What are the best tour options in San Francisco?
Tour Recommendations
According to forum posts, Dylan’s Tours receives excellent reviews for its personalized small van city tours. For a more focused experience, the Movie Tour compares current city scenes with their cinematic portrayals, and City Guides SF offers walking tours emphasizing local neighborhoods, historical eras, or specific buildings. Food enthusiasts may enjoy culinary walking tours in areas like the Mission District and Chinatown.
Alternative Tour Options
Some travelers have recommended exploring alternative tour options such as Segway tours of Fisherman's Wharf and Golden Gate Park, which offer a unique way to see these popular areas. For tech enthusiasts, Silicon Valley tours are available, providing visits to major tech campuses and historical sites in the tech industry, although expectations should be managed regarding the accessibility of corporate interiors.
What to do during a layover in San Francisco?
Activities and Locations
During a layover in San Francisco, travelers often explore the city's iconic sites. Options include visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, exploring Fisherman's Wharf, or strolling through neighborhoods like Chinatown and North Beach. Some travelers suggest taking BART to Embarcadero Station for a walk along the bay or enjoying local cuisine in various districts.
Transport and Logistics
Using public transportation like BART is recommended to efficiently travel between the airport and the city. This option allows for quick access to downtown areas. Travelers should consider travel time, including waiting for trains, to ensure they return to the airport in time for their connecting flights.
Luggage Storage
For those concerned about luggage during their layover, the Airport Travel Agency in the international terminal offers luggage storage services for a fee. This allows travelers to explore the city without the burden of carrying their bags.
What is a good itinerary for a short stay in San Francisco?
Itinerary Overview
According to forum posts, a well-rounded short stay in San Francisco can include visits to iconic locations such as Fisherman's Wharf, where Pier 39 and the sea lions are popular attractions, and a walk through the historic Chinatown. Travelers have suggested exploring the vibrant Mission District and the artsy Castro neighborhood for a mix of cultural experiences.
Day Planning
Some travelers said that starting a day at the Japanese Tea Garden, especially during free entry hours, followed by exploring Golden Gate Park can be refreshing. For museum enthusiasts, the Exploratorium or the California Academy of Sciences offers interactive exhibits, with the latter known for its impressive Osher Rainforest.
Dining and Shopping
For dining, posts highlighted vegetarian options at the Ferry Building and suggested trying local Mexican cuisine in the Mission District. Thrift shopping along Valencia and visiting unique bookstores like City Lights are recommended activities for those interested in quirky and vintage finds.
Evening Activities
Travelers have called out the Exploratorium After Dark as a worthwhile evening event, offering a chance to enjoy science exhibits in an adult-oriented setting. This can be a pleasant wrap-up to a day filled with city exploration.
What are your must do from SF?
Things to do in San Francisco ? : travel
Best things to do in Japantown San Francisco
Things to do in San Francisco ?
Here are my favorite places at/around SF area..
Land's end, Golden Gate Park, Presidio - nice walks
Baker Beach, Marshall's Beach, Battery Spencer - great views of the Golden Gate Bridge
Ghirardelli Square - love their sundaes!
Chinatown- if youre into Chinese food, lots of great food there especially Dimsum!
Palace of Fine Arts, Pier Area
Muir Woods if you can't do Yosemite.. not too far from SF about 30 mins ish.
Yosemite in 1 day wouldn't be enough.. there are lots of great hikes to do and sights to see. I'd say 2 days, 3 nights minimum would be ideal.
Feel free to DM me if you have any other questions. Hope you enjoy your trip!
More on reddit.comI'm from Europe and I have never been in the USA before. I'll be in SF for 5 days at the end of may as a friend is doing the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, he will be focused on the competition so I'll have to do things alone for the 3 days before the competition, was wondering which are the best recommendations of things to do in and around SF like visiting Alcatraz.
I can do one overnighter somewhere else but we have an hotel booked for all the stay in SF so I don't want to lose more than a night. I don't have a car but I don't mind doing a 5h+ bus/train trip if the views are worth it (I enjoy being in a car with views I don't know).
I'm not a city person, I have a preference for activities in the nature or activities where I can meet people as a foreigner. My goal is to get a glance of California with the least amount of time so if I really like something I can come back and directly go there.