10 Things To Do For Your First Time In San Francisco

San Francisco is a city that captured my heart from the first time I walked its hilly streets, gazed out at the Golden Gate Bridge and devoured slices of glorious Italian style pizza. I fell in love with the relaxed vibe, the compact neighbourhoods and the fact that it’s easily walkable, particularly compared to the sprawling urban metropolis of Los Angeles.

I’ve visited again since, and continue to find amazing things to do in the city – it’s a place I honestly don’t think I could tire of. From drinking away the morning in dive bars to quiet wanders along the shore, it’s a city that feels like a home away from home to me.

If it’s your first time in San Francisco, these are the places and spaces that you can’t miss checking out…

1. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

Well, duh. It IS San Francisco’s most iconic sight, after all.

The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937, connecting San Fran proper to Marin County. It stretches an impressive 1.7 miles, so if you’re planning to walk across, best wear those comfy trainers! The walk there and back takes around an hour and a half, although we got dropped off at the far side and just did one walk back to the San Francisco side.

If you’re driving or cycling, there are some amazing photo spots on the north side, looking back out at the bridge and the city skyline! It’s totally free to walk across, and a must do for your first time visiting San Francisco.

2. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf

I’d probably describe Fisherman’s Wharf as a seaside town on steroids.

The waterfront community has thrived here since the mid to late 1800s, when Italian fishermen came to the city and set up business here. Even today, fishing businesses still exist in this tourist attraction area, along with a whole host of shops, restaurants and fun things to see and do.

I mean, sure, it’s super touristy – but it’s a fun way to spend a couple of hours regardless!

The best things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf

• Eat some seafood! Try clam chowder and fresh fish at Fog Harbor Fish House, Scoma’s Restaurant, The Codmother or Blue Mermaid
• See retro arcade machines and games at Museé Mécaniqué – free admission
• Walk on the ‘Musical Stairs’
• Check out the boutiques of Ghirardelli Square, including the famous Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop

3. See the Sea Lions of Pier 39

One of San Francisco’s top attractions – and it’s completely free to see them!

In 1989, after the Loma Prieta earthquake, a group of sea lions made their way to San Francisco’s Pier 39. By the early 1990s, their numbers had multiplied, and now up to 900 of them can be seen on the dock.

Their enthusiastic barks can be heard as you make your way down Pier 39, and a viewing area at the end of the pier is the perfect place to watch them from. We watched them jostle for space and boisterously push each other into the water, making lots of noise and splashing around in the sun!

4. Take an Alcatraz Tour

I’ve been to Alcatraz twice now, once during the day and once at night (which I really recommend!). The whole experience begins from when you jump aboard the Alcatraz ferry, and the island and looms into your field of vision as you draw closer.

The audio tour takes you around the prison building, with narration from former inmates and staff, telling fascinating stories of their lives at Alcatraz. Particularly interesting are the stories of riots and escape attempts, as well as some of the more notorious prisoners who spent their time on ‘The Rock’.

Top tips for an Alcatraz tour

• Book in advance – there are very rarely tickets on the day!
• Above applies even more so for night tours, some will sell out months in advance
• Go early in the day or late at night, that way you’ve got the afternoon free for exploring
• Return ferries depart from Alcatraz landing every half an hour
• Take some time to explore the grounds as well as the main prison building
• Check out the schedule of ranger talks – we went to some really interesting ones!

5. Shop in Haight-Ashbury

If you like quirky neighbourhoods with boutique shops, Haight-Ashbury’s the one for you.

This wonderfully eclectic area was the home of the 1960s counterculture revolution, with the hippy culture still prominent today. Even if you don’t buy anything here (and believe me, you’ll want to!), you could spend hours browsing the curiosities and fun things – as well as some excellent street art spotting.

Shops to check out in Haight-Ashbury

• Love on Haight – for full on hippy vibes
• Amoeba Music – the iconic record store
• Silver Sprocket – art & gifts for badass feminists
• Loved to Death – dark curiosity shop with taxidermy and antiques
• Wasteland – thrift shop for designer and unique clothing
• Decades of Fashion – emporium of vintage fashion

Alternative travel in San Francisco: At 710 Ashbury Street, you’ll also find the ‘Grateful Dead house’, where the band’s founders lived in the 1960s.

6. Visit Union Square

San Francisco’s most visited district, this huge public plaza is home to shops, restaurants, art galleries and theatres. In the centre, the Dewey Monument features a 9ft statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. If its your first time in San Francisco, this place will give you a taste of the lively urban lifestyle the city has to offer!

What to do in Union Square

• See a live show at the iconic American Conservatory Theater
• Shop, shop, shop – whether it’s department stories or unique boutiques, you’ll find it here!
• Check out the art at San Francisco Art Exchange and Martin Lawrence Galleries
• Bourbon + Branch – a speakeasy style bar experience with prohibition rules

San Francisco travel tip: For awesome views of Union Square, hit up the Cheesecake Factory in Macy’s Not only do you get that sweet from-above perspective, you’ll also be able to pick up some of the best cheesecake that exists in the world. Portions are HUGE too.

Alternative travel in San Francisco: If you’re more dive bar than rooftop cocktails, there are some great spots a short walk from Union Square – try Summer Place, The Geary Club or Chelsea Place.

7. Eat and explore in Little Italy (North Beach)

As a profound consumer of Italian food (hand me that pizza slice), the ‘Little Italy’ North Beach area of San Francisco was a must-visit neighbourhood. With decades of Italian heritage, the streets are teeming with pasta, pizza and Italian bakeries that’ll have your mouth watering from across the road.

Best places to eat in North Beach

• Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – if it’s busy, check out Tony’s Slice House next door for takeaway goodness!
• The Italian Homemade Company – just like grandma makes it…
• Sotto Mare – fresh seafood, Italian style
• Mona Lisa – we had brilliant pizza here, with eclectic Renaissance-inspired decor
• Liguria Bakery – get here early for the pick of delicious Italian baked goods
• The Stinking Rose – you like garlic? Good, cause it’s in everything here. Even the desserts. Maybe not the best for a first date spot, though…

8. Ride a San Francisco Cable Car

The San Francisco cable car is an iconic image of the city, and a must-do on your first visit!

The cable cars have been running here since 1873, when wealthy businessman Andrew Hallidie decided there must be a better way to get around than by horse and cart. Today, it’s a top tourist attraction in San Francisco as well as just a mode of transport.

Tips for riding a San Francisco Cable Car

• There are three routes you can take: Powell-Hyde (the blue line) Powell-Mason (green line) or the California Line (Red Line). More info & schedules.
• Powell-Hyde is the most popular as you get the most iconic views, but it’s also the busiest – board at the cable car turnaround where Powell Street and Market Street meet.
• Board at one of the cable car turnarounds – you might have to queue, but for stops en route the car might be full and unable to let you board.
• A single ride costs $7.
• Visitor Passport tickets allow unlimited rides on both the Metro and cable cars.
• You can buy tickets from the ticket booths (which often have queues), or on board from the conductor – if you do this, try to have the correct change or at least small bills, as they don’t like to give too much change.

9. See the world’s most crooked street

The almost impossibly bendy Lombard Street claims to be ‘the crookedest street in the world’, with a steep, one block section featuring eight hairpin bends. Would you dare drive this road?!

San Francisco travel tip: Get a view from above of Lombard Street from Coit Tower.

10. Drink, dance and play in the Castro District

Rainbow flags and banners flutter from lamp posts and windows, and as you stride across the rainbow crosswalk, you know you’re in one of San Francisco’s most vibrant and LGBT-friendly districts.

The Castro District was one of the USA’s first LGBT+ neighbourhoods, and although these days it’s also popular with young professionals and families, there’s still plenty of its original spirit to be found.

The vibe is pretty chilled out here – to the point where I saw a man relaxing on his front step completely stark naked. Don’t let that put you off though – the locals are really friendly, and it’s a vibrant and welcoming place to spend a San Francisco evening.

Places to visit in the Castro District

• Twin Peaks Tavern – a historic gay bar that serves as the ‘gateway to the Castro’
• The Castro Theatre – if you’re not an ‘out out’ kinda evening person, you could catch a film here – they often show more obscure, indie and cult movies
• Pink Triangle Memorial Park – a memorial to the LGBT victims of the Nazi regime
• GLBT Historical Society – stop off here to learn more about Harvey Milk and the origins of San Francisco’s gay community
• Toad Hall – a lively bar offering drag performances, dance competitions and karaoke

Where to stay in San Francisco: Galleria Park Hotel

We spent two nights in San Francisco’s Galleria Park Hotel – it was a little bit pricier than we’d normally go on a city break, but after two weeks of camping, we fancied a little luxury!

Read the full Galleria Park Hotel review!

Getting to San Francisco for the first time

The easiest way to get to San Francisco for the first time is to fly into San Francisco International Airport.To get to downtown from San Francisco Airport:

• BART train – 45-60mins ($8.65)
• Uber/Lyft/ – 30mins ($25+)
• Airport taxi – 30mins ($35+)
• Airport shuttle – 45-75mins ($17)