14 things to do (and 3 NOT TO DO) in San Francisco - USA Travel Guide

San Francisco is one of the most famous cities in the United States, an unmissable stop on a road trip in wonderful California! Capable of stealing your heart for its incredible location, straddling two hills and overlooking the sea, and wonderful attractions, such as the iconic Golden Gate Bridge!

Let's find out together what to see in San Francisco!

1. Golden Gate Bridge.

It is probably the symbol of San Francisco. A photo in front of the bridge is definitely a must, even better a photo or video while passing under the bridge on a cruise! Very popular (and affordable) is in fact the Corciera dei due ponti, which passes under the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge.

The bridge is so famous for its bright orange colour, which makes it stand out against the blue of the ocean and sky. It is a very long bridge (2,700 m), but above all resistant! In fact, it is designed to withstand the strong gusts of wind that characterize the San Francisco Bay and the frequent earthquakes!

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge you can reach Sausalito, the town on the opposite side of the bay and the bridge, a seaside town also known as America's Portofino. Not to be missed in the warm season.

2. Lombard Street.

When one thinks of San Francisco, one of the first images that comes to mind is certainly the famous winding road surrounded by flower beds and houses, visible in numerous films or cartoons set in the city.

This is Lombard Street, and if you have rented a car you certainly cannot miss the thrill of walking along it, otherwise you can reach it on foot or by tram. In the latter case, we advise you to get off at the Hyde St & Lombard St stop, reaching its highest point, from which you can admire the whole street and, in the background, the city and the bay.

3. Fisherman's Wharf.

San Francisco is also and above all a seaside city, which has based its past on port trade. A visit to Fisherman's Wharf, one of the most famous districts of the city, is certainly not to be missed! In the past it was a seedy port area, quite dangerous. But, thanks to the recovery and redevelopment works, today it has become one of the most characteristic areas of San Francisco.

If you're traveling with your family, visit the Aquarium of the Bay, a large aquarium full of marine species, if you love history don't miss the USS Pampanito, an ancient submarine used during the Second World War. Furthermore, here you can admire an entire colony of sea lions: they live around Pier 39 and, guess what, according to the law they have priority over boats! Finally, the area is full of shops, clubs and restaurants, especially specialized in fish-based dishes!

4. Alcatraz.

Impossible to leave San Francisco without visiting Alcatraz, probably the most famous maximum security prison in the world, located on the island of the same name and visible in the distance from Fisherman's Wharf. Ferries to reach the island depart from Pier 33 with the company Alcatraz Cruises.

Alcatraz has held within its walls some of the worst criminals in the country, such as the famous Mafia boss Al Capone. It also gained even more notoriety following the incredible escape of Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin, which also inspired a film starring Clint Eastwood. After their escape, the three men were never found again, despite numerous searches, and to this day it is not known what happened to them.

5. Little Italy.

In addition to Chinatown, another of the most characteristic neighborhoods of the Californian city is certainly Little Italy, a small piece of Italy in San Francisco. It is located north of Chinatown in the larger North Beach neighborhood.

The best starting point to explore the area is the intersection of Broadway and Columbus Avenue, one of the main places where the Italian community has settled. Here you will find numerous restaurants, shops and clubs: be careful though, if some places have authentic Italian culture and you can order a real espresso, many others are a bit of a tourist trap. In any case, Littly Italy remains one of the most evocative areas of San Francisco, with its elegant and colorful buildings, street art works and small cafes where you can immerse yourself in an all-Italian atmosphere.

6. Coit Tower.

San Francisco is a city that continually offers wonderful panoramic views. This is because, given its position, it develops in a continuous up and down. One of the most beautiful viewpoints is certainly the Coit Tower, located in the Telegraph Hill district.

This tower represents an important piece of San Francisco history: it was in fact wanted by the rich heiress Lillie Hitchcock Coit and was built as a tribute to the city's Fire Brigade! Furthermore, numerous murals were created inside the tower that depicted some of the daily moments of the inhabitants during the 1930s, following the 1929 crisis that upset America. Today these murals can still be visited. Finally, you can reach the viewing platform at a height of 64 m and admire one of the most beautiful panoramas of San Francisco: the Golden Gate Bridge is also clearly visible in the distance.

7. Chinatown.

By now in the city even the neighborhoods have become real attractions: for a moment it almost seems that you are no longer in San Francisco, but in distant places that are completely different in terms of traditions and culture! One of the most characteristic neighborhoods is certainly Chinatown, not far from Union Square and the Ferry Building.

Chinatown represents the oldest and most numerous Chinese community in the United States, founded in 1848, and has a truly unique atmosphere: numerous red lanterns hung between the buildings above the streets, typical cuisine restaurants, craft shops, small markets and even several temples ! One of the entry points to the neighborhood is the Chinatown Gate, also known as the Dragon Gate, in the southern part.

8. Ferry Building

The Ferry Building, together with the Golden Gate Bridge, is one of the best points from which to start discovering the city. It is now a real symbol and is located in the Embarcadero district, along the east coast of the city, overlooking the bay.

The Ferry Building is a historic building in San Francisco, which between the end of the 19th century and the 1930s served as the terminal for ferries departing or arriving in the city. After a few decades of decline in which it was only used to house offices, it was completely recovered in the 1990s. In fact, it remained almost intact after the devastating earthquake of 1989, today it is an emporium for gourmets: here there are numerous restaurants and clubs and the fruit and vegetable market takes place three times a week!

9. Museum of Modern Art.

If you've been to New York and loved visiting the MoMa, or more generally you love art, you certainly can't miss the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or the city's modern art museum, abbreviated to SFMoMa.

Just off Union Square, this museum opened in 1935 and houses over 30,000 works of art, including photography, installation art, industrial design, and more. Among the works not to be missed we certainly find the Triple Elvis by Andy Warhol. The purpose of the museum is to bring people closer to modern and contemporary art, promoting activities such as the interpretation of art and exploring fields perhaps more distant from us and from our way of thinking.

10. Union Square and financial district.

The real beating heart of San Francisco is Union Square, located in the financial district of the city!

The square is surrounded by luxury hotels, monuments, shops and even theaters, and is also crossed by the famous Geary Street. It is a real meeting point for locals and also represents an excellent starting point to discover the city. Surrounded by places of all kinds, if you are a cheesecake lover you certainly cannot miss the Cheesecake Factory on the top floor of Macy's, while if you want to do some shopping you can browse shops such as Victoria's Secret, the large Apple Store, Nike San Francisco or Saks Fifth Avenue Mall!

11. California Academy of Sciences.

Inside the Golden Gate Park there are numerous museums, one of these is the California Academy of Science, perfect to visit even with children!

It is a small scientific city, inside which there are 10 buildings with exhibitions and activities for everyone, including the Steinhart Aquarium (38,000 marine animals, including the unique albino crocodile), the Morrison Planetarium (the largest largest in the world) and the Kimball Museum of Natural History, one of the oldest natural history museums in America, with a history over 150 years!

12. Golden Gate Park.

In addition to the Presidio of San Francisco, the other large green lung of the city is Golden Gate Park, visited by more than 10 million people every year! As with the Presidium, it is a much-loved place to play sports, meet up or enjoy a few hours of relaxation in the midst of nature.

Golden Gate Park is also full of wonderful attractions: here you can find several museums such as the California Academy of Science or the De Young Museum, but also many activities to do with the little ones, such as a visit to the Dutch Windmill, a little corner of Holland in the city or a visit to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, a wonderful 22-hectare botanical garden with plants from all over the world

13. DeYoung Museum.

Another museum housed within Golden Gate Park is the De Young Museum, located directly across from the California Academy of Science. The two museums are divided by the wonderful Rideout Fountain. It is one of the most beautiful art museums in the city, completely surrounded by greenery and which offers a unique experience to those who visit it.

The De Young Museum houses, in fact, a large collection of American, African, Oriental art and art of pre-Columbian civilizations! Inaugurated in 1985, all the collections are organized by geographical area, making a visit simple and convenient. One of the most interesting collections is certainly the African one, with particular objects such as animal-shaped wooden masks! And, at the end of the visit, you can also go up to the Hamon Observation Tower, the observation tower of the museum, from which you can admire a splendid view of the entire Golden Gate Park and its surroundings!

14. Muir Woods National Monument.

If you love nature and the great American natural parks, you certainly cannot miss a visit to Muir Woods National Monument, located just 25 km north of downtown San Francisco! To reach it you will also have to cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Muir Woods National Monument was declared a National Monument way back in 1908 by US President Theodore Roosevelt and is the place to see the giant sequoias! An almost surreal but truly unique experience: you will feel very small under these ancient trees. Here you can walk on numerous elevated wooden walkways, built with the purpose of protecting the roots of the redwoods, while above you the trees will rise up to 76m! We advise you to reach the park at opening hours, to better enjoy all its tranquility and beauty.

15. Warnings

Wear shorts and flip flops.

How do locals recognize tourists? Well, they are the ones who wear shorts and flip flops. It must be quite hot for someone who lives here to want to wear shorts; even then, it's random. The weather changes drastically over the course of a couple of days, so pack lots of layers and add or remove clothes based on the current climate.

Also pack an umbrella, just in case. Above all, wear comfortable shoes. San Francisco is the city of hills, and because it's so compact, there's plenty of walking between neighborhoods and points of interest. A pair of comfortable athletic shoes is your best bet.

Expect a hot summer.

Summer brings to mind warm weather, trips to the beach, and shorts and flip flops. Well, not in San Francisco.

Accompanying this cold is something as iconic as the Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower: fog. Affectionately called Karl the Fog, he's a blanket of cold fog that can quickly swoop in and turn everything cold, foggy, and gray. Any native will say the best thing to do is dress in layers to be prepared for any weather the city might throw.

Forget about being green.

San Francisco residents take earth conservation very seriously, and green compost bins and blue recycling bins are everywhere.

San Francisco's Mandatory Ordinance requires residents and businesses to separate compostable and recyclable materials from trash. Get recognition points from the San French for not littering, and try to recycle and compost whenever possible. The green movement also encourages consumers to bring their own reusable shopping bags, so be prepared to pay a fee of 0.10 to 0.25 per bag. Pack a bag and use it for all your shopping.