San Francisco, CA

Travel Guide

San Francisco featuring a bay or harbor and a bridge
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 harbor

Fisherman's Wharf

4/5(38 area reviews)

Discover Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in this bustling tourist hotspot. Savor seafood at family-owned restaurants and explore the sea lion colony, while enjoying convenient cable car access.

Fisherman's Wharf
Union Square which includes a high rise building and a city

Union Square

4/5(5,164 area reviews)

Major tourist destination in downtown San Francisco, Union Square boasts shopping, hotels, and theaters. Explore department stores, boutiques, and galleries, or catch a performance at various theaters. Enjoy the Dewey Monument and stunning views from nearby hotels. Easily accessible via cable car lines, buses, and subway systems.

Union Square
Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(1,084 area reviews)

Serving as San Francisco's central business district, this area boasts Northern California's two tallest buildings, the Salesforce Tower and Transamerica Pyramid. Explore shopping malls like the Embarcadero Center and enjoy parks such as Sue Biermann Park, all easily accessible via Muni bus and rail lines.

Downtown San Francisco
South of Market featuring skyline, a city and city views

South of Market

3.5/5(3,655 area reviews)

Oracle Park and San Francisco Bay are top sights in South of Market, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Yerba Buena-Moscone Station or Fourth-Brannan Station to see more sights in the area.

South of Market
Nob Hill showing a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4.5/5(1,100 area reviews)

Luxury hotels, historic mansions, and Michelin-starred restaurants abound in this upscale area. Explore Union Square shopping district, Grace Cathedral, and the SF Masonic Auditorium for a taste of culture and history.

Nob Hill
Mission District which includes outdoor art

Mission District

3.5/5(140 area reviews)

Mission District is a destination travelers like for its bars, and you might hop aboard the metro at 16th Street Mission Station or 24th Street Mission Station to explore sights like Mission San Francisco de Asís.

Mission District
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 ₩189,907 per night from May 26 to May 27
₩189,907
₩223,521 total
includes taxes & fees
May 26 - May 27
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! (3,901 reviews)
"Is right next to the cable car stop and there's a whole foods across the street, there's some decent restaurants nearby,and it's good access for waymo and Uber and stuff"

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
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 ₩185,939 per night from May 2 to May 3
₩185,939
₩278,228 total
includes taxes & fees
May 2 - May 3
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! (6,379 reviews)
"Our first room had a very uncomfortable bed. The next morning, we asked the front desk if we could be moved to another room. They very graciously moved us to another room where we had a very lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge!!! Great staff and service!"

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel
Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel
3 out of 5
1550 Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA
The price is ₩194,880 per night from May 11 to May 12
₩194,880
₩219,727 total
includes taxes & fees
May 11 - May 12
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,980 reviews)
"Very nice and elegant"

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2025

Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel
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.
Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
2 out of 5
5 Santa Ana Ave, Daly City, CA
Stay at this apartment in Daly City. Popular attractions San Francisco Zoo and Serramonte Center are located nearby.
6.6/10 (19 reviews)
"Quiet residential area. Close to the mall and bus stop."

Reviewed on Nov 24, 2024

Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (8 reviews)
"what a lovely neighbourhood. Fillmore street is a couple of blocks away, easy transit outside the door."

Reviewed on Oct 31, 2024

Kasa The Addison San Francisco
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

Reviews of San Francisco

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
5897
5 - Excellent 48%
4 - Good
4594
4 - Good 37%
3 - Okay
1339
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
305
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
145
1 - Terrible 1%

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

I have lived here for 25 years and it’s become a filthy dirty stinky place to be I can’t wait to move away from San Francisco.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

San Francisco has beautiful things

5/5 - Excellent

Mr.NEH

love the city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Even though we were there during Covid and there weren’t many businesses open, we still had a wonderful stay.

3/5 - Okay

Mojo

Getting harder to enjoy. COVID an issue when I was there.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I love SF !

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