San Francisco

“San Francisco is a dynamic city where the fog dances gracefully over the Golden Gate Bridge, and vibrant neighborhoods come alive with art and culture. It's a place where the echoes of the past harmonize with the pulse of innovation, making each visit an unforgettable journey.”

🇺🇸

Currency

US Dollar (USD) $

Best Time

September to November

Population

880,000

Weather °C

15.1

San Francisco stands out as a city of contrasts and diversity. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the eclectic mix of Victorian houses, the city is full of surprises. Known for its progressive spirit, San Francisco is also a cultural and culinary mecca, with each neighborhood offering its own unique charm. Whether you're exploring the city's many hills, visiting Alcatraz Island, or enjoying a concert at the Fillmore, San Francisco offers something for everyone.
State

California

Year

1776

Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Cost of Living (10)

10

Minimal List TL;DR

🏜
National Park
Death Valley
National Park with salt pans in a very hot desert biome
🚗
Scenic Route
49-mile Scenic Drive
Scenic tour around the city’s major attractions and scenery
🎥
City
Los Angeles
City of sunshine, beaches and Hollywood
🧆
Innovative Cuisine
Atelier Crenn
Fine dining restaurant serving food as an artistic experience
🍕
Fine Dining
Saison
3 Michelin star restaurant serving a luxurious French-American cuisine
🥃
Cocktail Bar
Redwood Room
Glamorous cocktail bar with artistic decor serving as a hot spot in SF
🍛
Moroccan-Fusion Cuisine
Aziza
Intimate Morrocan restaurant serving contemporary arab cuisine and drinks
🍤
Restaurant & Cinema
Foreign Cinema
Outdoor space showing movies and serving Mediterranean food
🍝
Artisan Pizzeria
$Flour + Water
Italian restaurant with a Cali-influence
🌮
Mexican Taqueria
Taqueria El Faralito
Mexican restaurant serving tacos, quesadillas and burritos
🌮
Contemporary American Dining
Nopa
Contemporary Californian restaurant focusing on quality ingredients
🥟
Creative American Tapas
$State Bird Provisions
Dim sum style innovative dishes like sauerkraut pancakes
🦐
Waterfront Dining
Sam’s Anchor Café
Seafood waterfront restaurant offering views over Angel island
🧇
Specialty Coffee Shop
Blue Bottle Coffee
Café serving Belgian waffles and seasons soups
💯
Brazilian Steakhouse
Espetus Churrascaria
Rodizio-style Brazilian steakhouse
🍖
Farm-to-Table Dining
Bar Agricole
Ecofriendly lounge serving meat and seafood delicacies
🥞
Rustic Breakfast Spot
🥞 Outerlands
Beach shack themed café serving pancakes
🍣
Sushi and Izakaya
🍣 Ebisu
Small but authentic Japanese restaurant serving fresh sushi with fair prices
🧩
Coffee and Community Space
The Social Study
Cosy Lounge with board games and conversations
🍲
German Soup Kitchen
🍲 Suppenküche
German restaurant serving wholesome soups

Places to See

🎞️
Dolores Park
Urban Park
Dolores St &, 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
4.7
Free
6AM to 10PM
Recreational park with open air movie theatres and ice cream
http://sfrecpark.org/destination/mission-dolores-park/
🔭
Exploratorium
Interactive Museum
Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94100, United States
4.7
30-35
11AM to 5PM
Science museum that allows to ask question & question answers
https://www.exploratorium.edu/
🎞️
The Castro Theatre
Historic Theatre
429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
4.7
12-15
11AM to 5PM
Historic theatre playing movies and performances
http://www.castrotheatre.com/
🎨
Land’s End Trail
Scenic Nature Trail
916 El Camino Del Mar, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
4.6
Free
11AM to 5PM
Short trail across the historic Sutro Baths with an ocean view
https://sfrecpark.org/
🍫
Dandelion Chocolate
Artisan Chocolate
2600 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
4.6
10-20
11AM to 5PM
Independent chocolate factory with tours and a café
http://www.dandelionchocolate.com/
🌁
Baker Beach
Scenic Beach
San Francisco, CA, United States
4.5
Free
6AM to 10PM
Iconic beach with views of the Golden Gate Bridge
Vibe:
Relaxing, beautiful
Tip:
Beach walks, sunset views
Get To:
28, 29 buses
Clothing-optional beach overlooking the golden gate bridge
🎨
de Young
Art Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
4.5
15-30
11AM to 5PM
A fine arts museum featuring American art and more
Vibe:
Modern, inspiring
Tip:
Art exhibits, rooftop views
Get To:
N, 44 buses
Contemporary art museum with Friday cocktails and shows
Must Visit:

Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island

San Francisco is known for its 50+ hills and is a popular hub for tech innovation, with Silicon Valley nearby.

Places to Eat

🍛
Aziza
Moroccan-Fusion Cuisine
5800 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
4.7
40-70
12 to 8PM
Award-winning chef, intricate decor with Moroccan tiles
Vibe:
Elegant and modern
Get To:
Accessible via BART (Civic Center Station)
Tip:
Lamb Chops, Couscous Salad
Intimate Morrocan restaurant serving contemporary arab cuisine and drinks
http://azizasf.com/
🍤
Foreign Cinema
Restaurant & Cinema
2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
4.6
40-60
5:30 to 9:30PM
Outdoor space showing movies and serving Mediterranean food
http://www.foreigncinema.com/
🥟
$State Bird Provisions
Creative American Tapas
1529 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States
4.5
40-70
12 to 8PM
Dim sum style innovative dishes like sauerkraut pancakes
https://www.statebirdsf.com/
🌮
Nopa
Contemporary American Dining
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States
4.5
30-60
5 to 9PM
Open kitchen, seasonal ingredients
Vibe:
Rustic, Lively
Get To:
24th St. & Divisadero (Muni)
Tip:
Wood-grilled dishes, pancakes
Contemporary Californian restaurant focusing on quality ingredients
http://www.nopasf.com/
🦐
Sam’s Anchor Café
Waterfront Dining
27 Main St, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920, United States
4.5
30-50
12 to 8PM
Seafood waterfront restaurant offering views over Angel island
http://www.samscafe.com/
🌮
Taqueria El Faralito
Mexican Taqueria
2950 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
4.5
10-20
10AM to 1:30AM
Mexican restaurant serving tacos, quesadillas and burritos
https://elfarolitosf.com/
🍖
Bar Agricole
Farm-to-Table Dining
355 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
4.4
30-50
12 to 8PM
Emphasis on local produce and sustainable sourcing
Vibe:
Stylish, Chic
Get To:
16th St. & Harrison (Muni)
Tip:
Seasonal dishes, cocktails
Ecofriendly lounge serving meat and seafood delicacies
http://www.baragricole.co/
🥞
🥞 Outerlands
Rustic Breakfast Spot
4001 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States
4.4
20-40
12 to 8PM
Local art, cozy atmosphere
Vibe:
Beachy, Casual
Get To:
Judah St. & La Playa (Muni)
Tip:
Pancakes, coffee
Beach shack themed café serving pancakes
Must Try:

Sourdough Bread, Cioppino, Clam Chowder, Dim Sum, Burritos

Places to Drink

🥘
Barbarossa
Live Music Venue
714 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States
4.1
10-15 per drink
4 to 10PM
Frequent live music, artsy atmosphere
Vibe:
Lively and energetic
Get To:
Accessible via Muni (Line 30)
Tip:
Cocktails, Small Plates
Cosy lounge serving food & drinks in a building that survives earthquake 💯
Music / Dance:

Indie Rock, Folk, Hip Hop, Blues, Jazz

Places to Network

We'll be updating more places soon!
Key Industries:

Tech (Silicon Valley)

San Francisco

“San Francisco provides an abundance of treasures for its travelers, from the windswept and foggy bay to its meandering hills positioned by Victorian homes that command spectacular scenery over the city. SF varies wildly from the Chinatown to the hipster vibe of the Castro and the gleaming skyscrapers built along the city’s Silicon Valley.”

Places to Shop

🛒
Bi-Rite
Grocery Store
3639 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
4.8
10-50 per item (grocery, dessert)
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Grocery store serving gourmet sandwiches, ice cream and baked goods
Aether
Outdoor Clothing
489 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
4.6
200-500 for outerwear
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Combines fashion with outdoor functionality
Vibe:
Stylish and functional
Get To:
Powell St. (BART)
Tip:
Technical jackets
Quality outdoor fashion products with a lifetime guarantee
Aether
Outdoor Clothing
489 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
4.6
200-500 for outerwear
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Combines fashion with outdoor functionality
Vibe:
Stylish and functional
Get To:
Powell St. (BART)
Tip:
Technical jackets
Quality outdoor fashion products with a lifetime guarantee
🦌
Paxton Gate
Curiosities Shop
824 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
4.4
20-100 for curiosities
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Focus on unusual and eclectic finds
Vibe:
Whimsical and intriguing
Get To:
16th St. (BART)
Tip:
Vintage items, plants
A cabinet of curiosities with a collection of carnivorous plants & fossils
🧺
Rare Device
Design Store
600 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States
4.1
30-200 for home goods
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Curated selection of design pieces
Vibe:
Eclectic and chic
Get To:
16th St. (BART)
Tip:
Unique home decor
Practical home accessories, unusual decorations and gift products

Luxury

🥃
Redwood Room
Cocktail Bar
495 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
4.4
15-30 per drink
Temporarily closed
Stunning redwood decor and cozy atmosphere
Vibe:
Elegant and sophisticated
Get To:
Montgomery St. (BART)
Tip:
Classic cocktails
Glamorous cocktail bar with artistic decor serving as a hot spot in SF
🧆
Atelier Crenn
Innovative Cuisine
3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States
4.9
400-500 per tasting menu
5 to 8PM
Fine dining restaurant serving food as an artistic experience
🍕
Saison
Fine Dining
178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States
4.7
400-600 per tasting menu
5:30 to 9:30PM
3 Michelin star restaurant serving a luxurious French-American cuisine

SF Hidden Spots

Cable cars, tech startups, and vibrant arts.

The city has more than 200 parks, including the sprawling Golden Gate Park, larger than New York's Central Park.

San Francisco is a city that blends natural beauty with technological innovation. Famous for its fog-covered Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco offers stunning views of the bay, along with its vibrant neighborhoods and diverse culture. The city is also a major tech hub, with Silicon Valley just a short drive away. Known for its hills, cable cars, and scenic vistas, San Francisco is also a foodie’s paradise, offering everything from fresh seafood to innovative international cuisine.

Watch Out

Watch out for Crowded Areas

Powell Cable Car

Skip the Powell Cable Car Line and just explore the quiet scenic parts of the city
🚠
San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
https://www.sfcablecar.com/

Off the beaten path places in

San Francisco

Transportation

BART, bike-friendly

City Overview

San Francisco is a hub of tech innovation and steep hills, offering everything from the Golden Gate Bridge to quirky districts like Haight-Ashbury. The city blends history with modernity, from cable cars to Silicon Valley.

San Francisco

3 Day City Guide

- Day 1: Morning: Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field. Afternoon: Ferry to Alcatraz Island. Evening: Explore Fisherman’s Wharf and have dinner at a seafood restaurant. - Day 2: Morning: Visit Golden Gate Park (Japanese Tea Garden and De Young Museum). Afternoon: Haight-Ashbury for vintage shopping. Evening: Sunset from Twin Peaks. - Day 3: Morning: Mission District for brunch. Afternoon: Dolores Park. Evening: Explore Chinatown and North Beach.

Current Trends

- Food trucks: San Francisco’s food truck scene is booming, with events like Off the Grid attracting locals and tourists alike. - Art installations: Interactive street art and pop-up galleries, especially in the Mission District. - Third-wave coffee: SF is a coffee lover’s paradise, with Blue Bottle Coffee leading the pack in ethically sourced beans.

Local Events Guide

- Outside Lands (August): A three-day music festival in Golden Gate Park featuring top artists. - San Francisco Pride (June): One of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ events. - Fleet Week (October): A celebration of the U.S. Navy and a stunning airshow over the bay.

Local Insider Tips

- Mission District for murals and burritos. - Golden Gate Park’s hidden gems, like the Japanese Tea Garden. - Sutro Baths ruins, where locals hike with coastal views.

Sustainable Travel

- Bike rentals: San Francisco’s Bay Wheels bike-sharing system. - Public transportation: The city’s cable cars are iconic, and the MUNI system offers electric buses. - Eco-friendly hotels: Stay at Hotel Zelos, a modern, green-conscious hotel. - Sustainable food: SF is a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement, with restaurants like Chez Panisse leading the charge.

San Francisco

Explore the Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences:

Ready to see through a local’s eyes?
Our curated guide unveils top hidden gems, secret spots, and local favorites that you won’t find in typical travel guides.
Whether it’s a cozy café tucked away in a historic neighborhood, a scenic trail only known to insiders, or unique cultural sites, has so much more to offer beyond the tourist hotspots.
Dive into our off-the-beaten-path guide and discover the true heart —perfect for adventurous travelers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for an authentic journey

Sign below for Fresh Updates

We will send you the latest curation of places and cities straight to your inbox along with access to the pop-up store & exclusive events.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Join us to stay connected. Read our updates

Unlock the Hidden Side:

Each spot in our City guide is handpicked to help you experience the city like a local, avoiding the crowds and discovering the best-kept secrets.
From charming local eateries and breathtaking viewpoints to tucked-away art galleries and vibrant local markets, this guide lets you explore beyond the surface.
Follow our recommendations for an unforgettable adventure and see why these places stand out as favorites among locals.
For more unique experiences like these, explore our full collection of off-the-beaten-path city guides and make every trip a journey of discovery.

More Cities to Visit:

🇮🇳
Mumbai
Local Mumbai
27.2
5
Indian Rupee (INR) ₹
Local Mumbai
Vibe:
Mumbai is home to the world’s most expensive house, Antilia, which is owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
Tip:
Mumbai is a city where the old and new coexist in perfect harmony, from its historic bazaars to its cutting-edge malls. The hustle and bustle are matched only by its vibrant nightlife, making it a global hub for both business and pleasure. The city’s street food is legendary, with dishes like Vada Pav and Pani Puri being some of the most iconic snacks. While Bollywood dominates the entertainment scene, the city is also home to rich cultural traditions, making it a true melting pot of art, food, and fashion. With iconic sites like Marine Drive and the Gateway of India, Mumbai offers a stunning view of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is a city that never sleeps—its markets, restaurants, and nightlife hum with life at all hours of the day and night.
🇯🇴
Amman
Local Amman
18.3
Jordanian Dinar (JOD) د.ا‎
Local Amman
Vibe:
Amman is home to the Roman Theatre, built in the 2nd century AD, which still hosts cultural events today.
Tip:
Amman is a city with a rich history that spans thousands of years. From the Roman Theatre to the Citadel, every street and building tells a story of the past. The city also blends modern amenities with traditional markets, making it an ideal place to experience both ancient and contemporary Jordanian life. Visitors can explore Amman’s many historic landmarks, enjoy delicious Arabic cuisine, or take a short trip to the nearby Dead Sea or Petra. Amman offers visitors a warm welcome and is a perfect base for exploring the wider country. The city's culture, food, and music make it an unforgettable destination.
🏖️
Vilamoura
Coastal Glamour
16-28°C
High
Euro (EUR) €
Coastal Glamour
Vibe:
Built by the Romans, famous marina
Tip:
With its Mediterranean charm and luxurious appeal, Vilamoura offers the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. Boasting one of Europe’s largest marinas, it is a prime location for yacht tours and upscale dining. The town’s rich history is evident in its Roman origins, which are complemented by modern amenities and stunning beaches. Whether you’re enjoying a round of golf, lounging by the sea, or dining at a Michelin-star restaurant, Vilamoura offers a high-end escape like no other.
🇩🇪
Hamburg
Hidden Hamburg
9.4
7
Euro (EUR) €
Hidden Hamburg
Vibe:
Hamburg has more bridges than any other city in the world, even more than Amsterdam and Venice combined.
Tip:
Hamburg is a major port city with a fascinating blend of history and modernity. Visitors can explore the city's impressive harbor, famous Speicherstadt district, and rich maritime heritage. From the lively nightlife in the St. Pauli district to the world-class museums and art galleries, Hamburg offers a variety of experiences for visitors of all tastes. Whether you’re a history buff or a foodie, Hamburg has something to offer.
🏖️
Sardinia
Tranquil
18°C
Medium
Euro (EUR) €
Tranquil
Vibe:
Nuragic civilization predates Roman Empire.
Tip:
Sardinia is a peaceful haven with breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural history. Its ancient ruins and pristine beaches make it a unique destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike. Sardinia’s natural beauty and culture offer something for every traveler.
🇮🇹
Rome
Hidden Rome
15.7
7
Euro (EUR) €
Hidden Rome
Vibe:
Rome has more fountains than any other city in the world, with over 1,500, including the iconic Trevi Fountain.
Tip:
Rome is a breathtaking city where history and culture come to life in every corner. The city boasts an unrivaled wealth of ancient monuments, world-class art, and iconic landmarks. From the mesmerizing Colosseum to the beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome's charm lies in its blend of past and present. Its streets are filled with lively cafes, beautiful boutiques, and open-air markets, making it an unforgettable destination that offers a perfect mix of ancient wonders and modern charm.