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San Francisco Travel, Hotel, and Visitors Guide

See the sights, enjoy the people, and indulge in the food, but try not to leave your heart in San Francisco (it will be expensive if you have to move here). The City by the Bay hosts more visitors per year than there are people who live here. People flock to see top attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf, and climb the steep streets of Nob Hill, people watch in Chinatown and North Beach, and shop in Union Square. There are many more to choose from, so go out and find the San Francisco that fits you. You can sleep in a luxury hotel, a trendy boutique hotel, or a quaint inn. Plus, San Francisco is the birthplace of California Fusion Cuisine and, locals claim, home to some of the best, most diverse, and most authentic ethnic food in the country.

Top rated hotels

Hotel Nikko San Francisco
222 Mason Street (Downtown)

Hotel Whitcomb
1231 Market Street (Castro)

Hilton San Francisco Union Square
333 O'Farrell Street

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
433 Powell St (Downtown)

Hotel Kabuki - Joie de Vivre Hotel
1625 Post Street (Cole Valley)

Clift, A Morgans Original
495 Geary Street (Downtown)

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Top rated attractions

In San Francisco
1.	Take a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge There are many ways to bathe in the glory of the Golden Gate; no matter how you choose to experience it, the bridge is a must on every itinerary. Walking across and back is about a two mile trip, so be sure to bring a sweater or jacket, sometimes both, because it does get windy and misty on the bridge. To get there take either Muni bus 28 or 29 from the Marina; they both stop at the Toll Plaza on the San Francisco side of the bridge. If driving, there are places to park on both the San Francisco and Marin side of the bridge, but they are only accessible when driving northbound (from San Francisco to Marin) on the 101. « hide
2.	Visit Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay Originally a military base, Alcatraz was converted into a maximum-security prison, briefly taken over by American-Indians, and has now settled into life as a must-see tourist attraction. Catch a ferry that leaves from Fisherman’s Wharf and walk in the footsteps of some of the most infamous criminals ever to set foot on Alcatraz. Tours of Alcatraz last about two and a half hours and leave several times per day. You can get better views and avoid the fog with an early afternoon departure. Reserve your tickets online for a guaranteed spot and possible savings. « hide
3.	Ride a Cable Car Taking a cable car ride through iconic streets and neighborhoods is an experience unique to San Francisco. Catch one at the turnaround on the corner of Market St. and Powell St., the line to board does get long, but pass the time by watching the street performers in front of the Gap. These moving national historic landmarks will take you through North Beach and into the Marina where you can get off at Fisherman’s Wharf. For a fun alternative back to the Union Square area, take the historic Streetcars along the embarcadero and up Market St. and catch a different view of the city. The cars hail from the turn of the 20th century to the mid 1930’s and each one has been reclaimed from a different city around the world and restored in that city’s original color scheme. « hide
4.	Eat lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco Every city has a tourist area that is home to t-shirt shops and that locals avoid. That area is Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, but if you are in the area and know what to expect, you should find lunch at one of the many stands and restaurants selling fresh shrimp cocktail or clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. If you arrive early enough, you can see the working life of fisherman that still dock and deliver their daily catch here. You can find miniature statues, unique and original artwork, hand-carved furniture, and even jewelry at stores and stands on the Wharf. A short fun filled walk to Pier 39 promises something for everyone. Street performers, hotdog stands, and entrepreneurs selling their latest invention just to name a few. Pier 39 hosts many souvenir shops, but the main tourist draw at the pier is the horde of sea lions that has taken over a few of the docks. From behind the Pier 39 shops you can see them sunning and posing for the people taking their photo. They really seem to like the attention! There are also a few restaurants on the pier. They have good fresh seafood but expect higher prices. « hide
5.	Drive or walk Lombard Street The 'crookedest' street in the world, Lombard Street, attracts ambitious drivers, walkers, and photographers alike. It’s a fun and challenging experience to drive down Lombard Street. You’ll encounter heavy traffic and distracted pedestrians but it’s worth the wait. Try to limit your time here, and be courteous of those who actually live on the street as well as your fellow tourists. « hide
6.	Buy your groceries at the Ferry Building The Ferry Building is more then just the place to catch a ferry to neighboring Sausalito, Tiburon, and the East bay. Built in 1896 with a 230-foot high clock tower, the Ferry Building and adjacent square hosts an amazing European style farmer’s market Tuesday and Saturday mornings, featuring produce, meats, and other culinary delights from small local producers. San Francisco originals like sourdough bread and Scharffen Berger chocolates can be found here as well, and the building itself hosts specialty food shops and restaurants open 7 days a week. The surrounding waterfront area provides a great retreat from the busy city life for bike-riding, jogging, picnics, and many benches to soak up the sun and watch the passing sailboats. « hide
7.	Shop in Union Square Union Square is the heart of San Francisco and has developed into the core for commercial and tourist activity. Tiffany’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, and Nike Town are just a few of the storefronts that saturate and surround the square centered around a colossal 97-foot Corinthian column. In addition to the big name stores, you can find many small boutiques in this prime shopping district, second only to Rodeo Drive on the west coast. Stop by the TIX Bay Area box office, located in a booth on the square, for same day ½ price tickets to performances at nearby theaters all over the city. « hide
8.	Marvel at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Located in the trendy and hip South of Market region (SoMa), the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art lives in a building befitting its name. Lined with a brick façade, a black and white tower rises from within attracting visitors to come in and enjoy the eclectic collection of 20th century art. Works from Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Georgia O’Keefe, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Frida Khalo, Diego Rivera, and many more highlight the permanent collection, and the museum regularly houses excellent temporary exhibits. « hide
9.	Lounge in Golden Gate Park Golden Gate Park offers a tree-lined, lake-filled utopia for relaxation and an escape from the busy city life. Looking at it, it’s hard to believe that this luscious and beautiful park was built over barren sand dunes. Locals enjoy the park in many ways; take a stroll, a jog, a bike ride, or even rollerblade the paths from Upper Haight along the rolling grassy hills beneath the Dutch Windmills all the way to Ocean Beach. If you can, stop by on a Sunday when the park roads are closed to traffic and the city really comes out to play. Covering over 1,000 acres, walking in the park can become an all day activity. If that’s not your cup of tea…enjoy a relaxing visit at the Japanese Tea gardens or bask in the sun outside one of the oldest flower conservatories on the west coast. Many people enjoy picnics at Stow Lake, or going to have a gander at the Bison pen. That’s right buffalo in the middle of San Francisco. The park is also home to the architecturally striking De Young museum, with notable collections of American painters and South American, Oceanic and African indigenous art, and the future home of the California Academy of Sciences. Whatever you do, be sure to bring a sweater with you, even when it’s sunny downtown, you may find that a rolling wall of fog and cold can come pouring into the park, so be sure and check the weather before you plan your picnic or walk. « hide
10.	A treat for all your senses at the Exploratorium A hidden gem for both kids and adults, the Exploratorium provides a chance to explore, touch, smell, look through, and hear 100’s of different experiments. A great activity inside the Exploratorium is the Tactile Dome, where you get the chance to see with your hands as you climb around complete darkness trusting your sense of touch to guide you through. « hide
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Top rated restaurants

1.	The Slanted Door Many say the best restaurant in San Francisco is the Slanted Door. While the food is famous in its own right, the prime location – inside the historic Ferry Building and overlooking San Francisco Bay - contributes to the overwhelming popularity. Reservations are booked for a month in advance, so plan ahead. If you can’t get a reservation, sit at the bar where both the California Vietnamese fusion cuisine and the service are just as good. « hide	6.	Los Jarritos Los Jarritos, San Francisco, is a family run business serving authentic Mexican originals like menudo, birria, and chilaquiles in a fun and family friendly environment. They also have more common choices like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. « hide
2.	Aqua Aqua, San Francisco, is a top seafood and fine dining restaurant in San Francisco. With unique ocean themed decorations, Chef Michael Mina serves fish in a style typically reserved for meat « hide	7.	Great Eastern This is a Cantonese Restaurant, which means seafood, quickly cooked meats and vegetables without the fiery hot chilies. « hide
3.	One Market One Market, San Francisco, is a Californian cuisine restaurant that uses fresh ingredients from local producers. With an open kitchen and chef’s table, you can watch the chef prepare your meal from start to finish. « hide	8.	Tommy Toy's Tommy Toy’s, San Francisco, offers not only superb Chinese food, but also a full dining experience in an ornately decorated dining room reminiscent of the Ching dynasty. The Chinese recipes are served with French precision and service. « hide
4.	Boulevard Boulevard, San Francisco, offers Californian flavors fused with French style. The combination warranted a number 1 rating from Zagat. « hide	9.	Asia SF Asia SF, San Francisco, presents a unique San Francisco experience composed of an Asian inspired cuisine, served by male cross-dressing waiters, and back-dropped by color changing walls. « hide
5.	Charanga Charanga, San Francisco, dishes up a mix of Cuban and Caribbean inspired flavors in the popular Tapas style. Charanga is a good place to come with a group - order many small plates to sample a more pan-Latin menu. Come early because they do not take reservations. « hide	10.	Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food, San Francisco, is said to be one of San Francisco’s most popular dining locales. The dishes are authentically hot and spicy. « hide

San Francisco Insider tips

1.	Experience Chinatown, San Francisco At the corner of Grant and Bush Streets is the gate and entrance to Chinatown. Beyond this gate resides the commercial center for most of the San Francisco’s Chinese population. You’ll find grocery stores selling chicken feet, Chinese greens, and ducks hanging in the windows. The many storefronts have items such as Chinese kites, slippers, Buddha statues, and silk robes. It’s crowded here anytime you go, even when walking, and driving is especially not recommended. « hide
2.	See the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach, San Francisco Baker Beach is located inside the presidio. If driving, consult a map for detailed directions, while the Muni Bus system makes stops at the beach entrance. If you arrive in the middle of the day, you’ll find a secluded beach, sheltered from the wind, with a great view of the massive cargo ships passing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Note that on a sunny day it will not be so secluded and you might find many locals soaking in the sun. Also be aware that at the north end of the beach you might find some nude sunbathers. This is not a swimming or surfing spot as it has strong and dangerous rip currents. Arrive just before sunset and you’d think you stumbled upon the most beautiful beach in the world. As the sun is setting, get your cameras poised for a view of the ocean, the beach, and amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio, Baker Beach « hide
3.	Capture the San Francisco skyline from Treasure Island Treasure Island is the island that anchors each of the two spans of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (the Other Bridge). It’s mostly residential but there are a few shops and places to eat. Once on the island, turn back towards the city and you’ll see an unforgettable view of San Francisco. You can also get a glimpse of the new bridge span being built between the island and Oakland. Pick the time of day wisely, so you don’t hit commuter traffic, which usually hits between 6-9 a.m. and 4-7p.m. on the Bay Bridge. To get the picture you’ve always wanted, try early morning sunrise, sunset, or the silhouetted night skyline. « hide
4.	Sing and Pray at Glide Memorial If you find yourself in San Francisco on a Sunday, make your way to Glide Memorial Methodist Church. No matter what your denomination, everyone is welcome at Glide Memorial. Glide’s open door policy welcomes people from all walks of life. Enjoy amazing gospel music, a proud community, and witness how coming together to sing and rejoice lifts the spirits of everyone in attendance. Seats fill up quickly so it’s recommended that you arrive at least thirty minutes early. West of Union Square, 330 Ellis St. (415) 674-6000 Sunday service times: 9 and 11 a.m. « hide
5.	See the Murals in the Mission Walk down Balmy Alley and see where the political Latino/Labor mural movement started in San Francisco. Start at Balmy Alley off 24th street between Treat and Harrison streets and work your way around the mission to enjoy the diverse assemblage of predominately Latino artwork. This is mainly a daytime activity to appreciate the colorful murals dotting the neighborhood. You can visit Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitor Center to pick up a map of the murals, arrange guided tours, learn more about the murals, and shop at the gift store Mission District, 2981 24th St. « hide
6.	Walk the Lyon Street Steps Located between the mansions of Pacific Heights and the Presidio, the Lyon Street steps is a great, locally known workout spot and vista point. Start in the marina near the palace of fine arts and when you get to Lyon Street, roll up your sleeves and start climbing. Enjoy the mansions and gardens lining the way as your burning legs carry you to the top of the steps for an amazing view of San Francisco. Intersection of Lyon St. and Green St. « hide
7.	Eat breakfast at Boulange de Cole Valley Boulange de Cole Valley is a great place for people to come and enjoy authentically baked pastries and simply plated salads for a fresh start in the morning. Order a cup of coffee and a cannele de Bordeaux, (a small cake baked in a wax-lined mold) and sit for hours enjoying the people walking by, or bring your laptop and conduct business at the nicely sized tables. Cole Valley, 1000 Cole St $10-$20 « hide
8.	Lunch at Universal Café This longstanding mission district café offers visitors great service and fresh, intense plates, in an industrial and European style setting. Their menu changes weekly and most of their products come from environmentally sustainable farms. Mission District, 2814 19th St. $15-25 « hide
9.	Dinner at Ristorante Milano You may never notice this gem when walking by, but take a chance and your taste buds will be rewarded. This hole in the wall Italian restaurant offers, locals claim, the best homemade pasta in San Francisco. A small dining room lends to the intimate and romantic experience. Russian Hill, 1448 Pacific Ave. $30-50 « hide
10.	Gold Rush Dining Tadich Grill is one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco dining. The grill claims to be the first to broil seafood over mesquite charcoal, finding its roots in the 1849 gold rush days, serving customers a diverse menu of fish, clams, crab, and shrimp for over 150 years. They do not accept reservations so come early and expect a short wait. Or, grab a seat at the bar, a great place for one or two people. Financial District, 240 California St. (415)391-1849, $15-25 « hide
11.	Play a round of Golf at Lincoln Park A hilly course near the presidio with great views of downtown would be worth it just for the 17th hole perched on a cliff above the ocean driving towards the Golden Gate Bridge. The Bridge is so close it looks like it might be in play! « hide
12.	Divine Shopping in Laurel Heights Locals say that Divine Girls is a great designer boutique, offering the best selection of Women’s clothing. This boutique carries hard to find brands like Narciso Rodriguez, Alberta Ferreti, and Golden Goose that you won’t find in department stores or even other boutiques. A little bit out of the way, but well worth the trip. Laurel Heights, 340 Presidio Ave. « hide
13.	Some spots are really touristy in San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are mainly tourist only locations with lots of t-shirt shops and trinket stores. If that doesn’t sound fun, it’s recommended to arrive early, beat the rush, and then enjoy an afternoon in Golden Gate Park, or another more secluded activity in San Francisco. « hide
14.	San Francisco Neighborhoods to avoid Inconveniently situated in the middle of San Francisco is the Tenderloin. The Tenderloin is located just north of the Civic Center and stretches from Van Ness to Mason Street by Union Square. Glide Memorial Church and some of San Francisco’s theaters are located here. Another neighborhood to be aware of is the Mission District. East of Valencia and around 16th Street are particularly risky areas. While these areas are relatively safe to visit during the day, it’s not recommended to go there after dark. There are some rough parts of San Francisco, but luckily, there are not really any reasons for tourists to go to them. These two are mentioned because of their close proximity to other tourist attractions. « hide
15.	Parking is hard in San Francisco Parking in San Francisco frustrates both eager tourists and locals trying to get to their destination. If possible, use the well-established municipal transportation system. Between Muni (the buses), the streetcars, taxis, and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), you can get mostly anywhere in the Bay Area without driving. If you decide to drive, give yourself extra time to find a place to park. If your budget allows, use valet when available, or park in a garage or lot, but be prepared to pay for the convenience. Union Square, at nicer hotels, or in a garage, $30/night « hide
16.	Handling the homeless in San Francisco As of a few years ago, begging or asking for money in San Francisco is illegal. You will still find homeless people in San Francisco doing it however, it is fine to ignore them, say “not today,” “no thank you,” or just smile and keep walking. « hide
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San Francisco nightlife

In San Francisco
1.	The Mezzanine With an industrial décor to match the neighborhood, it also features a VIP touch with an upstairs lounge area. You’ll find everything from DJ’s, blues, rock, jazz, up and comers, as well as big name artists performing here. « hide
2.	Bimbo’s 365 Decorated in 30’s style swank, visitors flock to see swinging jazz bands and hear soulful blues music while dancing on the large dance floor right in front of the stage. This venue also attracts alternative, indie rock, and hip-hop performers with its 600+ capacity and three bars to serve them. Parking can be tricky, if you can’t find a street spot try the Hilton Pay garage at 590 Bay Street. « hide
3.	The Cellar The Cellar is San Francisco’s only underground bar and dance club. Recently renovated and newly re-opened, the Cellar offers a mixture of music on different nights of the week. Thursdays are drum and bass, Fridays are 80’s and hip-hop, and Saturdays are pure dance and hip-hop. Go to their website to get on a guest list to avoid long lines and a cold wait above ground. « hide
4.	Loft 11 Loft 11 is San Francisco’s answer to Vegas and Miami’s super chic dance clubs. There is a see-thru glass dance floor and an all glass upstairs. Loft 11 provides a mix of top DJ’s and different music each night. Reserve a table and bottle service online or avoid the cover and show up before 10:00pm. « hide
5.	Ruby Skye Club goers in San Francisco say that Ruby Skye is San Francisco’s premier nightclub and special event venue. Located just steps from Union Square, this dance club is designed to cater to the plush and maxed out lifestyle, from its top DJ’s, decadent decorations, and dressed up clientele. « hide