It’s perhaps most famous for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, but there’s plenty more on offer when you visit San Francisco. This northern California city, set on a peninsula between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, has long been a cultural, financial and technological heartland.
From art and music to hip coffee houses, peaceful parks and of course those spectacular coastal views, you’ll never be short of things to see and do. So where should you start? We’ve rounded up just a few of the best things to experience during your stay.
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s most famous landmark is the perfect place to start your adventure. First opened to the public in 1937, it cost $27 million dollars to build and remains the most famous symbol of the city today. Stretching over the Golden Gate Strait from San Francisco to Marin County in the north, it’s instantly recognised across the world thanks to its iconic orange towers and cables which provide outstanding photo opportunities.
There are viewpoints on both the north and south sides of the bridge, and you can walk, drive or cycle across to the beautiful City of Sausalito on the north side of the bridge to soak up the sunshine. If you’re crossing by car, a toll will be charged automatically.
If you’d prefer to park your car and explore on foot, free walking tours are offered twice a week, on Thursdays and Sunday. Limited parking is available at the welcome centre, but there are a few alternative parking lots nearby.
Golden Gate Park
Just a short drive from the bridge you’ll find Golden Gate Park, a 1,000-acre green space filled with lakes, walking trails, meadows and picturesque gardens. Don’t miss the Conservatory of Flowers, where you can see thousands of rare and unusual plants, and the Japanese Tea Garden where you can take a walk under the beautiful maple and cherry trees.
Limited on-street parking is available on the JFK and MLK Drives which run through the park, and the Music Concourse Garage offers underground parking. It’s accessible from Fulton Street or MLK Drive inside the park.
Haight-Ashbury District
To sample some of the city’s coolest bars and coffee shops, head for the Haight-Ashbury District situated just next to the park. This was the birthplace of the hippie movement back in the 1960s, but today it’s an upscale neighbourhood where you’ll find boutique stores, record shops and trendy cafes and restaurants. Browse for rare CDs and vinyl at Amoeba Music or visit Coffee to the People to relax with a hot drink and a bite to eat.
Haight-Ashbury is also home to Buena Vista Park, the oldest park in San Francisco. Situated high on a hill, it’s named after the spectacular views of the city that can be enjoyed from its grassy slopes. There’s no main parking lot, but metered spaces are available on Buena Vista Avenue.
Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
In the heart of the city on the northern waterfront is one of its most popular tourist hotspots, Fisherman’s Wharf. Boasting spectacular views of the bay and the bridge, it’s also the best place in the city to enjoy fresh seafood, with fish, clams, mussels and oysters brought in daily out of the bay.
Try the clam chowder or Dungeness crab, which you can eat whole or in a Crab Louis salad. Alternatively, treat yourself to a helping of fresh sourdough bread, available from Boudin’s Bakery.
This part of the city is also home to Pier 39, a bustling shopping area with everything from souvenir stores to food stalls to explore. It’s also where you can see the famous lounging sea lions, who gather here in their hundreds during the winter months.
In the summer many of them migrate to the Channel Islands for breeding season, but in recent years there have been a small group who stay all year round at Pier 39’s K-Dock area – perhaps due to the sheltered environment it provides, and the plentiful supply of fish.
Fisherman’s Wharf is easily accessible via Highway 101. Parking in this part of the city is limited, so try reserving a space online before you arrive.
Alcatraz
From Fisherman’s Wharf it’s easy to reach another of San Francisco’s most famous attractions, which lies just two kilometres offshore. Alcatraz Island, sometimes known as The Rock, is one of the most famous prisons in the world, it was once a federal jail housing some of America’s most notorious criminals.
The prison was officially abandoned in 1963, but the island’s fascinating history doesn’t stop there – it was later occupied by activists from the American Indian Movement, before being opened to tourists in the 1970s.
Tours to the island are self-guided, with an audio guide included in the ticket price. The ferry departs from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, and there are several nearby parking lots where you can leave your car – beware of metered on-street parking spots, as they generally have a limit of two hours and you’ll need longer for your visit to Alcatraz.
As you might expect, the island is a hugely popular attraction, but you might be able to avoid the worst of the crowds if you’re visiting between January and March. Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Back on dry land, there are some cultural sights in San Francisco that are not to be missed. The City’s Museum of Modern Art underwent a major renovation in 2016 that tripled its gallery space, and you can now find thousands of works inside, from photography to sculpture and pieces by iconic artists such as pop artist Andy Warhol.
There’s even a Michelin-starred restaurant on the first floor, and an impressive gift shop where you can browse for art books and prints.
The museum is closed on Wednesdays, opens late-night on Thursdays, and entry is free for under-18s. To save time, you can reserve tickets online – there are also a limited number available on site each day. Parking is available at the garage on Minna Street, close to the museum’s Third Street entrance.
Yerba Buena Gardens
Once you’ve explored the museum, head across the street to the peaceful haven of Yerba Buena Gardens. This urban oasis houses its very own collection of public art, along with beautiful water features such as the Silver Walls memorial, built to honour Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
This 15-metre waterfall is surrounded by 12 panels inscribed with words from the great Civil Rights leader. The park also hosts outdoor events from May through to October, including food festivals and live music performances.
Whether you’re sticking to our list or you’ve got your own itinerary in mind, car rental in San Francisco is the perfect way to get around. We’ve got a collection desk at San Francisco International Airport, and other convenient locations including downtown, so it couldn’t be easier to get on the road and start your adventure in the Golden City.