Visiting San Francisco (with Traveler Tips)

San Francisco is truly a world class city that will draw you in, win your heart, and leave you wanting more. In order to get a good feel for the area, you need a minimum of four days to explore. I would probably recommend a week or more to truly see everything on your list and everything you will probably add to your list along the way. So, how do you know where to start? The area is so rich and full of beauty that you will have a hard time deciding to stay in the city or explore the surrounding nature areas unless you are strictly either a nature or city loving person. For your reading enjoyment today, I will cover some of what I’ve seen during my inside the city, spelunking. I’ll also offer some tips for the first time San Francisco traveler. This guide is not especially family oriented, and probably better for a young single person or couple.

Chances are, you probably have a few ideas of things you already know you want to see while you’re in town. It might be helpful to get a feel for where these destinations are within the city and try to stay in either a centrally located hotel or one that is closer to the majority of these must see spots. San Francisco is a compact city at only 14 sq miles, but it still takes time to get around town and you will want to make side stops and enjoy the food. You will also be exhausted and ready to get back to bed quickly by the end of each day.

Below I'll go over some of my must sees for my first and second trips to the city. Some of these aren’t specific destinations, but also areas of town where we wanted to explore, taste the flavors, and take in all of the smells and excitement.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

You’ll want to spend at least two hours here taking in the exhibits. The museum rotates special main even exhibits so be sure to find out which one will be on display during your visit. Be sure to allocate extra time if you decide to see the main event.

Golden Gate Bridge

Despite the appearance of being close, and the small land area of the city, the Golden GateBridge is quite a trek from the central city area. If you are staying downtown it will probably take you at least an hour to get there on public transportation.

Fisherman’s Warf

I suggest getting to Fisherman’s Warf early in the morning for best results. This area gets very busy with tourist during the late morning and afternoon hours. We were able to get to the Warf by 9am on a Friday and had no problems catching a cable car or the Bay Cruise out and under Golden Gate. We had a good four hours of enjoyment before things really started to pick up; by that time we were ready to catch a cable car out of the area. You can also catch tours of Ghirardelli and the Boudin Sourdough Company while you’re in the area.

Cable Cars

The cable cars are always busy. Besides the daily tourist rushes, these cars are also a way to work or part of a work commute for many locals. The turntables at the end of the Powell-Hyde, and Powell-Mason routes are always busiest because folks gather here to watch them spin as well as to catch a ride. Most times you are better off walking up a block or two and catching the car at a much quieter location.

Embarcadero

The Embarcadero waterfront offers a great view of the Bay Bridge and the city. You can spend hours here wondering around the parks, the shops, the open markets, and the other vendors that setup shop along the sidewalks. This is also a great chance to see some pelicans and giant freight ships scooting across the bay.

Chinatown

Some of my favorite memories of San Francisco came from exploring Chinatown. Grant Street is the main drag in Chinatown full of tourists, and tourism themed shops and eateries. To really get a feel for Chinatown you definitely have to get off of Grant and explore the neighborhood. The back alleys offer you a glance into the lives of the locals. My favorite stops in Chinatown are the alleys (Rose Alley and Hang Au Alley), and the KongChowTemple. Be sure to catch a street volleyball or basketball game to get a feel for the youth’s vibrancy in this area.

I’ve saved the best for last. This small and crowded (bar seating only) oyster bar is not really a best kept secret anymore; the secret is out. But, if you are lucky enough to get a spot at the bar (get there for a very early dinner or late lunch) you will be blessed with the freshest and yummiest seafood you’ve probably ever had. The locals love this place and the setup is ideal for singles or groups of two or three people. This is not a place to bring four or more of your friends/family for a quiet dinner. Slurp down some ice cold raw oysters and don’t miss the crab louie. Order a glass of Anchor Steam to round it off and enjoy your chat with your new neighborhood friends. If they’re eating here, they are in a great mood and glad to tell you anything you want to know about what it’s like living in San Francisco.  

• Bring a couple of pairs of comfortable walking shoes. Tennis shoes will make you look like a tourist and could make you an easier target, so avoid them. You’ll probably want to switch pairs out each day so you don’t get blisters too quickly. You will walk more during your stay than you think you’re capable of. The hills are very steep, so if you must walk them, you’ll want to be walking down instead of up.
• This is really pretty common knowledge, but bring a jacket with you at just about all times here. The weather is unpredictable and the breeze from the ocean can get bone chilling sometimes. You should also plan on running into a rain shower or two during your stay. For longer day trips, consider a backpack for your extras

• Be conscious of the people around you and be considerate of your impact on them. Everyone is always trying to get somewhere in this city; their daily commute probably isn’t as exciting as your one-time trip across town. Watch what the locals do and copy them. Avoid holding up the transport routes by doing your homework and knowing where your route will take you. I’d really suggest leaving your car at home and using public transport. You’ll save money and headaches; you can always rent one if you want to take a day trip out of town.

• Bring a small map with you at all times but keep it in your pocket. Don’t pull your map out in the middle of a crowd or stop walking. Take the time to find a place off to the side or to sit down and get your gather your sense of direction. If you get too lost, don’t be afraid to just get a cab.

• Consider purchasing a CityPass. The San FranciscoCityPass gets you access to a lot of great destinations and the best part is that it gives you free access to most of the public transit options. It is much quicker and easier to show the pass to the transit operator than it is to pay any other way. This pass will also quickly give you away as a tourist so don’t flash it around too much.

• Consider a downtime day to rest and recuperate. Again, you will be walking and dealing with crowds a lot during your stay and this tends to wear on your nerves and your energy. By taking a day to stay close to your hotel without as much walking, you’ll be able to go full force again the next day or even that evening.

• Bring your best clothes. You’ll want to look great in this city because most everyone dresses pretty nicely. Many clubs and restaurants have dress code and are reservation only, so make sure to do your research before heading out.
• Last but certainly not least, don't call it San Fran! San Francisco or 'the city' will do.