Famous for grand-dame Victorian homes, cable cars, a dynamic waterfront, and the soaring Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco justifiably stands out as one of the ultimate must-visit cities on any traveler’s wish list. The Bay Area attracts travelers from around the world looking for award-winning architecture, diverse cultural perspectives, trendsetting cuisine, iconic landmarks, and rich history.
To help make your visit to the Bay a memorable one, we’ve pulled together a few of our favorite spots to jumpstart your itinerary! The hardest part may be deciding where to go first.
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf beckons with its seafaring vibe and amazing seafood restaurants. The world-famous Wharf attracts millions of guests every year, making it one of San Francisco’s most well-loved tourist attractions. The boardwalk is lined with delicious restaurants – enjoy a famous bread bowl of clam chowder at Boudins, or fresh crabs and seafood at Crab House to satiate your appetite. Afterwards, see the sea life in action at the Aquarium of the Bay or watch the local sea lions simply hanging out by the boat docks.
Ferry Building Marketplace
Home to the best farmers market in the city on Saturdays (and plenty to explore the rest of the week, too), the famed Ferry Building is a must-see. Take a waterfront stroll and enjoy an array of farm fresh products and artisan goods from vendors selling everything from rare citrus to small-batch miso and Lebanese street food. The famed Cowgirl Creamery offers fizzy egg creams and decadent grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as their famous Mt. Tam cheese. The ever-popular Hog Island Oyster Company serves briny oysters pulled from Tomales Bay and has waterfront seating. No matter where you end up inside the building, it’s sure to provide a feast for the senses (and the appetite).
San Francisco Botanical Garden
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, showcasing more than 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. The city’s unique Garden inspires with its displays of the extraordinary diversity of rare and unusual plants that can be grown in coastal California due to Northern California’s specific climate. Wander around the serene landscape and take in the natural wonders of one of the most diverse gardens in the world.
The gardens are open daily at 7:30 AM with admission costs of $13 for adults from February through October, and only $10 from November to January.
SalesForce Park
Uniquely located in the center of the city, SalesForce Park is a sight worth seeing and exploring. Elevated four stories above downtown and stretching 4 blocks wide, this (literally) elevated park is a true wonder. With over 600 trees and 1600 plants, SalesForce Park has its own micro-ecosystem in the sky. Open daily from 6 am - 9 pm, there is no excuse to not visit this wonderful oasis during your trip to San Francisco to witness innovation in action.
Alcatraz
You may know it by its real name or you may know it as “The Rock,” – Alcatraz is one of the most famous prisons in the world. Open for 29 years and, at one point, home to gangster Al Capone, it became notorious for failed escape attempts. The island is just 1.25 miles offshore and, lured by the glittering lights of the city, 34 prisoners tried their hand at getting out and swimming through the frigid, choppy waters to freedom. Today, you can take a 12-minute ferry ride to view the ruins of the prison and learn more about the island's history. If you like procedurals or true crime podcasts you’ll certainly love this excursion. It does get crowded, so make your reservations in advance and if you can snag a spot on the first morning’s ferry, do it. People on the first boat will have a better time touring before it gets too packed. Many people love the night tour (which books up even sooner than the day tours) for its eeriness and glittering views of the city lights from your vantage point just offshore.
No matter what brings you to San Francisco, if you visit any of our favorite spots we’re sure you’ll enjoy your holiday in the Bay!