The Ultimate Bucket List for San Francisco – 51+ Must-See Spots From a Local

Need some help creating your Bucket List for San Francisco? 

I can help! I left my heart in San Francisco over 40 years ago when I first moved to the gorgeous city by the Bay. There is an unending list of things to do and see in this spectacular place. I never get tired of revisiting the most popular spots and discovering new gems, because, let’s face it – San Francisco is one of the most desirable and beautiful cities in the world.

After four decades of living here, these are the places, viewpoints, neighborhoods, and hidden corners that are uniquely San Francisco. Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or planning a longer trip, this bucket list for San Francisco gives you everything worth seeing — from the icons to the quirky details . These are the things that make San Francisco so special!

51+ Things that should be on your Bucket List for San Francisco

I’m going to guide you through the list – category by category. As you plan your visit around these bucket list locations, you’ll be able to explore some of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods.

Please note that while some parts of SF are really walkable, some areas have intense hills – and some of the places on this list will require public or other modes of transportation to access. I give some “getting around SF tips” below.

Overwhelmed by 51 + choices? No need! Use the Table of Contents above to help you!

San Francisco’s Most Popular Sites

#1 The Golden Gate Bridge

📍Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Center
Top of the list, of course, is the one and only Golden Gate Bridge. It speaks to everything legendary about San Francisco and it’s even more magnificent than it looks in all those photos you’ve seen. Opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is the world’s most famous suspension bridge and takes passengers across the Golden Gate Strait from Marin, into the city. The bridge is famous for its orange color against the blue water and is the iconic symbol of not just San Francisco, but of all of California.

I don’t recommend you walk the entire bridge, but park on the city side and walk for a bit. Be prepared! – it  will be windy and most likely foggy! Expect crowds of walkers and lots of bike riders to be on the walking path. You can also walk on many of the paths on the city side of the bridge to have more spectacular views.

Book A Bike Tour Adventure Across the Golden Gate Bridge Here!

#2 A Cable Car Ride

📍Taylor Street & Bay Street Turnaround
Don’t leave San Francisco without riding a cable car at least once! The famous system has a place in our hearts because it remains the last manually operated cable car system in the world! The cars are designated as a National Historic Landmark and that “ding-ding” of the bells lets you know you’re really in San Francisco.

I suggest taking the Powell Mason line which you get at the Fisherman’s Wharf/Ghiredelli Square turnaround, across from the Buena Vista Cafe. Get a ticket at the booth for $8 and prepare to wait in line. Grab a seat on one of the sides to get the full experience! The car will take you up and down some famous hills through Chinatown and North Beach to Market Street.

Try a Fun Cable Car Audio Tour – Get Tickets Here!

#3 Alcatraz

📍Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco Bay
Visiting Alcatraz at least once is totally worth it, and it is a VERY popular activity. That being said, I wouldn’t make it a priority if you don’t have time. Not only does a trip to Alcatraz give you a boat ride on the Bay, but it gives you a literal inside look into what prison life was like from 1934 – 1963 on Alcatraz island. You’ll hear all the interesting history of the prison and its prisoners like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. Not sure if you still get locked into a cell as part of the tour, but if that’s your thing, then you should go! This tour requires far in advance tickets and will take up a big chunk of your day. But like I said, you should do it once if you can!

Click Here for an Ultimate Alcatraz Tour Package!

#4 Lombard Street & Russian Hill

📍Lombard Street Between Hyde & Leavenworth
Lombard Street is a long thoroughfare from the Presidio through the Marina District, and is San Francisco’s most famous street. The one block section between Leavenworth and Hyde streets, in the spectacular Russian Hill neighborhood, is considered “the crookedest street in the world” because of its 8 hairpin curves. The street has beautiful garden beds in front of the gorgeous homes lining the street. Yes, it is pretty steep, but trust me, there are steeper hills in the city!

Originally designed in 1922 to help vehicles on the intense slope, it has become a tourist favorite. The residents have to tolerate the crowds as part of living on this block. I suggest you either have a car drive you down and take pics from below, or you get dropped off at the top and walk down to really enjoy the gardens and views.

#5 Fisherman’s Wharf

📍The Embarcadero & Beach Street
The wharf is San Francisco’s very lively waterfront tourist area. Here is where you’ll find a plethora of souvenir shops, fish and chowder restaurants, street performers, and the famous sourdough bread the city is famous for. You can check out Madame Toussad’s and my favorite, the Musee Mecanique. This is the antique coin operated arcade with vintage arcade games that used to be housed at the Cliff House and now live in this great place on the water at Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Click Here for the Best Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour with
Cruise & Skystar Options!

#6 Palace of Fine Arts

📍3301 Lyon Street
The famous Palace of Fine Arts is a stunning rotunda structure in the Marina District that was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Expo hosted in San Francisco. The expo was an important step in rehabilitating San Francisco after the devastating 1906 earthquake. The monument now stands surrounded by a lovely lagoon, gardens, and overlooks the Bay, the Marina, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Stroll around and sit on a bench to enjoy the setting.

#7 Pier 39

📍Beach Street & The Embarcadero
Adjacent to Fisherman’s Wharf is the famous Pier 39 shopping center/tourist attraction filled with restaurants, souvenir shops, and a sweet merry-go-round as well as an outdoor stage with free magic shows. But most popular at Pier 39 are the famous San Francisco sea lions that live on the docks in the marina where the tour boats dock. There are viewing platforms because it gets busy! People love to watch and listen to the barking sea lions for hours!

#8 Ghirardelli Square

📍900 North Point
The Ghirardelli Square area used to be home to the famous chocolate factory that was started in 1893. Since the 1960’s the chocolate has been made in San Leandro across the bay, but the renovated factory and area has become a tourist spot with restaurants, shops, and of course chocolate! You’ll find a famous Ruth Asawa fountain at the square and plenty of spots to hang out and sip cocoa.

#9 Irish Coffee at Buena Vista Café

📍2765 Hyde Street
The Buena Vista is on your bucket list, because even if you don’t drink Irish Coffee, you must go and have some hot cocoa and french fries at least! The Irish Coffees are the most delicious thing in the world – and I don’t normally drink whisky or caffeinated coffee or cream! Hard to describe – you’ve gotta go to this SF landmark right across from the cable car turn around and next to Ghiradelli Square. I’ve heard they serve 2000 Irish Coffees per day!

#10 San Francisco’s Chinatown

📍 Bush Street & Grant Avenue
San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the world’s largest Chinese neighborhoods outside of China. This neighborhood has been growing and thriving since the 1850’s. The Chinese culture has been a huge part of San Francisco history and continues to be today. Don’t miss the opportunity to wander through the neighborhood, eat some of the best food anywhere in the city, and shop amidst the famous Dragon’s Gate, a Chinese American Museum, and the Tin How Temple – the oldest Taoist temple in the country. You can even visit the Fortune Cookie Factory.

#11 North Beach

📍Columbus Avenue
San Francisco’s Italian culture neighborhood is the awesome area known as North Beach. Also home to the beat poet era, this neighborhood is a favorite day or night. You’ll find some of the best restaurants in the city here, the famous Vesuvio Cafe, Zoetrope Cafe, The Stinking Rose, Original Joes, and lots of bistros and wine bars. This is also home to the famous comedy clubs, music scene, and just has a hip European vibe that you will love!

#12 Coit Tower

📍285 Fulton Street
Above North Beach is Telegraph Hill and at the highest point of this hill is the Coit Tower. This is a 210 foot monument built in 1932 houses one of the most famous murals of the art deco age. This fresco Social Realism painting was created by 22 different artists and can be seen when the tower is open – 10AM – 5PM daily. The very eccentric Lilli Hitchcock Coit left money for both this tower and another monument dedicated to the firemen of San Francisco. Telegraph Hill is also famous for flocks of wild parrots that live in the trees there.

#13 The Ferry Building

📍Market Street & The Embarcadero
The San Francisco Ferry Building on the Embarcadero is one of the city’s most recognizable and iconic sites. The clock tower has greeted people to the city since 1898. It was the main transportation hub for San Francisco and has evolved into the chic upscale market hall that makes it so popular today. You’ll find all kinds of artisan food booths, shops, and restaurants there. We love to take the ferry from Alameda in the east bay under the Bay Bridge to the ferry building for a start to a fun San Francisco day.

#14 San Francisco City Hall

📍Civic Center
San Francisco City Hall is by far one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Built in 1915 as part of the recovery from the 1906 earthquake,  it is a grand Beaux-Arts building with marble halls and a huge dome (taller than the U.S. Capitol). Walk through the rotunda or just admire the building from the outside.

#15 The Skystar Ferris Wheel

📍Fisherman’s Wharf
This is a new addition to the bucket list because it was brought to San Francisco in recent years and may leave again in 2026. This is a traveling, 150 foot tall, observation wheel that has previously been in Cincinnati, Louisville, and Norfolk. I’ve added it because its a lovely ride and a great way to see the city and the bay from above the wharf. You’ll find it at Fisherman’s Wharf and tickets cost $13 – $19.

Golden Gate Park Bucket List

San Francisco’s premiere Golden Gate Park has more than 1000 acres of gardens, museums, meadows, and lakes. The park runs 3.5 miles from the Haight neighborhood all the way to the famous Ocean Beach at Highway 1. Over 24 million people visit Golden Gate Park each year, which puts it second to the one and only Central Park in New York City. Here are a few Golden Gate Park highlights:

#16 Conservatory of Flowers

📍JFK Drive
The Conservatory of Flowers is the very pretty Victorian building surrounded by gardens. It was built in 1879 and is a giant greenhouse filled with exotic and rare plants and flowers.

#17 Japanese Tea Garden

📍75 Hagiwara Tea Garden 
Of all the things to do in Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden is the most iconic. Don’t leave San Francisco before visiting this lovely 3.5 acre garden and having tea. Located on the Music Concourse, the Japanese Tea Garden is a must of the cultural attractions of Golden Gate Park and San Francisco, in my opinion. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also really beautiful and relaxing with its pagodas, bridges, and Japanese architecture. 

#18 The de Young Museum

📍Music Concourse 
The de Young is one of San Francisco’s premiere fine art museums. A wide range of exhibits from paintings, to sculpture, textiles, and artifacts with an excellent permanent collection. The museum even has an observation tower for panoramic views of the city! 

#19 California Academy of Sciences

📍Music Concourse 
The California Academy of Sciences  is an amazing natural history museum, planetarium, and aquarium in one. Look for the famous albino alligator, the rainforest, and the green roof.

#20 Stow Lake

📍Center of Park
Stow Lake is the biggest and most known of the lakes in Golden Gate Park. There is an island with a waterfall in the center of the lake called Strawberry Hill, accessed by two stone bridges. Stow is a popular place for renting pedal boats from the Stow Lake Boathouse.

#21 San Francisco Botanical Garden

📍19th Avenue Entrance
The Botanical Garden. It’s over 55 acres with more than 8000 plants from all over the world. Take your time to see all kinds of plants you’ve probably never heard of before!

#22 The Bison Paddock

📍JFK Drive & 36th Avenue
The bison are the most unusual site in Golden Gate Park – a tiny heard of 10 bison live and graze in a paddock near Mallard Lake. Since 1892, when the bison originally roamed in the area now known as the Music Concourse, the herd was moved to its current location. The animals are cared for by the San Francisco Zoo. Bison are the largest land animal in North America and they are huge! 

#23 Dutch Windmill & Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden

📍Great Highway
At the western most tip of the park, by the ocean, are two Dutch Windmills built in the early 1900’s to pump water into the park and irrigate the gardens. The tulips that bloom in the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden by the windmills are amazing each spring. March is the peak time for the tulips, but you can catch the flowers from February through early April.

San Francisco Must-See Neighborhoods

#24 The Painted Ladies at Alamo Square

📍Buchanan Street & Turk Street
Alamo Square Park is atop the Western Addition neighborhood. This is a lovely park with great views of the city but is most famous for the iconic Painted Ladies Victorian houses that symbolizes the pretty and colorful architecture of San Francisco. It’s a great place for a little rest, photo ops, and a picnic.

#25 Haight-Ashbury

📍Haight Street & Ashbury Street
The Haight is a special place for me as it is the neighborhood I first lived in when I moved to the city. The Haight Ashbury district is most known for its legacy of the 1960’s counterculture. The streets still have a “hippy” vibe with its vintage shops, and cafes. It has however, become more gentrified as the years go on. That’s because some of the homes and apartments in the area are stunning examples of the multicolored Victorian homes that the city is famous for.

I encourage you to wander up the hills on the streets above the Haight to get some great views and see some amazing homes. The Haight is adjacent to Golden Gate Park, which also makes it a very desirable place to live. The area continues to struggle with homelessness, so I like to make my readers aware.

#26 The Mission District

📍16th Street
The Mission is the primarily Latino community of San Francisco. Not only is this where you’ll find great Mexican food, but it’s also where I take my dance classes! The Mission is home to the 1776 Mission Dolores founded by Father Serra and it also has a very active artist culture. The famous Mission Street Murals found in this neighborhood are some of the most powerful murals in the world portraying social injustices and themes of cultural significance.

#27 The Castro

📍Castro Street & Market Street
The Castro District is known as one of the most prominent symbols of LGBTQ+ activism and community in the world. This neighborhood is always bustling with fun energy and rainbow painted streets. Look for a whole array of bars, restaurants, and shops with a strong focus on LGBTQ+ culture and history. You’ll also see the Castro Theatre, a beautiful historic movie palace. Find Dolores Park, one of San Francisco’s favorite hang out spots with a sunny hill overlooking an incredible view. 

#28 The Marina District

📍Chestnut Street & Fillmore Street
I think this might be my favorite SF neighborhood. The Marina skirts the Bay, overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, and is home to the Palace of Fine Arts. The Marina Green, a large grassy park, is next to the arts complex of Fort Mason. You’ll see boats galore in the Bay, sea lions, and can dine in one of the many restaurants at the former military base. The stroll down Fillmore to Chestnut Street for some of the best shopping and dining in the city. It’s a lovely and upbeat neighborhood with walking access to so many beautiful spots.

#29 Pacific Heights

📍Presidio Boulevard
Roaming through Pac Heights is a must if you want to experience the most affluent neighborhood of San Francisco. Adjacent to The Presidio and Home to some of the famous Victorian Mansions like the Spreckels Mansion and the 1886 Haas-Lilienthal house, these streets have views that literally take your breath away. Find the Lyon Street Steps, and the Lafayette Park, and upscale boutiques and cafes.

#30 The Presidio

📍Northern Tip of San Francisco
The Presidio is one of San Francisco’s most gorgeous areas. As a former military base, it  preserved the city’s Redwoods and Eucalyptus trees, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point. Now, as a National Park site, it has miles of trails to add to its historic buildings. You’ll find restaurants, lodging, and a Walt Disney Museum there!

#31 Japantown

📍Geary Boulevard
San Francisco’s Japantown is one of only three remaining Japantowns in the entire United States.  There is a famous pagoda in the center of the neighborhood at Peace Plaza. Check out some great Japanese restaurants, markets, and spas.

#32 Cow Hollow

📍Union Street
Cow Hollow is the very charming, upscale neighborhood centered around Union Street. This is a relaxing spot to browse in some high end boutiques and see beautifully preserved Victorian homes. Perfect for a quiet weekend morning when you want to feel like you’re a local.

San Francisco’s Best Beaches, Coastal Trails, & Views!

#33 Ocean Beach

📍Great Highway
Ocean Beach is San Francisco’s most well known city beach. At the western end of Golden Gate Park is the 3.5 miles, wide sandy beach along the Pacific Coast Highway. This is a great beach for walking but you won’t see many swimmers out there. It is cold water and sometimes treacherous. You may see some surfers, but this beach is primarily for enjoying from the sand.

#34 The San Francisco Cliff House Overlook

📍Great Highway
The Cliff House is the magnificent Victorian building perched on the cliffs, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Sutro Baths, and Seal Rock. The restaurant which occupied the building closed in 2020, but good news, the building is now being restored in preparation for something new!

#35 The Sutro Baths

📍Lands End
The Sutro Bath remains are in the Lands End Park next to the Cliff House and Ocean Beach. While now part of the National Recreation Area, it was once a privately owned public saltwater swimming pool and bath house. It’s now a great area to explore and watch the wildlife on seal rock.

#36 The Lands End Trail

📍Lands End
The Lands End trail is a terrific 3.4 mile loop from the Lands End Trailhead at the parking lot in Sutro Baths. The trail takes you along the ocean with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Mile Rock Beach, Fort Miley, the Palace of Legion of Honor Museum, and  a lot more.

#37 Crissy Field Waterfront Walk

📍Crissy Field
The Crissy Field Promenade is a lovely, paved waterfront walk past the Warming Hut, Fort Point, and gives amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

#38 Baker Beach

📍Gibson Road
Baker Beach is a public beach tucked into a very exclusive neighborhood called Sea Cliff on the west side of San Francisco. This is a gorgeous beach with amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Baker Beach is also considered a “clothing optional” beach – so keep that in mind!

#39 Wave Organ

📍83 Marina Green Drive
The Wave Organ is a little known installation/sculpture built at the tip of land on the ocean by the Golden Gate Yacht Club. The Wave Organ is an acoustic sculpture that creates sound triggered by the waves. In 1986, this stone installation was designed and construction by the Exploratorium museum and was dedicated to Frank Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer founded the Exploratorium and helped to raise funds for the Wave Organ, but died before it was constructed. 

More San Francisco Museums & Experiences

#40 Legion of Honor Museum

📍100 34th Avenue
Yes, of course the de Young, SF MoMa, and the Asian Art Museum are wonderful and important museums in SF, but my favorite, for all these years, is the Legion of Honor Museum. Tucked into the greenery of Lincoln Park, is this small but very mighty museum. Opened in 1924, the beautiful building is a replica of the Palais de la Legion d’Honneur of Paris.

Why I love this museum has a lot to do with the building, but also the collection of Rodins and how the exhibits are often integrated with the permanent collection. There is parking in front by the fountain overlooking the city and the Golden Gate Bridge.

#41 San Francisco Modern Museum of Art

📍100 34th Avenue
Add the SF MoMa to the list of my museum memberships! This museum is always a delight. Never too big or overwhelming to see in a short visit, but always enjoyable to visit again and again. The exhibits are world renowned and the permanent collection is a must-see. This is a perfect addition to any ferry building excursion because it’s so close.

#42 San Francisco Exploratorium

📍Pier 15 The Embarcadero
This awesome hands-on science museum used to be at the Palace of Fine Arts and has grown into a prime fixture now of the Embarcadero scene. Not just for kids, the Exploratorium is fun for everyone. Don’t miss all the cool new sea creature sculptures that now grace the area around the Exploratorium.

#43 San Francisco Zoo

📍Sloat Boulevard & The Great Highway
The San Francisco Zoo is a highly rated zoo with over 2000 animals and 100 acres of beautiful exhibits and gardens. The zoo is located across from the Great Highway by Ocean Beach which means it’s often foggy and misty there. So, bring layers! If you’re a fan of zoos, this one is pretty special.

#44 San Francisco Bay Cruise

📍Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco is known as the most beautiful city in all of California in part because of where it sits on the San Francisco Bay. Imagine seeing all those views from the water as the sun goes down and the city lights come up on a San Francisco sunset cruise. You’ll see sea lions, dolphins, and cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge as the sky puts on a gorgeous show. Try not to pick a foggy evening!

#45 Salesforce Tower Park

📍415 Mission Street
Take the cool tram up to the rooftop park at Salesforce Tower. This is a recent addition to the financial district’s landscape. 70 feet above the street is a public park, open for free! Check out the free events offered.

San Francisco Entertainment and Culture

#46 San Francisco’s Theater District

📍Civic Center & Union Square
San Francisco is known as the most beautiful city in all of California in part because of where it sits on the San Francisco Bay. Imagine seeing all those views from the water as the sun goes down and the city lights come up. You’ll see sea lions, dolphins, and cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge as the sky puts on a gorgeous show. Try not to pick a foggy evening!

#47 San Francisco Symphony

📍251 Grove Street
The San Francisco Symphony is one of the country’s leading orchestras, known for its world-class performances at Davies Symphony Hall. We go to the symphony a few times a year and have never been disappointed! You can always find a program that will suit your tastes. Whether you’re into classical music or just want a memorable night out, the experience feels polished, artistic, and very “San Francisco.”

#48 San Francisco Ballet

📍301 Van Ness Avenue
Did you know that the San Francisco Ballet is the oldest professional ballet company in the U.S.? The company is internationally recognized for its enormous talent. I took my girls to see the Nutcracker every year on Christmas Eve day for many, many years. SF Ballet performs at the War Memorial Opera House and have a very eclectic range of pieces they perform each season.

#49 San Francisco Opera

📍301 Van Ness Avenue
The SF Opera is one of the top opera companies in the world, offering grand productions in the most beautiful and ornate, historic theater. Even if you’re new to opera, the scale, music, and storytelling make it an unforgettable experience! Truly a great way to spend an evening in San Francisco.

#50 San Francisco Giants

📍Oracle Park
If you’re a baseball fan, then I’m told that watching a Giants game at Oracle Park is a must And if you’re not a huge sports or baseball fan, the Oracle Park scene is super fun and exciting! The stadium sits right on the water with incredible bay views, great food, and an atmosphere that feels distinctly local. It’s one of the most scenic ballparks in the country.

#51 San Francisco Warriors

📍Chase Center
The Warriors are a big deal in our household! While we were sad to see them leave the Oakland Coliseum Arena, seeing the Warriors play at the Chase Center is very cool! If you’d like to see the 7 time NBA Champion team, get tix well in advance and have a great game!

Where to Stay in San Francisco – Bucket List Choices

If you are visiting San Francisco and want to take day trips from the city, here are some excellent choices of where to stay. These are all in safe neighborhoods and have 5 star reviews.

Best Bargain Boutique Hotel In San Francisco
The Hotel Triton
Right in Union Square, next to the gates of Chinatown, is this chic hotel with unique rooms and a hip vibe. It’s known for excellent service, a terrific location, and the best French restaurant in town, Cafe De La Presse.

Best Comfy Boutique Hotel in San Francisco
Hotel Zeppelin
In the beautiful Nob Hill neighborhood is this terrific bargain. The Zeppelin is decorated in San Francisco’s avant-garde style. It’s a comfortable and affordable hotel in a great location.

Best Mid Range Boutique Hotel in San Francisco
1 Hotel San Francisco (formerly Hotel Vitale)
The 1 Hotel San Francisco is across from the Ferry Building with views of the skyline and the Bay. This hotel is known for its sustainably sourced linens and beautiful decor.

Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in San Francisco
Hotel Drisco
This luxury boutique hotel at the top of the Pacific Heights neighborhood is an Edwardian-Victorian style hotel with superb service, complimentary breakfasts and wine time!

Getting Around San Francisco

Here are some tips for getting around the city. San Francisco can be a bit confusing and public transport is not always convenient. However, you won’t want a car in San Francisco because parking can be a nightmare! So, I recommend a combo of walking, ride share apps, and buses.

San Francisco Transportation Systems
–BART or the Bay Area Rapid Transit is a rail system that takes people from the East Bay and Peninsula into and out of the city. Used primarily by commuters.
–MUNI or the Municipal Transit Agency includes buses, electric bus trolleys, light rail trains, cable cars and street cars. Load the MuniMobile App to plan your route and pay for your tickets. A 3 day visitor Pass on Muni Mobile is $31.
–The Clipper Card is available for download on your phone. Or, you can purchase a physical card. The beauty of the Clipper Card is that it is good for ALL Bay Area transit – BART and Muni.  Purchase here.
–The Ferry System
Check out the many ferry routes and schedules here at Golden Gate Ferry.
–Uber and Lyft are San Francisco based companies, and are very popular choices for getting around. I recommend rideshare apps to avoid rental car fees, parking hassles and fees, and to save time, especially if traveling with a family or group. If you don’t have the apps on your phone yet, download now!
–ARRO, YoTaxi SF, and FlyWheel are apps to load on your phone for taxi service. I have heard that they are more expensive and slower to respond than Uber or Lyft.
–Waymo– You may be curious about autonomous cars as a way to get around San Francisco! The driverless cars by Waymo are available around the city. You need to load the app on your phone. They avoid the freeways however, and the wait time for pick up is longer than Uber and Lyft. People love using Waymo, just order the car about 20 mins before you want to be picked up.

When is the Best Time to Visit San Francisco?

Don’t stress about the weather in San Francisco and come whenever you can! It’s unpredictable due to the Bay, the hills, and the micro climates.  There’s plenty to do in San Francisco rain or shine. Just think layers and comfortable shoes!
The warmest months are June through October. 
The fall is ideal!
The coldest months are December through February. 

What to pack for your Bucket List Trip to San Francisco?

Weather and season will have a huge impact on what to bring, so here’s an outline for some basics in the different times of year. While you’ll see a lot of style in San Francisco, most people are very casual here and don’t expect tourists to be dressed like movie stars while roaming around town!

Winter/Spring Packing for San Francisco

• Very comfortable water proof shoes or boots and warm socks.
• A waterproof coat or jacket.
• Casual outfits – pants, shirts, a sweater.
• One nicer outfit in case you want to dress up one evening for a show or nice restaurant.
• A lightweight day pack.
• A portable phone charger.

Summer/Fall Packing for San Francisco

• Very comfortable walking shoes or sneakers.
• A lightweight jacket.
• Casual outfits – pants, lightweight shirts, a sweater.
• One nicer outfit in case you want to dress up one evening for a show or nice restaurant.
• A lightweight day pack.
• A portable phone charger.
• Sunscreen.

Start Checking off your Bucket List for San Francisco!

In a nutshell…

San Francisco is one of those cities that keeps on giving! No matter how many times you visit. From iconic landmarks to tiny neighborhood gems, there’s always something new to discover around the corner.

I hope this bucket list inspires you to explore and enjoy the magic of this beautiful city the way locals do — with excitement, curiosity, good food, and plenty of wandering. Whether you check off a few favorites or make it through all 51, I know you’ll leave with stories, photos, and a little piece of San Francisco in your heart.

xx,
Carrie