SF Travel Guide: 17 Must See’s
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San Francisco is only a 7×7 mile radius, but it has so much jam-packed into it, that it is impossible to cover it all in a day or even a weekend. Here is your travel guide to San Francisco and what not to miss when you are visiting. If you are buying tickets, check out Trip Advisor for killer deals!! I haven’t really used Trip Advisor but it has some of the best deals on Cable Cars, Alcatraz, the Double Decker Bus and multiple shows. Check it out!
Where to Stay?
SF has so many little districts it can get confusing where is the best spot. My personal favorites are by the Wharf (might be pricey), by the water, Union Square or Financial District. My go to app when traveling and booking hotels is Hotel Tonight. Always cheap prices and last-minute. I love this app! Some of my fav hotels are the W near Financial District, Hotel Vitale on the water by the Bay Bridge, and Hyatt Centric by the Wharf. There are so many to choose from at good prices.
1. Golden Gate Bridge
Sounds obvious but you literally cannot miss it, let the tourist inside you come out. There are so many different views. One of our favs that provides a less standard picture is going to Vista Point over the bridge on the Sausalito side. Talk about a bridge selfie with SF in the background, gorgeous! You can also get up close and personal on Baker Beach, Fort Point, or you can walk Land’s End all the way to bridge to get a good view of the bridge from all angles.
If you have done any research you know this makes the travel guide to San Francisco. Nothing says SF like a good old-fashioned Cable Car ride. There are a few different spots you can hop on and off at, but I suggest killing three birds with one stone. Get on the Cable Car at Powell and Hyde. Before you hop in line check out the BEST Irish Coffee place.
Known for the coffee’s and the ambiance of legendary bartenders that have slayed Irish coffee drinks for 40+ years here. You cannot skip this spot. After you have a coffee or three. Hop on the cable car and get off at
AKA the ‘crookedest’ street in the world. It worth walking down the steep and windy road, driving down is fun too if you are touring town in your own whip. Travel guide must for any tourist.
Is the 200+foot white tower that you can see just about everywhere in the city. The lower level is decorated in murals, the murals portray different jobs and what a day looked like from back in the day (early 1900’s/depression era). During the week you have to take the elevator up 210 feet to the top of the tower, I think on the weekend you can choose to walk up all the steps, this costs about $8 for adults and $5 for kids. If there is a line (which there will be) wait in it, totally worth it, especially on a clear day! When you get to the top you can see Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Sausalito, everything.
This is a tourist hot spot and travel guide must. You can see all the sea lions, sometimes you can catch the fisherman chasing them off the dock. It is hilarious. Also, on the Pier there are all sorts of shops, it is a tourist’s heaven. If you forgot a jacket because for some reason you though SF was warm you can grab a cute and affordable hoodie in any of these shops. Stop by the Fudgery they do free tastings YOLO. If you are getting hungry head upstairs to the Pier Market Seafood, they have a cute patio looking at the ocean and the sea lions. There is also a hidden Tiki Lounge at the Pint and Play that is filled with arcade games (this is tourist land in here). By the Carousel they usually do a magic show that you can get sucked into too.
A few piers over where you can get some of the best seafood. Get some Clam Chowder, all these spots are terrific. Alioto’s is my favorite spot, I took my parents here for dinner when they visited, best risotto ever!!!! For clam chowder check out Number 9 Fisherman’s Grotto. Amazing!
Plus, you look out over the ocean at sunset. HISTORY BUFFS alert: on the pier you will find two navy ships, USS Pampanito and SS Jeremiah O’Brien. You can tour these ships and the museum! You can also find, Musee Mecanique. It is a big warehouse filled with old-fashioned and antique arcade games.
8. Alamo Square and 9. Painted Ladies
Alamo Square is the park across from the painted ladies. You can grab a snack at one of the markets around the block or bring your own. My girlfriend came to visit and one of the things on her list was to have wine at Alamo Square… she is a romantic. FYI for a house to be considered a painted lady it must be Victorian or Edwardian and painted 3 or more different colors. There is a little tourist knowledge for you!
Great spots to get a 360 of the city on a clear day! These two city hikes are my favorite on the travel guide. Check out my post with more details on these beautiful bay area hikes.
The tiled steps are tucked away in a neighborhood in between two houses. It was the communities idea to beautify the steps so they go an artist and helped created the sea of stars and suns.
Twin Peaks is in the middle of the city with one of the best views I have ever seen and I have been chasing views of SF ever since I got here. This place is so simple and yet so breathtaking. They are only a few miles from each other and quick if you want to squeeze both in. Here is more on the fun I have had there.
12. Union Square
Talk about getting your tourist on! To get some shopping down or to just admire the fancy stores. Personally I would do my ‘window shopping’ here. Mikee and I went to Macy’s during the holidays and found this cute ‘Wine Bar’ where we could watch people ice skate. They have killer make your own charcuterie boards and great wine!
In the Hilton in Union Square is the best option for a nice drink, also a great location to stay! The food is very limited, but I have a great late-night dinner spot if you are open to something crazy. We have yet to have a guest visit and not take them here. It is the best for sunset and to stick around and watch all the city lights come one.
I recommend adults only, but I have seen kids here. It is a drag show unlike any other, a pre-fixe menu, the food is ok, but the show is phenomenal, you need to make reservations! If this isn’t for you don’t forget I mentioned Alioto for some great seafood or Union Square has a ton of options too. If you are feeling fancy and in the mood for the best steak ever check out Epic Steakhouse, it is right on the water by Hotel Vitale. I went here for a work dinner and we ordered everything and it was all amazing. The prices are high but worth it.
After a long day of following this travel guide, you deserve a drink or ten! Is a fun bar vibe with lots of different games to play, everything from skeeball to pool to pac man. Something for everyone. My husband loves playing games, he is not one to just sit around and drink, so this is the spot we like to got to. There is another one that is newer and busier it is called Emporium, I have not been but heard it stays packed.
If you are lucky enough to be in town for Giants Game? GO! We are season ticket holders so we get our fix when it comes to baseball. The team is great and the fans are even better which is what makes the games so fun! My favorite part about the park is that it over looks the bay and depending on where your seats are you can see the bridge too! They are so fun, and tickets are cheap, check out the GameTime App for discounts. If you do go here is the down low on park.
17. Bars
Looking to get out and see the nightlife, check out Polk Street it is all bars and restaurants. It is San Francisco so there is a bar for everyone, whether you are looking to have a chill night at a lounge or go to a rave you can find it here. They are also sprinkled all throughout SF.
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Travel Guide Conclusion
San Francisco does not only have attractions covered but it is one of the most cultured cities. The best way to get a feel for this is to check out one of the museums or the different neighborhoods mentioned in this travel guide. I recommend MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) this will last a whole day! California Academy of Science is great for kids and adults. They even do an Adults only on Thursday nights. The Exploratorium is an interactive science museum that all ages love too!!
We have done these things more than once, especially with company! Not only is it affordable but it gives you a good taste of the city and all the different things it has to offer. This list should keep you busy for the weekend.
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11 Comments
Jamie Sabel
SF is definitely on my travel list for 2019. I look forward to hitting as many of the sites as possible. Thanks for the inspiration!
admin
Happy you enjoyed it! Feel free to reach out to me about other fun SF activities! I have a ton! 🙂
Louise Salmond
I love San Francisco. THere is so much life and culture in that city.
Dora
Thanks for the travel guide! I will definitely hit up some of these places the next time the local tourist bug bites 🙂
Lina
San Francisco is on my bucket list. This is a great list to have. Thanks.
Lauren
I just posted a very similar blog post but only about half of our items overlapped! Always love to see others suggestions and I am going to try to add some of these in before I leave! Thanks for sharing ☺️
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