The free-spirited City by the Bay is as golden as its famous bridge.
San Francisco, California, is best known for its iconic bay, spanned by an even more iconic bridge. Over the years it’s been ground zero for counterculture movements, LGBTQ rights, tech start-ups and more. But it’s also a city that brought American wine and cuisine to the world stage — and continues to serve up some of the best dining experiences this country has to offer. And although San Francisco’s reputation is huge, at just under 47 square miles, it’s actually fairly compact (albeit famously hilly), meaning you can cover the entire city in just three days.
Explore San Francisco
- Union Square
- Mission Dolores
- North Beach
- The Castro
Union Square
Overview
Anchored by a public plaza of the same name, Union Square is San Francisco’s premier shopping destination. Find high-end stores as well as great dining options and seasonal events. Located in the heart of the city, this neighborhood also provides easy access to all other area attractions.
Known For
Shopping, Restaurants, Culture
Mission Dolores
Overview
Dynamic restaurants and watering holes, a thriving and diverse art scene, an abundance of funky boutiques and one of the most beautiful parks in the city make the Mission an easy place to spend an entire day.
Known For
Art, Public Parks, Boutiques, Dining
North Beach
Overview
North Beach, beyond being the epicenter of the Beat Generation, is best known for its Italian restaurants, like Liguria Bakery (a focaccia joint) and Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (a 13-time World Pizza Champion). Another worthwhile stop is the City Lights Bookstore, which calls itself “a literary meeting place since 1953,” catering first to the beatnik crowd and now offering a little bit of everything.
Known For
Italian Heritage, Dining, Bakeries, Coffee Shops
The Castro
Overview
For more than 50 years, the Castro has been the to-go spot for LGBTQ culture in San Francisco. Here you’ll find a walk of fame celebrating icons and trailblazers, an abundance of rainbow flags and a monthlong Pride celebration.
Known For
LGBTQ History, Nightlife, Bars, Dining
Stay in The Center of it All
Immerse yourself in your destination at these centrally located hotels.
Take a Whirlwind Tour of San Francisco, California
Visit the Icons
Visit the icons — from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz — that have helped shape San Francisco, while giving the city the reputation of one of the most interesting places for architecture in the United States.
Climb a Tower and Hit the Mission
It’s time to take a deep dive into three of the most lively neighborhoods in San Francisco (which is saying something). Telegraph Hill, the Mission and the Castro may all have fantastic restaurants, bars and shops, but each has a very distinct vibe.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Learn about the Summer of Love, sample locally made food at the Ferry Building Marketplace and find a museum — or two — that opens your mind to the city’s history, African art and more.