San Francisco, US: A Short Travel Guide
San Francisco is a bustling metropolis in Northern California. Nicknamed "The City by the Bay," it’s famous for iconic US landmarks and steep hills dotted with Victorian style houses. With its unique blend of history, natural beauty, and cultural experiences, it’s one of the most intriguing cities to visit in the United States. In this travel guide, we share our top things to do in San Francisco as well as great places to stay, eat, and drink.
Check out our video about San Francisco to see the best things to do through our camera!
Best Things To Do In San Francisco
Climb to Twin Peaks
See Alamo Square & the Painted Ladies
Get lunch at the Ferry Building Marketplace
Visit the Exploratorium
Stroll around Fisherman’s Wharf (Ghirardelli Square, the Musée Méchanique, & Pier 39)
Explore the sights of Golden Gate Park (Bison Paddock, Queen Wilhelmina Garden, California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden, & Conservatory of Flowers)
Explore the Presidio for its panoramic vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge (Our favorite views include Veterans Overlook, the historic Fort Point, the Postcard viewpoint, and the views along the Batteries to Bluffs hiking trail)
Tour the Mission District (Dolores Park & street art at Clarion Alley & Balmy Alley)
Explore the Marin Headlands
Eat & Drink in North Beach (Little Italy)
Places To Stay In San Francisco
San Remo Hotel ($): Good budget option in a great location, with common shared areas that are kept clean
Francisco Bay Inn ($$ - where we stayed): Renovated hotel with comfy beds and clean rooms in a good location (walking distance from Fishermen's Wharf)
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf ($$$): Beautiful hotel near Ghirardelli Square, with free bikes, private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center
Places To Eat And Drink In San Francisco
Bobo's: fine dining restaurant with good steak and crabs
Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop: famous donut shop
Caffe Trieste: famous poets café
Capo's: good pizza
Cholita Linda (Ferry Building): good tacos and nice outdoor patio
Chubby Noodle: lovely noodle restaurant
Fog Harbor Fish House: good clam chowder at Pier 39
Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience: famous San Francisco chocolate factory
Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant: great Vietnamese food in the heart of Chinatown
Himalayan Cuisine SF: good Nepali and Indian food
Hog Island Oyster Co. (Ferry Building): popular oyster bar at the water
La Taqueria: lovel tacos in Mission (can be a queue)
Madrone Art Bar: Great late-night bar for dancing
Mister Jiu's: popular high-end Chinese restaurant in Chinatown (but very pricey)
Molinari Delicatessen: good sandwiches
Napa Valley Burger Company (Sausalito): gourmet burgers
Original Joe's: great Italian food
Pakwan Restaurant: good Pakistani food in Mission District
Poggio Trattoria (Sausalito): great Italian food
Sam’s Pizza & Burgers: great burgers
San Francisco Brewing Co.: local beers to try
Santeria: good Mexican restaurant in Mission District
Sotto Mare: famous for its fish soup
The Baked Bear: come for the ice cream sandwiches
The Showdown: good local bar
The Trident (Sausalito): waterfront restaurant with high-end food & drinks
Tony's Pizza Napoletana: best pizza in SF
Torraku Ramen - Lombard: great Japanese food
Vesuvio Cafe: the Beat Generation hangout café
Map San Francisco
Find all the places to go, eat, drink, and stay in San Francisco on Google Maps, follow and save the list, do the following:
Tap on the link to open it (click button below)
Tap Follow. This list will now be added to the group of lists you follow.
Optional: To unfollow a list someone shared with you, tap the list Saved.
If you follow the list we made, all our saved places of San Francisco will show up in Your Places. The places will also appear as suggested locations in Google Maps.
Use These Websites To Save Money On Your Trip To San Francisco
Booking.com for places to stay
Skyscanner for cheap flights
GetYourGuide for local tours
Rentalcars.com for affordable car rentals
Are you having a hard time planning your trip to San Francisco? Get our Interactive Travel Planner to keep it all organized.
Need more travel inspiration? Check out our other destinations and articles about the US:
