San Francisco is a city with a lot going for it. It’s a liberal, technologically advanced city with fantastic cuisine, spectacular vistas, and a quirky culture. However, San Francisco may be difficult to traverse and is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. So, have fun in the city, but be cautious. This San Francisco travel guide discusses some of the things you should know before visiting.
Photo by Tae Fuller from Pexels
It can get cold
You may have seen the movies based in San Francisco, and you may have seen people wandering about in shorts and t-shirts; warm weather clothing, in other words. Don’t let this confuse you because San Francisco is actually much colder than you might expect.
The warm summer air from interior California pushes in the chilly coastal air, blanketing the city in a cool fog. To make matters even more complicated, each neighborhood in the city has a unique microclimate. Some locations are brighter, warmer, and foggier than others. Do your research before visiting to ensure that you’re choosing the right place to stay, especially if you want to try luxury yacht charter in San Francisco; you wouldn’t want it to be too foggy to enjoy it.
You don’t need a car
Parking is a pain in almost every area in San Francisco, but there are plenty of Ubers, Lyfts, and taxi drivers to help you get about. The Muni bus and train lines will also get you anywhere for a low cost, but they are time-consuming. If you want to remain inside the city borders, you won’t need a car at all, but if you want to explore further, renting one might be worthwhile.
Visit the ferry building
The Ferry Building is a popular destination for both tourists and residents. One of the top gourmet destinations in the country, go mid-morning and start with a coffee from Blue Bottle and a Cowgirl Creamery challa roll, perhaps the best local cheese maker in the Bay Area.
Take your time browsing the hundreds of stores and restaurants, and if you’re there on a Saturday, step outdoors to a big farmer’s market along the pier. When you’ve gotten your fill of the Embarcadero, head west for views of the Bay Bridge, the financial sector, and, on a clear day, Angel Island and Marin.
You can hike
You wouldn’t believe it, but San Francisco offers some great treks and hiking trails if you want to get away from the city. Mount Sutro’s Forest in the Clouds, Land’s End, and visiting the historic Presidio are among the most popular paths. Golden Gate Park, which is just a simple taxi ride from downtown, seems like a world apart with miles of paths, the de Young Museum, the Academy of Sciences, and even live buffalo and a Dutch windmill.
Don’t miss out on the museums
In addition to GGP’s de Young and Academy of Sciences, San Francisco is home to a plethora of world-class museums, including the spectacularly restored SFMOMA downtown, which you shouldn’t miss. The California Historical Society, located nearby, provides a fascinating history of the union’s 31st state and the San Francisco Bay Area. The Legion of Honor and the Asian Art Museum are other worthwhile visits, while The Exploratorium is ideal for children.
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
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