Here is your ultimate San Francisco Weekend Guide – mix and match what sounds good to you and comment below if you want to add something to our list! We always love new suggestions!
Keep in mind, I am not originally from the Bay Area! I lived in San Francisco for three months as an intern, and all of my recommendations come from that experience. I have no doubt there are some killer local guides, but these are all my personal recommendations!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Where to Stay in SF
What to Know About SF
Favorite Things To Do
More Things To Do
Where to Eat in SF
Where to Drink in SF
Best Views of the City
Source: @Agirlfromtx
WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay In
Firstly, San Francisco is one of the weird places that it’s probably cheaper to get a hotel room than to get an AirBnb. Don’t quote me on that, but that’s what I have found thus far!
The best neighborhoods to scout out in the city are SoMa, Financial District, North Beach, and Union Square! These are going to be the safest with nearby public transit.
If you’re up for a little danger, then just make sure you stay North of the Airport (or else you will pay a HEFTY fee in public transport).
Neighborhoods to Avoid
If you can avoid staying in the Tenderloin and Mission, I would do that. Highest concentration of homeless communities and in general not a place I would walk around at night, alone or otherwise. I said it.
Oakland & Berkeley
TBH, this is where I would recommend. It is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and just as easy access into the city as long as you’re next to a BART stop! Look at Downtown Oakland and Downtown Berkeley first and foremost.
View from Coit Tower (Source: @james300402)
MY PRO-TIPS & HOW TO GET AROUND
Do NOT Rent a Car
You will have so many regrets. Driving (and parking) in SF is a disaster and not worth the car AT ALL. Stick to the public transport, such as…
Taking the BART & Metros
The absolute best way to get around! Get yourself a Clipper Card at one of the BART Stations, and you can use those to get on the busses and metros and BART trains. The absolute best way to go.
Taking Uber & Lyft
A great way to get around!!! If you don’t have a public transport stop nearby OR if it would take you way too long (common) then take a Lyft or an Uber. There’s PLENTY in the city, and they’re usually not too expensive. If you haven’t taken either before, you can use THIS promo code for a free Lyft and THIS promo code for a free Uber for San Francisco!
What to Pack
Two key things: comfortable walking shoes and many different layers. We walked an average of 8 miles every day we were here! Plus, there are so many hills that even a short walking distance up a hill in bad shoes will be hell.
With the whole hills thing, PACK LAYERS. It gets cold in San Francisco. Even when the temperature says 80, that’s 80 but with a ton of wind. And then sometimes it’s 80 but feels like 120 because you just walked up a mile long hill. Be ready for that.
Golden Gate Bridge 
Palace of Fine Arts (Source: @james300402) 
Sausalito Island Ferry
MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHAT TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO
Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Obviously this is the most icon thing to do, and I recommend! Even on a foggy day (which it always is) you’ll enjoy the bike ride. There’s plenty of bike rental options in Presidio. We made the HUGE mistake of taking a Jump bike across and turns out, they don’t like that and we got a hefty fine.
Take the Sausalito Ferry
Whether you plan to go from San Francisco (Ferry Building or Pier 41) to Sausalito or the other way around, this is a great way to get a killer view of the Bay! My only tip here is that these stop running around 6pm, so I would personally recommend doing a bike ride across the bridge to Sausalito, stopping there for lunch, and then doing a ferry back!
Source: @koushikc 
Giants Game (Source: @leio)
Have a Beer & Ice Cream at Mission Park
One fun fact about San Francisco? You can have beers (not glass though) at the parks! You can find all the locals hanging out at Mission Dolores park during a sunny weekend, and I recommend you grab some local beers and do the same. Probably one of the most local things you can do!
Walk Around the Palace of Fine Arts
A little bit of a tourist trap, but it’s so stinkin’ PRETTY. Just take some time to walk through the Palace of Fine Arts gardens, and then you can continue to head down through Presidio to the Golden Gate!
Take a Trip to Alcatraz Island
Sadly, I haven’t done this myself! The tours usually book up over a MONTH in advance, so if you’re a last-minute planner like me this probably won’t be an option. If you’ve got a month until your trip, definitely look into some tour options!
Hang Out with the Seal at Pier 39
I can’t say I recommend the pier itself because it is BEYOND touristy with basically no value, except the sea lions!!!! If you go around to the left side of the Pier you’ll see a giant huddle of people. Go there.
Take a Ride on a Cable Car
While this is super touristy, it’s also pretty much one of the coolest places to take a cable car trip in the US! They’re above $7 for a one way ticket, and you can catch the end at the Ghiradelli Factory and ride it up to the Financial District. Especially a great option if you have kids with you!
Catch a Giants Game
If you don’t come from a big baseball city (I’m a Rangers fan for life) then I recommend checking out a Giants game if there’s one going on while you’re in town! The Giants fans are always up for a good time, and it’s a blast to get to be a part of that. Also, they’re pretty dang good!
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Lombard St (Source: @bradencollum)
MORE GREAT THINGS TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO
Grab a Bite in Chinatown
Fun fact, the San Francisco Chinatown is the largest concentration of Asians outside of Asia! And the food absolutely shows that. Check out some of the delicious bakeries (Mong Kok Bakery for example) and restaurants in Chinatown for a bite while you’re walking around!
Check out the SF MOMA
So sad I haven’t had the chance to visit it yet! But if you consider yourself a fan of modern art, then the SF MOMA is a great place to stop. Incredible, always changing artwork by amazing artists. Also a great options if you got a rainy day in the city!
Full House Fantasies at the Painted Ladies
All my Full House fans, this is for you! The iconic Full House home is actually located at the Painted Ladies right in the heart of San Francisco!
Take a Walk (or Drive) Down Lombard Street
You’ve definitely heard about all the hills in San Francisco, and Lombard is a great representation of just how wild they are! Take a walk down these winding streets, or if you’re feeling extra bold you can take your car. Either way, solid photo opp!
Hang Out and Shop at Union Square
Basically the Time’s Square of San Francisco. Think major retailers (shoutout to my old squad at Macy’s) and tech companies hanging out here. A cool spot to walk around if you happen to have the spare time!
Mr Holmes 
Bar Bocce 
Chinatown
WHERE TO EAT IN SAN FRANCISCO
COFFEE & BAKED GOODS
Mr. Holmes Bake House
Famous for the “Baked in San Francisco” sign!
Tartine
Killer baked goods that you can pick up before your day starts!
Good Mong Kok
Known for having the best pastries in Chinatown, and also the best Dim Sum in the city!
SAUSALITO
Barrel House Tavern
An awesome restaurant for dinner or lunch in Sausalito if you biked over the bridge!
Bar Bocce
This beach-side bar is perfect for a beer after your Golden Gate bike ride
Spinnaker
Another great restaurant for a higher-end romantic dinner with babe after a day of exploring!
CHINATOWN
Spicy King
A perfect local hidden hot pot restaurant to enjoy authentic food in Chinatown
Hunan Home
Another great authentic option for a Chinese dish! The menu is expansive with tons of options here
Great Eastern
Another local spot that a friend recommended to me a while back! Known for killer Cantonese food here.
Foreign Cinema 
Dyafa
SOMETHING LOCAL
Ferry Building
A giant SF Food Hall with tons of great options, this is especially good if you want food during lunch!
Ike’s Place Sandwiches
Some killer sandwiches that I sometimes think about here in Austin. Another great local quick lunch spot!
Swan Oyster Depot
A local fish market with the best seafood in California. A great spot, but you do have to be prepared to know what you want to get!
Foreign Cinema
Love this spot for Brunch, especially on a gorgeous day because of their beautiful outdoor patio!
Super Duper Burger
Come at me, these are the best burgers in the USA. I seriously made Denver go hunt some down with me. Whataburger doesn’t compare, YOU HEARD ME.
ALL OUT MEALS
Tratto
A great spot for a sit down brunch meal in the morning before the day, and you bet I am a fan of their $14 unlimited mimosa deal!
Belleto
Some incredible Spanish food that I would argue rivals some that I have had in Texas. Not cheap, but definitely a good meal.
Rich Table
A perfect spot for a group (call ahead though) because of the way you can share plates here. Big fan of the delicious food!
Seven Hills
Those of you that know me know how judgy I can be about my Italian food, and this spot has the pasta down perfectly.
Dyafa
Skip the crazy downtown SF and hit up a beloved Oakland gem, Dyafa! Double check the reservations list of course, but worth a meal if you can!
Moraga Steps / Grandview Park 
Battery Spencer (Photo by Joseph Barrientos)
BEST VIEWS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Battery Spencer
Without a doubt the best view of the Golden Gate bridge! You have to walk/bike/drive across the bridge to Sausalito to get this view, but it is absolutely worth how insane it is. DO beware that on a foggy day it’ll be pretty muggy and not visible though!
The Moraga Steps
This is my personal favorite secret hidden spot. Set your GPS to get you to the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, and then follow along all the way to Grandview Park for an insane un-crowded view of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Bernal Heights
The famous rope swing in all those Instagrams can be found here! Beware, there are usually TONS of people which makes it a little less gorgeous. But for the gram, this is it.
Baker Beach (Above)
Another great spot to catch a gorgeous view of the bridge, and much easier to access than actually crossing the bridge itself! Plus you can hang out in the sand by the water if the weather is nice. Perfect spot for a picnic!
Coit Tower
The easiest access point for a gorgeous view! This is right in the heart of North Beach, and only requires sommeeeee effort climbing up the hill. Skip the $9 tour from the top of the tower, because the view is definitely not worth that much when you have plenty other great access points!
(image way above)
Zazi 
Charmaine
WHERE TO GRAB A DRINK
Aunt Charlie’s
One fabulous gay bar near the Tenderloin (yes, the area I said to avoid, I know) known for having the best drag shows and the cheapest drinks in the city. Talk about a local experience!
Zeigeist
Where all the techie’s that work in the city go to grab a drink on the weekends. Also, when I say techie know I mean the techie’s that will change the topic beyond their code. Yes, I went there. Also this place has an awesome outdoor patio, just saying.
House of Shields
This fun speakeasy style bar is actually one I would take my parents to if I were visiting with them! It’s a little more on the low key side, but still has affordable drinks. Also, you can actually talk to the people around you. A concept!
Jolene’s Bar
Another great (and more low key) gay bar out in Mission that you’ll enjoy! Sometimes this can get a little touristy as it got bigger, so maybe beware of that. Otherwise, you can hit up tons of other bars in this area after!
Zazi
A great location for a cute outdoor patio and the local scene! Usually this place is known for it’s brunch, but I loved coming here for a cozy drink under their heat lamps.
Charmaine
This rooftop bar on top of the Proper Hotel is a beauty, especially with a killer view! I would recommend this one if the weather is warmer and the sun is still up, and also if you’re craving a cocktail!
Thanks for checking out our Things To Do in San Francisco Guide! Hope you have an amazing trip, and definitely let us know in the comments of any spaces you feel should also be included!
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