San Francisco is known for the picturesque views, cable cars, the famous Golden Gate Bridge and much more. There are tons of things to do in San Francisco with a group of friends, your significant other or even with your family. It is one of the most expensive places to live, but if you follow my Budget Travel Tips in my recent article, then you won't have a problem!
When To Go
The best time to visit San Francisco is from September to November. During the fall, San Francisco offers some of the city's warmest temperatures year-round, not to mention fewer crowds than summer. Spring can also be another good time to visit since there are still mild temperatures and lack of rain (compared to other parts of California). The Golden Gate City witnesses a surge in tourism during the summer as people head west in search of sun, sand and surf.
Districts
Explore Fisherman's Wharf, discover the mysteries of Chinatown, and admire the Victorians in Alamo Square. San Francisco's districts are unique and you should for sure try and see some of them during your stay. This area with all the districts, covers numerous blocks along the waterfront and is one of the most "touristy" things to do in the city. There are many street performers, shops and many restaurants that are extremely overpriced, it is a great place to wander around, but don't eat here. The food is ridiculously overpriced and in my honest opinion, not that good.
Things To Do
Tour Alcatraz
Alcatraz is a former federal prison on Alcatraz Island. This was home to some of the most dangerous criminals in the US while it was in operation. Since it was shut down in the 1970's, it has become a national landmark that people can now explore. To visit the island, there is no charge except the cost of the boat to get there. If you are making the trek to Alcatraz, I would recommend taking a tour, so you can get some
more information about the Island and the prison. Tours in the summertime get booked up super quickly, trust me... you don't want to wait until last minute because you will be disappointed that they are booked up. BOOK IN ADVANCE! A day tour ticket is $36 and if you are brave enough, the night tour ticket is $43, as well as the behind the scenes tour which costs $88.
Walk The Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most famous landmarks in San Francisco is the Gold Gate Bridge. I would recommend walking across the bridge because of the panoramic views and don't forget to take lots of pictures! This is a must do if you are ever in San Fran.
Catch a Game
The sport teams in San Francisco are highly supported by their locals, especially the Giants (famous baseball team). The Giant's arena is extra cool because if a team hits a home run out of the park, it goes into the ocean. If you aren't in to baseball, then take a quick drive over to
Oakland to see the the Golden State Warriors (basketball team) play.
Chinatown
This is the biggest Chinatown in the United States, which makes it really easy to get lost! There are lots of little shops and amazing Chinese food throughout Chinatown. Chinatown is also cheaper than in the city of San Francisco, so this is a good place to go while in San Fran.
Transportation
The eastern side of San Francisco is packed with walkable neighborhoods, if you don’t mind scaling a few hills. Use the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway system to get from downtown to the Mission District, SFO, or even the East Bay quickly and it's very affordable. There are also cable cars that are a fun way to get from place to place. Uber drivers are everywhere around town as well.