Going sightseeing in San Francisco? Check out these tourist tips!
San Francisco draws in millions of visitors each year, and with so many sights to see, it can be challenging to navigate through the wealth of choices. In this guide, we dive into the essential sightseeing tips for San Francisco to help you get the most out of visiting this amazing city.
1. The Golden Gate Bridge
When you’re sightseeing in San Francisco, you won’t want to miss one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge spans 1.7 miles and connects San Francisco to Marin County. Its orange hue, breathtaking views, and amazing engineering make it one of the best sights in San Francisco.
For those looking for ways to explore the Golden Gate Bridge, you can drive over it, walk over it, and look at it from afar.
- By car: Cash tolls are no longer accepted at the Bridge. Instead, pay with a toll invoice, a one-time payment, a license plate account, or a FastTrak account.
- By foot: San Francisco City Guides offer free walking tours on Thursdays and Sundays. If you’re interested in learning about the Bridge’s history, don’t miss out on this opportunity for an enriching cultural experience! The walkway is open from 5:00 AM to 6:30 or 8:00 PM, depending on the season.
- By bike: The Bridge features a bike lane, too! Check out the Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour that departs from Fisherman’s Wharf and concludes with a ferry ride.
- From afar: There are plenty of places to go to see the Golden Gate Bridge! Some of the most popular at Fort Point National Historic Site, Baker’s Beach, and Land’s End. You can even see the bridge while dining at Pier 39 restaurants.
Here are some San Francisco tourist tips from locals that can help you make the best of your visit to the Golden Gate Bridge:
- Dress in layers! Even when it’s sunny, San Francisco guarantees at least a few chilly hours per day.
- The Golden Gate Bridge gets crowded. Opt to visit early in the day or during off-peak times.
- Public parking lots can fill up quickly. Consider taking public transportation!
- Explore the Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Area for a deeper understanding of its history.
2. Fisherman’s Wharf: A Waterfront Wonderland
Fisherman’s Wharf is a bustling neighborhood teeming with restaurants, souvenir shops, and attractions—plenty of fodder for sightseeing in San Francisco! Explore the historic Pier 39, home to a lively sea lion colony, the Aquarium of the Bay, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park while you wander the Wharf.
Here are the best tips from locals for making the most of Fisherman’s Wharf:
- One of San Francisco’s famous dishes is clam chowder. The best clam chowder is at Pier Market Seafood Restaurant. Our award-winning recipe is a local favorite. Make sure to try it in a sourdough bread bowl!
- Try our local Dungeness crab! Fisherman’s Wharf is the place to eat sustainable seafood, and Pier 39 restaurants are the perfect place to find it.
- Catch free street performances at Pier 39! Check out Pier 39’s website for more details on upcoming performances.
- Bring a reusable bag with you if you plan on shopping at the many outlets on the wharf. San Francisco Ordinance mandates stores charge 25 cents per bag!
- Sail with the Blue & Gold Fleet to really experience the Bay! The hour-long San Francisco Bay Cruise starts as low as $27 per ticket.
- It can get pretty windy here, so keep that sweater with you!
3. A Must for SFO Sightseeing: Cable Cars
San Francisco’s iconic cable cars have been in operation since the late 1800s! Cable cars (aka streetcars) offer memorable transportation with stunning city views.
Before hopping on a car and kicking off your sightseeing in San Francisco, remember that cable cars operate between 7:00 AM and 10:30 PM Monday through Sunday. A single ride costs $8. There are three lines that will take you to the following neighborhoods:
- North Beach
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Union Square
- Nob Hill
- Chinatown
- Embarcadero
Of course, where are a few San Francisco tourist tips to help you successfully ride San Francisco’s iconic cable cars:
- Cable cars run on a schedule, and many riders are commuters. Speed up the boarding process by having your payment ready before you get on!
- You can pay cash if you have exact change. Blend in with the locals by paying through the MuniMobile app or with a Clipper card (which can be added to your Apple Wallet!).
- Learn more about cable car history at the free cable car museum. Be sure to check out their collection of historic cable cars and mechanical displays.
4. Unique Sightseeing in San Francisco: Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is an intriguing tourist spot nestled in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It is a former federal prison that famously held Al “Scarface” Capone! The prison opened in 1934 and closed in 1963.
It specialized in holding violent prisoners who were considered escape risks. In its 29 year tenure, prisoners attempted fourteen escapes! Learn all about it and hear many more tales–including The Battle of ’46—by visiting Alcatraz Island.
Keep these San Francisco tourist tips in mind before heading to Alcatraz:
- Self-guided audio tours are available in several languages. They feature excerpts of stories by former correctional officers and inmates.
- Book your tickets in advance; they can sell out weeks in advance depending on the season.
- Dress in layers (especially for the ferry ride!) and wear good walking shoes. It can get chilly in the Bay.
- After checking out the prison, explore the rest of the grounds to see more military outposts, the lighthouse, and the gardens. Plan to spend 2-3 hours walking the grounds.
5. Coit Tower: A Towering Monument with Panoramic Vistas
Coit Tower, standing 210 feet tall on Telegraph Hill, offers panoramic views of the city and the Bay. Built in 1933, Coit Tower has graced the skyline for almost a century. It’s the perfect perch for sky-high sightseeing in San Francisco.
The interior is adorned with fresco murals by 30 local artists depicting 1930s life in San Francisco. Pioneer Park and its famous flock of parrots surround the tower.
Tickets for the elevator range from $3 for children 5-11 years old and $10 for non-resident adults. Children 4 and under ride free. Non-resident seniors and children are charged $7. If the elevator is unavailable, you can always climb the 13 flights of steps.
Here are our best local tips for visiting San Francisco’s Coit Tower:
- Skip the line by reserving time-specific mural tours and elevator tickets online.
- Coit Tower has a very interesting history that starts with a wealthy eccentric’s dream. Don’t miss out on the guided tours!
- If you can, visit at sunrise or sunset for optimal views.
6. Chinatown San Francisco: A Tapestry of Culture and Cuisine
Sightseeing San Francisco trips wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Chinatown. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in the United States! It started during the Gold Rush, but it began to flourish after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Today, it contains a rich tapestry of shops, restaurants, and historical landmarks. Chinatown covers 24 city blocks and deserves a good chunk of time during your visit!
If you’re looking for San Francisco tourist tips for visiting Chinatown, consider the following:
- Explore on foot to discover hidden gems. Around every corner there is a beautiful mural to admire or a fun hole-in-the-wall shop to drop into.
- Sample local delicacies like dim sum and shop for special spices and condiments.
- Check out the famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory where 20,000 fortune cookies are made each day.
- Snap some Instagram-worthy selfies in front of the Dragon Gate.
- Don’t miss the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, which hosts rotating art exhibitions.
7. Golden Gate Park: Urban Oasis and Cultural Hub
Encompassing 1,000+ acres, Golden Gate Park is a sprawling urban oasis with diverse attractions. It is 200 acres larger than New York City’s Central Park. It contains 680 acres of forests, 130 acres of meadows, 33 acres of lakes, and 7,000+ plants.
The Park is known for its top attractions, including the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Here are some San Francisco tourist tips from locals:
- Parking is historically difficult to find. According to legend, street parking is available within and around the park. However, we recommend traveling by foot, bike, or public transportation. The park also offers a free shuttle 365 days a year.
- Did you know that a herd of wild bison have lived in the park for over a century? They are not dangerous and prefer grazing peacefully on their own.
- With a little planning, you can apply for a permit to participate in the Secret Treasure Hunt. That’s right, there’s hidden treasure in the park.
- Take a loved one for an unforgettable picnic and a paddle boat ride at Stow Lake.
- If you’re visiting in the spring, don’t miss out on the spectacular cherry blossoms at the Japanese Tea Garden!
- Always check online before your visit for the numerous free and ticketed concerts and events happening throughout the park! Sightseeing in San Francisco is an excellent opportunity to experience the city’s live entertainment.
8. San Francisco’s Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies, a row of Victorian houses, is a must-see stop on any sightseeing San Francisco tour—especially for architecture-lovers. The name “painted ladies” refers to the style of the homes, which can be found throughout San Francisco. These Painted Ladies, however, are famous for their scenic beauty and backdrop of the San Francisco skyline.
These properties are unique; you’ll need a few San Francisco tourist tips to see the Painted Ladies in their full glory:
- You can see them best from Alamo Square Park. There, they sit snugly against the backdrop of the San Francisco skyline.
- There is no bad time to visit. But, consider going on a clear day at sunrise or sunset for some extra special views.
- These homes are privately owned, so please respect the owners’ privacy. However, the blue house offers tours of the interior every day at 4 pm. Tickets are $30 per person for this exclusive 90-minute tour.
9. Haight-Ashbury: A Journey Through Counterculture History
Known for its role in hippie culture history, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood offers multiple stops for sightseeing in San Francisco. Immerse yourself in the neighborhood’s counterculture history, visit eclectic shops, see street art, and attend local festivals and events for an authentic experience.
These are our best local tips to make the most of your visit to Haight-Ashbury:
- While less famous than the Painted Ladies, the Four Seasons are equally beautiful and interesting to see. These Queen Ann Victorian homes are painted to represent the winter, spring, summer, and fall.
- Amoeba Records is a classic haunt for locals. Music lovers, don’t miss this one!
- Check out the homes of famous Flower Power rockstars: members of The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and more.
- Don’t forget to snap a pic of the Haight/Ashbury intersection street signs!
10. Lombard Street
Lombard Street is famously known as the “Crookedest Street in the World.” This is one of San Francisco’s most well-known landmarks—a quintessential stop for sightseeing in San Francisco. It has eight hairpin turns within one block!
Which San Francisco tourist tips will help you make the most of your visit to Lombard Street?
- Remember that people do live here, so please be respectful. Stay on the public walkways, and never block someone’s driveway.
- Only walk on the sidewalk! Do not walk where cars are driving. Stay safe!
- Pay attention to the cars while you’re walking, too. Many drivers are tourists unfamiliar with the terrain.
- Take a photo from the bottom or the top of Lombard Street. Either way, you’ll get a great shot of your San Francisco sightseeing!
- Did you know that Lombard Street is only the second-most crooked road in San Francisco? Check out Vermont Street on Potrero Hill for an even steeper one!
Your Unforgettable San Francisco Trip
San Francisco is a city begging to be explored. Whether you’re excited to see iconic landmarks or hidden local gems, this guide serves as your compass for sightseeing San Francisco.
As you plan your San Francisco adventure, remember to embrace the unexpected, wander off the beaten path, and savor the unique experiences this vibrant city has to offer. Your journey awaits!
Pier Market Seafood Restaurant
Pier Market’s scenic waterfront location and delicious seafood make it stand out as the place to dine on Pier 39. The perfect place to stop on your San Francisco sightseeing adventure.