San Francisco has a little bit for everyone. This is the 13th biggest city in the US, but the second most densely populated, only behind New York. Before your San Francisco vacation check out this Quick Travel Guide to San Francisco.
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Cool Places in San Francisco
When you think of San Francisco you probably imagine the Golden Gate Bridge, or those movie police chase scenes over those crazy hilly streets. But there are loads more cool places in San Francisco, and here are our top picks.
Golden Gate Bridge: Whatever you do, you should take a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether you walk, cycle or drive, this is an essential part of visiting San Francisco. Snapping the best Golden Gate Bridge photo on Instagram seems to be somewhat of a global phenomenon.
Pier 39: Just a boring old pier, you say. Not this one. This is a bustling hub of restaurants, buskers, museums, and sea lions. Yes it even comes with it’s very own colony of wild sea lions. Pier 39 is at the top of the list in all good SF city guides.
Alcatraz Island: Another famous movie set in many classic movies, Alcatraz is now famous for thousands of eager visitors. It’s just a short ferry ride from Pier 39, and you get to walk all over this scenic part of San Francisco Harbour. This is the most popular of all San Francisco tours.
Twin Peaks: Assuming you have a car, Twin Peaks is a great free place to get uninterrupted views of downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Fine Arts Gallery: There is a relaxing walking area outside the arts gallery which has an ancient Roman styling, great for a relaxing stroll and a few selfies.
Day Trips from San Francisco
The Bay Area is amazing, full of interesting places to visit. But here are the day tours from San Francisco which we recommend the most.
Yosemite National Park: It’s a big day out, but it is possible to visit Yosemite National Park in a single day. Here you will find towering waterfalls, massive granite domes and giant hanging valleys, making it one of the premier UNESCO World Heritage sites on the planet.
Napa Valley: With over 400 wineries, Napa Valley is not to be missed for any wine lover. There are many tours to this popular area, within easy reach of San Francisco.
Best Places to Stay in San Francisco
Here is a brief breakdown of the best location to stay in San Francisco, according to taste:
- Fisherman’s Wharf: Tourists
- SoMa: Foodies
- Downtown/Union Square: Shopping
- Noe Valley: Families
- Haight/Ashbury: Quirky
- North Beach: Italian Culture
- The Mission: Hipster
Cheap Accommodation in San Francisco
HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel is in a superb downtown Union Square location. A very economical way to experience the true San Francisco, and a perfect starting point for your San Francisco city tour.
Mid Range
The Hotel Zephyr is a quirky, hip hotel located right near Fisherman’s Wharf, the most touristy area of San Francisco. Just 5 minutes walk to the Wharf, with ample public transport options available.
Affordable Luxury
The best value genuine 5 star luxury is San Francisco is without a doubt The Fairmont San Francisco Hotel. This is a luxuriously decorated historical building in the heart of San Francisco, close to Chinatown. You will have no trouble finding things to do in this neighbourhood.
Quick Travel Guide to San Francisco
Plan Your Trip to San Francisco
California Road Trip
A great way to see San Francisco is to make it part of your California Road Trip. Check out our Ultimate 2 Week Itinerary for your California Road Trip, including San Francisco.
Read More about San Francisco
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