San Francisco Travel Guide

San Francisco, the city by the bay, has so much to offer any traveler. Whether you're looking for picturesque views, great food, or vibrant culture and history, the city has something for everyone to add to their San Francisco travel guide.

Keep reading for the top 3 must-do's when visiting San Francisco. And if you're thinking of planning a trip to San Francisco, but don't actually want to plan, check out my San Francisco travel guide.

Top 3 Things To Do When Visiting San Francisco

See The Golden Gate Bridge

One of the most iconic attractions in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge which connects San Francisco with Marin County. You can drive, walk, or bike ride across the bridge. There are also plenty of lookout points along the way. If you're looking for gorgeous views of the bridge, head to Fort Point or Crissy Field.

Tour Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is a small island located in San Francisco Bay, about 1.25 miles offshore from the city. The island is famous for its former federal prison, which housed some of the country's most notorious criminals, including Al Capone and Robert Stroud. The prison operated from 1934 to 1963, and today, it's a popular tourist attraction. To get to the island, you take a ferry from Pier 33 on the San Francisco Embarcadero. The ferry ride is also a great way to get some beautiful pictures of the city from the water. Once you're on the island, the tour includes an audio guide that provides a very interesting look at the history of the prison and the lives of the prisoners who were housed there. In addition to the prison, Alcatraz Island is also home to a lighthouse, a bird sanctuary, and beautiful gardens.

Ride A Cable Car

Something that should be on everyone's San Francisco travel guide AND their USA Bucket List is riding a San Francisco cable car. They were first introduced in 1873 as a way to help residents navigate the city's steep hills. Today they are are still a part of San Francisco's transportation system and offer amazing views of the city on each trip.

Looking for more to add to your San Francisco travel guide?

If you're traveling to San Francisco and don't have time (or patience) to plan, check out the ultimate San Francisco travel guide. It comes with recommendations for:

»Where to stay
»How to get around
»Top things to do
»Top places to eat & drink

*This post is not affiliated with any of the places mentioned.