San Francisco

Travel Guide
San Francisco featuring a house

San Francisco Travel Guide Video

The city with a beautiful bay, famous red bridge and infamous fog welcomes you to enjoy art, history, shopping and outdoor activities.

San Francisco is simultaneously romantic, exciting, relaxing and intriguing. Rent a bike, walk, ride the trolley or drive to fascinating destinations. Tour San Francisco Bay by boat for unique views from beneath Golden Gate Bridge. Stop at Alcatraz Island its former inescapable prison became famous in the film Birdman of Alcatraz.

At the bridge’s southern end is the Presidio, a former military base, now a large park with hiking trails, great bridge and shoreline views, Andy Goldsworthy sculptures, Baker Beach, the Walt Disney Family Museum and a life-size Yoda statue.

Entering the Marina District, attend a performance at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Travel east to the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood for shopping and dining. Enjoy a chocolate sundae at Ghirardelli, a local favorite for over 150 years. Visit the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park to see ships that sailed more than a century ago. Watch sea lions lounging on rafts near Pier 39. Continue on to the Embarcadero District. The Exploratorium at Pier 15 features interactive exhibits intertwining science, art and human perception. See the Giants play football at AT&T Park in South Beach.

Inland, shop at Union Square, drive down the very crooked Lombard Street and photograph the Painted Ladies Victorian row houses. Stand at the Haight-Ashbury corner, in the neighborhood where hippie counterculture developed in the 1960s.

Enter the Golden Gate Park to visit de Young Museum, filled with art, costumes and textiles. Explore botanical gardens, play golf or tennis, photograph the Japanese Tea Garden and wade in the Pacific Ocean.

Travel north to tall redwoods in Muir Woods, wineries in Napa and Sonoma and quaint shops in Sausalito. On a foggy day, stand atop Vista Point in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at the bridge’s northern end and gaze south across the clouds to see Sutro Tower rising from Twin Peaks, with the rest of the city hidden. When the fog clears, San Francisco’s skyline is a gleaming gem at the end of the golden bridge.

Where to stay in San Francisco

Fisherman\'s Wharf showing a city and a marina

Fisherman's Wharf

4/5(6 area reviews)

Discover Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in this bustling tourist hotspot. Savor seafood at family-owned restaurants and explore the sea lion colony, while enjoying convenient cable car access.

Fisherman's Wharf
Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

Downtown San Francisco

2.5/5(84 area reviews)

Serving as San Francisco's central business district, this area boasts Northern California's two tallest buildings, the Salesforce Tower and Transamerica Pyramid. Explore shopping malls like the Embarcadero Center and enjoy parks such as Sue Biermann Park, all easily accessible via Muni bus and rail lines.

Downtown San Francisco
Union Square which includes a high rise building and a city

Union Square

4/5(525 area reviews)

Major tourist destination in downtown San Francisco, Union Square boasts shopping, hotels, and theaters. Explore department stores, boutiques, and galleries, or catch a performance at various theaters. Enjoy the Dewey Monument and stunning views from nearby hotels. Easily accessible via cable car lines, buses, and subway systems.

Union Square
North Beach which includes skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(303 area reviews)

Adjacent to Chinatown and the Financial District, this "Little Italy" boasts Italian restaurants, cafes, and bakeries along Columbus Avenue and Washington Square. Explore the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi and City Lights Bookstore.

North Beach
Western Addition showing a coastal town, heritage architecture and a house

Western Addition

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

Travelers love Western Addition for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street Station or Duboce Ave & Church St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Alamo Square and Painted Ladies.

Western Addition
Marina District featuring heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Marina District

4/5(111 area reviews)

Featuring the picturesque Marina Green park and the iconic Palace of Fine Arts, this neighborhood offers a charming shopping and dining experience along Chestnut Street, with easy access via Lombard Street.

Marina District
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $161 per night from Mar. 31 to Apr. 1
CA $161
CA $188 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,348 reviews)
"I was able to work in the lobby comfortably. When I got to my room in the late afternoon it was always clean with plenty of towels and coffee. I was visiting my son and was able to walk to his place to Pacific Heights. I enjoyed my stay!"

Reviewed on Mar. 24, 2024

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $169 per night from Apr. 7 to Apr. 8
CA $169
CA $243 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,185 reviews)
"My only complaint is that we had reserved 2 rooms and they were at the end of the hall. These room by the street was so loud, you could hear, people, cars. And the hotel reserved a family with numerous children so most the time at very late hours and very early hours you could the chdren screaming ..."

Reviewed on Mar. 25, 2024

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
King George Hotel
King George Hotel
3 out of 5
334 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $121 per night from Apr. 4 to Apr. 5
CA $121
CA $155 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,386 reviews)
Very good hotel
"Really great value for money. Perfect location for us. Easy access from BART station. Cable cars just around the corner. Pleasant walk to Fisherman’s Wharf. Room had everything you could need and a really comfy bed. Coffee and pastries included for breakfast which was great for early starts and long ..."

Reviewed on Mar. 26, 2024

King George Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Come enjoy this Beautiful Home ! Sunsets Optional !
Come enjoy this Beautiful Home ! Sunsets Optional !
San Francisco
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Golden Gate Park and Presidio ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (33 reviews)
St. Patrick’s Day Getaway Weekend
"It was a perfect getaway weekend!!! We left the car parked in the designated spot and took everything out of the car and we were not broken into and it was there every morning when I woke up. It was a beautiful place. It was a great drop off and sleep spot."

Reviewed on Mar. 17, 2024

Come enjoy this Beautiful Home ! Sunsets Optional !
Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
2.5 out of 5
5 Santa Ana Ave, Daly City, CA
Stay at this apartment in Daly City. Enjoy a refrigerator. Popular attractions Serramonte Center and Harding Park Golf Course are located nearby. Discover genuine ...
7.2/10 Good! (11 reviews)
"For my needs, it was conveniently located and easily accessible by freeway or public bus. Property needs an outdoor smoming area to be perfect."

Reviewed on Mar. 4, 2024

Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
Modern Trendy Spacious Homes SSFDowntown
Modern Trendy Spacious Homes SSFDowntown
2 out of 5
429 Baden Ave, South San Francisco, CA
Stay at this apartment in South San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a Smart TV, and satellite TV. Popular attractions The Shops at Tanforan and Serramonte Center ...
7/10 Good! (4 reviews)
"It feel like home!"

Reviewed on Feb. 25, 2024

Modern Trendy Spacious Homes SSFDowntown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of San Francisco

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
579
" "5 - Excellent 50.30408340573415%
4 - Good
461
" "4 - Good 40.05212858384014%
3 - Okay
91
" "3 - Okay 7.90616854908775%
2 - Disappointing
17
" "2 - Disappointing 1.476976542137272%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.26064291920069504%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Mar. 21, 2020

The number of amazing sights and restaurants makes SF a must go to. The people and the culture make this place great Yes, there is a heavy homeless population. But many keep to themselves or their group and don’t bother you.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Mar. 7, 2020

I really liked it there, the friendliness of the people and the sight seeing. There is no shortage of things to do and I particularly liked a rock concert I went to at a nearby theater.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 29, 2020

Our favourite city: people, food, things to so, climate and overall vibe. We love it!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 21, 2020

Great place! Lots to do

4/5 - Good

Ja
Feb. 19, 2020

San Francisco is great city when you know which areas to avoid. It can quickly get uncomfortable with the amount of homeless people, however, it's a beautiful city otherwise and lots of great places to go and see.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 16, 2020

Nice

Cities near San Francisco