Back when I finally left my corporate job at Alternative Apparel and committed to blogging full time, one of the things I promised myself was that I’d actually go to the cities I’d always wanted to visit. No more work trips to places that weren’t on my list. I wanted the bucket list cities. San Francisco was absolutely one of them.
So my best friend Cathy (you know her as Poor Little It Girl) and I packed our bags, flew together for the first time (with a lot of wine, naturally) and headed to the West Coast. We spent a few days exploring the city before doing a short and very chaotic trip to Napa. I’ve been meaning to give this post the full update it deserves for a while now, because honestly, San Francisco is one of those cities that stays with you.
Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip, from the iconic spots to the best food to a few practical tips that’ll make the whole thing run a lot smoother.
Things To Do In San Francisco
Where Is San Francisco?
San Francisco is located on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in California. It’s surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the San Francisco Bay to the east. It sits in Northern California, about 380 miles north of Los Angeles. Despite being a major city, it’s surprisingly compact at just about 7 miles by 7 miles, which makes it very walkable. The hills, however, will absolutely humble you.
What Is San Francisco Known For?
San Francisco is one of the most iconic cities in the United States and honestly, it earns every bit of that reputation. It’s known for the Golden Gate Bridge, the cable car system that still winds through the hills, the colorful Victorian houses at Alamo Square and a food scene that is genuinely world class.
Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown (the oldest in North America), and neighborhoods like North Beach and the Mission each have their own completely distinct personality. It’s also a natural gateway to Napa and Sonoma wine country, which makes it a perfect home base for a day trip or two beyond the city.
When Is The Best Time To Visit San Francisco?
This is a city that surprises people. The Mark Twain quote about the coldest winter he ever spent being a summer in San Francisco is not entirely wrong. Summers here are foggy and cool, which catches a lot of first-time visitors totally off guard.
The best time to visit San Francisco is fall, specifically September and October, when the fog clears and you get warm, beautiful days that feel like the city is finally showing off. Spring is also really lovely. If you’re visiting in the summer, pack a jacket regardless of what you see on the weather app.
Is San Francisco Safe?
Like any major city, San Francisco has neighborhoods that feel safer than others. The most popular tourist areas including Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Nob Hill, North Beach and the Ferry Building area are generally well-trafficked and feel very comfortable. Some other areas, particularly the Tenderloin, have seen more challenges in recent years and are worth being aware of. Use the same common sense you would in any major city, keep your belongings close and be aware of your surroundings. I felt comfortable the entire time we were there and would go back without a second thought.
How Far Is San Francisco From Los Angeles?
San Francisco is about 380 miles north of Los Angeles. By car, you’re looking at roughly 5.5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic, and California freeway traffic is no joke. Flights between the two cities run very frequently and are usually under an hour and a half. There’s also the scenic Amtrak Coast Starlight route, which takes longer but is a beautiful way to travel if you have the time and want to see the California coastline.
What To Do In San Francisco
San Francisco has a plethora of things to do, from free experiences like exploring Alamo Square, to unique adventures like Sutro Baths and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. There’s truly something for everyone.
Things To Do In San Francisco For Free
Golden Gate Bridge
Seeing the Golden Gate Bridge in person is genuinely one of those moments. You can walk or bike across the entire bridge and take in views of the bay, the city skyline and the view of the Palace of Fine Arts in the distance. Walking across is completely free and absolutely worth doing.
Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies
You’ve seen these houses on every postcard. When Cathy and I visited, I played the Full House theme song basically the entire time we were standing there. They’re not quite as bright as I imagined them to be in person, but still absolutely gorgeous, especially on a clear day.
Golden Gate Park
This massive urban park stretches across the city and is completely free to explore on its own. You could spend an entire day here wandering the trails, visiting the Japanese Tea Garden, catching a free outdoor concert or just finding a patch of grass to sit on. It’s also home to the California Academy of Sciences if you want to add a ticketed attraction to your day.
Twin Peaks
For one of the best panoramic views in the entire city, head to Twin Peaks. It’s a short drive or hike up to the top and from there you can see the full San Francisco skyline. Go at sunset if you can plan it that way. It’s worth every step.
Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill
Coit Tower sits at the top of Telegraph Hill and is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The murals inside are stunning, and the walk up through the wild parrots that live on Telegraph Hill is genuinely one of those only-in-San-Francisco experiences that you just have to do once.
Unique Things To Do In San Francisco
Sutro Baths
The ruins of a massive Victorian-era public bathhouse right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It sounds like it could be underwhelming and it is anything but. The surrounding coastal trails are beautiful and there’s something genuinely eerie and stunning about seeing these ruins with the ocean crashing just beyond them.
California Academy of Sciences
Located inside Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is one of the most unique natural history museums you’ll ever visit. It has an aquarium, a planetarium, a living rainforest and a living roof all under one building. Great for any age and worth building real time around.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
SFMOMA is one of the best modern art museums in the country. It’s right in the heart of the city and the collection is seriously impressive. If you’re at all into art, budget at least two hours here.
Lombard Street
Our taxi driver took us down Lombard Street and I genuinely cannot believe people choose to live on this road. It’s the famous crooked, flower-lined street that winds down a very steep hill. The view from the top looking out over the city is amazing and it’s one of those quintessential San Francisco things that you just do.
Explore The Neighborhoods
San Francisco is a city where the neighborhoods are the whole point. Each one has its own completely distinct personality. North Beach is where you go for Italian food, live music and a great late night energy. The Mission is colorful, creative and has some of the best tacos and murals you’ll find anywhere.
Hayes Valley is the one for boutique shopping and really good coffee. And if you want something that feels residential and charming, Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights are worth an afternoon and are one of my favorites. I have a full guide on things to do in Pacific Heights if you want all the details on where to eat and stay in that part of the city.
Things To Do In San Francisco At Night
Explore North Beach
North Beach is San Francisco’s historic Italian neighborhood and the birthplace of the Beat Generation. It’s one of the best places to spend an evening. Walk the streets, pop into Vesuvio Cafe for a drink, grab a slice somewhere along Columbus Avenue, and stay for live music. The whole neighborhood has a great energy at night.
Catch Live Jazz
San Francisco has a wonderful jazz scene. The SFJAZZ Center is the main venue, but there are smaller spots throughout the city hosting nightly performances. It’s the kind of thing that makes a San Francisco evening feel like a real occasion.
Things To Do In Chinatown, San Francisco
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America and one of the most vibrant in the country. Walk through the Dragon Gate entrance on Grant Avenue, browse the tea shops and herb stores, grab a pork bun from one of the bakeries and just wander slowly. It’s a neighborhood best experienced without a strict agenda. Don’t miss the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, where you can watch fortune cookies being made by hand right in front of you.
Things To Do In Union Square, San Francisco
Union Square is the center of San Francisco’s shopping district, surrounded by department stores, designer boutiques and plenty of good restaurants. Ride the iconic cable car that runs right through the area, browse the shops and use it as a base to get your bearings before heading out to other neighborhoods. It’s also one of the most central areas for hotels if you want to be close to everything.
Things To Do In San Francisco With Kids
Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf
Pier 39 is one of the most visited spots in the entire city and for very good reason. The sea lions alone make it worth the trip. Fisherman’s Wharf has clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls (truly essential), the Musée Mécanique with antique arcade games, and endless things to do and see. It’s lively, fun, and genuinely works for everyone.
California Academy of Sciences
Already mentioned above but worth repeating, especially for families. The kids’ zone, the aquarium and the planetarium shows are all excellent. Plan to spend at least half a day h
Things To Do In San Francisco Bay Area
Day Trip to Napa
Cathy and I added a short Napa trip to the end of our San Francisco stay. I’ll be completely honest: we did not do Napa justice. We were exhausted from the city, the weather was terrible and we did not plan well. We did eat at Ad Hoc, Thomas Keller’s more casual Napa restaurant, which was everything I hoped for and had been on my list for years. But overall, I need to go back and do it properly.
If you’re going to Napa, give yourself more than 24 hours and go to the smaller, family-run wineries rather than the big commercial ones. That’s the version of Napa I want to experience next time.
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Your Travel Guide To Pacific Heights, SF
A charming neighborhood full of great restaurants, boutique hotels and some of the best coffee in the city. Here’s everything worth doing in one of SF’s most lovable neighborhoods.
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Muir Woods
Just north of the city, Muir Woods is a stunning old-growth redwood forest and one of the most accessible places to experience the sheer scale of these trees. It’s about a 45-minute drive from downtown San Francisco and makes for a really easy and memorable day trip.
Best Places To Eat In San Francisco
Ferry Building Farmer’s Market
Hands down the best thing we did the entire trip. A friend had told me about it and she was completely right. We showed up hungry and ate what amounted to three different breakfasts. The lox toast was one of the best things I have ever eaten. We then planted ourselves at Hog Island Oyster Bar for the rest of the afternoon eating oysters and clam chowder with a view of the bay. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, this is absolutely non-negotiable.
Hog Island Oyster Co.
Technically inside the Ferry Building but worth calling out on its own. Some of the freshest oysters you will find anywhere, and sitting along the waterfront watching the bay while you eat is exactly the kind of afternoon that makes you understand why people love this city so much.
State Bird Provisions
One of San Francisco’s most celebrated restaurants, State Bird Provisions serves creative California cuisine in a dim sum style format where dishes come around on carts and you pick what you want. It’s fun, it’s different, and the food is genuinely exceptional. Make a reservation well in advance, this one books up fast.
Zuni Cafe
A San Francisco institution since 1979. Their roasted chicken with bread salad is legendary and I mean that in the most literal sense. The dining room is beautiful and the whole experience feels like a proper San Francisco evening.
The Palace Hotel High Tea
Cathy and I stayed at the Palace Hotel downtown and it was absolutely the right call. The lobby alone is worth seeing. Their high tea service with champagne, tea sandwiches and pastries in that stunning room was one of the most memorable parts of the whole trip. It felt like a real treat.
A Few Tips Before You Go
A little planning goes a long way in San Francisco. Here are things I’d add now that I’ve had some distance from that original trip.
The cable car lines are iconic but get very crowded, especially in tourist season. If you want the experience without a long wait, try riding early in the morning or on a weekday. Getting a Clipper card makes navigating public transit much easier and more affordable.
If you’re short on time, prioritize the neighborhoods over the landmark checklist. Wandering through North Beach, the Mission or the Hayes Valley area will give you more of the actual feel of the city than ticking off attractions back to back. San Francisco’s personality lives in its streets and its people.
Layers are non-negotiable no matter what time of year you visit. I cannot stress this enough.
And if you’re pairing this trip with Napa, please learn from my mistakes and actually plan the Napa portion. It deserves more than a tired 24-hour stopover.
For more travel inspiration, check out my Copenhagen Travel Guide, my Seville Travel Guide, and all my travel guides right here.
