San Francisco, U.S.A - A Travel Guide
Last Updated: April 1, 2026
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ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO | SHOULD I GO? | WHAT TO DO | WHERE TO STAY | WHERE TO EAT | WHERE TO PARTY
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Serve Time Near Pier 39
Located on America’s west coast, halfway up the state of California jetting into the Pacific from the Bay, San Francisco has to be one of the most recognisable and famous cities in the world. The city is home of blockbuster films, famous prisons, large hills, numerous piers and one very large Golden Gate Bridge, and that is just the beginning.
The city of San Francisco sits nervously on the San Andreas Fault, where the Pacific and the North American plates meet. This could and is predicted to erupt, causing widespread devastation and loss of life within San Francisco and the surrounding areas, but this shouldn’t be a reason to avoid the city.
The city itself boasts so many sights and things to do you will never have enough time in the city to see and do everything. It is more a case of prioritising and making sure you do things you prefer and doing them properly. The stand out attractions have to be Alcatraz, Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge and a 49’ers game (even if that may well come under San Jose).
Something else you need to keep in mind is the weather, it can be quite temperamental and it is not unusual for the fog, wind, rain to settle in, along with the cold temperatures. It is always advisable to bring a coat and or something warm. Always pre-check the weather prior to arrival.
My Time Through the Golden Gate
I arrived in San Francisco having left Los Angeles a few days prior. For more on that journey along the coast, you can check out the story on ‘Route 1, the Coast and Me’. If you prefer the journey to the destination you may be interested in our Tales from the Road’ series.
After settling into the accommodation that I called home for the next 6 days, I hit the streets. There is no time to waste, time wasted means another thing you will not get to see or do in the city.
Our first port of call, like our last stop, actually takes place in San Jose, just a short drive around the bay. It was to a very peculiar house called Winchester Mystery House. The short story is the old lady who owned the property was taken for a ride by the builders who just built rooms she didn’t know, couldn’t get to and staircases that led nowhere. It is said to be haunted too, but overall a great experience.
We then spent time in what has to be the hilliest city ever, by the end of the 6 days my legs were like thunder. We saw and did everything we could, including a once in a lifetime experience on the island of Alcatraz, as well as a number of other bucket list items, such as cycle across Golden Gate Bridge, chill out in Pier 39, and ride the cable cars to name a few.
All of this was outdone however back near San Jose when we watched our NFL team play at the Levi’s Stadium; yes they lost in overtime, but what a day. It made the trip even more memorable. (Yes, start the banter, we don’t win anything anymore, I will await your Insta messages…)
So Should I go there?
YEEEESSSSSSSS.
No matter what your reason for visiting California, if it’s part of around the world trip, driving a Winnebago through the state for a month, maybe you’ve come for the city break of a lifetime, it really is imperative you see the city whilst you’re here. If you aren’t yet in California and are contemplating a trip or planning where to go, put San Francisco on your list.
The city is what you make of it, if you wanted a city break scurrying around the streets, taking in the sights then you are more than covered. If it's about sea views, boat trips and being around the water you will also love the city. If like us travelling and photography are your preferred hobbies, then where better to go?
This could also be a great city to start your tour to Yosemite National Park. There are a lot of towns and cities between the two but the drive should only take around 4 hours one way. The cannot be a better starting point to a road trip then Golden Gate Bridge and ending up at Yosemite, I mean that’s what dreams are made of right?
After everything I have said above, it isn’t actually one of my favourite cities, and may only just scrape into the top 10. That doesn’t mean I didn’t love my time there. I look back on the city with fond memories, having had an epic time. It really is somewhere you have to see. Below are a few reasons why I didn’t quite fall in love with the city as much as I had hoped
Be prepared to walk a lot, or rack up an expensive cab bill. The hills are a little more tiring than they first look. It can also be very busy, especially in the tourist hotspots, which unfortunately comes with the territory within this city. The popularity of this city also means it doesn’t come cheap; some of the attractions can be very pricey as can the food, so come knowing those things.
The other issue we have with San Francisco is something that we have found in a number of other areas in the USA. That is the lack of care for the mentally ill and homeless. There was a very large population of homeless people in the city, and some were at breaking point. Mental illness just seemed to be forgotten and anyone unable to cope thrown to the streets. I will always recall one homeless lady, couldn’t have been more than 20 years old pushing a trolley, everyone avoiding her like the plague. She got her wheels stuck on the curb and didn’t have the strength to lift it up over. All we did was help her with her trolley onto the curb and she burst out crying. It was almost like no-one had ever noticed her before, let alone helped her.
What to do when Backpacking San Francisco
There is more to do here than in the majority of other cities I have been to. There is no way I can give a full paragraph on every aspect of San Francisco living; I can, however, give you my top suggestions. I expect you’ve heard them before, as they are generally the main tourist locations, but I guess they are top for a reason. In no particular order:
Golden Gate Bridge
This is the icon of San Francisco and instantly identifies the city. It was always a bucket list item for us at Far Out Travel, and having now cycled the bridge, gazing out over the bay and Alcatraz, I can tell you it doesn’t disappoint. Particularly if, like me and millions of others, you decide to walk or cycle all the way up Battery Spencer to take in the stunning 360 degree views overlooking the bridge itself, the bay and the city. The bridge is a little further out the city than it looks, so hiring bikes is something we recommend. It also gives you the freedom on the other side should you wish to explore further.
Pier 39
First opened in 1978 using wood from other piers along the shore, Pier 39 can be found on the North East shores of the city, stepping out into San Francisco Bay. The pier is home to a number of shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, including a large aquarium. You will also be greeted by views overlooking the bay, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge and a huge amount of sea lions. The pier was once named the 3rd largest tourist attraction in the whole of America, and it’s easy to see why it has become so popular with both tourists and locals alike. Not only has it got all of the above but it has a certain feel linking it back to the past, I think that comes from the way the pier was designed to feel older than it is.
Alcatraz
Whilst the views of this infamous prison out in the bay are sublime, setting foot upon the island of Alcatraz is something spectacular. Like a number of things in the city, this was another of our bucket list items. Just jumping aboard the boats out into the bay make you realise how hard it must have been to escape the island, but it becomes even more real once you arrive. The prison tour is so much fun, and whilst it can get a little busy, you know you are walking in the footsteps of some of America's more dangerous criminals. The prison and its grounds give you a wonderful insight into how life must have been like for the inmates and the guards that worked here. This is one thing we highly recommend during your stay, and the costs are around $35 per person (£27).
Lombard Street
Lombard Street can be found to the north of the city and for the most part, it’s just a street like any other. It crosses the majority of the city from west to east. Nevertheless, there is one little stretch that is worth visiting. This can be found between Hyde and Leavenworth Street. This small stretch is iconic in the city, as it twists and turns down the hill, including 8 hairpin bends one after another. If you have a car at the time, then go nuts, it is great fun. It is almost as fun on a bike or even just walking, watching the cars try and navigate the bends successfully to the base of the hill.
Riding the Cable Cars
No trip to San Francisco is complete without having ridden the famous Cable Cars. Tickets can be picked up for a reasonable price of around $7 at the turnstiles, next to where you can get on and off. The thing everyone wants to do is hang out the sides as you speed up and down the hilly tracks. This comes with a word of warning, keep an eye out. We just managed to stop a lady from getting decapitated as we passed another car.
It is all fun and games until it goes wrong. I am sure it never happens so don’t worry too much. Most of the drivers are very friendly and helpful, but you can occasionally get a grumpy couple who just want to get on with the journey ahead. Overall a fantastic experience and by the end of your trip to San Francisco it becomes a real leg saver.
Watch an NFL Game Live
Sport in America is massive, and they don’t get much bigger than the NFL or the Super Bowl. San Francisco is home to one of the games legendary teams in the 49’ers, based at the Levi’s Stadium. Gameday is like nothing we have ever experienced before. Having made your way to the stadium more than a few hours early, you can join the ‘tailgate party’.
This is basically where everyone gets together and BBQs and drinks and parties in the car parks near the ground. The atmosphere is booming and it almost reminded us of a carnival. This doesn’t stop even in the stadium, with cheerleaders, and other events going on all around. The game, whilst amazing and is the main event, almost seems lost amongst the day’s activities and fun. Just a must-do in any city that has an NFL team.
Where to Stay Whilst Backpacking San Francisco
San Francisco has a multitude of hotels, hostels and other accommodations throughout the city. The city itself is an expensive place to be, so bear that in mind if you are on a budget, it may not be somewhere you want to stay long. When looking at prices, you also have to add on the tax which is up around the 16% figure. To keep costs down, hostels and dorm rooms are the best options.
I stayed in the city at The San Francisco International Hostel now called Found on Mason Street, and it was a bit of a walk everywhere and generally uphill, but as far as locations go it wasn’t too bad. The hostel was very secure, the staff, friendly but a little slow, and the whole hostel was comfy, just not quite clean enough. There was a good amount of room to relax with the other guests on the second floor with PlayStations, TV, pool table and comfy seating. Overall it’s a very nice place to be, just needs cleaning.
Where to Eat When Backpacking San Francisco
Being a massive city and a very large tourist attraction, there are, as you can imagine, so many places to eat. It just depends on your location, your budget and your taste buds. We were on a bit of a traveller’s budget, and coming towards the end of a year and bit tour around some very expensive parts of the world, so we tried to keep costs down to a minimum.
One place we really like on Pier 39 was called Chowders. The restaurant didn’t look great, but after tasting some of the food we returned a couple of times during our stay. The big sourdough rolls are hollowed out and filled with the chowder dishes, and were fantastic, and reminded me of Eastern Europe at its finest. The grilled chicken sandwich was another delicious option, as was the fresh fish and chips, and all at a reasonable price, rough meal $10 (£7.80)
It isn't often we mention a breakfast place, but Dottie’s True Blue Café is worth it. It was recommended to us during our visit, and we are passing this on to you. They do also have a lunch menu but it’s all about the breakfast here at Dottie’s. Whatever you can imagine on a breakfast menu is here, from muffin to fry up, from lamb to smoked salmon.
Just writing this makes my mouth water, knowing the astonishing tastes that await you, no matter what you order. It does come at a cost, so a one-off treat might be the key here; sometimes food is worth the slightly higher prices. The prices range depending on what you have, so check the link and go to the menu.
Here at Far Out Travel we are both massive 'Man v Food' fans and there was only one place we wanted to eat here in San Francisco, and that was Ike’s Place. We are huge fans of the good old traditional sandwich, so we thought we would check out what all the fuss was about. Of course, in true Man v Food style, we had a Kryptonite Sandwich. I know once again we went a little overboard on the costs but this was on our ‘to do’ list prior to arriving in the city. The Kryptonite cost $30 (£23.50) for a sandwich, but I really didn’t care.
I literally cried when I finished it, as I knew I would never taste anything like it ever again. It was what dreams were made of; nothing could have bettered that moment for me. I was gutted when I finished it, but it was a fitting way to end our time in San Francisco. There are other sandwiches, and at a lot more reasonable price, around the $10 mark, but if they are half as good as the Kryptonite then you are in for a treat.
If fresh pizza is your thing and you do stay at the same hostel as us on Mason Street then pop over the road to New York Pizza Kitchen on Eddy Street, great value and made fresh in front of you. The pizza was delicious, quick and easy. What more can you possibly want? It was really good pizza too.
Where to Drink and Party when BackpackingSan Francisco
There are a number of places to drink and party in the city, but I have to be honest and say I don’t really remember too many of them. We did end up a few nights in the sports bar opposite the hostel. It was called Union Square Sports Bar, the drinks were very good prices for the city, depending on what you had, and the nachos whilst watching one of a multitude of sports is always a win.
Pier 39 had some lovely little places for a good drink and a bit of atmosphere, however, I wasn’t very well during my time in San Francisco, and it rained heavily nearly every day so going out in the evenings was a no go. Even more so because we had things planned each morning, and didn’t want to do them on a hangover.
What You'll Need to Blend In
Thighs like an Olympic cyclist
Money, and a fair bit of it
A love of crowded areas