San Francisco Travel Guide
San Francisco Travel Guide
San Francisco is special to me. Having been born and raised in San Francisco, specifically in the Mission, I have some insight to this incredible city that you can't get anywhere else. AND I don't have a problem sharing these gems with you because...well I love to show off my city.
My San Francisco Travel Guide includes all of the goodies like When to Visit San Francisco, Places To Stay, Food & Drink, Things To Do & See, and of course the Best Photography Spots in San Francisco.
7x7 Grid - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
When to Visit San Francisco
The Painted Ladies - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Best Weather
September - November
Cheapest Time to Visit
December - February
San Francisco really has no seasons. Summers are foggy, winters are foggy, spring and fall are foggy. Maybe add some wind and rain in the mix, but you can pretty much expect the same weather here year-round. Usually around September time, things tend to get a little warmer, but I'd still pack a jacket!
Places To Stay in San Francisco
San Francisco is made up of various districts and each has its own unique culture and vibe.
Below you can find helpful information as to which districts to stay in. I divided them into two sections depending if you're going the hotel route or the Airbnb route. Here are the best places to stay in San Francisco:
Transamerica Pyramid - by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Hotel Route
Because SF is so small, hotels in San Francisco are generally in districts next to each another.
Nob Hill - (Classy up-scale hotels)
Union Square - (Many visitors stay here. Very tourist and close to up-scale shopping)
Financial District - (San Francisco's downtown)
Sunset District - Photo by Eric Bravo San Francisco Travel Guide
SoMa - (Rapidly changing for the better. Close to the Giants stadium & nightclubs)
Japantown - (Japantown is out of the hustle and bustle, but still fairly close to the Financial District and Union Square)
AirBnB Route
If you want to embrace the city and live like a local, here is your Airbnb San Francisco district guide:
Hayes Valley - Very hip, energetic area. Loaded with a ton of great restaurants & bars. Also has an outdoor movie area right next to Smitten's Ice Cream (ice cream made with liquid nitrogen).
Mission District - Also close to great restaurants & bars and Dolores Park. Ideally, you'd want to stay in Noe Valley and just walk to the mission.
Sunset District - On the outskirts of the city, but home to many dive bars, San Tung (delicious chicken wings) and Golden Gate Park.
Outer Richmond - Near the beach, great for surfers (with wetsuits) and close to Sutro Baths and Fort Miley.
Pac Heights - Wealthy neighborhood with chill pub vibes in the Marina.
Castro - LGBT friendly with great dive bars and food (I think it's safe to say every district has great food and bars).
I'd stay away from the Tenderloin area...unless you don't mind people openly doing drugs in front of you and the police.
Transportation in San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge - Photo by Eric Bravo
As you might have heard, our public transportation (Muni and Bart) isn't the best, especially when comparing it to Hong Kong or Tokyo. But in this day and age in SF, Uber & Lyft are your best friends as they are faster, more convenient, and omnipresent.
Uber & Lyft
Since you're in the home of Uber & Lyft, why not use it! Cars are available everywhere and with Uber pool or Lyft line you could spilt the cost and meet new people with other riders heading in the same direction (only works for a party of 2).
SF is a small city so the cost would never be outrageously high...with the exceptions of blitz or prime pricing, then I'd consider taking taxi or muni.
Muni & BART (Public Transportation)
Muni gets you around within the city and BART is designed to get you outside city limits (the Bay Area). Muni has a mix of light rail, streetcars, and busses and cost $2.25 for 90 minutes.
If you are planning to take either, consider getting a Clipper card as it can be used for both systems.
Cable Cars
Cable cars fares are a bit different and require an additional purchase. You can find more information here.
Port of San Francisco - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Food & Drink
Roam Burger - San Francisco Travel Guide
There are so many good restaurants in SF that it is hard to condense this list any smaller. I'd recommend just randomly picking any place on this list and try to make reservations (if applicable).
Food
El Farolito (Mexican)
4505 (BBQ)
Roam Burger (American)
Senor Sisig (Filipino - Food Truck)
Off the Grid (Food Trucks)
Burma Superstar (Burmese)
Tonga Room (Asian Fusion with great entertainment)
Boulevard (American Fancy)
Flour + Water (Italian Fancy)
4505 BBQ - San Francisco Travel Guide
Golden Gate Bridge - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Outerlands (American - Brunch)
San Tung (Chinese)
Gary Danko (Seafood)
The Stinking Rose - A Garlic Restaurant (Italian)
Cafe Zoetrope (Italian)
R&G Lounge (Chinese)
Original Joe's (American - Italian)
Treasure Island - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Beachside Coffee Bar & Kitchen (Breakfast)
Myriad Gastropub (American)
Mozzarella di Bufala (Pizza)
Din Tai Fung (Dim Sum - San Jose)
Richmond Republic Draught House (American - Pub)
Drink
Napa Valley Wineries
Sonoma Wineries
Desert
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
Club
Alcatraz - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Things To Do and See
Warriors San Francisco - Photo by Eric Bravo
Big Bus Tour - A great and easy way to see San Francisco's iconic landmarks without the worry or hassle of parking or taking public transportation. This also includes an Alcatraz package which can save you money.
Golden Gate Park - Chinese Garden - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Golden Gate Bridge - Best view is from Hawk Hill (Battery Spencer) can get packed during the weekends with parking filling up fast
Bay Bridge - Treasure Island/YBI embarcadero
Pier 39 - Come see the seals, enjoy a carousel ride, and grab some delicious seafood.
Coit Tower - A 360 view of San Francisco.
Mission District - Enjoy some of the best Mexican food, beautiful murals, and a great night life.
Language of the Birds - Photo by Eric Bravo - San Francisco Travel Guide
Golden Gate Park - A huge park that includes two museums, paddle boating, tandem biking, and many more.
The Embarcadero - A place to enjoy a walk, eat, and has one of the best views of the bay bridge.
Billy Goat Hill - A park that has a rope swing overlooking the city.
Lombard Street - San Francisco's crooked street.
Sutro Baths - A beautiful view of the ocean.
Sutro Heights Park - A lesser known part of the city, Sutro Heights Park offers an incredible view of the city and the ocean.
Palace of Fine Arts - Made for the 1915 World's Fair, these huge structures will leave you in amazement.
Walt Disney Museum - A museum dedicated to Walt Disney's life and work with a rotating exhibit every season.
Alcatraz - An iconic San Francisco landmark where it once housed the world's most dangerous criminals.
Alamo Draft House - A recently renovated movie theater where you have assigned seats & a waiter to serve you food and alcoholic drinks
Urban Putt - A small, but very cool and creative indoor mini golf
Photo by Eric Bravo
Best Photography Spots in San Francisco
San Francisco Travel Guide - Twin Peaks - Photo by Eric Bravo
Battery Spencer - You can capture Golden Gate Bridge's most iconic spot here
Treasure Island - Capture San Francisco's skyline with the bay bridge here
Potrero Hills - A unique cityscape shot.
Photo by Eric Bravo
Twin Peaks - One of the best cityscape views.
Kirby Cove - A beach with a swing that is great for a sunrise Golden Gate Bridge shot.
San Francisco Travel Guide - Sunset at Hawk Hill - Photo by Eric Bravo
