San Francisco Visitor's Guide, Tourism Tips
Unofficial tourism guide (safety, enjoyment, awareness, insider guide, tips from a local). San Francisco travel guide to get the most out of your visits. First time in SF. Visiting San Francisco.
Last updated: April 2, 2024
This is just a general overview of things to consider, what to explore, and questions to ask yourself on a first visit to SF. This is not your typical tourism guide. I write this from the perspective of a local who has clients that come to visit me from all over the world.
What Is San Francisco Known For? What Is There To Do In San Francisco?
Hiking & Camping (Mostly in Marin, Sonoma, Big Sur, Yosemite, Mendocino)
Yoga / Wellness (Meditation, Silent Retreats etc.)
Arts & Crafts
Reading / Writing
Crypto / AI
Failed Startups
Plants / Foraging
Mezcal / Amaro / Whisk(e)y / Wine
Spirit Forward/Fun Cocktails
ABV, Stoa, Interval, Nari, Absinthe, Lolo, Spruce, NOPA, Bar Piccino, Beretta, Delfina, Comstock, Alembic
Classic Cocktails/Bars
Buena Vista Irish Coffee, Manhattan Bix, Espresso Martini Balboa Cafe, Tommy’s Margarita, Vieux Carre Zuni, Smugglers Cove, Martuntis
Craft Beer
Breweries: Russian River, Sante Adairius, Cellarmaker, Wondrous, Faction, Great Notion (Portland, but Berkeley taproom), Moonlight, Ghost Town
Bars: Toronado, Liquid Gold, Crafty Fox, Holy Water, City Beer Store, Monk’s Kettle, Ale Arsenal
Coffee
Saint Frank, Coffee Movement, Verve, Chromatic, Sightglass, Ritual
Bouldering
Protesting
Vegan
EDM / Burning Man / Psychedelics
Salsa Dancing
Complaining About Anything (But Mostly About Dating & Making Friends)
Kayaking / Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Running
Waiting In Line
Food
Recommended Cuisines: Italian, Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean, California (Farm-To-Table), Burmese, Yucatan, Salvadorean, Peruvian, Vegetarian
Recommended Items: Irish Coffees, Craft Beer, Cocktails, Pastries, Dutch Crunch, Garlic Crab Noodles, Hot Pot, Burgers, Dim Sum, Ramen, Pizza
More Left To Be Desired: Greek, Mexican (go to Oakland, San Jose & Redwood City), Korean, Vegan, Eastern European, Jewish Delis, Southern BBQ, Balkan, NY Style Pizza
Each week, I recommend a dish/drink in the Bay Area in my weekly newsletter.
San Francisco Water Bottle Refill Map; SF Public Restroom Map
https://sfpuc.org/learning/how-you-can-help/free-drinktap-drinking-water-and-restroom-map
San Francisco City Walks, Neighborhood Guides, Locals Tips
Mission District
Street Art & Murals
Cocktails, Beer, Food, Wine Bars, Shops, Coffee
North Beach/Chinatown
Architecture, Dim-Sum, Pizza Slices, Coffee, Views
Hayes Valley/Civic Center
Boutiques, Bars, Food, Symphony, Ballet
Inner Richmond/Clement Street
Wine bars, SF’s 2nd Chinatown (Hotpot, Burmese), Croissants
Financial District POPOS
Rooftops, patios, lounges, coworking spaces
Haight
Upper: Shops, boutiques, bars, Victorian homes
Lower Haight: Toronado/Stoa (favorite cocktail/beer places in the city)
Dogpatch/Potrero Hill/Mission Bay
More space, views, low key walks
Divisadero/NOPA
Restaurants, Wine Bars, Parks
Fillmore
Restaurants, Live Music, Boutiques, Yoga Studios
Union Street/Chestnut Street (Cow-Hollow, Marina)
Yoga Studios, Vests, Yoga Pants, Wine Bars, Cafes, Coffee Shops
San Francisco Weather Tips, Best Months To Visit SF
Summer can be quite cold in the city but hot in surrounding areas as the pressure systems suck in cold are from the ocean and into/over the city. Temperature can be 30-40 degree difference between SF and surrounding areas in the summer.
If in SF, wear layers, look at micro-climates for neighborhoods
Warmest areas are usually Mission, Hayes Valley, South Beach, Mission Bay, Dogpatch (SE parts of the city)
Coldest/foggiest places are Richmond/Sunset neighborhoods, Presidio areas.
Use Weather Underground.
Wind can make the temps feel 10 degrees cooler; shade can feel 10-15 degrees cooler than sun.
Best weather in SF is usually September-October
Best times for waterfall hikes in the area is January-March
Best time for wine tasting is September-December (weather/foliage); April for mustard season
Outdoor festivals & street fairs are busy from April-October.
San Francisco Convention Calendar
This is an important one so you can avoid expensive days when tens of thousands of people come into town. Hotels can 2x-3x (or more) in price easily during these days.
https://portal.sftravel.com/calendar_public/home_sfdc.cfm
San Francisco Parking Tips (How To Avoid Tickets, Tows)
San Francisco Privately Owned Public Spaces
San Francisco has many places downtown for public use on private property during business hours. You can read about them here.
Some are crappy, some are meh, but a few are pretty nice, including rooftops, lounges, patios, and more.
Things To Do Without A Car In San Francisco
Ferry rides to Larkspur or Sausalito (Marin County)
Connect in Larkspur to SMART train to get to Petaluma, Santa Rosa etc.
Ferry rides to Alameda (Jack London Square)
Amtrak to Yosemite, Tahoe
Get a Clipper Card to use on BART, Muni, Ferries etc.
Best Things To Do/See Outside Of San Francisco
Big Sur (hikes, camping, views)
Santa Cruz/Monterey (food, beaches, surfing)
Tahoe (skiing, views, mountain biking)
Yosemite (hikes, camping, views, rock-climbing)
Sonoma/Napa (wine, cheese and more wine)
Mendocino (wine, camping, beaches)
Marin/Point Reyes (camping, hiking, mountain biking, oysters)
Best Beer Spots In The San Francisco Bay Area
Quick Favor
Please take a minute to answer a quick survey, so I can provide the events and information you seek. Thank you to those who have already done so!
Missing Something? Have Questions?
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About Eddie Hernandez
Analytics geek turned photographer (headshots, personal branding, dating profiles), image consultant & dating coach for introverts, engineers, tech folks, men/women, and straight/lgbtq+ (as seen in the NYT, WSJ). Check out my blog for all your dating questions/concerns.
San Francisco Local’s Guide, SF Visitor Guide, SF Tourism Tips, San Francisco Tourism Guide, SF Local’s Guide