My San Francisco TOP list
I know there was an article about my last days in San Francisco and what I did there but I wanted to summarize it and put down my favorites to do in San Francisco while you are there. San Francisco is not just about the Golden Gate Bridge or all the highlights written in guide books you can get in your bookstore so Here is my top list: (plus I added few places where you should eat too!)
Golden Gate Bridge
Of course, your stay in San Francisco wouldn't be full without a visit to the bridge.
Why? Because this is a must-visit place in San Francisco. Don't expect it to be as red as it looks like on photos as it is not. Don't expect it to be empty or at least not that crowdy because it is crowdy as hell! Of course, but it is worth a visit!
How to get there? There is a bus number 28 that goes from the Fisherman's Wharf to the bridge and then through the Golden Gate Park and ends at the San Francisco State University. Get there early or late for either the sunrise or the sunset because the view just makes you speechless!
Why? Because this is a must-visit place in San Francisco. Don't expect it to be as red as it looks like on photos as it is not. Don't expect it to be empty or at least not that crowdy because it is crowdy as hell! Of course, but it is worth a visit!
How to get there? There is a bus number 28 that goes from the Fisherman's Wharf to the bridge and then through the Golden Gate Park and ends at the San Francisco State University. Get there early or late for either the sunrise or the sunset because the view just makes you speechless!
The Lands End
What can you find there? It is a big park situated in the West of the city. The view from here is amazing and you can even see the place mentioned below - Golden Gate Park with its Dutch mills and a beautiful beach. At the Lands End, you can even visit ancient Sutro Baths. What is it? Those are ruins of baths here in San Francisco. No, I'm not joking. You can see the ruins of the pool and even walk on the top of it, but please, don't walk on the ruins as many of the tourists do because we would like to keep that for the rest of the world. Those baths were built in 1896 but burned out in 1966 and so it is now in ruins.
What to do there? Just relax. San Francisco is full of green parks as well as the sights in the city center so relax in here before you go ahead. I saw the humid bird there for the first time in my life so if you are lucky you might see this amazing natural beauty as well.
How to get there? I took bus number 38 but as I checked later, you can even take number 18 or number 1. It depends on what bus you will take from where you are. If you start at this point instead of the Golden Gate Bridge you can easily walk from here to the bridge.
Golden Gate Park - Japanese Gardens
While visiting the Golden Gate Bridge you can easily hop on or hop off bus number 28 and you can visit this stunning place. This Golden Gate Park includes many areas as the Californian Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Japanese Gardens, etc. I visited just Japanese Gardens but it was just worth the entrance fee.How much? The entrance fee was 8$ per visit per person but you can stay as long as you want.
Why go there? Because you also have to relax while visiting this magnificent and crowdy city and this is the right place to go. At the moment you enter the gardens you feel like in Japan. This place is just like being out of the space! Sit down by the pond watching the waterfall or going up and down the typical Japanese bridges, or just grab a green tea at the small Japanese bistro there and enjoy the atmosphere of the feeling like visiting one of the most beautiful Asian countries.
How to get there? As already written above, you can hop off the bus number 28 on your way back from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Palace of Fine Arts
How much? Nothing at all, this place is just situated in the Marine District and it is for free.
How to get there? There are few bus stops nearby, of bus number 28 that goes also through the Golden Gate Bridge or the Golden Gate Park or you can find bus number 30 or 30X stop nearby.
The Fisherman's Wharf
A place from the fishermen's dream or even the place where you can "smell the wildlife". The place of great seafood and a place for souvenir shopping. Everything in one place and next to the beach. What a place to be! Watch the sea lions relaxing, playing, swimming and making noises, quite close to the lookout so you can even smell them!
What to do there? Shopping for souvenirs, from magnets to a new carry-on suitcase for your next trip, anything you are looking for, you can find here, watching the sea lions laying on the pier 39 and playing together, or trying out some great seafood. I tried crab benedicts there and I can say I didn't eat any better before!
How to get there? If you are coming from the Palace of the Fine Arts just take bus number 28 and take off at the Fort Mason Park. You can easily walk there or change the bus to another and jump off exactly at Pier 39 where we are going.
Let's get from the ordinary sights you can find in any guide you buy anywhere in San Francisco. Let's have a look at 16th Avenue and its amazing sight that is not sight. Don't be too late, better to go there early in the morning or late in the evening to watch the sunset or the sunrise from the top of the steps. The view of the city is breathtaking and the steps itself are just too beautiful to be true. One more time, be sure, that you are there early because this place is crowded even though it is not an official sight from the guide. When I was there some shooting was on so half of the steps were covered by people who were taking photos.
How to get there? I did it wrong and went by walk what you can do as well but you should know that San Francisco is full of up and downs so the hills are not that easy to hike all the day long. If you don't like to walk up to the 16th Avenue, I saw there should be a bus number 66 nearby.
What can you find there? As I said already, you can find many different shops with Asian goodies there as well as typical Chinese bistros. While walking around you feel the atmosphere of being really in Asia. Want to withdraw some money? No problem, you will be passing more Chinese banks than you could imagine. You will definitely meet many Chinese people there as the population of San Francisco is so diverse and the Asian population is huge there. Talk to them, ask for advice where to eat, what to try or just talk to them. They are nice, friendly and used to tourists. And as a note, Chinatown in San Fran is the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese enclave outside Asia according to Wikipedia so while you are there you should go there!
How to get there? Chinatown is one of the districts in San Francisco as well as the Italian one or the Japantown. The Dragon Gate of the Chinatown is situated on Grant Avenue at Bush Street in Chinatown. The nearest buses would be 45, 30, 3 and 8. Simply as for Chinatown and the bus driver will tell you when to jump off.
One must do in San Francisco is riding the cable car! You can experience this just in San Francisco. Yeah, of course, you might have a chance to do it somewhere else too but it won't be the same one. One way ticket costs 7$ per person but it is free with your San Francisco Muni card. Don't sit down. Trust me, you can experience the ride only when you are hanging and staying on the site. I was lucky enough and was riding the cable car for the whole three days I stayed in San Francisco because one of the lines of the cable cars starts at Powell station where my hostel was really nearby Union Square. If you are lucky enough you will experience the same ride as I did. The driver was so talkative, friendly and was kind of our guide. He told us where are the sights and while we were riding through the Chinese district we knew that because he told us where the places are as well what to take a photo of. While telling us his stories he was joking all the time and so we all had such a great and funny time with this one. He seemed like he is enjoying his job! Thank you, a friendly driver of my first cable car ride!
Where to find cable cars? The one I mostly took a ride of starts at Powell station and goes to the Fisherman's Wharf. There are three lines I think, that run around the city center.
What to do there? Shopping for souvenirs, from magnets to a new carry-on suitcase for your next trip, anything you are looking for, you can find here, watching the sea lions laying on the pier 39 and playing together, or trying out some great seafood. I tried crab benedicts there and I can say I didn't eat any better before!
How to get there? If you are coming from the Palace of the Fine Arts just take bus number 28 and take off at the Fort Mason Park. You can easily walk there or change the bus to another and jump off exactly at Pier 39 where we are going.
The Tiled Steps
How to get there? I did it wrong and went by walk what you can do as well but you should know that San Francisco is full of up and downs so the hills are not that easy to hike all the day long. If you don't like to walk up to the 16th Avenue, I saw there should be a bus number 66 nearby.
Chinatown
Oh man, this place is just awesome! While entering the gate you feel like entering a different country. All the stores are looking different than European or American and people? You have a feeling like walking somewhere in Asia. Not just the decoration of this San Francisco district is really different than the rest of the city but the stores sell typical Chinese goodies and those bistros with Asian food, the smell around is just mouthwatering! I ate two different meals in Chinatown but talk about that later.What can you find there? As I said already, you can find many different shops with Asian goodies there as well as typical Chinese bistros. While walking around you feel the atmosphere of being really in Asia. Want to withdraw some money? No problem, you will be passing more Chinese banks than you could imagine. You will definitely meet many Chinese people there as the population of San Francisco is so diverse and the Asian population is huge there. Talk to them, ask for advice where to eat, what to try or just talk to them. They are nice, friendly and used to tourists. And as a note, Chinatown in San Fran is the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese enclave outside Asia according to Wikipedia so while you are there you should go there!
How to get there? Chinatown is one of the districts in San Francisco as well as the Italian one or the Japantown. The Dragon Gate of the Chinatown is situated on Grant Avenue at Bush Street in Chinatown. The nearest buses would be 45, 30, 3 and 8. Simply as for Chinatown and the bus driver will tell you when to jump off.
Twin Peaks
I didn't have time to get there what is a pity but next time while I'm in San Francisco I'll definitely do that because one of my friends got there to watch San Francisco from above and the view is just wow! Phenomenal view in the city center and a perfect place near to the Casto district. If you are there you have to go to this place as well: https://www.yelp.com/biz/seward-street-slides-san-francisco but why? Because this is a perfect playground for adult kids. Do you want to enjoy your day on the adult playground? Here you have the chance to do so!Cable car
Where to find cable cars? The one I mostly took a ride of starts at Powell station and goes to the Fisherman's Wharf. There are three lines I think, that run around the city center.
Those were the top places that I visited while traveling to San Francisco. I know there are more places to see. Unfortunately, I didn't have more time to do so. I have a few more tips for you though! I tried three places where I ate and those got stuck in my mind!
Ramen Underground
I was looking for a great ramen place and I found a great and authentic place to eat the best soup in the city! Not that this restaurant has such great reviews on TripAdvisor that I found out later but I went in because I saw there were many Japanese people and I know that if you see many locals sitting in then you know the restaurant is going to be great. I entered and tried and you know what? It was phenomenal! Such a great experience in San Francisco. The broth was really intense and they had plenty of options to choose from. I choose the chicken ramen soup with habanero on the side and I add an egg as well. My friend chose a soy ramen soup and it was delicious as well so I guess you can't go wrong, no matter what your choice is. I'm pretty sure you can get a fork but if you are already there use the chopsticks because how more authentic you could go? Talk to the waiter and ask for the recommendation if you need it because the service is so friendly. You even get the tap water at the second you sit down at the table. If you like Japanese ramen, go ahead to this small restaurant and try them all!
Starving for something Vietnamese? On my way through the Chinatown, I found this small Vietnamese bistro and as I saw there were just Vietnamese people inside and it looked so authentic I went in, it was the best choice I could do! I tried a few Vietnamese sentences I could speak. Well, to be honest, my Vietnamese is just good enough to say Hello, How are you and what is my name as well as something else that won't be that useful in a restaurant or a bistro at all so at least, I tried something and sat down. The service was so friendly, I felt like in Vietnam at the second I entered the place. As I was talking to the waitress I found this is a family bistro. She and her mom are at the counter, I just didn't get the answer who is in the kitchen. No matter who was in the kitchen, the food was really tasty. The meat was marinated in a special sauce and the taste was just nothing I tried before. Full of the spices you could taste, the fresh veggies in were crunchy and the noodles just perfectly cooked. The combination was mouthwatering! What did I have though? This meal is called Bun Bo Nam Bo with beef! I was watching around and as the place is small I could see all the other dishes and they looked delicious as well. So if you have time and you love Asian food, this is the place to go!
Get the San Francisco MUNI card for public transport because public transport in San Francisco is really good and after a few days of walking up and down the hills, you will get really tired. With this card, you can go by bus, tram, cable car and the trolleybus for free so it is definitely worth to buy it. You can choose from many options as 1, 3 or 7-day pass and save a lot of money actually!
Talk to people! If you just don't know what bus to take or what direction to go, the easiest way is to ask someone. I did it many times and you will find that people there are really friendly, talkative and you might even find some new friends, you never know. Bus drivers are amazing so every single time when I didn't know what stop I should jump off the bus I asked and they shouted at me when it was the right time.
How can you get from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO)? It is pretty easy, you just need to know where are you going. There are three underground lines at the airport, red, blue and yellow. I took the yellow line to the Powell Station (Union Square). Don't forget to buy a ticket! How do you know what ticket do you need? It is not that hard. Find out the station you are going to on the list of the stations you can see at the ticket machine. The price written next to it is the price of a one-way ticket. My ticket to the Powell Station was something like 8.60$ or so, so I had to buy a ticket worth a price of this price multiplied twice as I could use it to the city center and back when I was leaving. The ticket expires in a month, I think. But If you get the ticket worth 10$ you can go to the Powell Station and then one more time to spend those 1.40$. I have decided to buy one for 20$ and ride it the way there and back, maybe I can also use it later while going somewhere in the city center. Get the banknote or a credit card ready and put it into the ticket machine, choose the amount (if you have the banknote you have the amount chosen) and if you have 20$ banknote like I had, you can choose if you like one ticket worth 20$ or two tickets each worth 10$. It made more sense to take one ticket worth 20$ to me so I did but you can use the options that more fits you.
Don't walk up to see Lombard Street! Would you like to see the most crooked street in the World? Well, many people love to and if you are in San Francisco you should see it as well! Lombard Street is located along the eastern segment in the Russian Hill neighborhood so as the word hill says it all, you have to climb it up. I mean, after few days in San Francisco you will understand. The weather was really hot when I was there so I have decided to skip it but then I met this awesome French girl who gave me the best advice ever, don't walk up, it will kill you! So I didn't and found the best way to get there. You can take the cable car that actually stops on the top of the hill so you can watch it from above and just walk down! I would recommend taking the cable car somewhere in the city center because I was walking a bit to get it and in the end, it was really full and if it is full and you can't fit in, you just basically don't get in and you have to wait for another. I was waiting for 45 minutes but as the other people waiting for it told me it was worth waiting instead of climbing up in the weather. So next time, I'm coming in not that hot weather and I'm going to climb you up, you Russian Hill!
Mind the bikes! While walking on the Golden Gate Bridge, what you should absolutely do just because you would love to see the city from there as well, mind the bikes around you. There is the rule that you can see it written on the bridge. Pedestrians have their site of the sidewalk as well as the bikes do. Please, don't cross it and accept the fact that there is a part for pedestrians as well as for bikes. I had to watch a really terrifying scene when one boy crashed with a woman because she jumped into his ride and he wasn't able to stop.
Golden Flower
Baked Bear
Is it too hot? The sun is shining and you are starving for ice cream? Why would you like to have just an ice cream if you can have the best ice cream! Why would you like to have the best ice cream if you can go for more? This place is not an ordinary place for ice cream. I found this place on the internet before I went to San Francisco but in the end, I just found it on my way while walking around the city. There are more places around San Francisco so you can choose the one that is nearby to you at the moment. All of them work the same way. You get in, choose the cookie/brownie/bagel, then you choose the ice cream and in the end, they bake it for you in a special grill made for their sandwiches. As a last, you can also choose the topping for your ice cream sandwich. Ask if you are not sure what to choose because I did and the two girls I met there were so friendly and helpful. In the end, we chose the right cookies, the best ice cream, and topping and the final result was just something you don't have any words for. Perfect, perfect, perfect choice for the summertime!Last but not least tips for your trip in San Francisco: (I found those useful, hope you do as well)
Get the San Francisco MUNI card for public transport because public transport in San Francisco is really good and after a few days of walking up and down the hills, you will get really tired. With this card, you can go by bus, tram, cable car and the trolleybus for free so it is definitely worth to buy it. You can choose from many options as 1, 3 or 7-day pass and save a lot of money actually!
Talk to people! If you just don't know what bus to take or what direction to go, the easiest way is to ask someone. I did it many times and you will find that people there are really friendly, talkative and you might even find some new friends, you never know. Bus drivers are amazing so every single time when I didn't know what stop I should jump off the bus I asked and they shouted at me when it was the right time.
How can you get from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO)? It is pretty easy, you just need to know where are you going. There are three underground lines at the airport, red, blue and yellow. I took the yellow line to the Powell Station (Union Square). Don't forget to buy a ticket! How do you know what ticket do you need? It is not that hard. Find out the station you are going to on the list of the stations you can see at the ticket machine. The price written next to it is the price of a one-way ticket. My ticket to the Powell Station was something like 8.60$ or so, so I had to buy a ticket worth a price of this price multiplied twice as I could use it to the city center and back when I was leaving. The ticket expires in a month, I think. But If you get the ticket worth 10$ you can go to the Powell Station and then one more time to spend those 1.40$. I have decided to buy one for 20$ and ride it the way there and back, maybe I can also use it later while going somewhere in the city center. Get the banknote or a credit card ready and put it into the ticket machine, choose the amount (if you have the banknote you have the amount chosen) and if you have 20$ banknote like I had, you can choose if you like one ticket worth 20$ or two tickets each worth 10$. It made more sense to take one ticket worth 20$ to me so I did but you can use the options that more fits you.
Don't walk up to see Lombard Street! Would you like to see the most crooked street in the World? Well, many people love to and if you are in San Francisco you should see it as well! Lombard Street is located along the eastern segment in the Russian Hill neighborhood so as the word hill says it all, you have to climb it up. I mean, after few days in San Francisco you will understand. The weather was really hot when I was there so I have decided to skip it but then I met this awesome French girl who gave me the best advice ever, don't walk up, it will kill you! So I didn't and found the best way to get there. You can take the cable car that actually stops on the top of the hill so you can watch it from above and just walk down! I would recommend taking the cable car somewhere in the city center because I was walking a bit to get it and in the end, it was really full and if it is full and you can't fit in, you just basically don't get in and you have to wait for another. I was waiting for 45 minutes but as the other people waiting for it told me it was worth waiting instead of climbing up in the weather. So next time, I'm coming in not that hot weather and I'm going to climb you up, you Russian Hill!
Mind the bikes! While walking on the Golden Gate Bridge, what you should absolutely do just because you would love to see the city from there as well, mind the bikes around you. There is the rule that you can see it written on the bridge. Pedestrians have their site of the sidewalk as well as the bikes do. Please, don't cross it and accept the fact that there is a part for pedestrians as well as for bikes. I had to watch a really terrifying scene when one boy crashed with a woman because she jumped into his ride and he wasn't able to stop.
Don't use public transport all the time. I was riding the bus or a tram of course but definitely not all day long. It was mainly when I knew I had to get from point A to point B. Despite that fact, I usually jump off the bus or the cable car and walked a lot. Despite that, I got lost a few times, every time I got to the place I wanted to be. It wasn't the place I was looking for in the first second sometimes, but I found many great places. Is it true that you find the best places while you are wondering about the city? It is! Because you get out of the beaten path and you get to the places you even didn't know you can find in the city. Easily just jump off the bus you are on at the moment and walk. Where? Maybe to the right, maybe to the left, depends on you, just walk and watch around.
Sleep in a hostel. There are many hostels in San Francisco and if you are a solo traveler you will find this city just perfectly made for you! I was staying next to Union Square at the San Francisco International Hostel. The hostel itself was really nice and the location was just perfect. All the buses and trams, even the cable car has the stop nearby so this is the place to be. It was nearly full and the rooms are divided into female and male dorms that I find really useful while traveling as a female solo traveler. Breakfast was included in the price that wasn't that high but after my first day, I preferred to have my breakfast somewhere on the way. Sorry hostel, but I wasn't really into your breakfast, even though you could make your own pancakes. The hostel staff was really friendly and helpful and I appreciate that a lot on my travels. You can also get a lot of stuff while staying in the hostel like a map of the city or some really great vouchers. They really often organize some group trips as well that I wasn't really interested in but if you are, go ahead. But why am I talking about the hostel? Because you meet amazing people there! I met such an amazing girl from France there that I'm still in touch with and what do you know? Maybe you can meet a forever friend so skip the hostels, they are expensive anyway, and find some nice bed in the hostel!
Try seafood. While you are visiting San Francisco and this city is known for its seafood, you should try some as well. There are plenty of options where to try it and we did it one day as well, with the girl I met in my hostel, we decided to try the Crab Benedicts at the Pier 39 and you know what? They were delicious! We already had some breakfast so we just share the plate but I'm saying that if I didn't have anything before I would eat two plates just by myself! Where to find the best seafood in San Fran? I guess there are many restaurants but just go-ahead to the Pier and you will find many small stands that sell fresh seafood. Leave me a comment if you know about any special place to go!
Those are just a few places, tips of what to see or what to do in San Francisco. If you found it useful or you just like it or not, give me some feedback, I would appreciate it. Also, if you know about any place I should try on my next visit as I'm pretty sure this is not my last visit, give me a shout!
And one more thing: ENJOY YOUR TRIP!
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