Mission
2 miles from city centre
Bookshops, bicycles and street art galore! Nothing embodies the ever-changing aura of SF like the Mission. As multicultural as it gets, find mouth-watering tacos, next to tropical fruit stalls, and cones of artisanal ice cream (hello, Bi-Rite). Rent a bicycle and ride from hip Valencia to Dolores Park, where many a sun-kissed afternoon is spent.
Places to stay from £39 per night
Downtown San Francisco
In the city centre
The hustle doesn’t quit in Downtown. From the wee small hours to midnight, this district is alive and kicking. Whether it’s the morning bustle of business commuters, the afternoon energy of urbanites or night owls plumbing the clubs, get swept away in a true city feel. You can shop and eat on every corner – and take the tram to any area.
Places to stay from £20 per night
Chinatown
0.4 miles from city centre
The oldest Chinatown in North America – and the largest Chinese community in the US – blends tradition with tourism. Look around and see what you find. Indulge in dim sum, shop exotic balms, and inspect the live chickens. Stop to smell the Chinese five spices (fennel, cloves and ginger anyone?), and let the discord of Stockton Street entreat.
Places to stay from £40 per night
Fisherman's Wharf
1.4 miles from city centre
You’ll have plenty of company as you pick through the sights and sounds of the family-friendly Fisherman’s Wharf. Street performers, eclectic cafes and bowls of chowder fight for your attention. The sea lions of Pier 39 are an all-age affair, as is the maritime museum of historic ships at Hyde Pier. Ferry across to the notorious Alcatraz prison.
Places to stay from £60 per night
San Francisco buzzes with an energy that guarantees anyone a good time. From hip neighbourhoods and historic buildings, to beautiful beaches and pristine parks, there’s no end of things to do in The Golden City.
Indulge your shopping habit in Union Square, where high-end boutiques line wide streets along which vintage cable cars trundle. A few blocks from here is Chinatown – eight blocks of interesting sights that will keep you entertained for the afternoon.
Running along the waterfront between Bay Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, the Embarcadero is renowned for top attractions like Pier 39 and the Ferry Building, an iconic landmark known for its top-notch restaurants and food stalls. This scenic boulevard is also where boats depart for Alcatraz Island, located just over a mile (almost two kilometres) offshore. This former federal prison was once home to notorious inmates like Al Capone and ‘Birdman’ Robert Stroud. You can hear all about their lives, and stories of escapes and scandals during an audio-guided tour of the site.
Back in the Bay Area, it’s impossible not to spot the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which can be crossed by car, bike or on foot. In any case, a whole other world of beauty awaits on the other side. Muir Woods, an isolated canyon filled with ancient redwood trees, is well worth visiting, as is the seaside town of Sausalito – famous for its cute boutiques and sweeping views of San Francisco Bay.
Tonight
From £54 per night
This weekend
From £108 per night
Next weekend
From £130 per night
Most popular time to visit | October–December |
Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
Local currency | US$10 = £7.92 |
Language | |
Average weekend price | £124 per night |
Average weekday price | £118 per night |
Typical stay | 2 nights |
Golden Gate Bridge
4.2 miles from city centre
Union Square
In the city centre
Alcatraz
2.7 miles from city centre
Lombard Street
1.2 miles from city centre
Castro District
2.5 miles from city centre
San Francisco City Hall
0.9 miles from city centre
Exploratorium
2.5 miles from city centre
Ghirardelli Square
1.5 miles from city centre
Ferry Building
0.9 miles from city centre
Intersection of Haight & Ashbury streets
2.5 miles from city centre
A lovely city, San Francisco has the lot!
27 March 2024
A lovely city, San Francisco has the lot! It's always sad to see the homelessness and rampant drug addiction in the Tenderloin and right down to Market St in some places. In most cases you are left alone, however travelling as a single female I can imagine it's intimidating. Try to avoid that area, everywhere else seems fine and safe as any big city. If you have a spare day for touristic activities highly recommend the SF Bay ferry system - can use them to get to the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum! Neat!!
Public transport second to none.
21 March 2024
Public transport second to none. Very easy to get anywhere. All grid system so can walk everywhere without getting lost. The separate areas are all authentic, Japan town, China T, Mexican, Italian, etc. Food amazing Trips amazing Everyone v friendly A relaxed place
Loved San Fran, have to admit was a bit apprehensive having...
20 March 2024
Loved San Fran, have to admit was a bit apprehensive having read some of the comments and social media however we felt safe at all times. We stayed in Fisherman's Wharf, frequented pier 39 several times, rode the railcar, enjoyed the night life and walked through China Town. Also took the ferry to Alcatraz which was enjoyable. Look there are homeless people around, but that's true now in nearly every major city. We didn't visit the city extensively but the 3 days we were there and the places we visited were very enjoyable. Thought the driverless cab was hilarious. People-friendly, prices-usual city surcharge, weather in march-bright and dry. Fab hotdogs from the stalls along the Wharf. Lots more we could have done so plenty to fill a 4/5 day trip.
Hayes Valley is a fun, beautiful area in San Francisco.
16 March 2024
Hayes Valley is a fun, beautiful area in San Francisco. It’s a great area to stay to visit SF Jazz, SF Opera, the Asian Art Museum and so much more. The restaurants and shopping are varied and often pretty memorable, making you want to return. Walking around the neighborhood, you’ll find a few nice parks full of people just enjoying their day.
We drove and left our rental in the underground parking at...
13 March 2024
We drove and left our rental in the underground parking at the hotel it was expensive to park but the Riu Fisherman’s Wharf was a very nice hotel with a fantastic breakfast buffet included. We pre booked Alcatraz tickets and a boat cruise for the following day both were great and should be booked well in advance. We enjoyed the touristy Fishermans wharf area, food was expensive everywhere. We had a great ride on the hop on hop off bus which took us around town and over the Golden Gate Bridge the bus driver was great and tells you good spots to get off or Not. We then hoped on the historic trolley which took us back to Fishermans Wharf. We spent 3 days in San Francisco which I felt was great. I wouldn’t go walking outside after dark and know where the unsafe areas of the city are.
You have to know what areas are safe to walk or travel...
12 March 2024
You have to know what areas are safe to walk or travel through. We walked and were out at night until 1am, no issues, but one of us knows the area. There are homeless everywhere even near our hotel by the peir, but most are not looking to bother you. Family friendly during daytime.
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From £286 per night
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