Best Time to Visit San Francisco

By Robert Heaney
Published: July 18, 2024
Palace Of Fine Arts reflected in still water

It’s tough to crack down on an objective best time to visit San Francisco, owing to its vast wealth of evergreen attractions and its plethora of fantastic cultural events taking place throughout the year. Preferences vary vastly between tourists, so we’ve outlined each season to help you figure out the best time to plan your ideal Bay Area city break.

Spring (March – May)

Image of Neighborhood, City, Flower, Housing,

Average Temperature: 48 - 63°F • Average Rainfall: 4 - 10 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 – 11 hours/day

Entering into its first shoulder season of the year, San Francisco maintains a modest but steady flow of traffic throughout spring. Busier than winter but quieter than summer, this is an ideal time to experience everything that the city has to offer without the larger crowds. What’s more, you can often still cash in on some fairly decent off-peak hotel prices, too.

Though the weather in the Bay Area certainly begins to chipper up throughout spring, this is still by and large a season you’ll want to wrap up for. Temperatures typically flirt between cool and pleasantly mild throughout, with some fairly regular sunshine offering some decent city exploring conditions. Just make sure to be mindful of the windchill by the Bay, and packing an umbrella certainly isn’t a bad call either.

Things to do in Spring

You’d be hard pressed to find a better time than spring for exploring some of San Francisco’s quirkiest neighborhoods. Both Chinatown and Japantown offer some of the city’s most enchanting cultural insights, characterized in large part by some charming traditional East Asian architecture and a variety of authentic eateries and stores.

Also particularly popular to explore is Fisherman’s Wharf, a vast waterfront complex offering all manner of entertainment. Among its best attractions are the Pier 39 shopping district, the classic Musée Mécanique penny arcade and the Madame Tussauds wax museum. Keep an eye out for the local colony of playful, barking sea lions, too!

What’s On in Spring

Springtime sees the Bay Area veritably blooming with cultural events, never more literally than during the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival held in Japantown throughout April. This is also a season brimming with appreciation for the arts, best represented among the fantastic film screenings of the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Also popular in spring are St. Patrick’s Day, host to a day of drinking and merriment as locals and visitors embark on epic bar crawls and revel at the annual St. Patty’s Day parade. If that wasn’t enough partying for you, then the massive Carnaval celebration most certainly will be, comprising two days straight of live music, dancing and drinking as locals in vibrant fancy dress take over the city streets.

Summer (June – August)

Image of Boat, Sailboat, Vehicle,

Average Temperature: 52 - 72°F • Average Rainfall: 0 - 2 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 12 hours/day

As with most northern-hemisphere destinations, summertime sees San Francisco at its busiest. Though it’s rarely ever truly quiet throughout the year, the city takes on even more of a bustling and electric atmosphere in the summer months. Naturally, you’d be best advised booking your flights, hotels and venues sufficiently in advance so as not to miss out.

San Francisco’s bayside location keeps the city’s climate in somewhat of a goldilocks zone, never too cold but rarely warmer than a certain degree. That being said, the Bay Area’s weather is at its most idyllic in summer, with temperatures averaging between mild and warm, complemented by very regular sunshine and rare rainfall.

Things to do in Summer

The idyllic climate throughout summer lends itself perfectly to exploring some of the Bay Area’s fantastic green spaces. Enjoy the vast open space of Golden Gate Park along with its gorgeous Botanical Garden and serene Japanese Tea Garden, or admire the spectacular floral displays of the Conservatory of Flowers after a relaxing picnic in Mission Dolores Park.

San Francisco’s picture-perfect landscape is truly a sight to behold from the right vantage point. Head up Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill for some unobstructed panoramic views right down into the Bay, or if you’re looking for a romantic way to spend a summer’s evening, catch the sunset over the city skyline from the Twin Peaks summit.

What’s On in Summer

Much like the rest of the nation, summertime means festival season for San Francisco. June sees the city come together for the likes of the annual Pride Parade and the North Beach Festival, while the San Francisco Jazz Festival and Fillmore Jazz Festival see the Bay Area embrace somewhat of a classier vibe.

Lighting up the skies in the name of independence, San Francisco’s Fourth of July celebrations are truly a force to be reckoned with. All across the Bay Area, neighborhoods erupt in festivity as live music, partying and firework displays abound, most notably along the waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Fall (September – November)

Image of Bridge,

Average Temperature: 50 - 70°F • Average Rainfall: 2 - 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 8 - 11 hours/day

Unlike many comparable destinations, San Francisco maintains much of its peak-season popularity throughout fall, owing largely to its continued pleasant weather and the wealth of fantastic cultural events taking place throughout the season. While you’re sure to find the city somewhat quieter than in summer, you’ll still want to book your chosen hotels and attractions in advance to avoid any potential disappointment.

In much the same way, the Bay Area typically maintains its relatively idyllic summertime weather throughout fall. Though you can expect a touch more rainfall depending on when exactly you choose to visit, most of the season offers temperatures somewhere between mild and pleasantly warm.

Things to do in Fall

With the Bay Area’s weather still so pleasant throughout fall, there are few better times to explore some of the city’s top sights. Take some stellar shots of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, often cloaked in its trademark scarf of fog, then take a load off in Alamo Square Park while admiring the famous row of Victorian-style Painted Ladies.

History buffs and the morbidly curious alike should be no stranger to Alcatraz Island, once the site of one of the nation’s highest-security prisons. If you have the heart for it, you can take a boat tour out into the Bay to explore the hostile grounds and chilling cells that once held some of the most notorious criminals in American history.

What’s On in Fall

Fall is perhaps the most culturally-rich season of the year for San Francisco, dominated in large part by a huge variety of film festivals. The United Nations Association Film Festival, SF International Festival of Short Films and Japan Film Festival are just a few of the events screening award-winning films throughout the city, with an event for just about every topic and area of interest.

Outside of the arts, the Bay Area is also host to the exceptionally popular Fleet Week event, dominated by a number of thrilling air shows, special boat tours and parades on the Bay. The San Francisco International Auto Show is a huge draw for motorheads from up and down the country, while thousands flock to the nearby city of Oakland to revel in celebration of the Día de los Muertos.

Winter (December – February)

Image of Lighting, City, Urban, Spire, Tower, Cathedral, Church, Parliament,

Average Temperature: 46 - 61°F • Average Rainfall: 10 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 6 - 9 hours/day

Though never truly quiet, winter offers a moment of respite for San Francisco. With the exception of the holiday season, when the Bay Area takes on a whole new lease of festive life, the low-season months are the perfect opportunity to experience many of the city’s top attractions at their quietest. Visit after the holidays, and you’ll even get to benefit from low-season hotel rates, often at quite a hefty discount on peak time prices.

As you might expect, winter is typically the coldest period for San Francisco. Though its bayside location protects it from any drastic temperatures, you’ll certainly want to pack for the weather, particularly to combat the windchill and semi-regular rainfall. That isn’t to say you can’t also get some great weather throughout the season, as you’re sure to find yourself with at least a few particularly pleasant days ideal for exploring the city.

Things to do in Winter

Should you find yourself in San Francisco in December, the holiday season festivities are truly a sight to behold. Explore the traditional displays at Union Square, the heart of all holiday activity in the Bay Area, and admire the adorable animals up for adoption in the annual SPCA Holiday Window. Once you’re finished showing your moves at the Square’s Ice Skating Rink, grab yourself some holiday deals at the likes of Macy’s and Westfield Shopping Center.

For an escape from some of the season’s chillier weather, head to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. This vast 400,000-square-foot complex houses both an enchanting aquarium and a four-story indoor rainforest populated by all manner of exotic flora and fauna, not to mention the impressive natural history museum and digital planetarium to boot.

What’s On in Winter

Winter in San Francisco kicks off with a whole host of festive events. Alongside a whole host of magical holiday displays, the city is also host to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, complete with festive market stalls among an impressive replica of Victorian London. Also popular in San Francisco holiday tradition are the enchanting performances of A Christmas Carol and the Nutcracker Ballet.

Not quite satisfied with the holiday season festivities alone, the Bay Area also quite literally lights up for New Year’s Eve, as thousands of revelers flock to see out the year with an impressive firework display out on the Bay. Following swiftly afterwards, San Francisco’s Chinese New Year celebration is among the largest and most vibrant in the world, drawing in millions to awe at the annual parade and its trademark 28-foot-long golden dragon.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Selection of San Francisco souvenirs including cable car and Golden Gate Bridge ornaments
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Best San Francisco Souvenirs

What will you bring home from San Francisco, besides a California tan, flowers in your hair, several cable car selfies and a wistful longing to be back in the Golden City’s foggy embrace? Our guide to the best San Francisco souvenirs includes everything from fortune cookies to whale feed (no, that isn’t a typo) and ensures you’ll pick the perfect memento to remember your trip by. Read on for our top picks and where to find them... Tacky Treasures Even a city as cool as San Francisco isn’t immune to the commercial potential of tacky tourist trinkets. But there’s joy to be found in those inexpensive little reminders of vacations well spent: the Golden Gate Bridge fridge magnet, a cuddly toy emblazoned with the ‘I ♥ SF’ logo’, an Alcatraz keychain, a mug bearing the (oh-so-true) sentiment ‘I left my heart in San Francisco’. You’ll find all these and more in stores affiliated to official tourist attractions, plus countless other variations in random gift shops citywide. But there are two ubiquitous ‘tacky’ San Francisco souvenirs you really shouldn’t leave town without. Spend any time in the city and you’ll soon understand why it's one of the last places on the planet to retain working foghorns, their great plaintive parps guiding ships safely under the Golden Gate Bridge whenever those famously dense banks of San Francisco fog envelop the city. Which is frequently, especially during the Bay Area’s foggy summer season – or ‘Fogust’ as the locals have punningly nicknamed it. Step forward the San Francisco fog globe, a clever variation on the traditional snow globe that, when shaken, shrouds the attraction inside in a dense pea-souper. Magical. Also synonymous with San Francisco are the squealing cables, clanging bells and rattling wooden carriages of the MUNI cable car system. Riding these rolling National Historic Landmarks up and down the city’s rollercoaster streets is one of San Francisco’s must-do experiences. And what better memento of your journey than an adorable mini cable car of your very own, with authentic wooden frame and moving wheels? Find yours in the shop at the Cable Car Museum alongside a range of other official merchandise (the MUNI logo tees are pretty cool, too). Cultural Souvenirs If you’re looking for something a little more... highbrow, make like Jack Kerouac and head for the City Lights bookstore where Chinatown and North Beach meet. It’s here (and in nearby bar Vesuvio) that Kerouac used to hang out with fellow beatniks, making it something of a spiritual home of the Beat Generation. Drop by for a browse and pick up a souvenir copy of On The Road or Ginsberg’s Howl and Other Poems, the latter of which saw City Lights embroiled in an obscenity trial when it first published the collection in 1956. San Francisco’s museum shops are another great way to pick up unusual souvenirs and gifts. Always dreamed of owning a skateboard adorned with one of Andy Warhol’s soup-can paintings? Jeff Koons-style balloon dog bookends? Frida Kahlo in wooden doll form? Lichtenstein jigsaw puzzle? Then look no further than the arty emporium at SFMOMA in the heart of Downtown. NB: custom art prints are also available for something a little more traditional. Take a little piece of the Exploratorium home with you: the huge curiosity shop of this astonishing interactive arts and science museum is brimful of colorful apparel, cool science kits and all manner of mindbending puzzles, gadgets and optical illusions. Or add a little more levity to your souvenir gifts at the Pirate Supply Store on quirky Valencia Street south of Downtown. Pick up an eye-patch, (fake) parrot and cutlass for the Jack Sparrow in your life, as well as stocking up on those other seafaring essentials: scurvy medication and whale feed. Sport is also big business in San Francisco where even those with a passing interest are sure to have heard of baseball behemoths the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers, one of the most successful American football teams of all time. Pick up caps, shirts and all manner of other memorabilia at their official stadium shops and at outlets throughout the city. Foodie Favorites Sourdough bread has been a staple of San Francisco life since treasure seekers first brought it here in the California Gold Rush of 1849. Even the 49ers mascot, Sourdough Sam, is named in its honor. You’ll find freshly baked loaves in every San Francisco bakery worth its salt, but locals swear by the Boudin Bakery in Fisherman’s Wharf, perhaps because it too was established in that fateful year of 1849. Stay for a burger or pizza (sourdough bun and base, natch), or grab a crusty loaf to take away and try to resist tearing into it like a wild animal before you get home. Want more baked goods? Chinatown’s tiny Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory assembles thousands of the crunchy clairvoyant treats by hand every day. You can even have custom-made fortunes included to really creep out superstitious family members when they read their super-accurate predictions. There’s yet more gluttonous indulgence to be had in the shape of San Francisco’s damn fine coffee and moreish homemade chocolate. The city’s exploding specialty coffee scene has seen dozens of roasteries pop up over the last few years, including the likes of SoMa’s Sightglass with their signature Owl’s Howl espresso, and Sextant, the only independent Ethiopian trader currently roasting and brewing coffee in the US. Ritual Coffee’s roastery in the Mission district is one of the city’s pioneers and has been serving up the finest single-origin coffees from the Americas to grateful San Franciscans since 2005. Grab some beans from one (or all) of these fine establishments, for a San Francisco souvenir with a touch of class. Hopeless chocoholics should make for historic Ghirardelli Square, where the chocolate and ice-cream emporium, chocolate tasting experience, chocolate café and pop-up chocolate shop from the legendary Ghirardelli Chocolate Company are enough to put Willy Wonka in the shade. Connoisseurs of the sweet stuff can find something with a little more local flavor at Dandelion Chocolate in the Mission. Take a tour of the factory to see expert chocolatiers conjure confectionery out of cocoa beans before your very eyes, then grab a bar (or six) which, with apologies to expectant chocolate-loving friends and family back home, will almost certainly not survive the flight. Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Street sign pointing the way to Japantown, San Francisco
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Things to do in Japantown San Francisco

One of just three remaining Japantowns in the whole of the United States, this diminutive San Francisco neighborhood packs a mighty punch in spite of its small size. Squeezed into its six blocks, you’ll discover swathes of superb sushi, shabu-shabu and ramen restaurants, a riot of ultra-kitsch gift shops, Japanese sweets and more manga and anime merchandise than you can shake a samurai sword at. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Japantown San Francisco. Get to Know San Francisco’s Japantown Japantown radiates out from its central hub, the Peace Plaza, a major focal point for events and festivals throughout the year and a great place to just sit and watch the world go by. Towering over the plaza is the Peace Pagoda, a striking five-tiered concrete structure with a spire on top that was designed by Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi and gifted to San Francisco by Osaka in 1968. It’s from here that you can start the Japantown History Walk, a short stroll through the district’s storied past, guided by 16 signs featuring maps, photographs and information. The walk provides a nice introduction to Japantown and will help you find your bearings. As well as the Peace Pagoda, it also takes in pedestrianized Osaka Way, Ruth Asawa’s beautiful Aurora and Origami Fountains and the colorful Sensu folding-fan sculpture. Shop ‘Til You Drop A visit to the Japan Center, a trio of malls crammed top to bottom with Japanese shops and restaurants should be considered an absolute must on any list of things to do in San Francisco’s Japantown. Start in the east mall, where the famous Japanese dollar store Daiso offers a mind-boggling variety of products at rock bottom prices (generally $1-2). Looking for kitsch Hello Kitty trinkets? Stationery supplies? Japanese fans? Beauty products? Bookends? Chopsticks? Kawaii (cute) Japanese designs? Then Daiso is surely the place for you. It’s also at this end of the mall that you’ll find one of Japantown’s most Instagrammed attractions: the arched red Moon Bridge. Head to the west mall for the iconic Kinokuniya Bookstore, a stalwart of San Francisco’s Japantown since the late 1960s. It’s here that you’ll find all things manga and anime: books, comics, DVDs, t-shirts, toys, tote bags, Studio Ghibli merchandise, you name it and they’ll probably have it here! There’s even an intricate artwork by legendary Japanese illustrator and cartoonist Katsuya Terada, painted at the entrance to the store during his visit in 2013. Upstairs, you can browse Japanese and English literature and attend occasional readings and signings; authors who have appeared at the store previously include Japanese historian David Keene and actor George Takei. Food, Glorious Food! After all that shopping you’re sure to have worked up a mighty appetite. Fortunately for you, the Japan Center also boasts some of the best eating in town. Head to the aptly named Restaurant Row in the west mall for a veritable smorgasbord of dining options. Restaurants here run the full gamut of Japanese specialties. There’s sushi, of course, and plenty of it. This is also the place to try okonomiyaki, delicious savory Japanese pancakes stuffed with fillings of your choice and topped with pickled ginger, mayonnaise and umami Japanese sauces. Ramen or noodles more your vibe? You’ll find both well represented here, too. For a real taste of Japanese culture, hit the shabu-shabu joints, where you cook your own beef and vegetables at the table before gobbling them up along with rice and a rainbow of zingy dipping sauces. Something sweet? Sophie’s Crepes is a dessert shop of some local renown, where freshly made crepes are served cone-style with fillings of your choice. Whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Green tea gelato with red bean paste and matcha sauce. Mandarin and Nutella. The only problem you’ll have here is deciding which to go for. Mosey over to Matcha Cafe Maiko which, as the name suggests, is your stop for everything matcha. There’s shaved ice, tea, and matcha lattes. Or try a crispy homemade cone piled high with soft serve matcha ice cream. For an ultra-decadent treat, you can also have yours topped with gold leaf! A Spot of R’n’R Tucked away behind an unassuming pair of wooden doors inside the sprawling Japan Center is the Kabuki Springs & Spa, where a traditional onsen-style Japanese bathhouse offers multiple methods of achieving a state of pure zen. Buy a day pass to access the steam room, sauna, muscle-soothing hot pool and bracingly cold plunge pool. There’s sea salt for body scrubs and green tea for maximum refreshment, and you’ll get a discount on your day pass if you also book a treatment at the adjoining spa, where a deluxe 80-minute Eastern Shiatsu massage might leave you so relaxed you’ll want to remain horizontal for the rest of the day. Cherry Blossom Festival The annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, held in honor of the photogenic pink blooms, is one of San Francisco’s most popular, drawing thousands of visitors to the neighborhood for its two-weekend run every April. This riot of color and sound celebrates all things Japanese. Highlights include taiko drumming, when men and women in traditional dress beat huge tribal drums in an effort to ward off evil spirits. There’s street food, ancient Japanese tea ceremonies, karate demonstrations, origami displays and Japanese folk music and dance, with many of the more popular performances taking place on the main stage at Peace Plaza. The festival culminates in a grand parade, when drummers, dancers, and beautifully decorated floats weave their way through cheering crowds between City Hall and Japantown, leading the way to a huge closing party in the shadow of the Peace Pagoda. Pro-tip for cherry blossom die-hards: some of the finest in San Francisco are found not in Japantown but at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Save on things to do in Japantown San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
California sea lions basking in the sun at Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
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Week in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of those places that really lends itself to longer stays. You’ll never find yourself short of things to do here: the Golden City is packed to the rafters with world-class museums, sprawling parks, top-flight shopping and nightlife and, of course, iconic attractions like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. A week in San Francisco really lets you get under the skin of the city and immerse yourself in its intoxicating vibe. Check out our suggested 7-day itinerary below. Day 1: Downtown Strolling around San Francisco’s financial district is a great way to get your bearings on arrival. It’s here that you’ll find the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), where the 30,000-strong collection of modern and contemporary art, including masterpieces by Warhol, O’Keeffe, Hopper, Richter, Kahlo (and countless others) is one of the world’s largest. Lunch options abound downtown. Head to the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero with its soaring clock tower and bustling marketplace, where artisan foodie stores hawk delicious freshly baked San Francisco sourdough, aromatic local cheeses and much more. Or try an authentic Chinatown takeaway joint for life-changing shrimp gyoza, crispy sesame balls and fluffy BBQ pork dumplings. The tiny Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross Alley is another essential component of any foray into Chinatown: watch the cookie assembly line team in action before picking up a bag of green-tea-flavored treats to go. The streets that radiate out from Union Square are a shoppers’ paradise. Saks, Macy’s, Apple, Louis Vuitton: all the big-hitters are here. Spend the afternoon giving your credit card a workout, then glam up for an evening at the stately War Memorial Opera House for world-class ballet, opera and symphonic performances. Day 2: Golden Gate Park You can easily spend a whole day (and probably more) exploring the many gardens, museums and trails in sprawling Golden Gate Park – there’s even an old-fashioned carousel with painted wooden beasts that include an ostrich, a tiger and... a dragon. Find your inner zen among the Japanese Tea Garden’s meandering paths, bonsai trees and tranquil koi ponds, get your selfie fix at the picture-perfect Dutch Windmill (particularly photogenic in spring when the tulip garden is in bloom) and snap the bison in their paddock near Hippie Hill. Golden Gate Park is also home to not one but two of San Francisco’s most impressive museums. Visit the de Young, with its burnished copper facade and striking observation tower, to admire fine art from the Americas and beyond. The California Academy of the Sciences is your place for all things living (and dead), boasting a staggering 46 million specimens across its aquarium, rainforest dome and natural history museum. And that’s not all: there’s a huge planetarium here, too! Look out for the museum’s unique roof, topped with seven rolling green hills and over two million plants. Day 3: Ride the Cable Cars No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a ride on the iconic rolling landmarks that are the MUNI cable cars. Feel the wind in your hair as your painted wooden carriage rollercoasters its way through the city’s famously hilly streets. Take the California Street line west from the Embarcadero to ogle luxury hotels and homes of the rich and famous in wealthy Nob Hill, where the Gothic confection that is Grace Cathedral also merits a visit. Or hop aboard the downtown lines for a ride up to Fisherman’s Wharf – we recommend the Powell-Hyde line for the best views of Alcatraz as your carriage crests the hills, plus you’ll also get a peek at the hairpin bends of Lombard Street as you wobble past. In the evening, trade the clanging bells and rattling wheels of the cable cars for a sunset cruise out to Alcatraz Island where an atmospheric tour of America’s most notorious former prison awaits. Day 4: Chill in The Mission Soak up the hipster vibe of The Mission on a stroll round its buzzy streets. This virtual art gallery of a neighborhood has colorful murals adorning almost every available surface, particularly in and around Clarion and Balmy Alleys. Follow the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee to the roasteries on Valencia Street and grab a cup to go, then browse the wild variety of independent stores along this eclectic strip. Expect vintage thriftstore fashions, pre-loved vinyl records, second-hand books, trendy tattoo parlors and – genuinely – a supply store for wannabe pirates. Eyepatch and stuffed parrot duly secured, make for the local taquerias. Both Taqueria La Cumbre and Taqueria El Faro claim to have invented the legendary Mission Burrito – an obscenely large steamed flour tortilla that’s absolutely crammed with farm-fresh meat, salsa, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and shredded lettuce. We’re talking around 2lbs of Mexican goodness here. Take yours up to Dolores Park and eat slowly while enjoying superb views of Downtown and the Bay. Day 5: North Beach Confusingly, there’s no beach in buzzy North Beach. But don’t let that put you off: the heady mix of Italian flavors, literary counterculture and scenic strolls more than makes up for it! Grab a drink in the Vesuvio, the retro-tastic bar close to Jack Kerouac Alley, where the author used to hang out with beatnik pals Ginsberg and Cassady in the 1950s. Pick up a copy of On The Road from the legendary City Lights bookstore then its straight to the Italian bakeries by leafy Washington Square for some of the best cannoli in town. Actually, best get a bagful – you’re going to need the energy for what’s coming next. Suitably fortified, you’re now ready to take up the challenge of the Filbert Street Steps. There are around 500 (mostly wooden) steps from the bottom to the landmark Coit Tower up top. Dedicated climbers reap rich rewards, taking in widescreen Bay views and meeting raucous red-and-green Telegraph Hill parrots along the way. Footsore pilgrims will be pleased to learn that, once inside the 210-feet-high Coit Tower, there’s an elevator to take you to the top. Phew. Day 6: Fisherman’s Wharf Taking in the whole of San Francisco’s northern waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf is the traditional seaside day out writ large, and so much more besides. Here’s where you can say hello to sea lions basking in the sun on Pier 39, meet celebs and former presidents (in wax form) at Madame Tussauds, board a WWII submarine and savor zingy fish tacos as you watch the boats shuttle passengers to and from Alcatraz. There are arcade games, thrill rides and street performers too, as well as one of San Francisco’s very best museums. The Exploratorium on Pier 15 is an art and science extravaganza, with dozens of interactive exhibits designed to educate and entertain. If you’ve ever wanted to step into a tornado, dance with your own shadow or see San Francisco’s skyline modeled from a staggering number of toothpicks, this is the one for you. Day 7: Golden Gate Bridge You can’t spend a week in San Francisco and not set foot on the Golden Gate Bridge at least once. Sure you’ve seen those iconic rust-red towers from a thousand different angles over the last seven days. But can you truly say you’ve been to San Francisco until you’ve experienced the (often fearsome) Bay winds and taken in the sweeping views from bang in the center of the bridge? No, we say, you cannot. Spend a leisurely day exploring the Presidio – home of the Walt Disney Family Museum, Palace of Fine Arts and more – before walking the entire length of the Golden Gate and rewarding yourself with dinner in downtown Sausalito. Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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