Your complete guide to San Francisco
Verified itineraries, honest advice, and no-fluff tips on Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building Marketplace, the vineyards and back roads of Napa Valley, plus trips further afield to Lake Tahoe and the cliffs of Big Sur.
Top-rated activities in San Francisco
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Top destinations in and around San Francisco
From Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building Marketplace to Napa Valley and Big Sur, plus day trips to Muir Woods and Sausalito.
San Francisco
How San Francisco's neighborhoods fit together, and how to get around by cable car, Muni and BART instead of a rental car.
Alcatraz Island
How to visit Alcatraz Island: the cellhouse audio tour, the former prison, the Pier 33 ferry, and why booking ahead is a planning fact, not a warning.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley from San Francisco: Highway 29 vs the Silverado Trail, the towns from Napa to Calistoga, and how it differs from Sonoma.
Monterey
Monterey day-trip guide: the Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, its own Fisherman's Wharf, and boats out to the bay's whale-watching grounds.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe from San Francisco: South Shore vs North Shore, ski season vs summer beaches, and the honest four-hour drive each way.
Big Sur
Plan a Big Sur day trip on Highway 1: Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, drive times and where to stop.
Things to do in San Francisco
A visit to Alcatraz Island, an evening in North Beach, a bay cruise past Angel Island, and more — the best activities in San Francisco.
Tickets and Passes
Timed-entry tickets for Alcatraz Island, combined passes covering the Golden Gate Bridge, museums and city attractions, and multi-attraction passes for visitors planning several stops.
San Francisco Bay Cruises
Boat trips on San Francisco Bay past Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge, departing from Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, including sunset and evening sailings.
Food Tours
Guided tastings through Chinatown, North Beach and the Ferry Building, plus food-and-wine combinations in Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
Bike Rentals and Cycling Tours
Bike rentals for riding across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, plus guided cycling tours around San Francisco and the wine country.
Essential travel guides
Our most popular guides to help you prepare.
Alcatraz Tickets: How to Actually Buy Them (2026 Guide)
How Alcatraz tickets really work in 2026: release windows, sold-out dates, night tours, prices, and what the ferry from Pier 33 involves.
Napa Valley Wine Tours: Group Bus, Private Driver, or Self-Driving?
Compare group bus tours, private drivers and self-driving in Napa Valley, with realistic tasting counts and costs for each option.
Chinatown Food Tour Guide: Dim Sum, Tea and What's Included
How San Francisco Chinatown food tours work — dim sum stops, tea shops, tastings, prices and what to expect before booking.
Lake Tahoe Day Trip Logistics: Is It Really Worth It?
Four hours each way to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco — what a same-day trip actually looks like, and which tours make it easier.
Getting Around San Francisco Without a Car: Walking, Cable Cars, Muni and BART
How walking, cable cars, Muni and BART fit together to get around San Francisco without a car, with 2026 fares, routes and timing.
How Many Days Do You Need in San Francisco?
From a rushed two-day layover to a relaxed week with Wine Country and Yosemite — what each trip length actually lets you see.
Suggested itineraries
Tested routes to make the most of your time.
San Francisco in One Day: The Golden Gate, the Wharf and Chinatown Without a Car
A single-day San Francisco walking and transit plan covering the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, no rental car needed.
Highway 1 Coastal Road Trip: San Francisco to Big Sur
A 3-day self-drive down Highway 1 from San Francisco through Santa Cruz and Monterey to the cliffs of Big Sur.
Seven Days: San Francisco, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe
A 7-day loop combining San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe — the site's most ambitious road trip.
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