San Francisco: Latest 2025 Travel Guide
🌟 San Francisco Travel Guide
📍 Must-see attractions
1. Golden Gate Bridge
- Features : One of the most famous bridges in the world, the red-orange arch bridge spans the bay.
- Editor's Tip : Best photo spots → Crissy Field, Battery Spencer, or cycling on the bridge.
2. Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39
- Features : Lively beachfront, sea lions lying on the wooden pier to bask in the sun, so cute!
- Editor’s Tip : Be sure to try the Clam Chowder bread bowl .
3. Lombard Street
- Features : Known as the "most crooked street", it is full of flowers and plants and is a great place to check in.
- Editor’s Tip : The trail is fun both on foot and by car, but it’s best to go early in the morning when there are fewer people.
4. San Francisco Cable Car
- Features : The world's oldest operating cable car system, connecting downtown and Fisherman's Wharf.
- Editor’s tip : Sit on the outside handlebar for the best view and the best feel!
5. Alcatraz Island
- Features : This was once a federal prison, and the atmosphere is unique when visited by boat.
- Editor's tip : Tickets must be booked online in advance, otherwise they will sell out quickly.
6. Golden Gate Park
- Features : Larger than New York's Central Park, it contains gardens, lakes and museums.
- Editor’s Tip : Cycle around the park and visit the de Young Museum .
7. Painted Ladies
- Features : Colorful Victorian buildings with the city skyline in the background, a popular postcard spot.
🍴 Must-eat food in San Francisco
San Francisco is a foodie paradise, a fusion of Italian, Chinese, Mexican and Californian new cuisine:
- Clam Chowder Bread Bowl : A must-try at Fisherman's Wharf.
- Sourdough Bread : A specialty of San Francisco, sour, fragrant and chewy.
- Authentic seafood : Dungeness Crab is a popular dish available only in winter.
- Chinese food : Chinatown is one of the oldest in North America, and the dim sum and roast meats are all authentic.
- Mission Burrito : Originating from the Mission District, this is an oversized burrito.
- California New Cuisine : healthy and fresh, mainly based on organic vegetables and seafood.
👉 Editor's recommendation: Try the sourdough Clam Chowder at Boudin Bakery , then head to Mission District for a Burrito. It's super satisfying!
🚋 San Francisco Transportation Guide
City transportation
- Muni system (bus + tram + subway) : covers most of the city, and a single ticket costs about $3.
- Cable Car : A must-take for sightseeing. The one-way ticket price is higher, but the experience is perfect.
- Walking : The city is not big, but there are many hills, so be prepared to have strong legs.
- Uber/Lyft : Suitable for use at night or when you are too tired to go up or down the mountain.
Airport Transportation
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) → Downtown: Take the BART subway directly to the city center, about 30 minutes.
👉 Editor's Tip: We recommend buying a Clipper Card (transit card), which can be used for Muni, BART, Caltrain, etc. It saves time and is convenient.
🎯 Editor's Summary
San Francisco is a romantic and diverse city:
- Must-see landmark → Golden Gate Bridge 🌉
- Must-try food → Clam Chowder + Sourdough 🍞
- Must-do experience → Take the cable car 🚋
- Must-visit neighborhoods → Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Mission District 🌮
🗓️3 -day San Francisco itinerary
📍 Day 1: Classic landmarks + bay scenery
-
morning
- Head to the Golden Gate Bridge , cross the bridge on foot or by bicycle, and take a photo of the iconic bridge
- Stop by Crissy Field or Battery Spencer for the best view
-
noon
- Lunch Recommendation: Boudin Bakery Café (Sourdough Clam Chowder)
-
afternoon
- Go to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 to see sea lions and browse souvenir shops
-
night
- Dinner recommendation: Dungeness Crab at a seafood restaurant
- At night, you can take a boat tour of the bay area and overlook the Golden Gate Bridge at night.
📍 Day 2: City Culture + Classic Street Scenes
-
morning
- Take the cable car to experience nostalgic transportation, going up and down the mountain from the city center
- Visit Lombard Street, the world's most winding road
-
noon
- Lunch Recommendation: Dim Sum or BBQ in Chinatown
-
afternoon
- Visit Union Square, shop at Union Square , and visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
- Or go to Golden Gate Park instead and visit the de Young Museum
-
night
- Dinner Recommendation: Mission District 's Huge Mission Burrito 🌯
- After dinner, take a stroll to admire the Mission Murals
📍 Day 3: Unique Experience + Hipster Route
-
morning
- Take a boat to Alcatraz Island and explore the mysterious prison (advance reservation required)
-
noon
- Lunch Recommendation: The Ferry Building Marketplace (Specialty Artisanal Food and Coffee)
-
afternoon
- Go to the Painted Ladies colorful house and see the skyline behind it
- Hipsters' Choice: Haight-Ashbury (hippie culture, used bookstores, record stores)
-
night
- Last night dinner recommendation: Enjoy authentic pasta and wine in North Beach (Little Italy) 🍝🍷
- Before the end of the day, you can go to Coit Tower to see the night view.
🚋 Transportation Tips
- It is recommended to buy a Clipper Card , which can be used for BART, Muni, and Cable Car.
- Day 1 : Bus/Muni + Walking, concentrated around Fisherman's Wharf
- Day 2 : Cable car ride + walking tour of the city center
- Day 3 : Ferry to Alcatraz + Bus to Painted Ladies
🎯 Editor's Summary
San Francisco 3-day itinerary perfect combination:
- Day 1 → Golden Gate Bridge + Fisherman’s Wharf 🌉🦭
- Day 2 → Cable Car + Lombard Street + Chinatown Culture 🚋🥢
- Day 3 → Alcatraz + Painted Ladies + Hipster Area 🎨