San Francisco is one of California’s most iconic cities. Extremely recognizable, The City by the Bay is where landmarks, breathtaking natural scenery, and an immense creative spirit all collide. Most known for its striking Golden Gate Bridge, the city’s waterfront views, familiar skyline, and colorful streets welcome visitors to explore its dynamic mix of culture and tradition. From world-class museums and historic districts to coastal trails, exciting food scenes, and landmarks straight out of your favorite TV show or movie, San Francisco beckons to all sorts of travelers who seek out destinations rich in character and unforgettable experiences.
For a city destination, San Francisco is pretty compact in size. Most areas are walkable and easy to navigate by cable car or BART train, and the neighborhoods that travelers explore offer entirely different vibes and things to do and see. Plus, it’s surrounded by other popular Californian cities and regions, making San Francisco an ideal home base for exploring Northern California.
Waterfront Landmarks & Locations
A visit to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without seeing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It’s the symbol of the city itself, so of course, first-time visitors will need to snap a pic! You can either walk or bike across the bridge for sweeping views of the Bay, or simply admire it from the scenic overlooks like Crissy Field on the Bay side or Baker Beach along the Presidio’s Pacific-facing coastline.
If you were to keep moving east along the Bay, you’d run into one of the most popular areas of the city for tourists—Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Fisherman’s Wharf is a stretch of San Francisco that you’ll want to explore if you are looking for seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, ferry tours, and, of course, the chance to see the city’s famous sea lions. If you only have a short time to see this area, spend it walking up and down Pier 39. This pier is where you’ll have plenty of options to eat, shop, and have a ton of fun, like taking a visit to the Aquarium of the Bay or riding the carousel. While Pier 39 is as touristy as San Francisco can get, it’s also a favorite for local families and a must-see while you’re in town.
Want to feel like a local while still seeing the sights? Take the ferry! While residents utilize the ferry routes for commutes to and from nearby cities, visitors are encouraged to experience ferry travel as well! You can cruise across the Bay to reach Jack London Square in nearby Oakland, or you can take a scenic cruise by the well-known Blue & Gold Fleet. If you’re planning on visiting Alcatraz Island, make your reservations ahead of time and plan to cruise out of Pier 33. While on the island, you can tour the infamous former prison and enjoy the city’s skyline views from the water. And just a note: the Bay is known to have pretty choppy waters, so if you get seasick at all, maybe stick to exploring by foot or cable car!
We briefly mentioned it before, but The Presidio is also a great place that you should visit if you have time. Once a military post and now a national park, The Presidio is a scenic, historic area that has miles of walking trails, where you can visit The Walt Disney Family Museum, and just have a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle.
Golden Gate Park
Stretching through a large portion of the western side of the city, Golden Gate Park feels like a destination in itself. There you’ll find cultural hotspots like the California Academy of Sciences, an amazing natural history and science museum that will wow any visitor. In front of the museum is a large green space complete with a beautiful fountain and the Music Concourse, used for free summer concerts. On the opposite side of the green space is the de Young Museum. If you’re going to visit any art gallery in San Francisco, make it this one. The de Young is a fine arts museum with permanent and rotating collections—visit its sister museum, the Legion of Honor Museum in Lincoln Park.
You’ll also find the Japanese Tea Garden inside Golden Gate Park. Walk through the winding paths of the oldest operating public Japanese Garden in North America to discover koi ponds, pagodas, and more in this dreamy garden of twisting pines, clipped azaleas, and beautiful cherry trees.
Other notable spots and activities in Golden Gate Park include the Shakespeare Garden, a 55-acre San Francisco Botanical Garden that includes spaces like the Redwood Grove, Children’s Garden, and other collections of plants from around the world, and multiple sports fields and trails to walk through.
Downtown, Union Square, and Nob Hill
These three neighborhoods are the most walkable and transit-connected areas for visitors. Travelers sightseeing or staying within this area (or close by) will be able to experience classic city landmarks, historic architecture, and some of the best views of San Francisco.
If you want to get out and go shopping, Union Square is the place for you. Find department stores and boutiques amid delicious restaurants, galleries, and historic theaters. It’s an easy area to explore by foot, but you’ll have access the catch the cable car, making it a great home base for exploring the rest of San Francisco. If you’re visiting in winter, this is also where you can go skating at the Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square!
Nob Hill is a nearby neighborhood located above Downtown that’s known for its historic mansions and is nicknamed the “Crown Jewel” for its elegant feel. Nob Hill was once home to the city’s wealthiest residents during the Gold Rush era, and this area has tons of beautiful architecture to take in, such as the Grace Cathedral. The cable car also runs through Nob Hill, and visitors can stop at the Cable Car Museum here as well.
Now, we’ve been mentioning it a lot in this guide, but if there was one thing you were to do on your trip to San Francisco, we hope it would be a ride on the cable car! And while you’re in this area, it’s the perfect time to do so. The Powell/Hyde line will take you from Union Square (right across the street from a BART station for even more public transit access) all the way to the end of the line on Hyde Street (by Ghirardelli Square and a short walk away from Fisherman’s Wharf). You’ll also pass by the famous Lombard Street on this ride.
Culture, Views, and Iconic City Sights
If you’re looking to see more of San Francisco’s personality, history, and creativity, we’ve grouped together the following neighborhoods and areas that are geographically close and show off the city’s landmarks and cultural districts.
Many of you were probably waiting for us to mention Chinatown, since this area is well-known worldwide and is actually one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the United States. You’ll immediately be transported as soon as you walk beneath the Dragon Gate, and as you continue on, you’ll find shops and markets, historic temples, and streets filled to the brim with delicious food and cultural landmarks. There’s so much to discover, and if you feel overwhelmed trying to take it all in, there are walking tours available that make sure you won’t miss out on anything!
Just beside Chinatown is North Beach, and this is where you’ll find San Francisco’s Little Italy and otherwise longtime creative hub. These hilly streets are home to Italian cafes, bookstores, live music venues, and nightlife hotspots. In nearby Telegraph Hill, you’ll find one of the city skylines most iconic attributes—Coit Tower. Not scared of heights? Take a trip up to the tower’s observation deck for 360-degree views of San Francisco.
Along the waterline sits The Embarcadero. Running along the eastern waterfront, The Embarcadero offers scenic walking paths and views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge. This is where you’ll find the Ferry Building—one part transportation hub, the other part charming and perfect for foodies, as you’ll find artisanal shops, cafes, and the city’s best farmers markets.
Farther inland and south of Downtown sits the Mission District. This is one of San Francisco’s most culturally-rich neighborhoods, and is known for colorful murals, historic sites, and a very vibrant (and delicious) food scene. Named for Mission Delores, a mission built in 1776, this area of SF has strong Latino roots and welcomes creatives from inspired chefs to artists. Take a walk through Clarion Alley for the ever-changing murals, or the 16-acre Mission Delores Park.
Also Worth Exploring
Notable Neighborhoods:
- Haight-Ashbury
- Alamo Square
- Castro District
- Twin Peaks
- Sunset District
More Landmarks & Activities:
- Painted Ladies
- San Francisco Zoo
- Oracle Park
- Chase Center
- Ocean Beach
San Francisco’s weather is famously mild year-round, but it can definitely vary depending on the season. Spring is a great time to plan your visit, with the city’s blooming gardens, fewer crowds, and comfortable daytime temperatures. It’s also just a great season for sightseeing and exploring the area’s outdoor attractions.
Similarly, summer sees comfortable weather as well as the coastal fog off the Bay keeps temperatures cooler and similar to spring months. That being said, summer is peak tourist season, and it’s when there are the most festivals, waterfront activities, and crowds exploring neighborhoods. But just as Mark Twain said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” so regardless of what season you’re visiting, always pack layers!
While you’d think summer has all the heat, average highs are awarded to September and October. There seems to be less fog, meaning clearer skies and warmer temperatures. If you want to get out and explore the city’s outdoor spaces, we recommend visiting in the fall.
Winter weather in San Francisco doesn’t really look much different, but admittedly, there are lower temperatures (average high of 58 degrees in December and January—we’ll take that!) and a higher chance of rain. If you’re not exclusively looking to explore the beaches and parks, a winter trip to the city might not be a bad choice for you and your group, especially if you’re looking for the best deals on accommodations!
The neighborhoods in San Francisco all offer a distinct vibe, and choosing where your group stays can totally shape your experience. Like we’ve previously mentioned, Downtown and Union Square are ideal for first-time visitors simply for their easy access to public transportation, major attractions, and the best shopping. If you don’t want to drive while you’re in town, this is your spot! Closer to Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll find a lot of families because of its proximity to kid-friendly sights and activities. For more easy-going and scenic stays, consider the Marina District or Pacific Heights. And for travelers looking for a more local, arty atmosphere, focus on staying around the Mission District.
Because San Francisco is known for its higher-than-average hotel rates, travelers looking for the most bang for their buck often choose neighborhoods that have easy transit access, walkability, and a quieter atmosphere. But if you want to save additional money, you can opt to stay just outside the city and access the Downtown areas by BART or by ferry. If you stay outside the city, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to rent a car and drive!
Palmera Vacation Club members have the option to use their points on stays booked through the RCI Exchange or receive discounts on accommodations, transportation, and activities by using their membership through Quest Travel Club. We’ve included a few examples of where you can stay using either of these tools below:
Examples of accommodations available on Quest Travel Club. Prices and availability subject to change.
