San Francisco Guidebook - My Favs
Sightseeing
Ferry Building
Redwood National and State Parks
Yerba Buena Gardens
750 Howard St
Sutro Baths
1004 Point Lobos Ave
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailLands End Trail
Lands End Trail
Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrThe water is freezing and the currents can be very strong. That being said a great beach for sitting in the sand or catching a game of frisbee golf.
776 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StThe water is freezing and the currents can be very strong. That being said a great beach for sitting in the sand or catching a game of frisbee golf.
The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop at Ghirardelli Square
900 North Point StThis will be windy but worth it. The views are amazing.
89 locals recommend
Fort Point National Historic Site
201 Marine DrThis will be windy but worth it. The views are amazing.
Whether you love gorgeous views or the perfect insta pic, this is a great place to go. Also - look for the turtles in the water.
463 locals recommend
Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon StWhether you love gorgeous views or the perfect insta pic, this is a great place to go. Also - look for the turtles in the water.
Pier 39
The EmbarcaderoI love and hate Union Square. There is so much to see but also SO many people. Good shopping, and the Hearts that surround the square are a must see.
817 locals recommend
Union Square
333 Post StI love and hate Union Square. There is so much to see but also SO many people. Good shopping, and the Hearts that surround the square are a must see.
Painted Ladies
Hayes StreetFull House House
1709 Broderick StAre you a fan of Full House? If so, this is a must see!!
Food scene
Kokkari Estiatorio
200 Jackson StChe Fico
838 Divisadero St
Perbacco
230 California St54 Mint Ristorante Italiano
16 Mint PlazaHops & Hominy
1 Tillman PlHenry's Hunan
1708 Church St
Fog Harbor Fish House
Neighborhoods
Hayes Valley
Cow Hollow
Cow Hollow
Traveler advice
Getting around
San Francisco - A True Pedestrian City
San Francisco is a great city to walk around. There are almost constant gorgeous or interesting things to look at. Also, traffic in and around the city can be absolutely terrible. Public transportation is plentiful as are Lyft and Uber services. If you are taking public transportation- get a clipper card (you can load money and use on all public transportation).
What to pack
Come Freeze by the Bay!!
San Francisco is always cold. Maybe not all day, but definitely for parts of the day. I see SO many people wearing San Francisco souvenir hoodies and sweatshirts because people always think “California will be warm.” Not the Bay Area. We have these lovely micro climates that make layering a necessity. In the morning you may need a coat and at 3 you will need a short sleeved shirt, just to need a rain jacket at 4.
Book before you go
Alcatraz —> must see, must reserve
My favorite part of the Alcatraz tour is the boat ride to and from the island. The views from the island are amazing, and the history is rich and interesting. However, if you want to experience this, make sure to book a reservation as soon as you finalize your dates in the Bay Area, these tours sell out, sometimes months in advance. Sometimes tickets are available on stubhub but why pay more than they are worth?