at the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino. You cannot enter Apple Park itself.
Visit the Stanford campus in Palo Alto.

The Google office in Mountain View — The Google office

Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea

Best with a car.

Drive the 17 Mile Drive and stop at Pebble Beach. Start at the Pacific Grove Gate, the Highway 1 Gate or Shepherd's Knoll Gate. It costs $12.50 per vehicle. Map: pebblebeach.com.
Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey.
Big Sur.
Muir Woods and the redwoods.
Napa and Sonoma wine country.

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur — The waterfall at Big Sur

If you have more time

Yosemite.
Lake Tahoe.