I visited the beautiful city, San Francisco, back in August 2012, as part of our 3-week road trip, in America. The city was everything I imagined and more! The only downside, was the cold evenings, when a blanket of fog, covers the city. This is something the city is known for. So if you do plan a visit, make sure you pack a warm jumper!

We spent a total of 3 days, exploring the city. I felt with was enough time to see everything. We also paid for accommodation, 30 minutes outside the city centre. The accommodation is a lot cheaper and also means, if you have a car, you do not need to worry about driving in the busy city centre, nor do you have to pay for the overpriced car parking garages at your hotel. They have a good rail link, which gets you into the city centre in no time.

Here are my top recommendations on what to see and do in the city:

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The bridge is quite often covered in fog. Luckily, on one of our days, the fog lifted and the bridge was revealed. Until 1964, the Golden Gate Bridge had the longest suspension bridge main span in the world, at 1,280m (4,200 ft). It is now the second-longest, in the United States. New York City, has now the longest suspension bridge main span, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

If you are lucky enough to have a car, driving across it is a must! It an experience to drive across the world’s famous bridge, you also get great views of the city skyline on the other side and you also get to see the bridge from all different angles. The bridge is a toll bridge and is all done electronically. For more information about prices and how to pay, click on this link: Bridge Tolls.

If you don’t have a car, you could always walk across it. Walking a round trip will take you around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Here are a few different spots we stopped at, to take pictures of the bridge. There are a lot more other spots too, but these are the ones we choose.

Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South

To get to the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South by car: follow the signs from anywhere in the city, taking Lombard Street (US Hwy 101) west. To reach the south vista point, take the exit marked “Last SF Exit.”

Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point North

To read Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point North by car, you need to cross over the bridge. As you reach the other side, follow the signpost to Vista Point. Hear, you are able to walk onto the bridge. If you are choosing to walk across the bridge, make sure you walk on the right-hand side of the bridge, from the city.

Golden Gate Viewpoint

Golden Gate Viewpoint is a great viewing spot, in the Golden Bridge National Recreation Park. You get views of the bridge and of the city, San Francisco. To reach the Golden Gate Viewpoint, you need to have a car and be able to drive across the bridge. From Hwy 101, you need to take the Conzelman Road left, taking you up the hillside.

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is a ‘must-do’ when visiting San Francisco. The island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles (2.01 km) offshore from San Francisco. To reach the island, you have to catch one of their charter boats, which travel frequently to and from the island, throughout the day.

Alcatraz Island was home to prisoners as early as the 1850s. In 1963, it closed its doors as a prison, after serving 29 years. It was too expensive to keep running. If you want to know more about Alcatraz, you can take an audio headset tour around the place. It is so interesting to see the old prison cells, the food they use to get given, and the cold courtyard they use to get their daily exercise on. Also, it is worth giving Clint Eastwood, ‘Escape From Alcatraz’, a watch. As it is based on the story of the guy who managed to escape Alcatraz.

The best time to visit is first thing in the morning. It is a lot quieter! The boats go from Pier 33.

For more information on times and ticket prices, please visit their website: Alcatraz Cruises.

It is best to buy your ticket in advance, as they do sell out at busy times! You can also book to go on group tours. Personally, I do not feel you need to book a tour group, as you get given an audio headset, which tells you all the information needed, as you walk around the prison.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is basically the northern waterfront, which is full of bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. At night, the area becomes lively and the streets fill with fantastic street performers. On a clear day, you can see great views of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. My 2 favourite attractions in Fisherman’s Wharf are Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square.

Pier 39

Pier 39 is the place to go and see the California sea lions, sunbathing, on the wooden pier decking. This is a ‘must-do’ when visiting the city. The best time to see them is between late July to mid-May. In June, the sea lions leave the docks to go out and breed. The sea lions like hanging out around Pier 39, as there is a lot of food for them in the bay.

Ghirardelli Square

Ghirardelli Square is home to the original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop. If you haven’t tried Ghirardelli chocolate before, then this is a must! The chocolate is delicious! They offer free samples to try in their gift shop. We decided to stop at the cafe inside, for some lovely ice cream. It was busy, so be prepared to wait for a seat. However, the wait will be worthwhile, as the ice cream was delicious!

Cable Car

Riding San Francisco’s Cable Car up and down the steep-sided streets is a ‘must-do’.

To ride a Cable Car, it will cost you $6, one way. You have a choice of 3 different lines: the California St. line, the Powell-Mason line, and the Powell-Hyde line. There are a few different routes you can do. I recommend the Powell-Hyde line, catching it from the bottom, near Fisherman’s Wharf, so your not having to walk up the steep streets. This route provides some of the best views of the city. Try and grab a seat at the back of the tram, on the left-hand side.

To purchase the tickets, you need to go to one of the ticket booths, located at Powell and Market or Hyde and Beach. They are also available at the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, at 900 Market St. in Hallidie Plaza, at Powell and Market streets.

If you want good photos and a good seat, it’s best to catch them first thing in the morning. As the day goes on, the queues can get very long. Especially for the Powell-Hyde line.

Lombard Street

Lombard Street is known for the one-way block on, Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. There are 8 sharp bends, making it the most crooked street in the world. It was designed in 1922 after it was determined that the 27% grade of the hill, was far too steep for most vehicles and even pedestrians. Today, for free, you can attempt to drive it yourself, if you dare. You may have to queue for a while, but what an experience it will be. We gave it a miss, instead, we challenged ourselves to walk up the street. It was a steep walk up too! Let’s just say my calves were feeling a little tight afterward.

Chinatown

Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in America. It is also the largest Chinatown, outside Asia. It is definitely worth a walk around. The main street is called Grant Avenue.

There is so much to do in Chinatown. Look out for the beautiful Dragon’s Gate, try some Chinese Tea, enjoy a fortunate cookie and get a fortunate read, purchase a Chinese gift and if you’re feeling peckish, there are plenty of places to choose from, for some delicious Chinese food.

Union Square

Union Square is a large, 2.6-acre public square, bordered by Geary, Powell, Post, and Stockton Streets, located in downtown San Francisco It is the central shopping, hotel, and theatre district. You find a lot of the high-end department stores e.g. Macy’s, located either in the square or the neighboring streets. The famous Westfield Shopping Centre is also located here. If you are after somewhere to eat, inside the shopping centre there is a massive food court with a huge selection of food to choose from. We enjoyed tea here one night. The portions were that big, we could not finish our meal.

On our visit to Union Square, back in 2012, the square was filled with beautiful, big, painted love hearts. I’m not sure if they are still there, today. Maybe worth keeping an eye out for them, they may still be there!

Coit Tower

If you’re are after some good views of the city, then head up the 210 feet (64 metres) tall, Coit Tower. The Coit Tower is located in Pioneer Park, which is in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood. It cost $8 each to go up, which you may think is expensive. However, I feel it is worth every penny, from the views you get at the top. On a clear day, you get fantastic panoramic views over the city and the bay.

Transamerica Pyramid

The Transamerica Pyramid is a 48-story futurist building and the second-tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. I have to say, it is well and truly stands out on the city’s skyline. The Transamerica Pyramid is located at 600 Montgomery Street, between Clay and Washington Streets, in the Financial District of the city. It once had an observation deck on the 48th floor. Sadly, it was closed after the events of 9/11 and the building is no longer open to the public.

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Further Reading

My book, How I Tamed the Wolf, Living with Lupus is available on Amazon via this link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09M73X2JQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_MWAF58981F0VVMNRV1WN

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