San Francisco is often called one of the best cities in the world. I personally think that it’s definitely the most beautiful city in the United State and it should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s such a vibrant city with diverse views, unique neighborhoods and beautiful outdoor spaces.

There is always so much to do in the City by the Bay. San Francisco is famous for its stunning landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Pier 39, but there are plenty of less-know, but still amazing things to do. From poping into wonderful restaurants and cafes, to visiting thrift stores and finding new parks.

I’ve been living in San Francisco for almost five years and I’m excited to finally share this Ultimate Local’s Travel Guide to San Francisco. In this travel guide, you’ll find a list of my favorite places that I love, my go-to restaurants and cafes, as well as best view-points for sunrises and sunset. I’ll also suggest the best neighborhoods to explore and stay at. Remember, that there’s always something new to see, taste and experience in San Francisco! In this travel guide, I would like to share with you a slice of this wonderful city.

Things you need to know before coming to San Francisco

The best time to visit:

Fall is definitely the best time to visit San Francisco, we call it “Indian summer”, because it brings sunny and warm weather. Summers in SF are very cold and foggy. Even Mark Twain once said “The coldest winter was a summer in San Francisco”. I recommend coming in the second half of September or October, which are the warmest months. Don’t forget that the weather is very unpredictable and it can change rapidly. Bring layers and be prepare for unexpect wind and fog.

How many days you should stay:

Because there are so many fun things to do in San Francisco, I recommend spending there at least 5-6 nights. The more time you have, the better. Also, keep in mind that the weather is very unpredictable. Windy and foggy days might happen during your trip and it’s better to have some extra days just in case you are unable to explore during that time.

Colorful Victorian House in the Pacific Heights

Where to stay in San Francisco

The best parts of San Francisco to stay in are the northern areas of the city, such as Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach, Marina and Fisherman’s Wharf. If you stay there, you will be located close to most of the attractions and the best neighborhoods. Those areas are also much safer compared to the ones further down south.

My top hotels in San Francisco:

The Westin St. Francis - a historic hotel with best location and beautiful views of Union Square

Fairmont San Francisco - great location, between Nob Hill and Fisherman’s Wharf, they have a beautiful patio overlooking downtown & the cable cars are passing outside of the hotel!

Argonaut Hotel - conveniently located in Fisherman’s Wharf, plenty of food & dining options nearby, close to the Golden Gate Bridge & Alcatraz ; beautifully designed

1 Hotel - best design, recently opened near Embarcadero, features a great restaurant and rooftop bar

Kimpton Alton - located in Fisherman’s Wharf, modern and affordable hotel

Beacon Grand - the rooms offer beautiful views over the city, great restaurant for breakfast & dinner, good location

Ritz-Carlton San Francisco - luxury hotel located in Nob Hill neighborhood, close to Downtown SF and Russian Hill

Hotel Emblem - affordable, boutique hotel with a great vibe located in Downtown SF

My friend Sandra (@sandrajurewicz) and I in Westin Hotel

Where to eat in San Francisco

The culinary scene in San Francisco is pretty great, thanks to the diverse immigrants, who brought their unique flavours and recipes to this city. There are plenty of authentic restaurants and bars, where you can try delicious food from nearly every corner of the world and experience various cultures. It’s truly a melting point!

Here are my favorite places to eat (both low-key restaurants and upscale places):

Tony’s Pizza
Original Joe’s
House of Thai
Hindoneya Ramen
Blue Barn

Top things to do in San Francisco:

Watch sunrise at Battery Spencer in Marin Headlands

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is a must-visit spot on any tourist’s itinerary, but I also enjoy to go there as a local. I’m always impressed by its magnitude and vastness. Even though I live in San Francisco, I never miss an opportunity to appreciate it’s beauty. If you’re looking for a stunning place which offers postcard-worthy views of the Golden Gate Bridge, go to Battery Spencer, in Marin Headlands. It’s quite a touristy place and it gets crowded especially on weekends and during sunsets. If you want to have a peaceful experience and still enjoy the views, I’d recommend visiting Battery Spencer at sunrise. If the bridge is covered with fog (it sometimes happends in the mornings), make your way to Hawk Hill instead. It is located up the hill and there is a bigger change for the sun.

Enjoy the morning or afternoon stroll in one of the parks

San Francisco has lots of parks and green spaces. The biggest and the most famous one is the Golden Gate Park, which is a popular destination for locals and tourists. I personally prefer more quiet and smaller parks located on the hills. Most of them have beautiful views over the city. My favorite parks in San Francisco, known only by locals are Tank Hill, Corona Heights, Bernal Heights, Ina Coolbrith and Fay Park

The view from Tank Hill (Corona Heights in the distance)

Ride a cable car

The cable cars in San Francisco are a historic icon and the world’s last manually operated cable car system. They began operating in 1873 and are designated as a National Historic Landark. There are three cable car lines in San Francisco: Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason and California Street lines, each offering unique views of the city’s landscape. My favorite line is Powell-Hyde. It goes through the famous Lombard Street and my favorite neighborhood - Russian Hill. If you want to take some photos with the cable cars, the best spot to do it is on Hyde Street and Beach Street, at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Cable cars on Beach x Hyde Street, San Francisco

Have picnic at the Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is a monumental structure located in the Marina. It was constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, a world’s fair celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal and San Francisco’s recovery from the 1906 earthquake. The place features a stunning Greco-Romain-inspired rotunda flanked by columns and surrounded by a tranquil lagoon with turtles and ducks. Today, it’s a popular spot for picnics, weddings and cultural events. It’s a great place to enjoy an afternoon before heading to Crissy Field Beach or the Marina.

Explore North Beach and Telegraph Hill

North Beach neighborhood is a vivacious area to visit for delicious, Italian food and lively bars. You can find there lots of good restaurants, cocktail lounges & pubs. The best place to start your adventure is Washington Square - the heart of the neighborhood. During the sunny days, you can soak up the sun there and grab a beer or focaccia sandwich in one of the old-school, Italian bars - Mario’s Bohemian Cigarette Store or Molinari Delicatessen. Next, wander around the streets of Telegraph Hill, which is basically the area between Washington Square and Coit Tower. You’ll will find there lots of pretty houses and hidden parks - it’s one of the most expensive places to live in the city. If you want to see the city from above, visit the Coit Tower for picturesque views over the city. After checking out this pretty hill, make your way back to Columbus Avenue and have an Italian gelato or cannoli in the Italian Delicatessen, Alimento.

Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge

It’s such a great experience to walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is 1.7 miles long (almost 3 kilometers), with a pedestrian walkway on the city side, and a bikeway route on the other side. While crossing the bridge, you can soak up stunning views of San Francisco. If you decide to rent a bike or you want to have a longer walk, head to Sausalito, which is a small seaside town near the north end of the Golden Gate bridge.

Go Hiking in Lands End

San Francisco offers many fantastic hiking options. My favorite place for hiking is Lands End, where you’ll find a picturesque trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Lands End trail will allow you see the Golden Gate Bridge from many different angles. It starts at Sutro Baths (you can leave your car at their free parking lot with many spaces) and leads towards the Golden Gate recreation area. After checking out Sutro Baths, head through a little forest to Point Lobos, it offers beautiful views over the ocean. Then, continue on the trail along the coast, it’s relatively flat and covered with trees. Walk to Eagles Point, stop at Mile Rock Beach and if you want to hike further, you can use the same trail to walk all the way to Baker Beach, Marshall Beach or even the Golden Gate Bridge.

Catch the sunset at Baker Beach

Baker Beach is the most instagrammable and popular beach in San Francisco. It offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, making it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike. The beach is known for its scenic beauty, rugged coastline and sandy shores. It can get crowded on a sunny day, because locals love spending their free time there when it’s warm. It’s also a great spot for picnics and photo sessions. If you want to have an amazing experience at Baker Beach, head there in the afternoon, grab a blanket, get some snacks and watch sunset. You may also occasionally see there dolphins and whales ( I saw them twice in the summer, they usually come to the Bay in July).

Take a day trip from San Francisco

If San Francisco is your base and you want to explore the area, here are a few ideas for day trips with up to 2 hours from the city.

Napa Valley & Sonoma Valley - go wine tasting and explore the countryside up North from SF!
Point Reyes National Seashore - very wild and unique place, it reminds me of Ireland
Bodega Head - perfect for hiking and sunset, it has a beautiful rugged cliffside
Santa Cruz & Capitola - something for surfers & skaters, the place with a vibe

If you like this post, please comment and pin it on Pinterest! You can also follow me on Instagram to follow along my adventures (@sarowly).