San Francisco Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco which includes heritage architecture and a city
San Francisco
San Francisco

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 featuring a bay or harbour

Fisherman's Wharf

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

Fisherman's Wharf
Union Square featuring a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(249 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
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Downtown San Francisco

3/5(34 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco
South of Market which includes skyline, a park and cbd

South of Market

3.5/5(101 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to Chase Center – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

South of Market
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
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Mission District

4/5(6 area reviews)

You might enjoy the bars while in Mission District. Southern Exposure is a notable sight, and you can get around town at 16th Street Mission Station or 24th Street Mission Station to see more of the city.

Mission District
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 NZ$317 per night from 2 July to 3 July
NZ$317
2 July - 3 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,525 reviews)
"Clean, comfortable, and generally spacious rooms. Walkable to Fisherman's Wharf attractions. Expensive parking available. The unavoidable "resort" fee for what is hardly a resort. Overall, par for the course in such a touristy area. Two notes about the otherwise great room: bathroom is very small ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$246 per night from 2 July to 3 July
NZ$246
2 July - 3 July
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,174 reviews)
"The bed"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
The price is NZ$182 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$182
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,840 reviews)
"I enjoyed the location. I walked around and along a path."

Reviewed on 28 Jun. 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
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.
Kasa The Addison San Francisco
Kasa The Addison San Francisco
4 out of 5
2263 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, memory foam beds, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Lombard Street and Pier 39 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (9 reviews)
Great amenities and good location
"The location is great, but very expensive. We like having a kitchen and laundry facility. There is no fan provided, so be prepared in warmer months. The bathroom door is frosted glass and does not reach the ceiling."

Reviewed on 26 Apr. 2025

Kasa The Addison San Francisco
Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom
Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom
San Francisco
Stay at this guesthouse in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Lombard Street and Oracle Park are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (29 reviews)
Great stay for the price
"Good location, the lack of a front desk attendant was interesting but just fine. The bar attached to the hotel is really cool!"

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 2025

Standard Queen Room w/Ensuite Bathroom
BRAND NEW - ENTIRE FLOOR w/ OCEAN Beach View and PARKING!
BRAND NEW - ENTIRE FLOOR w/ OCEAN Beach View and PARKING!
San Francisco
Stay at this apartment in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Golden Gate Park and Presidio of San Francisco are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (43 reviews)
"A great, small apartment with excellent views. The neighbors are however a bit nosy."

Reviewed on 19 Jun. 2025

BRAND NEW - ENTIRE FLOOR w/ OCEAN Beach View and PARKING!
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

Activities

Reviews of San Francisco

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
234
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
237
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
36
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
15
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Due to the virus many places were closed but will be coming back to visit the restaurants.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city and public transportation is easy to use to get around

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots to see especially tourist spot n plenty of restaurants

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

So colourful, so much to do and see, Three days is not enough. The three day cable car/tram/bus Passport is great value and much better than the Hop on Hop Off bus..

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Busy place and expensive, but a jewel of a city!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

STAY AWAY FROM TENDERLOIN AND UNION SQUARE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT!! Those places are full of crackheads that will rob you. The cable car was cool but it’s over priced and the staff are rude and aggressive.

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