Every time I visit San Francisco it feels like home. I grew up just two short hours away from the city, so, I would drive over as much as I could. But, even now, I always find something new to discover. The city is full of life and diversity. From hilly streets, to scenic coastlines, and historical landmarks — San Francisco offers so much within just 47 square miles.
Because there’s so much to do, it can get a bit overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. So, I put together a list of some of my favorite things to do in San Francisco to help you get going.
1. Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
Rent a bike near Marina District and pedal over to the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll pass by Crissy Field, which is a great spot to photograph. The entire bridge is approximately 1.7 miles. After you cross over, ride down to Sausalito (the cutest little city). You can catch a taxi boat and get dropped off at Pier 39. The whole experience is a MUST!
2. Brunch at El Techo
El Techo is a vibrant Latin American Restaurant located in Mission District. Head out there for some mouthwatering “techo rancheros” and mimosas, served on a rooftop patio.
3. Walk around Pier 39
Pier 39 is a popular tourist attraction that consists of restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues, and the Aquarium of the Bay. Walk around and explore all the fun little shops, indulge in a bucket of donuts, ride the carousel, and keep an eye out for sea lions!
4. Enjoy some vegan-Mexican cuisine at Gracias Madre
A great spot for vegans and vegetarians! But, the food is so delicious that any meat-lover would find it heavenly. Plus, it’s all organic! 😀 Order an horchata latte and a slice of flan for the full experience.
5. Ride a boat to Treasure Island
One of the best views of the city is from the bay. Don’t pass up a boat ride, whether it’s a taxi boat, a ferry, a sailboat — just make sure you get out there! And it’ll be ten times better if you visit an island!
6. Drive down Lombard Street
Claimed to be “the most crooked street in the world,” Lombard Street contains eight steep, sharp turns similar to those of a zig-zag. Drive through the street for a one-of-a-kind experience.
7. Watch the sun set at Lands End
Lands End is a park along the shoreline that contains several hiking trails. Make it a challenge to find the best spot to catch the beautiful west coast sunset.
8. Explore Chinatown
The largest Chinatown outside of Asia is located in San Francisco. It’s a great place to experience the Chinese culture, admire the beautiful architecture, and taste some authentic Chinese food. Start off at Dragon’s Gate, which is a landmark arch that marks the entrance to the neighborhood.
9. Ride a Cable Car
Cable cars are San Francisco’s iconic “moving landmarks.” The cable car system is the world’s last manually operated cable car system. Hop on and off as you cruise through the steep hills of the city.
10. Coit Tower
Ride an elevator to the top of Coit tower and walk out to the observation deck for a 360-degree view of the city. Bring your camera!
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