Why San Francisco Is the California City That Surprises Most Visitors

San Francisco probably isn't the first city that springs to mind when people start planning a USA holiday. Most conversations we hear in the office begin with New York, Orlando or Las Vegas.

Whilst Los Angeles often steals the headlines and Las Vegas grabs everyone's attention, San Francisco is usually the city people come home talking about the most.

Maybe it's seeing the Golden Gate Bridge disappear into the morning fog. Maybe it's hopping aboard one of the city's famous cable cars. Maybe it's wandering through neighbourhoods that all feel completely different from one another. Or maybe it's because San Francisco is a city that's best discovered, rather than rushed.

Whatever it is, there's something about it that catches people by surprise.

So, if you're wondering whether San Francisco is worth adding to your USA itinerary, here's what we'd tell you if you walked into our travel agency.

Is San Francisco worth visiting?

People often picture San Francisco as "the city with the Golden Gate Bridge." And whilst yes, the bridge is every bit as impressive as you've imagined, the city has so much more going for it.

One minute you're wandering around colourful Victorian houses, and, the next you're watching sea lions lounging around at Pier 39. An hour later you're riding one of the world's last manually operated cable cars before finishing the evening with fresh seafood overlooking the bay.

San Francisco is probably best summed up as relaxed without ever feeling sleepy. Busy without being overwhelming. It's got all the energy you'd expect from a major American city, but somehow it still finds a way to slow you down.

Prepare for the hills!

Let's get one thing out of the way. If you take just one piece of advice from this blog, make it this...

San Francisco is hilly.

And we don't just mean "slightly uphill." We mean the kind of hills where Google Maps confidently tells you it's a ten-minute walk, but your legs are questioning every life choice you've ever made.

Comfortable shoes aren't optional here. They're essential.

Where to stay in San Francisco

If you asked five different people where to stay in San Francisco, you'd probably get five different answers.

And honestly? That's because there isn't one "perfect" area. It completely depends on the type of trip you're planning.

If you're visiting San Francisco for the first time, we'd usually recommend Fisherman's Wharf. It's close to many of the city's biggest attractions, including Pier 39, Alcatraz ferry departures, Ghirardelli Square and the famous cable cars. If you're travelling as a family or simply want to tick off the main sights without constantly relying on public transport, it's a brilliant base.

Looking for something a little more laid-back? We'd point you towards the Marina District. With boutique cafés, independent shops, waterfront walks and views towards the Golden Gate Bridge, it feels much more local whilst still being within easy reach of the city's highlights.

One thing to bear in mind is your budget. San Francisco isn't one of the cheapest cities in America when it comes to hotels, but don't let that put you off. Staying just outside the main tourist areas can often offer much better value, without adding too much extra travelling time.

Is the Golden Gate Bridge worth the hype?

Let's be honest. Every San Francisco blog is going to mention the Golden Gate Bridge. Because it deserves to.

Standing 746 feet above the water and stretching almost two miles across the entrance to San Francisco Bay, it's one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world.

And somehow...

It's even more impressive in person.

Rather than simply driving across it, we'd recommend taking the time to walk or cycle at least part of the bridge. You'll get completely different views depending on the weather.

Sometimes the towers disappear into the famous San Francisco fog. Other days you'll have crystal-clear views across the entire bay. Whichever version you get, it'll be worth every photo. Your Instagram grid will thank you later.

Useful Information

• Walking the bridge is completely free.
• Cycling hire starts from around $40–$60 per day.
• Allow around 2–3 hours if you're planning to walk and stop for photos.

Official bridge information can be found here.

Alcatraz is worth every penny

If there's one attraction we'd tell customers to book before they even fly to America...

It's Alcatraz.

Tickets regularly sell out weeks in advance, especially during summer. The former prison has housed some of America's most infamous criminals, including Al Capone, and today offers one of the best audio tours you'll find anywhere. The ferry journey itself also gives fantastic views back towards the San Francisco skyline.

Useful Information

• Adult tickets start from around $48.
• Allow around 3 hours for the full experience.
• You can book through us or book yourself here.

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf sometimes gets labelled as "too touristy."

Honestly? We think that's a little unfair. Yes, it's popular. But there's a reason for that.

Fresh seafood. Pier 39. The resident sea lions. Street performers and Historic ships.

It's somewhere we'd recommend slowing down rather than rushing through. Grab a bowl of clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, watch the boats drift across the bay and spend half an hour watching the sea lions argue with each other.

Honestly? It's one of those places where doing absolutely nothing somehow becomes one of the highlights of the trip.

Ride the San Francisco cable cars

Could you walk? Probably.

Should you ride the cable cars anyway? Absolutely. They're one of the few manually operated cable car systems still running anywhere in the world and have become one of San Francisco's defining symbols.

It's not just transport, it's part of the experience.

Useful Information

• Single rides cost around $8.
• Visitor passes are available if you'll use public transport throughout your stay.

San Francisco official transport information.

Why Add San Francisco to a USA holiday

If you've read our Los Angeles blog, you'll know we love recommending twin-centre holidays.

San Francisco is no different.

Some of our favourite combinations include:

• San Francisco & Los Angeles – Experience two completely different sides of California.
• San Francisco & Las Vegas – Swap coastal views for bright lights and world-famous entertainment.
• California Road Trip – Drive the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping in Monterey, Carmel and Santa Barbara. 
  

Practical tips for visiting San Francisco

Before you travel, here are a few things we'd tell every customer:

• Dress in layers. Even in summer, San Francisco can be surprisingly cool thanks to the famous coastal fog.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The hills are no joke.
• Parking in the city can be expensive, often costing $30–$50 per day.
• Public transport is excellent, so you may not need a car while staying in the city itself.
• If you're planning to visit Alcatraz, book your tickets well in advance.
• The best views of the Golden Gate Bridge often come early in the morning or later in the afternoon. 
  

Travel Guide