Visit to San Francisco
25 Ultimate Things to Do in San Francisco
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With its myriad hills and spectacular bay, San Francisco beguiles with natural beauty, vibrant neighborhoods, and contagious energy. Whether or not you’ve already visited the City by the Bay, it can overwhelm visitors with its offerings. Of course there are the well-trodden spots including Alamo Square, with its Painted Ladies; Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39; and twisting Lombard Street, the “crookedest street in the world.” But there’s much more to see and do, so we’ve selected the 25 top things every visitor should experience in San Francisco. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fifth, these recommendations ensure that you’ll have a great trip.
Ferry Building
Foodies, rejoice! The historic Ferry Building is stuffed to the brim with all things tasty, including cafés, restaurants, a farmers’ market, and merchants peddling everything from wine and olive oil to oysters and mushrooms. The building backs up to the bay, so the views are great—but they’re even better from the decks of the departing ferries. San Franciscans flock to the street-level marketplace, stocking up on supplies from local favorites such as Acme Bread, Scharffen Berger Chocolate, Cowgirl Creamery, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Humphry Slocombe ice cream. Slanted Door, the city’s beloved high-end Vietnamese restaurant, is here, along with highly regarded Bouli Bar. The seafood bar at Hog Island Oyster Company has fantastic bay view panoramas. On the plaza side, the outdoor tables at Gott’s Roadside offer great people-watching with their famous burgers. On Saturday morning the plazas outside the building buzz with an upscale farmers’ market where you can buy exotic sandwiches and other munchables.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Chinatown
If there’s one place in San Francisco that feels like a city unto itself, it’s Chinatown. Here, people dash between small neighborhood stores, their arms draped with plastic totes filled with groceries or souvenirs. Breathe in the scented air as you watch the nimble hands at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, then kick back with a cocktail at Li Po around the corner, rumored to be haunted by the ghost of an opium junkie still looking to score. At Tin How Temple, climb the narrow stairway to this space with hundreds of red lanterns, then step onto the tiny balcony and take in the alley scene below. And, of course, don’t skip a chance to have dim sum at Yank Sing.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Yerba Buena Gardens
There’s not much south of Market Street that encourages lingering outdoors—or indeed walking at all—with this notable exception. These two blocks encompass the Center for the Arts, the Metreon, Moscone Convention Center, and the convention center’s rooftop Children’s Creativity Museum, but the gardens themselves are the everyday draw.Office workers escape to the green swath of the East Garden, the focal point of which is the memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. Powerful streams of water surge over large, jagged stone columns, mirroring the enduring force of King’s words that are carved on the stone walls and on glass blocks behind the waterfall. Atop the Moscone Convention Center perch a few lures for kids. The historic Looff carousel twirls daily 10–5. South of the carousel is the Children’s Creativity Museum, a high-tech, interactive arts-and-technology center geared to children ages 3–12. Kids can make Claymation videos, work in a computer lab, check out new games and apps, and perform and record music videos. Just outside, kids adore the excellent slides, including a 25-foot tube slide, at the play circle. Also part of the rooftop complex are gardens, an ice-skating rink, and a bowling alley.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Palace of Fine Arts
Perched on a swan-filled lagoon near the Marina’s yacht harbor, this stirringly beautiful terra-cotta-color domed structure has an otherworldly quality about it. Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and restored in 2008, the palace is a San Francisco architect’s version of a Roman ruin, and it’s been eliciting gasps for almost a century. The massive columns (each topped with four “weeping maidens”), great rotunda, and swan-filled lagoon have been used in countless fashion layouts, films, and wedding photo shoots. After admiring the lagoon, look across the street to the house at 3460 Baker St. If the maidens out front look familiar, they should—they’re original casts of the “garland ladies” you can see in the Palace’s colonnade.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Golden Gate Park
It may be world-famous, but first and foremost the park is the city’s backyard. Come here any day of the week and you’ll find a microcosm of San Francisco, from the Russian senior citizens feeding the pigeons at Stow Lake and the moms pushing strollers through the botanical gardens to school kids exploring the fabulous California Academy of Sciences and arts boosters checking out the latest at the de Young Museum. Be sure to visit the park’s iconic treasures, including the serene Japanese Tea Garden and the beautiful Victorian Conservatory of Flowers. If you have the time to venture farther into this urban oasis, you’ll discover less-accessible gems like the Beach Chalet and the wild western shores of Ocean Beach.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Macondray Lane
San Francisco has no shortage of impressive, grand homes, but it’s the tiny fairy-tale lanes that make most want to move here, and Macondray Lane is the quintessential hidden garden. Enter under a lovely wooden trellis and proceed down a quiet, cobbled pedestrian lane lined with Edwardian cottages and flowering plants and trees. Watch your step—the cobblestones are quite uneven in spots. A flight of steep wooden stairs at the end of the lane leads to Taylor Street—on the way down you can’t miss the bay views. If you’ve read any of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City books, you may find the lane vaguely familiar. It’s the thinly disguised setting for part of the series’ action.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
City Lights Bookstore
Take a look at the exterior of the store: the replica of a revolutionary mural destroyed in Chiapas, Mexico by military forces; the art banners hanging above the windows; and the sign that says “Turn your sell [sic] phone off. Be here now.” This place isn’t just doling out best sellers. Designated a city landmark, the hangout of Beat-era writers—Allen Ginsberg and store founder Lawrence Ferlinghetti among them—and independent publisher remains a vital part of San Francisco’s literary scene. Browse the three levels of poetry, philosophy, politics, fiction, history, and local zines, to the tune of creaking wood floors. Be sure to check the calendar of literary events.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Coit Tower
Most people assume that this stubby white tower atop Telegraph Hill is supposed to look like a fire-hose nozzle. And considering that a fire truck–chasing, cross-dressing 19th-century socialite donated the funds to build it, maybe it is. The tower itself is of vague interest—it does house the history of San Francisco in murals—but the parking lot at its base and tiny park out back have fantastic views of the city and the bay. The tower sits at the top of Telegraph Hill’s Filbert Steps, a steep stairway through glorious gardens with vistas of transcendent beauty, an only-in-San Francisco spot locals cherish.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Hyde Street Pier
Cotton candy and souvenirs are all well and good, but if you want to get to the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf—boats—there’s no better place to do it than at this pier, one of the area’s best bargains. Depending on the time of day, you might see boat builders at work or children pretending to man an early-1900s ship. Don’t pass up the centerpiece collection of historic vessels, part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, almost all of which can be boarded. The Balclutha, an 1886 full-rigged three-masted sailing vessel that’s more than 250 feet long, sailed around Cape Horn 17 times. Kids especially love the Eureka, a side-wheel passenger and car ferry, for her onboard collection of vintage cars. The Hercules is a steam-powered tugboat, and the C.A. Thayer is a beautifully restored three-masted schooner.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Mission District
The Mission has a number of distinct personalities: it’s the Latino neighborhood, it’s the hipster hood, it’s a culinary epicenter, it’s the face of gentrification, and it’s the artists’ quarter. It’s also the city’s equivalent of the Sunshine State—this neighborhood’s always the last to succumb to fog.
Keen appetites and thin wallets will meet their match here: Just try to decide between deliciously fresh burritos, garlicky falafel, thin-crust pizza, savory samosas, and more. Check out dozens of energetic, colorful public artworks in alleyways and on building exteriors. Join Mission locals and their dogs in Dolores Park, a hilly expanse of green that has a glorious view of downtown and, if you’re lucky, the Bay Bridge. On sunny days the whole neighborhood comes out to play. Embrace your inner (or not-so-inner) hipster. Grab a cocktail at Trick Dog, whose mixologists mix up some of the Mission’s finest drinks, then head over to the stylish Nihon Whisky Lounge or stop by the Chapel, where live music often accompanies the cocktails.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s signature International Orange entryway is the city’s majestic background, and about 10 million people a year head to the bridge for an up-close look. Walking the 1.7 miles to Marin County—inches from roaring traffic, steel shaking beneath your feet, and only a railing between you and the water 200 feet below—is much more than a superlative photo op (though it’s that, too). Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge under your own power is exhilarating—a little scary, and definitely chilly. From the bridge’s eastern-side walkway, the only side pedestrians are allowed on, you can take in the San Francisco skyline and the bay islands; look west for the wild hills of the Marin Headlands, the curving coast south to Lands End, and the Pacific Ocean.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Kabuki Springs & Spa
This serene spa is one Japantown destination that draws locals from all over town, from hipster to grandma, Japanese-American or not. Balinese urns decorate the communal bath area of this house of tranquility. The communal baths ($25) contain hot and cold tubs, a large Japanese-style bath, a sauna, a steam room, and showers. Bang the gong for quiet if your fellow bathers are speaking too loudly. The clothing-optional baths are open for men only on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday; women bathe on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Bathing suits are required on Tuesday, when the baths are coed.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Vallejo Steps Area
Several Russian Hill buildings survived the 1906 earthquake and fire and remain standing. Patriotic firefighters saved what’s become known as theFlag House when they spotted the American flag on the property and doused the flames with seltzer water and wet sand. The owner, a flag collector, fearing the house would burn to the ground, wanted it to go down in style, with “all flags flying.” The Flag House, at the southwest corner of Ina Coolbrith Park, is one of a number of California Shingle–style homes in this neighborhood, several of which the architect Willis Polk designed. Polk drew up the plans for the nearby Polk-Williams House and lived in one of its finer sections, and he was responsible for 1034–1036 Vallejo, across the street. He also laid out the Vallejo Steps themselves, which climb the steep ridge across Taylor Street from the Flag House. Though very steep, the walk up to Ina Coolbrith Park and beyond is possibly the most pleasurable thing to do while on Russian Hill, rewarding you as it does with glorious views.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
This huge, protected area encompasses the San Francisco coastline, the Marin Headlands, and Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s veined with hiking trails, and many guided walks take place. You can find current schedules at visitor centers in the Presidio and Marin Headlands. One of the most popular sections is Lands End, where the views are incredible and you can see the ruins of the Sutro Baths. Head down the freshly restored Coastal Trail near the Cliff House; you’ll quickly find yourself in a forest with unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Twin Peaks
Windswept and desolate Twin Peaks yields sweeping vistas of San Francisco and the neighboring East and North Bay counties. You can get a real feel for the city’s layout here, but you’ll share it with busloads of other admirers; in summer, arrive before the late-afternoon fog turns the view into pea soup. To drive here, head west from Castro Street up Market Street, which eventually becomes Portola Drive. Turn right (north) on Twin Peaks Boulevard and follow the signs to the top. Muni Bus 37–Corbett heads west to Twin Peaks from Market Street. Catch this bus above the Castro Street Muni light-rail station on the island west of Castro at Market Street.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Legion of Honor
The old adage of real estate—location, location, location—is at full force here. You can’t beat the site of this museum of European art atop cliffs overlooking the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands. A pyramidal glass skylight in the entrance court illuminates the lower-level galleries, which exhibit prints and drawings, English and European porcelain, and ancient Assyrian, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art. The 20-plus galleries on the upper level display the permanent collection of European art (paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and tapestries) from the 14th century to the present day.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
California Academy of Sciences
One look at the building’s monumental exterior—glass, glass, and more glass, all topped with 2½ acres of native plants on its undulating living roof—and you’ll know this isn’t just another science museum. Superfunky architecture and “green” everything (denim as insulation and rechargeable vehicle stations) enclose a full day’s diversions. Visit Claude, the languid albino crocodile, a waddle of penguins, a four-story walk-through rain forest complete with free-flying butterflies, a planetarium, a good, old-fashioned natural-history hall, and more.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Cable Cars
You’ve already seen them (on the big screen, in magazines, and, admit it, on the Rice-a-Roni box). And considering a ticket costs $6 a pop, do you really need to ride a cable car? Yes, you do, at least once during your visit. Flag down a Powell–Hyde car along Powell Street, grab the pole, and clatter and jiggle up mansion-topped Nob Hill. Crest the hill, and hold on for the hair-raising descent to Fisherman’s Wharf, with sun glittering off the bay and Alcatraz bobbing in the distance. Don’t deny it—this would be a deal at twice the price.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar
Since the 1940s the Tonga Room has supplied its city with high Polynesian kitsch. Fake palm trees, grass huts, a lagoon (three-piece combos play pop standards on a floating barge), and faux monsoons—courtesy of sprinkler-system rain and simulated thunder and lightning—grow more surreal as you quaff the bar’s signature mai tais and other too-too fruity cocktails.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Alcatraz
Considering how many movies have been set here, you might feel that you’ve already “been there, done that”—but you really shouldn’t miss a trip to America’s most infamous federal pen. Husky-throated onetime inmates and grizzled former guards bring the Rock to life on the wonderful audio tour; you’ll hear yarns about desperate escape attempts and notorious crooks like Al Capone while you walk the cold cement cellblock. But it’s not all doom and gloom: you’ll enjoy stunning views of the city skyline on the ferry ride to and from the island.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Tartine Bakery & Cafe
Chad Robertson is America’s first modern cult baker, and this tiny Mission District outpost—neighboring Pizzeria Delfina—is where to experience the loaves of tangy country bread that sell out insanely quickly, and/or a morning bun dusted with brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest. Lines are long in the morning when locals need a pastry-punch to start the day, and at 4:30 pm when the 250 famed loaves emerge. The small bakery has a coffee counter, but seating can be difficult to find.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Vintage Streetcars
For a couple of dollars, you can hop on a vintage F-Line streetcar and take a grand tour of Civic Center, Downtown, and Fisherman’s Wharf by rail. The colorful retro trolleys that ttraverse Market Street came from places like Hamburg, Milan, and Philly, and there’s even an original New Orleans streetcar named Desire. The cars have been lovingly restored and each still bears the markings and design details of its native city.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
The Filmore
This is the club that all the big names, from Coldplay to Clapton, want to play. San Francisco’s most famous rock-music hall presents national and local acts: rock, reggae, grunge, jazz, folk, acid house, and more. Go upstairs to view the amazing collection of rock posters lining the walls. At the end of each show, free apples are set near the door, and staffers hand out collectible posters. Avoid steep service charges by purchasing tickets at the club’s box office on Sunday from 10 to 4.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
Muir Woods National Monument
Walking among some of the last old-growth redwoods on the planet, trees hundreds of feet tall and a millennium or more old, is magical, an experience like few others to clearly illustrate our tiny place in a bigger world. Ancestors of redwood and sequoia trees grew throughout what is now the United States 150,000,000 years ago. Today theSequoia sempervirens can be found only in a narrow, cool coastal belt from Monterey to Oregon. The 550 acres of Muir Woods National Monument contain some of the most majestic redwoods in the world—some more than 250 feet tall.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
North Beach & Russian Hill
One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, North Beach continues to speak Italian, albeit in fewer households than it did when Joe DiMaggio was hitting home runs at the local playground. Columbus Avenue, North Beach’s primary commercial artery, and nearby side streets boast dozens of moderately priced Italian restaurants and coffee bars that San Franciscans flock to for a dose of strong community feeling. But beware, there are a few tourist traps that are after the college crowd who flock here for cheap drinks then want to fill up on cheap food.
Despite its name, don’t expect Russian food in Russian Hill. Instead, this area bordering Nob Hill caters to the postcollege crowds, who want to live near the buzzy Polk and Larkin streets. They mix in with the upper-crust San Franciscans who live in the art-deco high-rises with views. Many romantic bistros are tucked away on tree-lined Hyde Street.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Francisco Guide
San Francisco is a popular destination in its own right—except during the winter months. The city’s chilly winds and rainy days often deter tourists and inspire locals to travel south. Luckily, the city provides quick flights to islands and cities far away from the fog and cold. Travelers can lounge on Puerto Vallarta’s golden sand beaches, or swim in Kona’s sparkling blue waters. Here are our picks for best non-stop flights from San Francisco to the beach.
By Emily Wasserman
San Diego
Flight Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Why Go: San Diego has it all: moderate year-round temperatures, 70 miles of coastline, and attractions for all interests and ages. Visitors can get their feet wet on the city’s white sand beaches or take a trip inland to explore historic sites and parks. For picturesque ocean views and people-watching, visit Coronado Beach. Water sports enthusiasts will enjoy La Jolla Cove, a small inlet with tidal pools and cliff caves. A trip to San Diego is not complete without visiting the city’s world-renowned zoo: The 100-acre property features nearly 4,000 animals and an aerial tram with panoramic views.
Insider Tip: For all-day entertainment, stop by Balboa Park. Visitors can explore a variety of museums, gardens, and performing arts venues, or explorers can take a hike along one of the park’s scenic trails.
Where to Stay: Hotels vary by location, with luxury properties concentrated in the downtown area and more laid-back resorts near the beach. 1906 Lodge at Coronado Beach is two blocks away from the ocean and offers warm hospitality at an affordable price.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s San Diego Guide
Cabo San Lucas
Flight Duration: 3 hours
Why Go: Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s fastest growing tourist destinations, and for good reason: The coastal town features lively beaches, a variety of water sports, and a bustling nightlife scene. Take a glass-bottomed boat to Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) for an authentic Cabo experience. The small beach neighbors “El Arco,” the town’s famed arched landmark, and visitors can swim or snorkel in clear, sparkling water. Stop by Cabo’s marina to rent a boat and spend the day fishing on the Sea of Cortez. Dance the night away at Passion Club, one of Cabo’s most popular nightlife destinations. The club features world renowned DJs and a number of VIP events.
Insider Tip: From December to April, thousands of giant gray whales arrive in Cabo’s lagoons to mate and give birth. A number of whale-watching tours offer an up-close look at the whales and their new babies.
Where to Stay: For stunning views of El Arco and world-class service, book a room at Esperanza. The resort is home to one of the best spas in the region, and the villas come equipped with private pools and butler service.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Los Cabos Guide
Puerto Vallarta
Flight Duration: 3 hours and 38 minutes
Why Go: Lush tropical forests and golden sand beaches make Puerto Vallarta a desirable year-round destination. Located on the sparkling Bahia of Banderas, the town offers gourmet restaurants, land and sea adventures, and a colorful nightlife scene. Visit Playa los Muertos for stunning bay views and beach activities like parasailing and jet skiing. Get the star treatment at Terra Noble, one of the city’s most elegant day spas. The property overlooks Banderas Bay and offers treatments like chardonnay-grape-seed therapy and temazcal sweat-lodge rituals. Nature lovers will enjoy the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Set in a tropical dry forest, the park features more than 3,000 species of plants, swimming streams, and lush palm gardens.
Insider Tip: In February, the city hosts the four-day Festival de Musica San Pancho in nearby San Pancho. The festival attracts the area’s best musicians and offers free admission.
Where to Stay: Puerto Vallarta offers a variety of accommodations ranging from small, boutique properties to all-inclusive resorts. Located on Banderas Bay, Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa features unparalleled beach views, six a la carte eateries, and activities such as salsa dancing classes and reggae nights.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Puerto Vallarta Guide
Lihue, HI
Flight Duration: 5 hours and 4 minutes
Why Go: Lihue is home to Kauai’s only airport and offers direct access to the island’s verdant beaches and mountains. Take in the surroundings at Hanalei Bay Beach Park, one of the island’s most popular beach destinations. The 2-mile beach attracts world-class surfers, and offers spectacular views of inland mountains and waterfalls. More adventurous travelers can explore Kalalau, a remote wilderness beach located at the end of rolling sea cliffs.
Insider Tip: Kauai was once a sacred island. Today visitors can explore ancient archaeological remains on a riverboat tour.
Where to Stay: If you’re visiting during the winter, consider staying on the island’s South Shore. Waters are calmer than on the North Shore or East side, allowing guests to enjoy water sports and swimming year round. The Sheraton Kauai Resort features beachfront accommodations, a recently renovated pool bar, and a restaurant with panoramic ocean views.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Kauai Guide
Miami, FL
Flight Duration: 4 hours and 55 minutes
Why Go: When it comes to nightlife and entertainment, few cities top Miami. From South Beach to the Design District, visitors can find cultural attractions, restaurants, and beaches to please their every whim. For people-watching and designer shopping, stop by Lincoln Road Mall. The mall features owner-operated boutiques, upscale chain stores, and an eclectic clientele. South Beach—the city’s most popular stretch of sand—is the perfect place to catch some sun and join a game of beach volleyball. Experience Miami’s colorful nightlife at the National Hotel, an art deco bar housed in one of the city’s most iconic buildings.
Insider Tip: Food lovers will enjoy the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, hosted over a four-day weekend in February. Visitors can attend talks by celebrity chefs and feast at gourmet lunches and dinners.
Where to Stay: Room rates in Miami vary, and winter months often mean a higher price tag. But many properties offer special deals, and visitors can find reasonably priced hotels farther from the beach. For the best of both worlds, book a room at Cadet Hotel: the privately owned property is two blocks from the water and offers comfortable amenities at a fraction of the cost.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Miami Guide
Cancun
Flight Duration: 5 hours and 19 minutes
Why Go: Visitors flock to Cancún for year-round sunshine, five-star resorts, and nearby ancient ruins. Step back in time at Ruinas el Rey. The archeological site features Mayan ruins dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century BC and includes stucco paintings and skeletons. Playa Langosta—one of the city’s most popular beaches—offers family-friendly amenities and calm swimming waters. For a taste of Cancún’s colorful nightlife, stop by Mambo Café. The dance club features performances from live bands and DJs, and visitors can practice their salsa or meringue at the club, too.
Insider Tip: Hotel prices are at their highest during the holiday season. If you plan to visit Cancún during Christmas, Spring Break, or Easter, plan on booking at least three months in advance.
Where to Stay: Hotels in Cancún vary by location, with luxury resorts near the beach and more basic properties in the city’s center. Live Aqua Cancún offers huge suites with oceanfront views and provides a quiet oasis from rowdy spring breakers.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Cancun Guide
Kahului, HI
Flight Duration: 4 hours and 51 minutes
Why Go: Maui’s lush forests, pristine beaches and luxurious resorts draw an international crowd. Whether you’re catching a wave, hiking through nature trails, or enjoying a spa treatment, the island offers something for everyone. Explore a dormant volcano at Haleakala National Park. Trails lead down to a massive volcanic bowl, and visitors can also catch a glimpse of rare plants and birds. For untouched stretches of sand, stop by Makena Beach State Park. Beach-goers can watch stunning sunsets over the water, and surfers will enjoy boarding on the beach’s large waves. A trip to Maui isn’t complete without a luau. At Old Lahaina Luau, guests can enjoy fresh fish while watching hula performances and fire dancers.
Insider Tip: Even though North Shore Maui gets the most rain, it also boasts some of the island’s best waves. Visit the beaches during winter months when waves reach their peak height.
Where to Stay: Maui hotels range from small B&Bs to luxurious beachfront resorts. For attentive service and understated elegance, book a room at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The hotel offers amenities for large groups and families and has a world-class spa with adult-only facilities.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Maui Guide
Honolulu, HI
Flight Duration: 4 hours and 54 minutes
Why Go: Fly into Honolulu and explore Oahu, the melting pot of the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu offers a variety of historic and cultural attractions, while outer reaches of the island feature waterfalls, parks, and white-sand beaches. For the ultimate beach excursion, visit Kailua Beach Park. Visitors can rent kayaks and sailboards or lounge along the beach’s calm shores. Pearl Harbor National Memorial Museum and Visitor Center pays homage to fallen soldiers and offers tours of historic battleships. To experience Oahu’s art scene, visit Chinatown. The neighborhood includes chic art galleries, hip restaurants, and a historic theatre.
Insider Tip: Lunch wagons are a culinary mainstay in Oahu. Flag down a truck in Honolulu’s downtown area for a cheap and delicious meal.
Where to Stay: Most tourists who come to Oahu stay in Waikiki, but the island’s North Shore and Windward regions offer low-key accommodations away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Located in a residential neighborhood, The Kahala Hotel & Resort offers oceanfront views, spa amenities, and dolphin interactions in a 26,00-sq-ft lagoon.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Honolulu and Oahu Guide
Kona, HI
Flight Duration: 4 hours and 54 minutes
Why Go: The Big Island epitomizes Hawaiian culture. Visitors can explore nature trails, and historic sites, or lounge on one of the island’s pristine beaches. Sail or surf in sparkling turquoise waters at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. For a tour of the island’s volcanoes, visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Guests can watch lava flow down slopes, or hike through craters around the volcano’s rim. Snorkelers will enjoy Kaunaoa Beach, which features miles of pure white sand and crystal clear waters perfect for observing marine life.
Insider Tip: Consider staying at the beach after hours when visitors can enjoy evening stargazing from Kohala Coast Beach, which offers telescopes for nightly viewing.
Where to Stay: The east and west coasts of the Big Island offer different accommodations. The east coast is known for its smaller B&Bs, condos, and vacation homes, while the west coast is home to some of the island’s most luxurious resorts. For warm Hawaiian hospitality and oceanfront amenities, book a room at The Fairmont Orchid Hawaii.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Big Island Guide
San Salvador, El Salvador
Flight Duration: 5 hours and 45 minutes
Why Go: San Salvador is gaining popularity as a surfing destination. Travelers from around the world come to hang ten and enjoy the city’s popular beaches. La Libertad, a coastal town located 30 minutes away from San Salvador, offers authentic Central American culture and lively beaches. Bare feet and reggae music are the norm, and visitors can lounge in hammocks or take beginning surfing lessons.
Insider Tip: Visitors don’t have to worry about exchanging currency before their trip. In 2001, San Salvador legally adopted the U.S. dollar.
Where to Stay: For a peaceful beach vacation away from the city, consider booking a room in nearby La Libertad. SABAS Beach Resort offers friendly service, beachfront amenities, and a highly regarded onsite restaurant.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s El Salvador Guide
San Francisco is notorious for being a food-obsessed city. Chefs are pushing the boundaries, and sounding out their own dialect of California cuisine. From in-house butchering and curing, to foraging and fermenting, restaurants are paying attention to all the details that go behind that hand-crafted plate before you. Not to mention the swoon-worthy produce that California is naturally blessed with. The result is a killer dining scene that will make your head spin. Before you have a panic attack, take a cruise through our top ten picks. Hope you’re hungry.
Rich Table
From farm-to-Rich Table, husband and wife team, Chefs Evan and Sarah Rich, have enamored San Francisco’s most discerning diners with creative dishes like homemade garganelli pasta topped with octopus Bolognese and pickled beets. We can’t get enough of their dried porcini doughnuts, served with melted Raclette, one of the staple bites on the otherwise frequently changing menu.
Atelier Crenn
Culinary artistry at its finest, a meal at Atelier Crenn is full of delightful surprises. Chef Dominique Crenn masterfully uses modern techniques in a convincingly organic way that celebrates the essence and beauty of nature and her ingredients.
State Bird Provisions
This quirky little spot took SF by storm last year with its creative menu of small plates passed from table to table on a re-fashioned dim sum cart. Be sure to try the namesake dish, California State Bird with Provisions (a delectable fried quail served with lemony onion jam and parmesan shavings), garlic fry bread with burrata, and duck liver mousse with duck fat almond madeleines.
Bar Tartine
The food at Bar Tartine is hard to categorize into one neat package. It is an eclectic combination of Cali new age homesteader meets Hungarian grandma, meets Scandinavian forager, meets Japanese trained chef. Like I said, hard to define, but utterly delicious. From pickles and krauts to beverages like craft sodas and water kefir, pretty much everything on the menu is made, aged, and fermented in-house. And since this is part of the Tartine family after all, you’ll find some incredible bread, guaranteed.
Benu
Step into Benu and enter culinary zen. Chef Corey Lee’s French Laundry pedigree is apparent in his exquisite attention to detail and impressive technique, but the style here is all his own. Dishes like eel wrapped in feuille de brick, or faux shark’s fin soup floating over luxurious black truffle custard are complex yet harmonious.
SPQR
Named after the emblem of the Roman Empire (Senatus Populesque Romanus), it’s clear that the food at SPQR is inspired by Italian cuisine, but it is so much more than that. Would your nonna make mortadella out of wagyu beef? I thought not. Sit at the chef’s counter for a great show.
Bar Agricole
Trying to impress a date? Head to Bar Agricole where the beautiful food matches the sexy urban-chic space. You’ll find elegant bites like sea urchin deviled eggs, or an alluring black cod in tea broth on the menu. And don’t miss the great cocktail menu.
Mission Chinese
From pop-up phenomenon to bi-coastal empire, Mission Chinese plays by its own rules. Kung pao pastrami? Tea-smoked eel wrapped in smooth, slippery rice noodles? Ma po tofu ravaged with Sichuan peppers? Yes, on all counts.
Flour + Water
Crazy how simple things like flour and water can be transformed into the most sublime pleasures. The pastas at Flour + Water are the stuff dreams are made of. Tortelli, agnolotti, bucatini…don’t pinch me, the pappardelle hasn’t come yet. Chef Thomas McNaughton nails it, balancing Italian tradition with the Californian mantra of drawing out the best seasonal flavors possible.
Trick Dog
Our bar pick of the bunch, Trick Dog is the spot to go to for those who prefer sustenance of the liquid persuasion. Well-designed, precisely crafted cocktails…the biggest problem about going to Trick Dog is the hangover you’ll have the next day because these drinks just taste too good to stop. Indecisive drinkers beware, there are also way too many that you’ll want to try. If you get hungry, you won’t have to go far. Salumeria and Central Kitchen (Flour + Water’s sister restaurant) are right next door.
Stephanie Hua is a writer and photographer based in San Francisco. Her food blog, Lick My Spoon, chronicles her culinary adventures and love for all things delicious. Her favorite place to travel at the moment is Sicily, mainly for the cannoli and arancini.
Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of Stephanie Hua
With its hilly terrain, waterfront location, and iconic bridges, San Francisco is always ready for its close-up. There are snapshot-worthy scenes across the city, so we’ve tracked down the most stunning spots for taking it all in. Here are 15 places where you can fully appreciate San Francisco’s unique beauty, from the steel span of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset to the pastel-hued, Victorian charm of the Painted Ladies.
by Donna Heiderstadt
Landmark with a View: Coit Tower
This white concrete column atop Telegraph Hill has long been a city landmark and offers 360-degree views from the arched windows of its observation deck.
What You’ll See: The entire city and bay spread out just below you. Coit Tower, named for wealthy San Francisco eccentric Lillie Hitchcock Coit and built with money she bequeathed, is both a vantage point and one of San Francisco’s most photographed buildings. It is also home to a flock of wild parrots.
How To Enjoy It: Visit just before sunset (it’s $7 for the elevator to the top) when the Transamerica Pyramid, framed by the tower’s arches, is bathed in a golden glow.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Park with a View: Alamo Square
It’s home to one of the city’s most iconic images, featured on everything from postcards to the opening credits of the 1980s TV series Full House.
What You’ll See: The Painted Ladies, six pastel-hued Victorian houses built from 1892-1896 and backed by San Francisco’s skyline and the bay. They are located on Steiner Street, on the east side of Alamo Square Park, and although the two houses on the right are currently under scaffolding and it requires the right light (late afternoon) for them to look their best, it’s a great spot for a panoramic snap.
How To Enjoy It: Walk up the hill in the park across the street for the best angle of both the houses and the skyline.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Room with a View: Premier Bridge-to-Bridge Room at the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
While several of the city’s high-rise hotels have rooms with a view, none offers the wide-open vistas of this light-filled, 450-square-foot luxury space at the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco.
What You’ll See: A breathtaking 180-degree panorama—best from floors 40-48 in rooms ending with 06—that takes in the entire waterfront, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge. At $925 per night, with Alcatraz in the distance and the striking Transamerica Pyramid just blocks away, it’s an undeniably indulgent view.
How To Enjoy It: Uncork a bottle of Cabernet, put your iPod in the dock, and play Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Sleep with the curtains open to catch the skyline as the morning fog lifts.
Headlands with a View: Hawk Hill
Head to this perch to get an idea what eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey experience as they ride wind currents above the hypnotic hills of the Marin Headlands
What You’ll See: The entire 8,980-foot-long span of the Golden Gate Bridge backed by the San Francisco skyline far below you as you gaze down from 2,032 feet
How To Enjoy It: Visit Hawk Hill on a clear day in the early afternoon and bring along a picnic lunch (park your car facing the view and enjoy), a windbreaker, and binoculars; in addition to the 19 species of raptors that call the grassy headlands home in fall, the Mission blue butterfly is also endemic.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Bathtub with a View: Panoramic Circular Suite at Hotel Vitale
This is the ultimate place to soak in the amazing view as you steep yourself in a sleek mid-suite tub facing floor-to-ceiling windows.
What You’ll See: Hotel Vitale offers a 180-degree panorama of the Ferry Building’s distinctive 245-foot clock tower (modeled after the one in Seville, Spain) and sweeping suspension cables of the Bay Bridge.
How To Enjoy it: The tub is big enough for two, so couples in search of a romantic mid-city retreat can book the suite (from $899/night), order a bottle of champagne, dim the lights, and watch the Bay Lights, the world’s largest LED sculpture.
Hiking Trail with a View: Twin Peaks
Take your urban hike off the asphalt and away from honking horns.
What You’ll See: You’ll need to navigate stairways and alleys to get to the trailhead (Google “Twin Peaks hiking trail San Francisco” for directions from locals) and it’s steep (922 feet up), but along the way you’ll see native grassland and perhaps even endangered Mission Blue butterflies. Once you’re at the top (it takes 45 minutes to an hour), you’ll take in the best 360-degree view in San Francisco for free.
How To Enjoy It: Pack water and snacks, and let a summit picnic be your reward. You can also drive up the Eureka North peak if hiking’s not your thing.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Happy Hour with a View: Waterbar
The combination of perfectly chilled $6 glasses of Cotes du Rhone and $1.05 oysters (5 cents per oyster goes to the Watershed Project to protect and rebuild the bay area’s oyster population) makes for one delicious deal—and the view is a fantastic bonus.
What You’ll See: At Waterbar, the massive span of the Bay Bridge practically hovers above you.
How To Enjoy It: Get there early (ideally around 3:30pm) to snag seats in the lively circular Oyster Bar with its large windows, or on the outside terrace with its more open bridge and bay views. Happy Hour runs until 5:30pm daily.
Historic Attraction with a View: Alcatraz
To see how Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, Robert Stroud (aka The Birdman of Alcatraz), and 1,573 other inmates lived during the 29 years Alcatraz operated as a maximum security federal prison, when the view was a taunt rather than a treat, head to this island oasis.
What You’ll See: Alcatraz, nicknamed “the Rock,” is a 22-acre island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, so you’ll pretty much see it all.
How To Enjoy It: Take time to savor a multitude of views: the island itself on your ferry ride over from Pier 33, the Golden Gate Bridge from the dismal recreation yard, and the city skyline from the yards and paths surrounding the Cell House.
Resort with a View: Cavallo Point
The perfect place to enjoy San Francisco without actually sleeping in it, Cavallo Point is an atmospheric, dog-friendly resort located across the bay in Sausalito on the grounds of historic Fort Baker.
What You’ll See: A photogenic glimpse of the russet-hued suspension towers of the Golden Gate Bridge from several areas on the grounds and from some of the 142 rooms, namely the Contemporary King Golden Gate View rooms (from $429/night).
How To Enjoy It: Stroll the grounds and refuel with a hearty lunch in the clubby Farley Bar.
Public Art with a View: Cupid’s Span
Nothing says “love” like a monumental gold-and-red steel-and-fiberglass sculpture of a bow and arrow
What You’ll See: Position yourself at the right beneath it and snap a picture with the sculpture, created in 2002 by Swedish pop-art pioneer Claes Oldenburg and Dutch artist Coosje van Bruggen, juxtaposed against the Bay Bridge.
How To Enjoy It: Walk along the bustling Embarcadero toward the sculpture as you take in views of the revitalized Waterfront.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Street with a View: Lombard Street
The “world’ most crooked street,” constructed in 1922, is one of those tourist sights you just have to experience (even if Vermont St. is actually more crooked)
What You’ll See: At the top of Lombard St., you’ll see the first two hairpin curves being negotiated by cars in front of you with a view of the Coit Tower and the scenic bay before you.
How To Enjoy It: Drive it! Hand your cell phone or camera to your passenger and maneuver the eight tight turns from top to bottom amid the famous manicured hydrangeas. Then look back up: The best photo ops are from the bottom.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Spa with a View: Nob Hill Spa at The Scarlet Huntington
A little self-indulgent pampering during a vacation or business trip will leave you feeling reinvigorated.
What You’ll See: Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the indoor relaxation pool and whirlpool, you’ll enjoy a serene view of blue sky and skyline from this spa at The Scarlet Huntington (formerly The Huntington Hotel) spa’s prime Nob Hill location.
How To Enjoy It: Book a relaxing massage (from $135) or rejuvenating facial (from $145) and leave time for a swim before or after.
Running Route with a View: Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Don’t just drive across America’s most famous bridge—run across it. The Golden Gate Bridge has a pedestrian pathway on its east side that makes for one scenic workout (it’s about 3.4 miles round-trip).
What You’ll See: On the first stretch, away from downtown, gaze out on the rolling hills of the Marin Headlands, while on the return leg you’ll be treated to a wide-angle view of the San Francisco skyline.
How To Enjoy It: Wait for the morning fog to lift, take a taxi to the Southeast Visitor Area, and follow signs for the pedestrian walkway—if you can handle a run of seven or eight miles, continue through Crissy Field along the water on the way back.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Beach with a View: Ocean Beach
The mile-long shoreline of Baker Beach is a local favorite, perfect for sandcastle building, fishing, and spotting sea lions having fun.
What You’ll See: The views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands from this beach are spectacular. These sands are also a recognized nudist spot, so you might catch a game of naked Frisbee on the north end.
How To Enjoy It: The thrashing waves and powerful currents make swimming a treacherous activity, but the abundance of picnic tables, grills, and drinking water make the beach a perfect lounge spot for a meal against the gorgeous landscape. Also, at the edge of the beach stands Battery Chamberlin’s historic cannon, for which ranger-led tours are held the first weekend of every month.
For more free activities, read Top 25 Free Things to Do in San Francisco.
Cable Car with a View: Powell-Hyde
The city’s most famous cable car line (from Powell and Market to Fisherman’s Wharf) is worth the wait.
What You’ll See: San Francisco neighborhoods at their finest, from Russian Hill’s grand buildings to the crooked-yet-perfect Lombard St. Best of all is the exhilarating stretch of Hyde between Chestnut and Bay streets as you whiz down the system’s steepest grade and enjoy a view of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.
How To Enjoy It: Ride the entire 2.1-mile route and choose a standing position on the outside runner at the front of the car’s left side. Face forward, hold on with your right hand, and line up the perfect shot.
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