San Francisco

Travel Guide

San Francisco
San Francisco which includes a city, skyline and a house
San Francisco which includes a city and heritage architecture
San Francisco which includes street scenes, a garden and flowers
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

Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay are top sights in Fisherman's Wharf, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop to see more sights in the area.

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

Union Square

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

Downtown San Francisco

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops, and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

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

South of Market

Oracle Park and Chase Center 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

Travelers love Nob Hill for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Washington St & Leavenworth St Stop or Washington St & Jones St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Grace Cathedral and SF Masonic Auditorium.

Nob Hill
Mission District which includes outdoor art

Mission District

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 San Francisco Public Library.

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 P7,208 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P7,208
P8,483 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
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! (4,293 reviews)
"Great Hotel. Good location and clean"

Reviewed on Jul 15, 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 P7,311 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
P7,311
P10,939 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
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! (6,569 reviews)
"Walking distance to the piers and tourist sites. Breakfast was very good. Lot of variety and they always replenish."

Reviewed on Jul 15, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P7,658 per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
P7,658
P9,013 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,452 reviews)
Yay!
"Awesome! Super clean, quiet and spacious. Staff was very friendly and accomodating."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
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.
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (9 reviews)
Great amenities and good location
"The location is great, but very expensive. We like having a kitchen and laundry facility. There is no fan provided, so be prepared in warmer months. The bathroom door is frosted glass and does not reach the ceiling."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2025

Kasa The Addison San Francisco
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.
6.4/10 (24 reviews)
"Overall a great place to stay. It was very clean and the bad was very comfortable. Having a private bathroom is a luxury. My only dislike was the paper thin door which didn't block out any sounds in or out."

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

Cozy and Affordable Homes in Santa Ana
Maddux Homes near Westlake

Maddux Homes near Westlake

2.5 out of 5
752 Maddux Dr, Daly City, CA
Stay at this apartment in Daly City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach are located ...
"The best thing was parking. It was super easy. As long as no other car take up the designated parking spot in front of the grass (which no one did). I rented a car, and I mean, if you're visiting the Bay Area you should rent a car. The main issue I had was that the shower drain was clogged. Other ..."

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2024

Maddux Homes near Westlake
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

Things to do

Reviews of San Francisco

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
7
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

San Francisco weather is great! A lot of places to visit and a lot of things to do. Our recent trip to San Francisco was already our third time in ten years and we will keep on coming back to San Francisco!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Tons of things to see in the city may it be via driving and walking in the city :) Will definitely come back :)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I’m A cyclist. I bought my bike with me. If one likes to cycle like i do, San Francisco is bike friendly city. You can bike from SF to nearby Sausalito and Marin county. Love the weather!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Fisherman's Wharf is so disappointing, lot of homeless around. Streets are dirty as well.