PHOTO: Jay Beiler/Dreamstime.com

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

PHOTO: Sebastien Burel/Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: Ruth Peterkin/Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: Jeff Stein/Dreamstime.com

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

PHOTO: Fotoluminate LLC/Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: John Copland/Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: Jay Beiler/Dreamstime.com

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

PHOTO: Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: Ocean Image Photography/Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: laura

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

PHOTO: SvetlanaSF / Shutterstock

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

PHOTO: Henrik Lehnerer / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: Alexander Demyanenko / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: Courtesy of 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.

PHOTO: (c) Tugboat98 | Dreamstime.com

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.

PHOTO: Cesar Rubio

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.

PHOTO: bgrissom / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: Aubrie Pick

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.

PHOTO: Piyavachara Nacchanandana / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: Kodiak Greenwood

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.

PHOTO: f11photo / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: S.Borisov / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: Courtesy of 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.

PHOTO: Rafael Ramirez Lee / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: SvetlanaSF / Shutterstock

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.

PHOTO: holbox / Shutterstock

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.