The Heart of Silicon Valley, the birthplace of the hippie movement, the sexual revolution, Levi Strauss jeans, and the majority of startups, San Francisco was ranked as the best city to live in the USA in 2019 according to the Global Liveability Ranking. This is despite the disco-style city having outrageously high housing prices, even by American standards, which have pushed the cultural scene to migrate to other cities.
The LGBTQ+ community, Burning Man, and the IT environment create a unique atmosphere that can only be experienced by visiting here. From meetups to parties in gay bars, from yoga in a church to a massive contemporary art museum - get ready for a guide to San Francisco!
Transportation
The nearest airports to the city are San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). Often, tickets to Oakland are cheaper, so we recommend checking both options, but it's slightly faster and easier to reach the city from SFO. From both airports, you can quickly get to the city using the BART train, which is a regional transportation line in the Bay Area.
In general, in the United States, all types of ground transportation are referred to as buses. However, what we commonly call a subway has two types: BART (faster and more expensive, running between cities) and MUNI (slower, including not only the subway but also buses, operating only in San Francisco). It's convenient to pay for both by purchasing a Clipper Card and loading money onto it, which will be deducted upon entering the transportation. For BART, the ticket price depends on the length of the trip, and for MUNI, it's a standard fare of $3. To save 50 cents on a MUNI ticket, install the Muni Mobile app and purchase the ticket through it, linking your card. Each ticket is valid for 120 minutes from the time of purchase and allows for multiple transfers during that time. If you plan to use MUNI throughout the day, it's better to buy a 1 Day Pass for $5. We do not recommend riding without a ticket as fines for fare evasion start at $100.
If you're traveling with a group, often the price difference between Uber and Lyft is minimal. If there are two or fewer passengers, look for rides called Pool and Share, where you'll share the ride with other passengers, but the cost will be lower, which is a pleasant bonus.
One of the best ways to get around the city is by using electric bikes such as Jump and Lyft. Be cautious when riding in hilly areas as the electric charge can suddenly run out. For the more adventurous, there are alternatives such as scooters from Scoot and electric kick scooters.
To visit the famous Silicon Valley, you can take the Cal Train, with an average cost of $10 for a trip to Palo Alto. The train runs every 30 minutes on weekdays.
Accommodation in San Francisco
Although Airbnb originated in San Francisco as an alternative to hotels, it can now be more expensive than many hotels, so it's worth comparing options on Booking.com and Hotels.com.
Green Tortoise (494 Broadway) is a hostel located in a beautiful Art Nouveau-style building. Breakfast is included, and three times a week, you can sign up for a free communal dinner. The hostel features a sauna and a large common area.
HI San Francisco (312 Mason St, Union Square) is another charming hostel located in a different part of the city. There are no more than four beds per room, breakfast is included, and the hostel is right in the city center, close to many clubs, bars, and museums.
Phoenix (601 Eddy Street) is an art hotel that has been a favorite choice for touring musicians for many years. The hotel hosts pool parties and installations, and it is located near the Great American Music Hall and other concert venues. Prices start at $170 for a double room.
Hotel Triton (342 Grant Avenue) is a stylish boutique hotel in the city center, where even Jack Kerouac once stayed. Prices start at $130. In the same building, there is a French bistro called Café de la Presse and a wine bar called Herlen Place.
Hotel Zeppelin (545 Post St) is a stylish hotel in a modern building in the city center. Room rates start at $150.
YOTEL (1095 Market St) is a brand new and technology-filled hotel with an excellent location.
Hotel G (386 Geary St.) is a minimalist and cozy hotel with an oyster bar on the ground floor.
Good Hotel (112 7th St) is an eco-friendly hotel where furniture is made from recycled materials, and the showers and toilets use water-saving technologies.
Hotel Kabuki (1625 Post St) offers a modern Japanese minimalist atmosphere with a cool vibe. Prices start at $259.
Hotel Vertigo (940 Sutter St) is inspired by the Hitchcock film. The hotel building appeared in the movie and the film is continuously played in the lobby.
For those who spontaneously decide to visit San Francisco, they can check hoteltonight.com to find cool options with a 50% discount. For long-term stays (2 weeks or more), it's often possible to find sublet options through Facebook groups when people are away for a few weeks and rent out their accommodation.
For an interesting co-living format, check coliving.com.
There are also hotels for startup enthusiasts that combine the functions of a hostel and networking, organizing interesting events and tours to the valley.
If you don't mind commuting to the city center for about half an hour by train, you can consider accommodation in the Daly City/Millbrae area or across the bridge in Oakland/Berkeley.
For trips to national parks, it's best to bring a tent as it is the most affordable and flexible option. There are also many glamping options available for a nature-immersive experience.
Attractions in San Francisco
San Francisco itself is like one big museum where you encounter different cultures, architecture, murals, and people as you move from one neighborhood to another. The best way to explore San Francisco is by focusing on its neighborhoods, dedicating a day and mood to each place.
If you're visiting San Francisco for the first time, follow this itinerary. Start by exploring downtown (Embarcadero Station) and visit the Ferry Building, where you can grab a coffee and gluten-free pastries at Mariposa Bakery. Then, head to Salesforce Park, a suspended park nestled among skyscrapers (425 Mission St). From there, make your way through the Financial District and descend into the warm and vibrant Chinatown. After about fifteen minutes, you'll find yourself in the historic Italian neighborhood of North Beach, where many bookstores and bars, frequented by Jack Kerouac, can be found.
From North Beach, take a stroll from Ina Coolbrith Park to Coit Tower (1 Telegraph Hill Blvd).
If the line to go up the tower is too long or if you don't want to pay the $10 fee, within a ten-minute walk, you'll find the Art Institute building (800 Chestnut St) with its stunning terrace offering panoramic views of the entire city and fewer crowds. From there, it's just a stone's throw away to the famous winding Lombard Street, although enjoying the view without a drone might be challenging. For a unique experience, take a cable car ride back to FiDi (Financial District) and enjoy the iconic views of the Bay Bridge. An alternative way to explore the central part of the city is to join one of the daily free tours, which can be found on Facebook or Meetup, and learn more about the city's history during the Gold Rush era. Don't forget to catch a glimpse of the sea lions near Pier 39.
Golden Gate, the park, and the hippie scene.
Start your day by renting a bike and riding across the Golden Gate Bridge. However, keep in mind that most days of the year, the bridge is covered in fog, making it challenging to see even a few feet ahead. After crossing the bridge, head down to the clothing-optional Baker Beach and take the classic photo with the backdrop of the golden (actually red) bridge. Take a walk through Presidio, visit the Palace of Fine Arts (3601 Lyon St), and Fort Mason (2 Marina Blvd Building C) to appreciate the art and scenery.
Another option is to return to Golden Gate Park and explore its various attractions, such as the Conservatory of Flowers, Shakespeare Garden, Botanical Garden, Japanese Garden, or the Huntington Falls waterfall. Afterward, emerge from the park and enter Haight Street, where the hippie culture flourished. Here you'll find the best souvenir shops, vintage stores, and shops selling eccentric festival costumes. By passing through Buena Vista Park toward Castro, you can once again enjoy panoramic city views from the hills and explore an area with stunning Victorian architecture. Don't miss the chance to grab a $4-5 treat from Hot Cookie or Marcello's Pizza, and feel free to explore a sex shop or visit a gay bar. Finally, make sure to have a picnic with a view of the Painted Ladies, which are vibrant houses featured in popular postcard images.
SOMA, Mission, and nightlife. The historically Mexican neighborhood of Mission is a mix of contrasts, but it can be described as the most democratic, youthful, and wonderfully eccentric area. Spend the day walking along Valencia Street, exploring antique shops, record stores, cafes, and bars (many of the places mentioned in our list are in this neighborhood). Pass through the street art-filled alleys of Clarian Alley and the Lilac Mural Project. Descend further to Dolores Park for a picnic, bringing along a bottle of wine, CBD-infused beer, or THC-infused gummies. In the evening, head to SOMA, previously an industrial area that is now home to many startup offices. Starting with happy hours, various bars and clubs open their doors.
While it's debatable whether meetups can be considered part of the cultural program, in San Francisco, they are the most popular way to socialize and spend evenings on weekdays. You can find meetups on almost any topic related to technology, creativity, or management. Sometimes, even in the Business category, you'll come across events like "Understanding the Language of Owls." Search for meetups using the Eventbrite and Meetup apps, but pay attention to the location as they may not only be in San Francisco but also in nearby cities within the valley. When choosing, look at the organizers and venue, even if the topic doesn't seem particularly inspiring—it can be an excellent opportunity to visit the offices of Google, Airbnb, Slack, or meet interesting people.
Many events can be found for free, especially through Meetup, but don't hesitate to pay $5-15, as ticketed events usually offer higher-quality content. Like with any major city, the best events can sell out two weeks in advance, so start your search early. You can find cool gatherings through coworking websites like WeWork, The Wing (for women), Werqwise, or educational projects like General Assembly, Product School, and Creative Mornings.
Museums and Art
A classic selection of contemporary American art, including Warhol, Lichtenstein, Rothko, and others, can be found at SFMOMA (151 3rd St).
de Young Museum (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.) boasts a similar collection and houses galleries dedicated to African art. It is located in Golden Gate Park and also offers a panoramic platform with views of the bridge (on clear days) and the city.
At the Museum of Asian Art (200 Larkin St.), you can find rare examples of ancient sculptures from India, China, and Thailand.
Exploratorium, or the Academy of Science (Pier 15, The Embarcadero), is a vibrant and interactive gallery that explores the laws of chemistry and physics. On Thursdays, they host evening events featuring film screenings, DJs, and wine.
To discover local art, search for "open studios" events on Facebook. This format allows artists to open their studio spaces (usually art school students or artists renting lofts) and share their creative processes while offering wine to visitors.
Alternative museum options include the Antique Vibrator Museum (1620 Polk St), showcasing sex toys from the 1800s to the 1970s, Musée Mécanique – San Francisco's Antique Penny Arcade (Pier 45, Fishermans Wharf), the Neon Sign Museum tour, or a trip to Alcatraz (be sure to purchase tickets in advance and consider getting an audio guide, which even receives praise in Russian). Groupon often offers discounted tickets for helicopter rides or cruises.
Music and Theaters
San Francisco Symphony (201 Van Ness Ave) is an excellent place to enjoy classical music, and tickets for daytime performances can be significantly cheaper.
SF JAZZ Center (201 Franklin St) is located nearby. In fact, you can find jazz or classical music performances in various parts of the city every weekend. If you're interested in discovering local unknown musicians performing in someone's living room, check the schedule for Sofar Sounds events. There are numerous venues for contemporary artists, so you can keep track of them through Facebook events. Spotify also has a convenient feature that shows concerts by artists in your playlist.
The Curran (445 Geary St) is the venue for highly anticipated contemporary premieres. For example, there is currently a two-part play based on "Harry Potter" being performed there.
Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market St) and Golden Gate Theatre (1 Taylor St), known as San Francisco's Broadway, offer classics like "Anastasia," "Hamlet," and "The Book of Mormon," but with a local cultural twist to keep things interesting.
The Speakeasy organizes interactive performances where you become part of the production and interact with the actors based on a unique script.
Sports
San Francisco can compete for the title of the most sports-oriented city in the USA, perhaps only with Los Angeles, so it's no wonder that everyone here is seen in leggings. But seriously, a wellness experience should be an essential part of your entertainment program, whether it's hot yoga or a CBD manicure. Some of the unique activities to try include Soulcycle – workouts on stationary bikes with music and a DJ set, Ritual – hot candlelit yoga in darkness with an active deep house beat, Core40 – pilates sessions on specialized transformer machines, BlackBox VR – a virtual reality-equipped gym, and Barry's Bootcamp – high-intensity interval training in a disco-inspired studio.
By signing up for the Class Pass app, you can get free introductory sessions and credits to access almost all the fitness studios in the city.
Free yoga classes are offered in Salesforce Park and Golden Gate Park.
For an unusual spiritual experience, try practicing yoga at Grace Cathedral (1100 California St) on Tuesdays. About a hundred people gather in the cathedral, and admission is by voluntary donation.
Church of 8 Wheels (554 Fillmore St) is an authentic vintage roller rink that hosts disco roller parties on Fridays and Thursdays.
As an alternative to traditional fitness, you can visit the famous staircases of San Francisco, such as the Greenwich Steps, 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, Lyon Street Steps, and Hidden Garden Steps – providing a cardio workout and great photo opportunities.
If you're more interested in sports as a spectator, don't miss the chance to cheer for the Giants at Oracle or At&TPark. For those feeling less active, there's mini-golf at Urban Putt with Victorian-style buildings or Spark Social for outdoor relaxation.
Out-of-Town Excursions
The beauty of California lies in its stunning natural landscapes, so plan a few days to explore the surroundings. You can visit the Napa Valley wine region, the surf town of Santa Cruz, Highway 1 (the famous road from Big Little Lies) with its incredible views, and go camping in Big Sur. Don't miss the oyster farm in Tomales Bay, the lighthouse, cliffs, and miniature deer roaming the mountains in Point Reyes.
On weekends, the most traditional pastime for city dwellers is hiking. Without going far from the city center, you can hike up Twin Peaks or Bernal Heights Park, where you'll find swings with a view of the city. For a beautiful view of paragliders and the ocean, hike through Fort Funston. If you're looking for something more challenging, the AllTrails app makes it easy to find nearby trails and choose one suitable for your skill level.
You can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Bay Area from the top of Angel Island (a ferry regularly operates from the central pier) and Mount Diablo.
Where to Enjoy Coffee?
The coffee at Starbucks leaves much to be desired, so make a note of these important spots in the third-wave coffee scene that can be found throughout the city: Blue Bottle, founded by startup entrepreneurs, the Australian chain Bluestone Lane specializing in drip coffee (don't even think about asking for a cappuccino here), Philz Coffee born out of Ritual Coffee Roasters, and the surf-inspired Verve Coffee Roasters.
Here are some great coffee shops to check out: Sightglass Coffee (270 7th St), Craftsman and Wolves (746 Valencia St), Moka Coffee (1605 Polk St), Wrecking Ball Coffee (2271 Union St), The Matching Half (1799 McAllister St).
The Social Study (1795 Geary Blvd) is a coffee shop that transforms into a bar with parties in the evening.
The Laundry Cafe (3359 26th St) is a place where you can combine doing laundry with enjoying a good flat white.
Caffe Trieste (601 Vallejo St) offers Italian coffee in the beloved Beatnik neighborhood.
St. Frank (2340 Polk St, 1081 Mission St) is a coffee shop that offers coffee flights (one type of coffee prepared in different variations, such as espresso, Americano, cappuccino, and macchiato).
Andytown Coffee Roasters (181 Fremont St) is where you should order their signature drink, the Snowy Plover.
An alternative to coffee drinks is the wildly popular Asian tea with tapioca balls, Boba Tea.
For smoothies and fresh juices, look for Urban Remedy, Joe & Juice, and Juice Shop – mobile stands offering freshly squeezed juices.
For matcha lovers and stunning matcha desserts, visit Stonemill Matcha (561 Valencia St) or Matcha Cafe Maiko (1581 Webster St #175) in Japan Town.
For an unforgettable experience and atmosphere, visit the psychedelic Kava Lounge (901 Divisadero St), where you can find CBD-infused drinks and ancient shamanic infusions.
Where to Indulge in Sweets?
Visit the Dandelion Chocolate factory (2600 16th St) for a tour.
Head to Le Marais Bakery (498 Sanchez St, 2066 Chestnut St, 1138 Sutter St) for their almond croissant.
Explore U: Dessert Story (3489 16th St) for unique Asian desserts.
Try classic donuts at the iconic Bob's Donut (1621 Polk St) since the 1960s.
Visit The Baked Bear (303 Columbus Ave) for a California ice cream sandwich.
Discover more French pastries at B. Patisserie (2821 California St), known for its long queues, and Les Gourmands Bakery (280 5th St), run by five generations of owners.
Indulge in craft chocolate at Miette (449 Octavia St), where you can buy macarons for just $1 an hour before closing.
Enjoy coffee with bignets (profiteroles) at Vive la Tarte (1160 Howard St).
For the best ice cream, be prepared to wait in line at Salt & Straw (2201 Fillmore St and 586 Hayes St); Humphry Slocombe (2790a Harrison St); and Smitten (432 Octavia St #1a, 2404 California St, 904 Valencia St), an exquisite liquid nitrogen ice cream shop.
If you're craving Russian cuisine, including Napoleon cake, syrniki, or even herring under a fur coat salad, visit Cinderella Bakery (436 Balboa St), loved by both Russians and Americans.
Experience the revival of Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista (2765 Hyde St), as San Francisco became its second home.
Another fun experience is trying different foods from food trucks. The most popular gathering spots for food trucks are Off the Grid in the Presidio area and Spark Social in the SoMa district.
Shops and Shopping
California fashion demands comfortable footwear made from sustainable materials, yoga attire, and vintage plaid shirts and jeans. For unique artisanal souvenirs and crazy outfits for Burning Man or Halloween, head to Haight Street (Haight Ashbury district). Check out San Francisco Mercantile (1698 Haight St).
Mission district (Valencia St) is known for its vintage stores. Find vintage clothing, cosmetics, candles, and crystals at Often Wander (593 Valencia St) and Paxton Gate (824 Valencia St). For records, postcards, zines, and books, visit Dog Eared Books (489 Castro St and 900 Valencia St).
Discover American clothing brands with a conscious minimalist style at Everlane (461 Valencia St), Reformation (2360 Fillmore St), Le Point (301 Valencia St), and The Voyager Shop (365 Valencia St).
Find the best deals on used clothing, books, and all sorts of unique items at the non-profit thrift store Goodwill, which has multiple locations throughout the city.
Hayes Valley is home to many cool brands, including Allbirds sneakers, Timbuk2 backpacks, and lululemon fitness apparel.
Explore Pacific Heights (Fillmore St, Polk St), an upscale neighborhood. Make sure to visit Rothy's (2448 Fillmore St) for ballet flats made from recycled plastic bottles, Le Labo (2238 Fillmore St) for perfumes, Aesop (2450 Fillmore St) for skincare products, and St. Lightning (1813 Polk St) for vintage items.
For a classic collection of stores and popular American brands all in one place, visit the Westfield Mall (865 Market St). Nearby, you'll find the large Levi's store, where you can get custom jeans, as well as Union Square with luxury brands and crowds of tourists shopping at Sephora, Victoria's Secret, and Uniqlo.
