Looking for a holiday packed with great food, awe-inspiring architecture and liberal locals? San Francisco is ready to welcome you with open arms.
The city is famed for its cool summers, with fog and a chilly breeze that rolls in off the icy waters of the Pacific. But don’t let that put you off, you’ll soon warm up while exploring the city’s steep streets. Filbert Street (pictured above) takes the title for the steepest, while Lombard Street is famous for its dramatic twists and turns.
Whether you’re planning to bed down in the city or visiting as part of a US road trip, here are nine things to do while you’re there.
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
You can’t go to San Francisco without visiting the world famous Golden Gate Bridge and there are plenty of ways to see it – by bike, bus or on foot.
You can purchase a variety of hop-on-hop-off bus tour tickets online, or for a cheaper option, hire a bike from nearby Fisherman’s Wharf or simply walk across the bridge.
If you’re cycling (or don’t mind a long hike) you can continue your journey the other side to the charming town of Sausalito. Here, you can pull up and wander around the harbour, stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants, or enjoy a coffee in the sunshine while admiring the downtown skyline across the Bay. Feeling too tired for the journey back? Simply hop on the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Top tip: The bridge can be breezy and on foggy days, you won’t get those Insta-worthy photos. Be sure to check the weather and wear layers.
Head to Fisherman’s Wharf
Okay, so this area is a tourist trap but, stay with us – there are plenty of hidden gems that make it a must-see.
Pier 39 is part of the Fisherman’s Wharf area and one of the busiest sections, scattered with tacky souvenir shops alongside Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and the Hard Rock Cafe. But it’s certainly worth a quick visit, if only to see the sea lions, which bask on the dock and make an almighty roar.
Fisherman’s Wharf is also the place to head if you fancy sampling some delicious local delicacies. Along the bay, you’ll find the city’s famous crab and clam chowder dishes at restaurants and food stands.
Top tip: Eating al fresco? Pop into Boudin Bakery nearby, where you can buy some classic San Fran sourdough for dunking in your chowder.
Shop vintage at Haight-Ashbury
Dubbed as San Fransisco’s “hippy district” the Haight-Ashbury area was home of the ‘Summer of Love’ in 1967, where tens of thousands of American’s travelled to the city to celebrate sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.
Today, the area is still a lively hub, filled with vintage boutiques and cafes. Visit to take photos of the bright and eclectic buildings or simply pull up a pew and enjoy the people-watching.
Top tip: The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, filled with street food, musical performances and more, is held on the second Sunday of every June. Be sure to pop down if it coincides with your trip.
Learn about the history of Alcatraz
Alcatraz was designed to serve as America’s first “maximum-security, minimum-privilege penitentiary”, according to its official site. The prison housed some of the country’s most infamous criminals, including Al Capone, before it closed in 1963.
A tour is not for everyone – the island is dubbed one of the most haunted places in America – but if you do fancy a look around the cells, it’s recommend that tourists book tickets at least six weeks before their planned trip to avoid missing out – you can buy them online here.
Top tip: advance bookings sold out? You may be able to get an on-the-day standby ticket by queueing at the sale booth at Pier 33, which opens at 7.30am. A warning though, some hopefuls get in line as early as 6am.
Have a lazy day at Golden Gate Park
You’ll forget you’re in the centre of a city after 10 minutes of wandering into the Golden Gate Park. It’s home to an array of playgrounds, lakes, picnic areas and monuments, and if you walk far enough through it, you’ll end up at the beach.
Within the park you’ll also find the oldest Japanese tea garden in the whole of the United States, plus the gorgeous Conservatory of Flowers, whose design was inspired by the UK’s very own Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The greatest sight is arguably the locals and laughing children whizzing by on roller blades though.
Top tip: Love to dance? Visit the park on a Sunday when you can join ‘Lindy in the Park’ – a free half-hour beginner swing dance lesson from midday. There’s no need for a partner, just a good sense of humour.
Visit the Castro District
You’ll know when you reach the Castro District thanks to the rainbow flags flying from almost every rooftop and painted on the floor. The area was one of the first LGBTQ-friendly districts in America and remains a go-to place to celebrate Pride all year round.
By day you can peruse thrift shops or see a film at San Francisco’s historic movie palace The Castro Theatre. By night you’re met with a seemingly endless choice of bars.
While fun is very much top of the agenda at Castro, look a little closer and you’ll also find spots to learn about the history of LGBTQ rights in America and pay your respects to those who were persecuted. The main square, for example, is named Harvey Milk Plaza, after the state’s first openly gay politician, who was shot and killed the year after his election.
Top tip: The Castro Street Fair takes place on the first Sunday of every October, complete with live music, drag queens, street food and more. Be sure to join the party if it coincides with your trip.
Eat oysters during happy hour
Oysters are not reserved for the rich and fancy in San Francisco. Bars and restaurants across the city host ‘oyster happy hour’, with many offering oysters alongside drinks for a dollar or $1.50 each on weeknights - just google ‘oyster happy hour’ in your area to find dozens of deals and a time that suits you.
Top tip: Head to El Rio, a welcoming gay bar in the Mission District, where cocktails are flowing, laugher is aplenty and oysters are handed out for free at 5.30pm every Friday (get there before they’re gone and bring cash to tip the very deserving shucker).
Take a cable car to Union Square
Union Square is the retail hub and the best way to get to and from it is by cable car tram – flying down the city’s steep streets with the wind in your hair. The cable cars begin their runs at 6am and continue until midnight and you simply queue to buy a ticket. You’ll find the main turnaround at the intersection of Powell and Market Street near Union Square.
Once you’ve got your fill of shops and street performers in the square, you’re just a 10 minute walk to Chinatown, where you’ll find elaborate street art, a maze of streets and of course, delicious food.
Tip: Head to House of Nanking in Chinatown for melt-in-the-mouth calamari that’s so good, you’ll end up recommending it to the table next to you.
Snap a photo of the ‘Painted Ladies’
The row of painted Victorian homes that flank Alamo Square is affectionately known as Painted Ladies – and it’s one of the most photographed spots in the city.
The postcard-perfect houses are all the more impressive against a back-drop of downtown skyscrapers. The scene has featured in dozens of films, TV shows and adverts, including in the opening credits of Full House.
Top tip: the best time to get a shot of the houses is thought to be when the sun is setting in the west, “casting a sunset glow”.
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