Looking for a travel guide to San Francisco that will give you efficient planning tips, the perfect photo spots, and impressive restaurant recommendations? You’re in the right place! San Francisco is a gorgeous city in Northern California with iconic sites like the Golden Gate Bridge, ideal weather year-round, and rich culture that can be discovered in the many neighborhoods that make up this destination.
In this travel guide, I will share my tips for where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in San Francisco.
P.S. Don’t call it “San Fran” or “Frisco” – it’s “San Francisco,” “SF”, or “the city” to the locals.
Table of Contents
STAY
There are many neighborhoods and hotels to choose from in San Francisco. I recommend sticking to the neighborhoods of Nob Hill, Union Square, or North Beach. Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular and convenient area for accommodations, but I, personally, think it is too crowded with tourists.
HOTEL EMBLEM
My husband and I stayed at Hotel Emblem, a Viceroy hotel, and have nothing but good things to say about our stay there. Keep in mind that this was three years ago (2019), so things may have changed over the years. What we loved was the convenient location and urban style of the hotel. The lobby bar was also a great spot to stop and ground ourselves with a plan before venturing into the city.
Book HERE!
MORE OPTIONS
Fairmont San Francisco, White Swan Inn, San Francisco Proper
EAT AND DRINK
If you know, you know – I’m always looking for a combination of good food and drinks AND good vibes when I travel. In my opinion, San Francisco gives NYC some competition in the bar and restaurant scene, which is saying a lot! When I return to a city, I like to try new spots, but I would honestly consider returning to some of these San Francisco bars and restaurants on my next visit because they’re THAT good.
I highly recommend making some dinner reservations in advance of your travels – I always check out Resy first.
COFFEE
Coffee: Equator Coffee, Sightglass Coffee, Philz Coffee
BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
Breakfast & Brunch: Plow, Le Marais Bakery, Mama’s on Washington Square
LUNCH & DINNER
Italian: Flour + Water | My favorite meal – order a few dishes + wine to share.
Mexican: La Taqueria | A trip to SF is not complete without a mission-style burrito!
Greek: Souvla | This local chain is casual and delicious. You must order baklava frozen Greek yogurt.
Seafood: Hog Island Oyster Co. | Order oysters from the location in the historic Ferry Building.
American: Foreign Cinema | A vibey patio with movies playing on the wall. A great brunch option, too.
COCKTAILS
Cocktails: Trick Dog, Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, El Techo
Tip: Go to Trick Dog before dinner, Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar after dinner, and go to El Techo’s rooftop for happy hour (M-F 4-6pm).
SEE AND DO
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
Walking the Golden Gate Bridge is an obvious must-do, but I recommend a scenic hike leading up to the bridge itself. Start at the Palace of Fine Arts, continue on to Crissy Field, then Fort Point, and, finally, find your way to the Battery East Trail that will lead you to the Welcome Center at the south end of the bridge. It will take you several hours to complete the scenic hike + crossing the bridge, but the views are so worth it!
Tip: Note that crossing the bridge can be a windy and chilly experience so bring a light jacket!
LOMBARD STREET
Lombard Street is also known as “the crookedest street in the world.” Walk down the steep hill made of eight sharp turns for views of the Coit Tower and Bay Bridge. The perfectly manicured homes are a nice touch, too!
Tip: Start at the top!
MISSION DOLORES PARK
Head to Mission Dolores Park on a sunny day and have a picnic – a vibe!
THE PAINTED LADIES
The Painted Ladies are located along Alamo Square and have to be one of the most iconic sites in San Francisco. Not only are they known for their feature on “Full House,” but also for their picturesqueness. Alamo Square offers the best view of the houses and is also a perfect spot to stop and relax.
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
The Wharf attracts tourists all day long. Come here to see the sea lions at Pier 39, soak up the bay views (you can see Alcatraz Island from afar), and grab a quick bite. Don’t spend too much time here, though – there is so much more to see and do in this San Francisco travel guide!
WINE COUNTRY + MUIR WOODS
Take a day trip to Sonoma + Napa for winetasting! I recommend booking a tour that will pick you up in the city, drive you to the wineries/vineyards, and arrange for all of your tastings. The tour that we chose also stopped at Muir Woods to see the incredible redwood trees on the way to Sonoma/Napa AND at a Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint on the way back to the city. It was an all-around great day!
Book HERE!
If your flight is not already booked, I hope this San Francisco travel guide leaves you ready to book one! San Francisco should definitely be on your U.S. cities travel bucket list!
TIPS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
You can really visit San Francisco anytime! I have traveled here in July and November with no complaints about the weather. September, October, and November are considered some of the best months to visit, while the summer months tend to bring cooler temperatures and regular appearances from Karl the Fog. Regardless, the climate is mild – never too hot or too cold.
GETTING AROUND
To/From SFO Airport: The BART train is an affordable option – you can find the airport station in Terminal G Departures. Takes approximately 30 minutes to/from downtown. You can also Uber, which takes approximately 25 minutes to/from downtown.
In general, public transportation and Uber are the best ways to get around San Francisco. I love to walk, but the hills can be killer!
Tip: Save locations to a list on Google Maps – your hotel, bars and restaurants, sights, etc. for planning your days efficiently. This will help you see which sights, bars, and restaurants are in the same areas.
PACKING
It is essential to pack 1) comfortable walking shoes for the hilly streets and 2) a light jacket for the mild climate.
My complete guide to how to pack for travel is saved HERE!
COVID-19
With the spread of COVID-19, all travelers should prioritize their health and safety. Rules and restrictions are constantly changing, so stay updated HERE for related rules and restrictions in San Francisco.
Jetset with Jasmine contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you!
