Look, if you want the Pinterest version of San Francisco, there are a thousand articles listing the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. But if you want to experience the city like someone who actually lives here – the hidden staircases, the $5 dim sum joints, the secret ocean views – keep reading. I’ve biked these hills in the fog and gotten lost in the Mission’s murals enough times to tell you what’s genuinely worth your time.
Why Trust This Guide?
I’ve lived in the Richmond District for 8 years. My dog knows every trail in Golden Gate Park better than most humans. That sourdough bread everyone raves about? I’ve taste-tested it weekly since 2017 (it’s a tough job). I’ll tell you straight-up when something’s overcrowded or overrated – like that Instagram-famous "painted ladies" spot. Seriously, it’s just Victorian houses across from a park. Don’t @ me.
Iconic Experiences You Actually Shouldn’t Skip
Yes, some touristy spots earn their hype. Here’s how to do them right:
Golden Gate Bridge
For photos: Battery Spencer (north side) at sunrise. For walking: Start at Crissy Field east beach. Rent a bike at Blazing Saddles ($8/hr) and cross to Sausalito. Ferry back avoids the uphill nightmare.
Warning: Summer afternoons = fog sandwich. You’ll see nothing but gray.
Alcatraz
on Alcatraz Cruises. The night tour sells out fastest. Pier 33 boarding. $45.50 adults. Allow 3 hours minimum. Audio tour is legit chilling.
Combine with Fisherman’s Wharf seafood afterward – avoid the t-shirt shops.
Cable Cars: Worth the Wait?
Honestly? Only if you ride Powell-Hyde line at 8 AM. Later, you’ll queue 90 minutes for a 15-min ride. $8 cash only. Stand on the left side hanging off for Lombard Street views. Pro tip: California Street line has shorter lines and steep views.
🚡 Buy a Muni passport ($13/day) for unlimited rides. Board at terminal stops (Powell/Market or Hyde/Beach) for seats.
Neighborhood Deep Dives: Beyond the Brochures
The Mission District
Come hungry. Taquería La Cumbre (515 Valencia St) invented the mission burrito. Carnitas + spicy salsa = perfection ($11). Clarion Alley’s ever-changing street art beats the "official" mural tours. Need coffee? Linea Caffe (18th St) pulls the best espresso in the city. Period.
North Beach & Chinatown
Skip the chain cafés. Caffe Trieste (601 Vallejo St) has live opera Saturdays since 1956. $4 cappuccino. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (56 Ross Alley) sells warm, unfortuned cookies – weirdly magical. Cash only, $6/bag.
Personal rant: That "crookedest street" Lombard Street? It’s 8 hairpin turns crawling with tourists. Go early or skip it.
Outdoor Escapes Without the Crowds
| Spot | What Makes It Special | Getting There | Local Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliffside trails to Sutro Baths ruins. Golden Gate views minus crowds | Bus #38 to Legion of Honor, walk 5 min | Eagle’s Point lookout has secret WWII bunkers | |
| 360° city view from 922 ft | Uber/Lyft recommended | Go at sunset with windbreaker – it’s freezing! | |
| Golden Gate Bridge photos without tour buses | Presidio GO shuttle | North end is clothing-optional (you’ve been warned) |
Golden Gate Park Secrets
Everyone hits the California Academy of Sciences ($39.95, book timed entry). Instead:
- Rent rowboats ($24/hr) and find the hidden waterfall
- Yes, actual bison live near Spreckels Lake
- Lindy in the Park Sundays 11AM-2PM
Food Scenes Only Locals Know
| Must-Eat | Where to Find It | Price | Why It’s Legendary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sourdough Bread | Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero St) | $11/loaf | 48-hour fermentation crust. Arrive by 7:30AM or it sells out |
| Mission Burritos | El Farolito (2779 Mission St) | $10-$13 | Carne asada + grilled onions. Open until 3AM |
| Seafood Chowder | Swan Oyster Depot (1517 Polk St) | $15/bowl | No reservations. Arrive by 10AM. Cash only. |
My controversial take: Skip Ghirardelli Square chocolate. It’s factory-made in Illinois now. Hit Dandelion Chocolate (2600 16th St) for small-batch bars roasted on-site.
Rainy Day Survival Guide
Because Karl the Fog loves drama. Top indoor things to do in San Francisco California:
Exploratorium
600+ science exhibits. Pier 15. $39.95 adults. Thursday nights 18+ only with cocktails ($19.95).
Asian Art Museum
2000+ years of art. $20 adults. Free first Sundays. Don’t miss the samurai armor collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I avoid in San Francisco?
Tenderloin at night. Union Square’s retail chains (unless you need Macy’s). Pier 39 sea lions are cool, but the rest is pure tourist trap.
How do I avoid parking nightmares?
Don’t drive downtown. Seriously. Use Muni/BART or Lyft. If you must park: SpotAngels app shows free spots. Garages near Union Square cost $40/day.
Best free things to do in San Francisco?
- Golden Gate Bridge pedestrian walkway
- Golden Gate Park botanical garden (free before 9AM)
- Cable Car Museum (Free! 1201 Mason St)
- Wave Organ sound sculpture at Marina Harbor
What’s overrated?
Coit Tower views (tiny windows + $10 fee). Musée Mécanique arcade games are neat but crowded. "Full House" houses – just drive by slowly.
Seasonal Gems Worth Planning For
- Gray whale migration at Lands End
- Cherry blossoms in Japantown’s Peace Plaza
- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass free festival in GG Park
- Ghirardelli Square ice skating (okay, this one’s touristy but fun)
Final thought: The best things to do in San Francisco California often aren’t in guidebooks. Wander Clement Street for Burmese tea leaf salad. Find the Musee Mecanique antique arcade machines. Get lost in Presidio’s eucalyptus forests. And always carry layers – microclimates here change block by block. Happy exploring!
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