San Francisco 101
San Francisco 101
If it's your first time to SF (never say "Frisco"), this is a list for you!
One of the most popular destinations for tourists -- there are attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. Bring a jacket!
713 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf
2801 Leavenworth StOne of the most popular destinations for tourists -- there are attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. Bring a jacket!
Check out all the shops, restaurants, street performers along this pier. Don't forget to see our famous sea lions hanging out all year round at K-dock!
416 locals recommend
Pier 39
The EmbarcaderoCheck out all the shops, restaurants, street performers along this pier. Don't forget to see our famous sea lions hanging out all year round at K-dock!
Hidden gem of SF - Has quite an interesting collection of about 300 coin-operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines, that date from the turn of the century.
87 locals recommend
Musée Mécanique
Fishermans WharfHidden gem of SF - Has quite an interesting collection of about 300 coin-operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines, that date from the turn of the century.
Take a tour to learn about "The Rock". This prison was once home to some of the most notorious inmates in U.S. history, such as Al Capone. The most interesting aspect of the tour is that you can go into the prison and see what it was like to be imprisoned.
Book the ferry tickets early -- they sell out fast!
503 locals recommend
Alcatraz Island
Take a tour to learn about "The Rock". This prison was once home to some of the most notorious inmates in U.S. history, such as Al Capone. The most interesting aspect of the tour is that you can go into the prison and see what it was like to be imprisoned.
Book the ferry tickets early -- they sell out fast!
Take an audio tour of this authentic WWII submarine, now a National Historic Landmark. You will get to explore the entire submarine and learn what it was like for sailors aboard this vessel during wartime.
7 locals recommend
USS Pampanito
45 PierTake an audio tour of this authentic WWII submarine, now a National Historic Landmark. You will get to explore the entire submarine and learn what it was like for sailors aboard this vessel during wartime.
Take a historic tour of a battleship: SS Jeremiah O'Brien. It is the sole survivor of the armada of Allied ships which was involved in D-Day, and one of only two remaining WWII Liberty Ships surviving today.
SS Jeremiah O'Brien
Pier 45Take a historic tour of a battleship: SS Jeremiah O'Brien. It is the sole survivor of the armada of Allied ships which was involved in D-Day, and one of only two remaining WWII Liberty Ships surviving today.
Situated right on the Bay, this building is a great place to find delicious and unique food and wine, beautiful crafts and other goods, and all with a magnificent view of the the Bay Bridge and other Bay landmarks. If you're here on a Saturday before 1pm, you must go to the back for one of the biggest Farmer's Markets in the city.
189 locals recommend
Ferry Building
Situated right on the Bay, this building is a great place to find delicious and unique food and wine, beautiful crafts and other goods, and all with a magnificent view of the the Bay Bridge and other Bay landmarks. If you're here on a Saturday before 1pm, you must go to the back for one of the biggest Farmer's Markets in the city.
Walk along this field towards the west all the way to Golden Gate Bridge. This is a 28 acre site with beautiful views of the bay -- great for joggers, cyclists, walkers, and picknickers.
426 locals recommend
Crissy Field
Walk along this field towards the west all the way to Golden Gate Bridge. This is a 28 acre site with beautiful views of the bay -- great for joggers, cyclists, walkers, and picknickers.
Obviously one of the most iconic bridges in the US . You can see this from Crissy Field or Marina Green. You can bike across this too - but be prepared for a workout!
1321 locals recommend
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeObviously one of the most iconic bridges in the US . You can see this from Crissy Field or Marina Green. You can bike across this too - but be prepared for a workout!
Enjoy fancy lattes and women in yoga pants in this affluent, residential neighborhood with well trimmed hedges and colorful flower window boxes. The neighborhood actually has an impressive marina, which is home to a couple of prestigious yacht clubs. Marina Green, an 8 block stretch of grass running along the edge of the bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying.
99 locals recommend
Marina District
Enjoy fancy lattes and women in yoga pants in this affluent, residential neighborhood with well trimmed hedges and colorful flower window boxes. The neighborhood actually has an impressive marina, which is home to a couple of prestigious yacht clubs. Marina Green, an 8 block stretch of grass running along the edge of the bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying.
Great for adults and kids! The Exploratorium is a hands-on science museum along the pier and a great way to refresh your science knowledge or learn new things.
432 locals recommend
Exploratorium
Green StreetGreat for adults and kids! The Exploratorium is a hands-on science museum along the pier and a great way to refresh your science knowledge or learn new things.
Visit an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum—all under one living roof. If you're here on a Thursday from 6-10p, definitely go for NIGHTLIFE, an Adults-only (18 year of age or older) event with cocktails, DJs, and much more.
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrVisit an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum—all under one living roof. If you're here on a Thursday from 6-10p, definitely go for NIGHTLIFE, an Adults-only (18 year of age or older) event with cocktails, DJs, and much more.
A beautiful white greenhouse with thousands of tropical plant varieties inside and occasionally a butterfly hatchery!
232 locals recommend
Conservatory of Flowers
100 John F Kennedy DrA beautiful white greenhouse with thousands of tropical plant varieties inside and occasionally a butterfly hatchery!
Recently renovated - this museum has five floors of galleries. Be sure to see the unique glass bridge on the 5th floor, perched high above the main lobby!
813 locals recommend
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StRecently renovated - this museum has five floors of galleries. Be sure to see the unique glass bridge on the 5th floor, perched high above the main lobby!
The "crookedest street in the world": The best time to see and photograph the street from the bottom (from Leavenworth St) is in the morning because Lombard Street runs east-west and slopes eastward. The best time to see and photograph the view from the top (from Hyde St) is in the afternoon. At night there are great views of Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower. The wild parrots of Telegraph Hill frequently fly over head in the morning.
345 locals recommend
Lombard Street
Lombard StreetThe "crookedest street in the world": The best time to see and photograph the street from the bottom (from Leavenworth St) is in the morning because Lombard Street runs east-west and slopes eastward. The best time to see and photograph the view from the top (from Hyde St) is in the afternoon. At night there are great views of Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower. The wild parrots of Telegraph Hill frequently fly over head in the morning.
Aka "Little Italy" : a charming Italian part of town that is a mix of 1950's beatnik hangout spots and a happening nightlife / mini red-light district (around Broadway).
229 locals recommend
North Beach
Aka "Little Italy" : a charming Italian part of town that is a mix of 1950's beatnik hangout spots and a happening nightlife / mini red-light district (around Broadway).
The most famous of SF's parks is Golden Gate Park, a massive (roughly 1/2 mile-by-four mile) urban oasis with windmills, bison, museums, a carousel and much more hidden among its charms. It could take you a whole day or more to explore every part of this park.
1721 locals recommend
Golden Gate Park
The most famous of SF's parks is Golden Gate Park, a massive (roughly 1/2 mile-by-four mile) urban oasis with windmills, bison, museums, a carousel and much more hidden among its charms. It could take you a whole day or more to explore every part of this park.
You can go on board several historical ships, including the 1886 Balclutha clipper ship, a walking-beam ferry, a steam tug, and a coastal schooner. Learn about physics with their pulley system demo!
12 locals recommend
Hyde Street Pier
2905 Hyde StYou can go on board several historical ships, including the 1886 Balclutha clipper ship, a walking-beam ferry, a steam tug, and a coastal schooner. Learn about physics with their pulley system demo!
Famous for being a center of the Hippie movement in the 60s and 70s. It still maintains its distinct feel with small organic coffee shops and store after store selling marijuana-themed goods, tie dye T-shirts and head bands. Come here for record shopping at Amoeba or perusing authentic costumes at the various costume shops along the street.
379 locals recommend
Haight-Ashbury
Famous for being a center of the Hippie movement in the 60s and 70s. It still maintains its distinct feel with small organic coffee shops and store after store selling marijuana-themed goods, tie dye T-shirts and head bands. Come here for record shopping at Amoeba or perusing authentic costumes at the various costume shops along the street.
The main road along Grant Ave is a tourist trap, but there are some great restaurants and shops along side streets. Stockton Street is where most locals do their shopping for groceries; be sure to sample some of the dim sum and other specialties offered in the many bustling shops.
551 locals recommend
Chinatown
The main road along Grant Ave is a tourist trap, but there are some great restaurants and shops along side streets. Stockton Street is where most locals do their shopping for groceries; be sure to sample some of the dim sum and other specialties offered in the many bustling shops.
Constantly bustling -- people use the square mostly as a space to relax and soak up a bit of sun, and to wallow in the atmosphere created by the surrounding cable cars, hotels and shoppers. Great for people watching!
There is free wi-fi provided by the city. Look under the leaves of the greenery in the planters, and you'll find a few power outlets for your laptop.
817 locals recommend
Union Square
333 Post StConstantly bustling -- people use the square mostly as a space to relax and soak up a bit of sun, and to wallow in the atmosphere created by the surrounding cable cars, hotels and shoppers. Great for people watching!
There is free wi-fi provided by the city. Look under the leaves of the greenery in the planters, and you'll find a few power outlets for your laptop.
Super cute neighborhood with a mix of boutiques, high end restaurants, hip stores, condominiums, and Victorians.
223 locals recommend
Hayes Valley
Super cute neighborhood with a mix of boutiques, high end restaurants, hip stores, condominiums, and Victorians.
Go into the Japantown mall for an amazing selection of Japanese food, dessert places, beauty products, and gift shops.
246 locals recommend
Japan Town
Go into the Japantown mall for an amazing selection of Japanese food, dessert places, beauty products, and gift shops.
Generally our hipster district, the Mission is really a mish-mash of culture ranging from immigrants, long term residents, hipsters and yuppies are living side-by-side. It's known for it's wide range of food, ranging from high-end restaurants to authentic taquerias. Spend your time tasting coffee, exploring fancy cocktails, to enjoying all the colorful street art and murals in the area.
355 locals recommend
Mission District
Generally our hipster district, the Mission is really a mish-mash of culture ranging from immigrants, long term residents, hipsters and yuppies are living side-by-side. It's known for it's wide range of food, ranging from high-end restaurants to authentic taquerias. Spend your time tasting coffee, exploring fancy cocktails, to enjoying all the colorful street art and murals in the area.
There's no sign except the long line out the door. Grab an almond croissant (or two) along with a banana cream pie and sit outdoors or go to Dolores Park to have your snack.
768 locals recommend
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero StThere's no sign except the long line out the door. Grab an almond croissant (or two) along with a banana cream pie and sit outdoors or go to Dolores Park to have your snack.