San Francisco is one of the most famous cities in the United States, an unmissable stop on an on-the-road trip to beautiful California! Capable of stealing the heart for its incredible location, straddling two hills and overlooking the sea, and for its wonderful attractions, such as the iconic Golden Gate Bridge!
Let's discover together what to see in San Francisco!
Looking for a hotel in San Francisco?
Located in the heart of Union Square, Villa Florence captures the essence of Italian elegance amidst the vibrant energy of San Francisco. Immerse yourself in the hotel's luxurious ambiance, featuring stylish rooms, impeccable service, and modern amenities. With its prime location, Villa Florence allows you to easily explore the city's renowned attractions. Discover more about Villa Florence on villa-florence.sanfranciscotravelhotel.com
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What to see in San Francisco
1 - Golden Gate Bridge
It is probably the symbol of San Francisco. A photo in front of the bridge is definitely a must, even better a photo or video while cruising under the bridge! Very popular (and affordable) is in fact the Two Bridges Cruise, which passes under the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge.
The bridge is so famous for its garish orange colour, which makes it stand out against the blue of the ocean and sky. It is a very long bridge indeed (2,700 m), but above all, it is strong! In fact, it is designed to withstand the strong gusts of wind that characterise San Francisco Bay and the frequent earthquakes!
Walking alongthe Golden Gate Bridge you can reach Sausalito, the town on the opposite side of the bay and the bridge, a seaside resort also known as the Portofino of America. Absolutely not to be missed in fine weather.
The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centre is located on Coastal Trail. Walking distance from Marshall's Beach (1 km, 14 min). Golden Gate Bridge/Parking Lot reference bus stop (routes 28, 101, 130, 132, 150, 154 and 172) - Get directions
Discover the best spot for viewing the bridge: there are many viewpoints, but one of the best is definitely the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South, near the Welcome Centre. Unmissable at sunset. Get directions
2 - San Francisco Presidio
The Golden Gate Bridge is surrounded by a wonderful park, the San Francisco Presidio. It is one of the green lungs of the city, and is home to numerous attractions and many vantage points for viewing the bridge.
The Presidio is a former military base converted into a public park of over 600 hectares. It is popular with Californians for outdoor sports and activities: you will find miles of trails, a golf course, numerous playgrounds and picnic areas, as well as plenty of viewpoints. History lovers can visit the World War II West Coast Memorial or the Civil War-era Fort Point, while families with children can enjoy the Walt Disney Family Museum (Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, $25.00/€22.10). There are also many beautiful beaches on the coast.
The San Francisco Presidio is located between downtown and the Golden Gate Bridge. Easy walking distance from The Palace Of Fine Arts and surrounding neighbourhoods. Golden Gate Bridge/Parking Lot reference bus stop (routes 28, 101, 130, 132, 150, 154 and 172) - Get directions
Discover Crissy Field: located in the northern part of the park, right on the shoreline, this area is home to a large beach, a marshy area inhabited by a variety of birds and several children's play areas, plus it offers a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get directions
3 - Lombard Street
Photo by Cmichel67. When one thinks of San Francisco, one of the first images that leap to mind is surely the famous winding street surrounded by flower beds and houses, visible in numerous films or cartoons set in the city.
This is Lombard Street, and if you have rented a car, you certainly can't miss the thrill of driving down it, otherwise you can reach it on foot or by tram. In the latter case, we recommend getting off at Hyde St & Lombard St, reaching its highest point, from where you can admire the whole street and, in the background, the city and the bay.
Located between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street. Easy walking distance to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (650 m, 9 min). Hyde St & Chestnut St tram stop (PH line) - Get directions
Take a Cable Car: these are the city's historic trams, in operation since 1873. They are now a real attraction! Enjoy a ride on board and admire San Francisco from the window.
4 - Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco is also, and above all, a city of the sea, which has based its past on port trade. A visit to Fisherman's Wharf, one of the city's most famous neighbourhoods, is a must! In the past, it was a run-down harbour area, rather dangerous. But, thanks to renovation and redevelopment, it has now become one of the most characteristic areas of San Francisco.
If you are travelling with your family, visit theAquarium of the Bay, a large aquarium full of marine species (daily 11am-6pm, $29.95/€26.50). If you love history, don't miss theUSS Pampanito, an old submarine used during World War II (daily 10am-6pm, $20.00/€17.70). Moreover, here you can admire a whole colony of sea lions: they live around Pier 39 and, guess what, according to the law they have the right of way over boats! Finally, the area is full of shops, clubs and restaurants, especially those specialising in fish dishes!
The neighbourhood of is located on the northern coast of the city, directly overlooking the bay. Easily accessible on foot from Lombard Street (900 m, 12 min). Served by various public transport, tram line F and bus line L-OWL - Get directions
Stop by Pier Market Seafood Restaurant: this is one of the best restaurants on the Wharf, located at Pier 39 and with great seafood! Don't miss the Pier Market Mix Grilled, a dish with a mix of seafood such as salmon and cod, or the Dungeness crab, which is the city's speciality! Get directions
5 - Alcatraz
Finally, it is impossible to leave San Francisco without visiting Alcatraz, probably the most famous maximum security prison in the world, located on the island of the same name and also visible in the distance from Fisherman's Wharf. Ferries to the island leave from Pier 33 with the company Alcatraz Cruises.
Alcatraz has held some of the country's worst criminals within its walls, such as the famous Mafia boss Al Capone. It gained even more notoriety following the incredible escape of Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin, which also inspired a film starring Clint Eastwood. After their escape, the three men were never found, despite numerous searches, and to this day their fate is still unknown.
Take a guided tour to discover the full history of this place, which now enjoys international fame. You can first visit the city by tourist bus, then board the ferry and travel to the prison. We recommend booking well in advance!
How to get there: On Alcatraz Island. Reach by ferry from Pier 33 at Fisherman's Wharf with Alcatraz Cruises- Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-9pm
Ticket Cost: Day Tour from $25.00 (€22.10), Night Tour from $28.60 (€25.30)
6 - Little Italy
Photo by Alfonso Jimenez. Besides Chinatown, another of the most characteristic neighbourhoods of the Californian city is definitely Little Italy, a little piece of Italy in San Francisco. It is located north of Chinatown, in the larger North Beach neighbourhood.
The best place to start exploring the area is the intersection of Broadway and Columbus Avenue, one of the main places where the Italian community has settled. Here you will find many restaurants, shops and clubs: beware though, while some places have authentic Italian culture and you can order a real espresso, many others are a bit of a tourist trap. In any case, Littly Italy remains one of the most charming areas of San Francisco, with its elegant and colourful buildings, street art and small cafés where you can immerse yourself in an all-Italian atmosphere.
The Little Italy district is located in the north-eastern part of the city, overlooking the bay. Served by various public transport, the F line tram and L-OWL line bus - Get directions
Stop by Vesuvio Cafe: one of the area's most famous eateries. Opened in 1948, it was frequented by members of the Beat Generation and celebrities such as Bob Dylan and Francis Ford Coppola. Get directions
7 - Coit Tower
San Francisco is a city that continually offers wonderful panoramic views. This is because, due to its location, it is continuously up and down. One of the most beautiful vantage points is definitely the Coit Tower, located in the Telegraph Hill district.
This tower represents an important piece of San Francisco history: it was in fact commissioned by the wealthy heiress Lillie Hitchcock Coit and was built as a tribute to the city's firefighters! In addition, numerous murals were created inside the tower, depicting some of the everyday moments of the inhabitants during the 1930s, following the 1929 crisis that turned America upside down. Today, these murals can still be visited. Finally, you can go up to the viewing platform 64 m above the ground and admire one of the most beautiful views of San Francisco: the Golden Gate Bridge is also clearly visible in the distance.
Walk up theFilbert Steps: to reach the Coit Tower you can walk up the Filibert Steps, a wooden staircase that passes through a lush garden where several wild parrots live and that offers a splendid view of the entire bay. Get directions
How to get there: at 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd. Easy walking distance to Ferry Building (1.5 km, 20 min). Reference tram stop The Embarcadero & Greenwich St (Line F) - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-5pm
Ticket Cost: Full $10.00 (€8.80), Concessions $7.00 (€6.20)
8 - Chinatown
By now, even the neighbourhoods in the city have become real attractions. For a moment, it almost seems as if you are no longer in San Francisco, but in places far away and completely different in terms of tradition and culture! One of the most characteristic neighbourhoods is certainly Chinatown, not far from Union Square and the Ferry Building.
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Chinatown represents the oldest and largest Chinese community in the United States, founded in 1848, and has a truly unique atmosphere: numerous red lanterns hanging between the buildings above the streets, typical cuisine restaurants, craft shops, small markets and even several temples! One of the entry points to the district is the Chinatown Gate, also known as Dragon Gate, in the southern part.
The Chinatown district is located in the eastern part of the city. Easily accessible on foot from Union Square (650 m, 9 min). Served by various public transport links, reference metro stop Montgomery St (Blue-N, Blue-S, Green-N, Green-S, Red-N, Red-S, Yellow-N and Yellow-S lines) - Get directions
Discover one of the most photographed buildings in San Francisco: the Sing Chong Building, located near St Mary's Square and not far from the Dragon Gate. Yellow in colour, its structure resembles that of a traditional pagoda. Get directions
9 - Ferry Building
The Ferry Building, along with the Golden Gate Bridge, is one of the best places from which to start discovering the city. It is now a true landmark and is located in the Embarcadero district, along the city's east coast, overlooking the bay.
The Ferry Building is a historic building in San Francisco, which between the late 19th century and the 1930s served as the terminal for ferries leaving or arriving in the city. After several decades of decline in which it was used only to house offices, it was completely restored in the 1990s. Remaining almost untouched after the devastating earthquake of 1989, it is now an emporium for gourmets: here you can find numerous restaurants and bars and three times a week there is a fruit and vegetable market!
Visit the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: this is the city's famous fruit and vegetable market, where you can find lots of organic and sustainably farmed produce, much of which has been certified by the State of California! Held Tue and Thu 10am-2pm, Sat 8am-2pm. Get directions
How to get there: in 1 Ferry Building. Easy walking distance to Coit Tower (1.5 km, 20 min). Embarcadero Reference Railway Stop (Blue-N, Blue-S, Green-N, Green-S, Red-N, Red-S, Yellow-N and Yellow-S lines) - Get directions
Hours: daily 7am-10pm
Ticket price: free
10 - Museum of Modern Art
Photo by Wgreaves. If you've been to New York and loved a visit to MoMa, or more generally love art, you definitely can't miss San Francisco 's Museum of Modern Art, abbreviated to SFMoMa.
Not far from Union Square, this museum was opened in 1935 and houses over 30,000 works of art, including photographs, art installations, industrial design and more. Among the works not to be missed is Andy Warhol's Triple Elvis. The aim of the museum is to bring people closer to modern and contemporary art, encouraging activities such as interpreting art and exploring fields that are perhaps more distant from us and our way of thinking.
Buy your ticket online: this way you can avoid the queues at the ticket office and save precious time by going straight to the checkout.
Directions: 151 3rd St. Easily accessible on foot from Union Square (750 m, 9 min). Reference stop Montgomery St (Blue-N, Blue-S, Green-N, Green-S, Red-N, Red-S, Yellow-N and Yellow-S lines) - Get directions
Hours: Fri-Mon 10am-5pm, Thu 1pm-8pm, Tue-Wed closed
Ticket price: full $25.00 (€22.10), concessions over 65 $22.00 (€19.40), concessions 19-24 $19.00 (€16.80)
11 - Union Square and Financial District
Photo by Lordsamp. The real beating heart of San Francisco is Union Square, located in the city's financial district!
The square is surrounded by luxury hotels, monuments, shops and even theatres and is also crossed by the famous Geary Street. It is a real meeting point for locals and also a great place to start discovering the city. Surrounded by places of all kinds, if you're a cheesecake lover you definitely can't miss the Cheesecake Factory on the top floor of Macy's, while if you want to do a bit of shopping you can wander around shops such as Victoria's Secret, the big Apple Store, Nike San Francisco or the Saks Fifth Avenue shopping centre!
Union Square is located between Post Street and Geary Street. Easy walking distance to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (650 m, 8 min). Metro reference stop Montgomery St (Blue-N, Blue-S, Green-N, Green-S, Red-N, Red-S, Yellow-N and Yellow-S lines) - Get directions
Take a photo in front of the Heartsin San Francisco: in the four corners of the square are the 'Four Hearts of San Francisco', wonderful heart-shaped sculptures, ideal for taking a souvenir photo!
12 - California Academy of Science
Inside Golden Gate Park there are numerous museums, one of which is the California Academy of Science, perfect to visit with the kids!
It's a small science town, inside which there are 10 buildings with exhibits and activities for everyone, including theSteinhart Aquarium (38,000 marine animals, including the unique albino crocodile), the Morrison Planetarium (the world's largest planetarium) and the Kimball Museum of Natural History, one of the oldest natural history museums in America, with a history of over 150 years!
Buy your ticket online to avoid queues at ticket offices, especially if you are travelling with a family and young children.
How to get there: at 55 Music Concourse Dr. Easy walking distance from San Francisco Botanical Garden (260 m, 3 min). Reference stop Concourse Dr At Acad Of Sciences (bus line 44) - Get directions
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Tickets: full price from $31.00 (€27.40), concessions from $27.00 (€23.80)
13 - De Young Museum
Photo by Joe Mabel. Another museum housed within Golden Gate Park is the De Young Museum, located directly across from the California Academy of Science. The two museums are divided by the beautiful Rideout Fountain. It is one of the most beautiful art museums in the city, completely surrounded by greenery and offering a unique experience to those who visit it.
In fact, the De Young Museum houses an extensive collection of American, African, Oriental and pre-Columbian civilisational art! Opened in 1985, all the collections are organised by geographical areas, making the visit easy and convenient. One of the most interesting collections is definitely the African one, with special objects such as wooden masks in the shape of animals! And, once your visit is over, you can also go up to theHamon Observation Tower, the museum's observation tower, from which you can admire a splendid view of the entire Golden Gate Park and its surroundings!
Stop at the Japanese Tea Garden: right outside the museum is this beautiful Japanese-style garden, with green paths, ponds and bridges. Here you'll also find a wonderful Tea Room. Get directions
Directions: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. Easy walking distance from California Academy of Sciences (290 m, 4 min). Reference stop Tea Garden Dr/Deyoung Museum (bus line 44) - Get directions
Hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm, Mon closed
Admission: Full $15.00 (€13.20), Concessions $12.00 (€10.60)
14 - Golden Gate Park
Photo by Joe Mabel. Besides the Presidio in San Francisco, the city's other great green lung is Golden Gate Park, visited by more than 10 million people every year! Like the Presidio, it is a popular place to play sports, meet up or enjoy a few hours of relaxation in the midst of nature.
Golden Gate Park is also full of wonderful attractions: here you can find several museums such as the California Academy of Science or the De Young Museum, but also many activities to do with the little ones, such as a visit to the Dutch Windmill, a little corner of Holland in the city (daily 5:00-00:00, free) or a visit to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, a wonderful 22-hectare botanical garden with plants from all over the world (daily 7:30-16:00, $10.00/€8.80).
Golden Gate Park is located between Lincoln Way and Fulton Street. Easy walking distance from Ocean Beach Fire Pits (600 m, 7 min). Numerous reference stops, such as Concourse Dr At Acad Of Sciences (bus line 44) or Tea Garden Dr/Deyoung Museum (bus line 44) - Get directions
See thebison up close: within the park is the Bison Paddock, a huge area where numerous bison live. A unique opportunity to admire them up close! Get directions
15 - Muir Woods National Monument
Photo by EPoelzl. If you love nature and great American natural parks, you definitely cannot miss a visit to Muir Woods National Monument, located just 25 km north of downtown San Francisco! To reach it, you will also have to cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
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Muir Woods National Monument was declared a National Monument back in 1908 by US President Theodore Roosevelt and is the place to see the giant sequoias! An almost surreal but truly unique experience: you will feel tiny beneath these centuries-old trees. Here you can walk on several elevated wooden walkways, built to protect the roots of the redwoods, while above you the trees will rise up to 76 m! We recommend that you reach the park during opening hours to enjoy all its tranquillity and beauty.
Joina guided tour: One of the most convenient ways to visit the park is by joining a guided tour with transport included from San Francisco. This way, you can combine the visit with a stop in Sausalito, the well-known seaside resort known as the Portofino of America.
Directions: in Mill Valley, 25 km from Union Square in San Francisco. Accessible by car via US-101 and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge (35 min). By transportation, bus line 150 to Marin City Hub (40 min), then line 61 to Panoramic Hwy & Sequoia Valley Rd (30 min), then taxi to park entrance - Get directions
Hours: daily 8am-5pm / Visitor Centre daily 8am-4:30pm
Ticket price: $15.00 (€13.30), up to 15 years free
More things to see
In addition to the attractions seen so far, San Francisco has much more to offer its visitors. Among the most interesting museums are theExploratorium ($29.95/€26.50), a museum dedicated to science with interactive exhibits, and theAsian Art Museum ($15.00/€13.30), the largest museum space of Asian art in the Western world. If you love art, also not to be missed is The Palace of Fine Arts, which now hosts numerous exhibitions and events.
Besides Chinatown and Little Italy, San Francisco is home to wonderful neighbourhoods, each with its own characteristics! Among the most beautiful and peculiar ones are: Haight-Ashbury, the hippie district; Mission, the Hispanic district full of wonderful murals and street art; Castro, the gay district, symbol of San Francisco's LGBT community; and theEmbarcadero, the harbour district that stretches along the old harbour area, where the Ferry Building and the Exploratorium are also located.
Finally, if you are travelling with the family, there are plenty of activities to do with the little ones! Definitely not to be missed is a day at the San Francisco Zoo ($25.00/€22.10) or a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum ($25.00/€22.10). Also on the opposite side of the Golden Gate Bridge is the Bay Area Discovery Museum ($18.00/€15.90), an indoor and outdoor museum dedicated specifically to children.
What to do in San Francisco
Bay Cruise: Don't miss a bay cruise to see the city from a different perspective.
Take a Cable Car: these are the historic trams that have been operating in the city since 1873. They are now a real attraction! Enjoy a ride on board and admire San Francisco from the window
Taste the Dungeness crab: the giant crab, one of San Francisco's culinary specialities! The best place to try it is Fisherman's Wharf, in one of its restaurants
Photo at the Painted Ladies: this is one of the most photographed spots in San Francisco! These colourful little houses are very Instagrammable. They are located near Alamo Square - Get directions
Discover Haight Ashbury: this is San Francisco's Hippy district and it was here that this movement was born, when the Summer of Love exploded in the second half of the 1960s. The best way to discover it is to stroll through its streets
Find the most colourful staircase in San Francisco: it is the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, decorated with marvellous mosaics that create lots of patterns. An unmissable and still not very well known place - Get directions
Look for the Transamerica Pyramid: this is one of the strangest and most unusual skyscrapers in San Francisco! With its pyramid shape, it looks almost straight out of the movie Blade Runner - Get directions
Reach Point Bonita Lighthouse: in Sausalito, this is a place little known to tourists, but from here you can admire a truly unique view of the ocean, the Golden Gate and the city - Get directions
Napa and Sonoma Valley: the Wine Country of California, where you can take guided tours of wineries and taste the area's wines. A must if you're a wine lover.
Hike to Yosemite: Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous parks in California! Don't miss an excursion from San Francisco, transport included.
What to see in 1 day
With only one day available, it is inevitable to make some sacrifices. You'll have to optimise your time and forego internal visits to some attractions. Here is the suggested one-day itinerary.
9am - Ferry Building
10am - Coit Tower
11:00am - Fisherman's Wharf
14:30 - Lombard Street
15:30 - San Francisco Presidio
17:00 - Golden Gate Bridge
19:00 - Union Square
What to see in 3 days
In 3 days you can dedicate yourself to most of the city's main attractions. Here is a recommended weekend itinerary.
Day 1: Ferry Building, Exploratorium, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower
Day 2: MoMa, Union Square, Lombard Street, San Francisco Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge
Day 3: Day trip with visits to Alcatraz, Sausalito and Muir Woods
What to see in 7 days
In a week, we recommend devoting most days to visiting San Francisco's main attractions, and then incorporating an excursion such as the wonderful Yosemite Park. Here is the recommended itinerary.
Day 1: Ferry Building, Exploratorium, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower / Distance travelled: 4.3 km - 55 min
Day 2: MoMa, Union Square, Lombard Street, San Francisco Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge / Distance travelled: 10.4 km - 2 h 20 min
Day 3: Day trip with visits to Alcatraz, Sausalito and Muir Woods / Starting point Union Square, tour duration 7 hrs.
Day 4: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Japanese Tea Garden, De Young Museum / Distance travelled: 1 km - 15 min
Day 5: Chinatown, Asian Art Museum, The Painted Ladies, California Academy of Sciences
/ Distance travelled: 7 km - 1 h 30 minDay 6: Hike to Yosemite Park and Giant Sequoias, transportation included / Pick-up at hotel, tour duration 14 hrs
Day 7: Day trip to San Francisco Zoo, Lands End Lookout, Golden Gate Bridge / Distance travelled: 11.5 km - 2 h 30 min
Plan your stay in San Francisco: tips, flights and hotels
"/> San Francisco, like all large American cities, is an expensive destination. Moreover, being located in California, on the country's west coast, it takes much longer to reach than cities such as New York or Miami. The city is served by San Francisco International Airport, but there are no direct flights from Italy(compare flights). The best time to visit San Francisco is from May to September, which is less cold and rainy.
If you are visiting the city for the first time, the best option is to stay in the Nob Hill neighbourhood, near Union Square(compare accommodation). If you are on a tight budget you can opt for Chinatown, if you are looking for nightlife we recommend the Mission District. You'll need to use transport to get around, regardless of where you stay. To get acclimatised we recommend the tour bus, while to save on attractions and activities you can buy the San Francisco Go City All-Inclusive Pass.
Finally, if you're travelling as a family, the best neighbourhood to stay in is definitely Fisherman's Wharf. There are also plenty of activities to do with the little ones, such as a visit to the zoo and aquarium, or a cruise in the bay.
