TripAdvisor's editorial team reviewed our attractions database and selected the best local attractions to highlight in this itinerary. Some are popular, some are off the beaten path, but all are worth a visit.
 City landmarks |
|  | Golden Gate Bridge: Stretching 4,200 feet and towering as high as a 65-story building, this well-known bridge is the gateway to San Francisco. Visitors can walk or bike across it, have lunch at the Bridge Cafe and shop for souvenirs at the Gift Center.
Address: Lincoln Boulevard, near Doyle Drive and Fort Point, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415-921-5858
Free |  |
| | Alcatraz: You can see it from Fisherman's Wharf, but this infamous former prison island in San Francisco Bay is definitely worth a closer look. Now a national park, tours are led by park rangers, who recount the prison's thrilling history along with intriguing anecdotes about Al Capone, the Birdman of Alcatraz and other legendary figures who slept here.
Address: Alcatraz Landing, Pier 33, Embarcadero, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415-981-7625
Admission fee | |
| | Lombard Street: Known as the "crookedest" street in the world, the steep, hills and sharp curves of this one-way road pass by grand Victorian mansions and attract millions of tourists each year.
Address: Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415 391 2000
Free | |
| Center of activity |
| | Fisherman's Wharf: Shopping area beginning at Pier 39 and ending at Ghirardelli Square, the wharf is home to such famous sites as The Wax Museum, Haunted Gold Mine, Laser Maze and Medieval Dungeon.
Address: Jefferson Street, Between Hyde and Powell Streets, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415 391 2000 ;888 WHARFSF
Free | |
| Family fun |
| | The Exploratorium: Even the unscientifically inclined will be fascinated by the interactive exhibits that explore heat, magnetism, sound, vibrations, relativity and more with wildly inventive and very hands-on displays. Check out the wonderful gift shop where it's hard to resist picking up a souvenir or present.
Address: 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415 561 0360
Admission fee | |
| | Pier 39: This third most visited attraction in the U.S. is a hive of activity with rides, entertainment, restaurants, shops and lively street entertainers. You can easily hop a ferry across the bay to Alcatraz or Tiburon, but don't miss the celebrated sea lion colony that inhabits the nearby abandoned docks.
Address: Beach Street & The Embarcadero, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415 705 5500
Free | |
| Nifty neighborhoods |
| | The Castro: San Francisco's famous gay and lesbian neighborhood is filled with interesting cafes, bars and shops worth exploring. The Castro Theatre draws movie buffs year-round with film festivals and movies of every genre.
Address: Castro and Market Sts. is the heart of the Castro, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415-391-2000
Free | |
| | Union Square: A shopper's paradise, this bustling square near the theater district has everything from upscale department stores and boutiques to discount houses. After a $25-million facelift in 2002, the cosmopolitan hub boasts a huge amphitheater, granite pedestals on which street entertainers perform and a tree and flower-lined environment in which to enjoy an espresso or an elegant meal.
Address: Bordered by Powell, Stockton, Post and Geary Streets, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415 391 2000
Free | |
| | North Beach: This neighborhood has retained most of its beatnik charm while adding fine cuisine to its claims to fame. Rebuilt by Italian immigrants after the 1906 earthquake, the Italian cultural influence is evident in the scores of cafes and cozy restaurants.
Address: Broadway at Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, California
Free | |
| | Chinatown: This electric neighborhood of 100,000 is not to be missed, and it's not hard to find: listen for the clack of mahjongg tiles and nose out the salty spicy squid.
Address: Grant Avenue, San Francisco, California
Phone: 888-212-3203
Free | |
| | Haight-Ashbury: During the 1960s, this infamous neighborhood was homebase to the American hippie movement as well as rock legends The Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin, who actually owned homes here. Today, although not quite as rebellious, the flower child vibe still exists in the Haight, which is packed with interesting bookstores, arts and crafts shops and cafes. Consider taking the Flower Power Walking Tour, a guided trek through the neighborhood and its history.
Address: Haight Street between Masonic and Stanyan, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415 391 2000
Free | |
| Worth a side trip |
| | Muir Woods National Monument: Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this coastal redwood preserve was named for conservationist John Muir. Located 12 miles north of San Francisco, the majestic redwoods and scenic trails draw more than 1.5 million visitors every year.
Address: Highway 101, Mill Valley, Marin County, California
Phone: (415) 388-2595
Admission fee | |
| Restaurants |
| | Restaurant Gary Danko: Reservations are a must at one of the city's most popular restaurants. A boisterous atmosphere, excellent service and sumptuous food are perfect for a special occasion.
Address: 800 N Point St, San Francisco, California
Phone: 415-749-2060 | |
| | Dottie's True Blue Cafe: Dottie's is a comfy coffee shop with a great breakfast following. The dining room is small and the lines long so show up early to cut down on the wait time.
Address: 28 6th Street, San Francisco, California
Phone: 4158852767 | |
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