San Francisco Travel Guide
Contents
- San Francisco — Between Ocean and Bay
- San Francisco and Its Antipode
- The City
- Top Things to Do in San Francisco
- Do and See
- Dining in San Francisco
- Coffee & Lunch
- Bars & Nightlife
- Shopping
- Tourist Information
San Francisco — Between Ocean and Bay
San Francisco occupies a narrow peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Defined by steep hills, shifting fog, and water on three sides, the city’s geography shapes both its daily rhythms and its cultural identity.
Neighbourhoods give San Francisco its character. Union Square anchors the retail core, North Beach reflects Italian heritage, the Marina District showcases elegant waterfront homes, and SoMa blends nightlife, museums, and innovation. The city’s compact size encourages exploration on foot, cable car, or ferry.
San Francisco and Its Antipode
Every place on Earth has an antipode — the point directly opposite it on the globe, connected by a straight line passing through the Earth’s core.
San Francisco’s antipode lies in the Indian Ocean, far from any major landmass. This land-to-ocean antipode reflects the city’s longstanding orientation toward the Pacific — shaped by maritime trade, migration, and cultural exchange.
The contrast between a dense coastal city and open ocean on the far side of the planet underscores San Francisco’s role as a gateway city rather than a continental centre.
The City
San Francisco’s charm lies in its neighbourhoods. The Haight-Ashbury district is synonymous with 1960s counterculture, Alamo Square is known for its Painted Ladies, and the Castro District represents one of the most significant LGBTQIA+ communities in the United States.
Yerba Buena Gardens forms a cultural heart for museums, arts, and public life, while green spaces and waterfront promenades provide balance to the city’s density.
Top Things to Do in San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
Completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world’s most photographed landmarks, spanning the strait connecting the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco Cable Cars
Operating since 1873, the cable cars transport passengers up and down the city’s steep hills and remain a defining feature of San Francisco.
Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf
A lively waterfront area featuring shops, restaurants, attractions, and sea lions basking along the docks.
The Painted Ladies
A row of colourful Victorian houses overlooking Alamo Square, symbolising the city’s architectural heritage.
Mission Dolores Park
A popular urban park offering views of downtown San Francisco and a relaxed social atmosphere.
Ferry Building Marketplace
An elegant historic terminal featuring restaurants, food stalls, and a regular farmers market.
Chinatown
The largest Chinatown outside Asia, known for markets, restaurants, and cultural celebrations.
Lombard Street
Famous for its eight sharp hairpin turns, often described as the “crookedest street in the world.”
Haight-Ashbury
A district known for its psychedelic history, vintage shops, music stores, and countercultural legacy.
Palace of Fine Arts
A monumental structure originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, surrounded by a lagoon and colonnades.
Alcatraz Island
Once a federal prison, now a national park offering self-guided tours through historic cell blocks.
Do and See
Coit Tower
A tower on Telegraph Hill offering panoramic views and murals painted during the Great Depression.
Maritime National Historical Park
A collection of historic ships, museums, and waterfront spaces near Fisherman’s Wharf.
Rincon Park
A waterfront park known for the large “Cupid’s Span” sculpture.
Walt Disney Family Museum
A museum dedicated to the life and work of Walt Disney, located in the Presidio.
Legion of Honor
A fine arts museum inspired by the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris.
Cable Car Museum
A free museum showcasing the mechanics and history of San Francisco’s cable car system.
Golden Gate Park
A vast urban park housing museums, gardens, and recreational spaces.
Lands End Lookout
A coastal trail offering views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean.
Dining in San Francisco
With over 4,400 restaurants, San Francisco is one of the world’s most diverse dining cities. Signature foods include sourdough bread and Dungeness crab, complemented by proximity to Napa and Sonoma wine regions.
- Sotto Mare
- Loló
- Mo’s Grill
- The Slanted Door
- House of Prime Rib
- Nopa
- La Ciccia
- Twenty Five Lusk
- Yank Sing
- Burma Superstar
- Kokkari Estiatorio
- Nyum Bai
Coffee & Lunch
- The Buena Vista
- Warming Hut Bookstore & Cafe
- Vesuvio Cafe
- Lucca Delicatessen
- Deli Board
- Boudin Bakery Cafe
Bars & Nightlife
San Francisco’s nightlife varies by district, from cocktail lounges and wine bars to clubs and live music venues.
- Blondie’s Bar
- Kezar Pub
- SF-Eagle
- DNA Lounge
- 620 Jones
- Alchemist Bar & Lounge
- Boom Boom Room
- The Monk’s Kettle
- Smuggler’s Cove
Shopping
- Union Square
- Embarcadero Center
- City Lights Booksellers
- Ferry Building Marketplace
- Chinatown
- Haight-Ashbury
- Ghirardelli Square
- Amoeba Music
- Westfield San Francisco Centre
Tourist Information
San Francisco is served by San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and San Jose International Airport (SJC).
The city has one of the most extensive public transport systems on the U.S. West Coast, including MUNI, BART, buses, cable cars, and ferries.
The best time to visit San Francisco is autumn, when weather is mild and fog is less frequent.
Electricity in the United States is 120 volts / 60 Hz using type A plugs.
