San Francisco
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San Francisco is regarded as one of the best cities to visit in America due to its thriving tech industry, cosmopolitan make-up, as well as beautiful sights. Home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, this city has plenty of culture and history waiting to be explored. It’s changed a lot since the early 2010s due to the influx of tech companies and start-ups, but the spirit of old San Francisco can still be found.
Travel tip #1: San Francisco is divided into several districts—similar to NYC’s boroughs (click here for my NYC Travel Guide!)—and then into smaller neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own vibe, making the city enjoyable for people from all walks of life.
Places of Interest
Chinatown: SF’s Chinatown is one of the largest and oldest Chinese settlements in America. You can find delicious traditional cuisine at fairly low prices, as well as temples, souvenir shops, and jewelry stores. I love going to Chinatown for dim sum and bao!
Castro District: In the middle of several neighborhoods is the famous Castro District, one of the first gay neighborhoods in America. Harvey Milk is one of more well-known Castro community members for his political and activist involvement in the Gay Liberation Movement of the 1960s and 70s. Find lots of colorful eateries, art displays, and historic places here.
Mission District: This neighborhood has Latin roots and was one of my favorite places to hang out back in university, but has changed a lot in the past decade. Although some original restaurants, taquerias, and stores still exist in The Mission, these places are not as common as before. Now, more people visit for the area’s upbeat vibe, speciality shops, and popular restaurants that are mainly located on Valencia Street.
Haight-Ashbury: Named for the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets, the neighborhood is known as birthplace of 1960s hippie counterculture. While this era is long-gone, relics of this time can still be found amongst the vintage stores, record shops, and colorful buildings. Emporium Arcade is a short walk from this neighborhood.
Fisherman’s Wharf: One of the busiest tourists destinations in San Francisco, which is also where you will find Pier 39. A great place to walk around and grab a bread bowl filled with hot clam chowder, as well as spot some sea lions while gazing at Alcatraz in the distance. Definitely a good place to go if you’re in SF for the first time.
Golden Gate Park: Located on the western side of the city, Golden Gate Park consists of over 1,000 acres of public space complete with walking and hiking trails, ponds, lakes, gardens, and open spaces. There’s even an enclosed field where bison live! You can also find the de Young Museum as well as the California Academy of Sciences in addition to the Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Gardens, Queen Wilhelmina Garden (peep the tulips in March), and Japanese Tea Garden within the park’s borders.
Cliff House and Sutro Baths: These two landmarks are part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In 1894, a local millionaire built an ocean pool aquarium alongside the rocky, coastal area. Later a public bathhouse was constructed. It became less popular overtime and a fire destroyed what remained of the structure in 1966. Today, you can explore the ruins while admiring the beautiful natural scenery.
Golden Gate Bridge: The world-famous bridge that’s not gold, but red. Other than seeing it from different places throughout San Francisco, you can walk, bike, or drive across it. Walking takes about 35 minutes. Be wary of the iconic fog, which can quickly make it impossible to view the bridge.
Battery Spencer: One of the best viewpoints for the Golden Gate Bridge. This was a main protection point of the city during the 1900s. Now it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset, take photos, and hang out. Parking is limited and it can get crowded during peak times, holidays, and weekends.
Twin Peaks: The pair of 922-foot-high summits that overlook the Bay Area are a great place to escape the city. Not only a park and viewing point, but also a remote neighborhood. There are plenty of hiking trails leading up and down the summits, as well as a parking lot for those who prefer an less-intense way to the top.
Dolores Park: This park is in the Mission District near historic Mission Dolores. It’s a beautiful park where people congregate in mass during the warmer months on the grassy area that faces the city skyline. Come here to hang out, bring some snacks for a picnic, or people/dog watch. There are events that happen at the park throughout the year, including the Hunky Jesus contest that occurs annually on Easter Sunday.
Crissy Field: Crissy Field is a former U.S. Army airfield and now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There are beaches, trails, and grassy areas open to the public and the public’s dogs with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay.
The Presidio: Another park in San Francisco to frequent for its trees, trails, and scenic views. The Presidio was classified as a National Park in 1994, after the military stopped using it.
Lovers’ Lane Trail: A gorgeous trail lined with huge trees in The Presidio. At the south end you’ll find Andy Goldsworthy’s art installation Wood Line. This “sculpture” is made of tree trunks laid end-to-end, creating a zigzag pathway amongst the trees.
Painted Ladies: Also known as the “Seven Sisters” and “Postcard Row” in Alamo Square, these Victorian-style homes on a slanted street are an iconic image of San Francisco. It’s one of the most photographed tourist spots and can get pretty crowded. I recommend going on a weekday during the early morning hours for softer light and fewer people.
Asian Art Museum: A pretty extensive museum that highlights the different regions of Asia. From stone relics to jade to paintings, this museum can keep you occupied for hours. There’s a general admission charge, but you can get a discount on their First Free Sundays. More information can be found on their website.
The Palace of Fine Arts: One of SF’s architectural landmarks that is worth the visit. Originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition, this spacious venue is a beautiful place to stroll, take photos, and simply admire.
Cable Car Museum: A cool little space where you can learn all about the history and mechanics of the city’s notorious cable cars! This museum houses a collection of historic cable cars, photographs, mechanical displays, and a gift shop run by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum. Entry is free of charge but donations are encouraged.
Travel tip #2: Many museums, like the SF MoMA, in San Francisco and the Bay Area have discounted tickets certain days of the month as well as during certain times of the day. The de Young Museum, for example, allows free entry at the end of the day (no ticket required).
Food
Le Marais Bakery: With multiple locations sprinkled throughout the city, this French-inspired bakery is modeled after the owner’s local boulangerie of his childhood home. I have not personally eaten anything from this bakery, but my close friend said it is wonderful!
Boudin Bakery: Known for their sourdough bread and clam chowder, this place is a classic spot to grab a bite to eat. Their Wharf location is the original and I recommend going there. If not, find another place around the city to enjoy their bread and chowder on a foggy SF day.
Arizmendi Bakery: Arizmendi Bakery was inspired by the Cheeseboard, opened in Oakland in 1997, and San Francisco in 2000, based on cooperative principles. It is worker owned and democratically operated, too. You can find tasty pastries, artisan breads, gourmet pizza, and more. I love grabbing a chocolate chip cookie from their spot in the Inner Sunset, but there are other locations.
Tartine Bakery: This spot in the Mission District can get fairly busy, especially on weekends. Their breads are amazing and monstrous in size (you can order a half loaf to take home rather than a full!) while their sweets are tantalizing. They have a nice menu of sandwiches and other cafe bites.
Good Mong Kok Bakery: A traditional Chinese bakery in Chinatown. One of my favorite places to grab giant charsiu bao (steamed or baked) for a fair price while roaming the streets.
The Laundromat SF: Found in the Outer Richmond District, this spot does not have laundry services available but does have some of the best bagels in the city (in my humble opinion). If you’ve ever had a NYC bagel, you’ll know a good bagel when you see and taste it. Although a little pricey, definitely a great place to stop at if you’re heading to the Sutro Baths or western Golden Gate Park in the morning hours.
Pineapple King Bakery: A hotspot for Hong Kong-style fresh baked goods. They have a variety of pineapple bun flavors, some that are stuffed with a slab of butter! Cash only if you order at the window off of Irving Street in the Sunset District, but card is accepted via their online ordering system.
Bob’s Donuts: This San Francisco institution on Polk Street is known for its classic donuts and pastries. The original location at 1621 Polk Street has been a neighborhood staple since the 1960s, and the family-owned business recently opened a new location just a few hundred feet away at 1720 Polk Street. As a Los Angeles native, this is a great place to grab a sweet treat that won’t break the bank.
La Taqueria: A must-try in the Mission. I love their burritos and salsa verde. It’s one of my go-to spots when in SF for Mexican food. The place isn’t too big and the line can get long during lunch and dinner. It used to be cash only, but the pandemic changed that and now you can use card for your burrito fix.
Pancho Villa Taqueria: Another iconic spot in the Mission for Mexican food. Pancho Villa has a larger menu than La Taqueria, and their tacos and burritos are incredible. It can get packed in here, especially during late night weekend hours. It’s totally worth the wait and crowds, though.
Taqueria El Buen Sabor: On the corner of Valencia Street and 18th in the Mission District, you’ll probably notice a line emerging from a colorful doorway. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been proudly serving the community for over 30 years. I love their tacos with everything on them (they’re like small burritos) with a horchata to wash it all down.
Delfina Restaurant: Delfina is a bustling, James Beard Award-winning neighborhood trattoria in San Francisco’s Mission District. Fantastic pizzas and delicious pasta, great atmosphere, and really good service. Highly recommend Delfina for a date night or a nice evening out with friends.
Rintaro: Rintaro Izakaya is a special restaurant in San Francisco where Japanese craftsmanship and culture meet California produce and energy. Their sake selection is impeccable while their menu items are all worth trying at least once. I really enjoyed their sashimi, yakitori, and oden.
Hai Ky Mi Gia: Stumbled upon this gem while looking for something for breakfast near the Asian Art Museum. Located in the Tenderloin, this restaurant serves teow chow style food and other Chinese-Vietnamese style dishes. The braised duck leg noodle soup was delicious (it came with a side of pickled veggies), as was the hot soy milk. Pretty sure it’s cash only.
Mandalay: After visiting Myanmar in November 2019 (click here for my Myanmar Travel Guides!), I have been HOOKED on Burmese cuisine! Sadly, it’s not the easiest food to find outside of larger cities. San Francisco actually has a few Burmese restaurants, but I heard this one was the first. Loved their tea leaf salad and homemade noodles, which were hella chewy and springy. A little on the pricey side, yet totally worthwhile.
Burma Superstar: Burma Superstar is best known for popularizing Burmese cuisine in the Bay Area. Some of their iconic and signature dishes include tea leaf salad (of course!), platha, and mohinga. My personal favorite dish is their catfish, which is prepared in a spicy-tangy curry sauce. Also a bit pricey, but worth the splurge.
Sunflower Garden: If you’re looking for simple and affordable Vietnamese cuisine in a quiet, relaxed space out of the hustle and bustle, then this is definitely your spot. Their food is consistent and tasty. I love the vegetarian bún bò huế (spicy lemongrass noodle soup) for its comforting and satisfying flavors.
Steam Rice Roll King: Located in the Outer Sunset District on Irving Street, this small shop serves up Cantonese rice rolls, which are soft and tender sheets of rice noodle filled with sweet and savory fillings, then drizzled with sauce and topped with chopped scallions. Not a lot of seating inside, but a great little local business to support that isn’t hard on your wallet.
Kokkari Estiatorio: In the heart of the San Francisco Financial District lies a stunning Greek restaurant with a beautiful menu. Michelin describes Kokkari as, “A soul-warming meal at this Greek favorite, which serves up San Francisco-chic with a side of old-world taverna hospitality.” They have an amazing wine selection, too. Make sure to have a reservation and dress a little nice.
Udon Mugizo: I am always on the hunt for tasty Japanese food! Udon Mugizo is not too pricey for SF and gives large portions of their noodles. Their udon noodles are always perfectly chewy, and the broth is rich and comforting. Whether you’re into hot broth or cold dipping udon, they nail it every time.
Cafe Shoji: Thoughtful cafe by day and a trendy bar and restaurant by night. Their day service operates much like a coffee shop, serving rich matcha affogatos and matcha lattes, while the tiny, dimly-lit tables at night are filled with fun cocktails and tasty food. Definitely make reservations here or be prepared to wait in a line.
Boba Guys: An SF business that makes stellar milk tea, boba, and artisanal beverages. Their boba is always the perfect consistency! I love the seasonal menu, too. Some of their special items can be a hit or miss, yet you can’t go wrong with a simple milk tea with boba.
T4: Mainly a Northern California milk tea and boba shop with a couple locations in Southern California, I had never tried this place. It’s pretty decent and not as expensive as places like Boba Guys. Simple and to the point with lots of options.
Mitchell’s Ice Cream: I make it a point to go to Mitchell’s every time I visit San Francisco. This ice cream shop makes the best Ube (purple yam/ sweet potato) ice cream and also has other tasty flavors. They’ve been around since the 1960s, which says a lot.
Smitten Ice Cream: Another Bay-Area original. A newer ice cream business that invented their own ice cream machine to make the best ice cream possible. Everything in their ice cream bases, cone batter, sauces, and cookies are made from scratch using unprocessed, real, locally sourced, and sustainable ingredients.
Dawn Club: This is a must-see little place in the Downtown area of the city. It’s a classy, upscale jazz bar with the best vibes, amazing music, and creative drinks. They have some of the finest of whiskies and spirits to choose from, which are all displayed on a beautiful wall behind the bar. Unlike many places in SF, Dawn Club is open late.
Travel tip #3: There are tons and tons of places to eat in San Francisco, which can make it fairly difficult to choose just a few while on a short trip. Definitely eat sourdough bread, a Mission-style burrito, and fresh seafood at the Wharf if you are really tight on time. Of course, you can find fine-dining restaurants throughout. I recommend a mix of local, hole-in-the-wall places with one or two higher priced eateries thrown in.
Transportation & Accommodation
There are a few different transportation systems that connect the SF Bay Area and get you around the city. Compared to Los Angeles and other cities in America, it’s safe to rely on public transportation in SF. These systems include:
- City buses (Muni)
- Streetcars/ trolleys (Muni Metro)
- BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains
- Cable cars
- Ferries
It’s usually easier to take public transportation than drive due to limited parking within the city. Ride share services (Uber and Lyft) are also popular ways to get around. It’s best to avoid using ride share services during commute times, as prices can get pretty steep for short trips.
Accommodation is incredibly expensive in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Be wary of cheaper options on sites like Airbnb, as the accommodation may not be in the best/ safest area of the city, such as the Tenderloin. Traveling during off-season is better for cheaper prices. Check booking.com to get an idea.
Travel tip #4: Be sure to purchase tickets for all forms of public transportation, as police officers will randomly check riders for their tickets. If you don’t have a ticket, you could end up paying a fairly high fine. Click here for more information on public transportation in San Francisco.
Climate
The Bay Area experiences a mild Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. However, San Francisco’s position on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by very cold water makes it much cooler than nearby cities in the Bay throughout the year. SF is notorious for its varied micro-climates. This means that it could be sunny in one neighborhood while being completely foggy in another. I would avoid going to the city during the summer, as it’s peak tourist season and the weather can be a miss (SF summers tend to be quite cloudy). Summer weather can be a bit unpredictable and even chilly at times, too, with the 65 degrees Fahrenheit being a common daytime temperature in July. Spring and fall are generally nice while winter is cold (but I personally enjoy it). Overall, bring layers with you to SF and you’ll be all good!
