The Golden Gate Bridge
The city’s defining landmark, the burnt-orange Golden Gate Bridge, sweeps across the mouth of the bay and is every bit as majestic as the photographs suggest. Walk or cycle across it, or admire it from Baker Beach or the Marin Headlands — best of all when the fog rolls in and out around its towers.
Cable Cars and the Hills
San Francisco’s cable cars — the last manually operated system in the world — still clang up and down the near-vertical streets, and riding one is a rite of passage. They connect many of the city’s landmarks and offer sudden, dizzying views down to the bay between the rooftops.
Alcatraz and the Waterfront
Out in the bay sits Alcatraz, the notorious former island prison, now a gripping museum reached by ferry (book well ahead). Back on shore, the waterfront runs from the tourist bustle of Fisherman’s Wharf and its sea lions to the shops and restaurants of the Embarcadero.
Neighbourhoods and Culture
Much of the city’s charm is in its neighbourhoods: the lively, historic Chinatown — the oldest in North America — the Italian cafés of North Beach, the murals of the Mission District, and colourful Haight-Ashbury, birthplace of the 1960s counterculture. World-class museums include the Asian Art Museum and SFMOMA.
Golden Gate Park
The city’s great green lung, Golden Gate Park is larger than New York’s Central Park and packed with attractions: the California Academy of Sciences (with its aquarium and planetarium), the de Young art museum, the Japanese Tea Garden and the glass Conservatory of Flowers.
FAQ
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
September and October are warmest and clearest. Summer is often cool and foggy — famously so — so pack layers whatever the season.
How many days do you need?
Three days covers the main sights, with time for a neighbourhood or two; add a day for a trip to the wine country or Muir Woods.
What is the nearest airport?
San Francisco International (SFO), about 30 minutes south of the city by car or BART train.
