First Time in SF?
San Francisco is small (49 square miles), hilly, and divided into neighborhoods that change character every few blocks. Steep hills, deep food scene, and a bridge people still photograph after 90 years. Here is what to know on a first visit.
Best Weather
September and October. Locals call it “second summer.” Warmest, least foggy months.
What to Pack
Layers. Always layers. Temperatures swing 15°F between neighborhoods on the same day.
Getting Around
Get a Clipper Card. Works on Muni, BART, and ferries. Skip the rental car.
Footwear
Walking shoes are non-negotiable. The hills are steep.
The Highlights
Golden Gate Bridge
Walk or bike across. Start from the south side near the Welcome Center for the best photo angles. Best light is morning or sunset.
Alcatraz Island
Book tickets 2 to 3 weeks in advance at alcatrazcruises.com. The audio tour is one of the best in the country. Night tours are smaller and more atmospheric.
Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
Touristy. The sea lions, clam chowder bread bowls, and Musée Mécanique (a free vintage arcade) are the reasons to go.
Chinatown
The oldest Chinatown in North America. Walk through the Dragon’s Gate, the alleys, and the temples. Get dim sum at Good Mong Kok Bakery.
Golden Gate Park
Bigger than Central Park. The California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden, the de Young, plus trails and meadows.
Cable Cars
Take the Powell-Hyde line for the best views. Go before 9am or after 6pm to skip the long lines at Powell and Market.
Neighborhoods to Explore
San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own character. Hop between them.
North Beach
The Italian QuarterOld-school cafes, City Lights Bookstore, late-night bars. Order a cappuccino at Caffe Trieste and stay awhile.
The Mission
Murals, Tacos, NightlifeStreet murals, taquerias (La Taqueria, El Farolito), and a long bar strip on Valencia. The sunniest neighborhood in SF.
The Castro
Historic LGBTQ+ CenterRainbow crosswalks, the Castro Theatre, restaurants, and the deepest LGBTQ+ history of any neighborhood in the country.
Haight-Ashbury
Summer of LoveThe center of 1960s counterculture. Vintage shops, record stores, and murals from the era.
Pacific Heights
Views & VictoriansVictorian mansions and views of the Bay, the Bridge, and Alcatraz. Fillmore Street has the shopping.
Where to Stay
For first-timers, Union Square puts you in the center. Close to cable cars, shopping, and transit. Fisherman’s Wharf is walkable and touristy. For a more local feel, try the Mission District or Hayes Valley. For waterfront views, the Embarcadero.
What to Eat
Five things worth eating on a first visit.
Sourdough Bread
Boudin Bakery at the Wharf has been making sourdough since 1849. The bread bowl is the order.
Mission Burritos
La Taqueria and El Farolito. The Mission-style burrito was born here.
Dim Sum
Good Mong Kok Bakery in Chinatown for BBQ pork buns. Yank Sing in the Financial District for full cart service.
Dungeness Crab
In season November through June. Swan Oyster Depot. Arrive before they open.
Ferry Building Market
The Saturday farmers’ market. Arrive hungry and graze.