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

🚠
Iconic Transport
Powell Cable Car
Skip the Powell Cable Car Line and just explore the quiet scenic parts of the city
🛒
Grocery Store
Bi-Rite
Grocery store serving gourmet sandwiches, ice cream and baked goods
Outdoor Clothing
Aether
Quality outdoor fashion products with a lifetime guarantee
Outdoor Clothing
Aether
Quality outdoor fashion products with a lifetime guarantee
🦌
Curiosities Shop
Paxton Gate
A cabinet of curiosities with a collection of carnivorous plants & fossils
🧺
Design Store
Rare Device
Practical home accessories, unusual decorations and gift products
🌾
Food Hall
Ferry Building Marketplace
Organic farmers market with food stalls
🧗
Scenic Viewpoint
Twin Peaks
Urban hike with a scenic view of San Francisco
🎞️
Urban Park
Dolores Park
Recreational park with open air movie theatres and ice cream
🔭
Interactive Museum
Exploratorium
Science museum that allows to ask question & question answers
🎞️
Historic Theatre
The Castro Theatre
Historic theatre playing movies and performances
🎨
Scenic Nature Trail
Land’s End Trail
Short trail across the historic Sutro Baths with an ocean view
🍫
Artisan Chocolate
Dandelion Chocolate
Independent chocolate factory with tours and a café
🌉
Historical Landmark
Alcatraz Islands
Take a ferry to the former federal prison located on an island
🌁
Scenic Beach
Baker Beach
Clothing-optional beach overlooking the golden gate bridge
🎨
Art Museum
de Young
Contemporary art museum with Friday cocktails and shows
🏞️
National Park
Yosemite
National Park with granite cliffs, waterfalls and camping spots
🏖️
Lake & Resort Area
Lake Tahoe
Freshwater lake offering sunny beaches and ski resorts in the winter
Nature Trail & Beach
Mount Tamalpais Trail and Stinson Beach
Hike up scenic hills from the beach
🌳
National Park
Giant Sequoia
National Park with crystal caves, moro rocktrail and really giant trees

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

💯
Espetus Churrascaria
Brazilian Steakhouse
1686 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
4.4
50-70
Temporarily closed
Rodizio-style Brazilian steakhouse
http://www.espetus.com/
🍣
🍣 Ebisu
Sushi and Izakaya
1283 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States
4.2
20-40
12 to 8PM
Unique fusion of Japanese dishes
Vibe:
Modern, Inviting
Get To:
19th St. & Mission (BART)
Tip:
Omakase, sake selection
Small but authentic Japanese restaurant serving fresh sushi with fair prices
🍲
🍲 Suppenküche
German Soup Kitchen
525 Laguna St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
4
15-30
12 to 8PM
Authentic German dishes, warm atmosphere
Vibe:
Cozy, Casual
Get To:
16th St. Mission (BART)
Tip:
Currywurst, house-made soups
German restaurant serving wholesome soups
🧩
The Social Study
Coffee and Community Space
1795 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States
4
10-30
12 to 8PM
Popular spot for freelancers and creatives
Vibe:
Chill, Welcoming
Get To:
16th St. & Mission (BART)
Tip:
Coffee, pastries
Cosy Lounge with board games and conversations
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

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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.

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Coastal Glamour
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