Guides
A short hike along the batteries and bluffs in the Presidio of San Francisco
This short trail provides a great way to see the bluffs near the Presidio and offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin that are hard to beat. The trail is marked moderate because there are several places with steps and some climbing if you decide to take the side trip down to Marshall Beach. The trail is pretty short, which allows for you...
Headlands host beauty and history of San Francisco Bay Area
The Marin Headlands are intoxicating and sobering. The hills north of San Francisco are peppered with relics of America's wars, so in the same afternoon you might see wonderful examples of waves crashing amid grim reminders of nations clashing. The Headlands are a section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. Park Service....
The wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco is a land of rich history and spectacular nature
Lands End is the wildest, rockiest corner of San Francisco, a corner strewn with shipwrecks and a history of landslides. At the tip of Lands End is Point Lobos, named by the Spanish for its many lobos marinos (sea wolves); the barks of those sea lions, as they are called today, drifted up from the rocks below. The sea lions have since relocated to the...
A good day schedule when you have guests in town
San Francisco is a small city full of culture, art and history. People live here are from all over the world. They bring in their culture, mix all elements together, and become today's San Francisco. This guide won't have those well known points of interest such as golden gate bridge and fisherman's wharf. It's more like a guide that locals will...
Walk across one of the most beautiful bridges in the world with great views of San Francisco in the distance
The Golden Gate Bridge is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, and the opportunity to walk across at least part of it should not be missed. The bridge spans 1.7 miles, but most people only walk to the first tower and back again. If you are feeling more adventurous, walk across the bridge and continue under the bridge...
Shops, museums, parks and dining in Union Square and South of Market Street
San Francisco's famous shopping, culture and cuisine begin with a trip to Union Square. There is so much more to see just off the main plaza, however. This trip may start with high levels of retail punctuated by loud (yet endearing) cable car bells, but it then takes the visitor south of Market Street to the SoMa district, where world-class and lesser-known...
Experience the largest Chinatown outside of Asia
Nestled in prime real estate between retail-happy Union Square, the bustle of the Financial District and the beatnik funkiness of North Beach, Chinatown beckons to tourists and locals with its irresistible green-tiled gate at the intersection of Grant and Bush streets. Once inside the gate, the entrance and first block are really peaceful. Deeper...
Discover some of the best-kept architecture secrets of downtown San Francisco
This walking tour through the heart of downtown San Francisco provides an engaging mini-history class on the architecture of one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the United States. The tour takes you along several of the most significant buildings in San Francsisco, including one of the most important buildings in the word, the Hallidie...
See gorgeous Bay vistas and visit the Immigration Station.
Angel Island State Park offers one of the best ways to see San Francisco Bay from sea level. Fortunate local boat owners have long plied its shoreline and picnicked on its grounds, but the boatless can get in on the fun via ferries that stop on the island. There are good times galore for hikers, bikers and sightseers, but the island has abundant...
Explore the best of San Francisco in a single day!
We take you on a counter-clockwise Grand Tour of San Francisco, on an 18 mile cruise around the best sites of the city. We visit famous landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, cycle along the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, visit the beach and cycle the full length of the Golden Gate Park. And that's not even mentioning Haight Ashbury, the Painted...
The historical, groovy and fun neighborhood near Golden Gate Park
As the Mamas & the Papas suggested in their hit 1967 song, "if you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair." Good advice, especially if your visit includes a stop in the Haight. The song was written to promote the Monterrey Pop Festival in June 1967, an event that attracted some of rock's biggest names (Janice Joplin, Jefferson...
Ride on a historic cable car over San Francisco's famous hill and past many must-see destinations
Riding the famous San Francisco cable cars should be at the top of the list for any visitor to San Francisco. These historic cars have been around since a year after inventor Andrew Smith Hallidie tested the first line in 1873 (he gained inspiration after witnessing a cart sliding backward down a slippery hill, dragging five horses with it). Today,...
See for yourself why San Francisco's waterfront attracts travelers from around the world.
Water surrounds San Francisco on three sides, but the shoreline between the Golden Gate and Bay bridges gets all the attention. It's well deserved. Something charming or funky or eye-popping pops up every few yards along these six miles of San Francisco Bay beachfront. Even the mobs of rubber-neckers at Fisherman's Wharf (a Grade A tourist Trap...
Explore the city by the bay and appeal to kids of all ages
There are many neighborhoods in San Francisco that are great to explore with children. This guide aims to capture some of the city's most popular sites in a walkable half-day format. By starting at the Ferry Building near the downtown Financial District, families can fuel up on great food, coffee and provisions for the day as they prepare to leisurely...
The best panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area are just a half-mile hike away atop Mt. Tamalpais.
Hikes don't get much shorter or much better than this half-mile round trip trail to the top of Mt. Tamalpais, just North of San Francisco. Known to locals simply as Mt Tam, Mt. Tamalpais State Park is the perfect day-trip away from the bustle of San Francisco and once you're here it's hard to believe you're just a stone's throw away from the second...
Ride on a historic cable car over San Francisco's famous hills and past many must-see attractions
Riding the famous San Francisco cable cars should be at the top of the list for any visitor to San Francisco. These historic cars have been around since the year after inventor Andrew Smith Hallidie tested the first line in 1873 (he gained inspiration after witnessing a cart sliding backward down a slippery hill, dragging five horses with it). Today,...
Cutting-edge art, colorful murals, vibrant restaurants, boutiques and a roof-top view
Known for its vibrant Latino culture, colorful murals and hip, artistic spirit, the Mission is experiencing a second coming with a new crop of restaurants, boutiques and more. While some locals have bemoaned the "gentrification" of the Mission during the past decade with scores of tech start-up workers flooding the neighborhood as renters and homeowners,...
Camping in the middle of San Francisco Bay offers a window on the region's wonders after dark.
Angel Island can charm the socks off a day-hiker, but it's even better by night, when the state park closes up shop and sends the tourists home. After that, campers lucky enough to reserve one of the island's 11 sites have the place to themselves. Urban attractions ringing San Francisco Bay light up as the night darkens, creating shimmering opportunities...
San Francisco--the City by the Bay--all major sights in one guide
San Francisco--beautiful city by the bay. Over the years so much has been said and written about San Francisco, does it even need an introduction? Since you are reading this guide you are either already here or are looking forward to visiting. This guide provides information to all the must-see places that San Francisco is so well known for. The...
Deep woods and towering vistas await at Marin County's most famous peak
Mount Tamalpais State Park is the center of the Bay Area's outdoor universe. The peak rising northwest of Sausalito in Marin County attracts hikers, bikers, equestrians, trail runners and other outdoor enthusiasts from throughout Northern California. While other parks in the region have golden hills, redwood forests, springtime wildflower displays...
Springtime brings a remarkable wildflower show to Bay Area hills
Springtime sunshine ignites a blast of color on the hills of the Bay Area. In the best years, hills can be practically painted white, orange, yellow or purple. Even in lean years, wildflower season offers hikers beautiful reminders of the rhythms of life. Wildflower season runs primarily from February through June, peaking in mid-April. Virtually...
Experience the remnants of Beat culture in one of San Francisco's great neighborhoods
Beyond the aroma of cappuccino and focaccia, the café tables spilling onto the sidewalk, and the convivial air, North Beach is alive with the spirit of the Beatniks, those revolutionary artists who electrified San Francisco and shocked the country in the 1950s and '60s. Listen for the rhythm of Beat poetry, of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Lawrence...
Known for its vibrant Latino culture, colorful murals, and hip, artistic spirit. . .
the Mission is now experiencing a second coming with a new crop of restaurants, boutiques, and more. -By Jaime Gross
Just 3.2 miles from downtown San Francisco to the oasis of green that is Golden Gate Park.
We help you navigate the streets of San Francisco, picking the best route through the concrete jungle to reach the celebrated Golden Gate Park. Our route takes you from the bicycle lanes of Market Street, through 'the wiggle' of streets where we dodge the hills and the worst of the traffic, before ending up on the bike trails of the Panhandle. From...
Ride on a historic cable car over San Francisco's famous hill and past many must-see destinations
Riding the famous San Francisco cable cars should be at the top of the list for any visitor to San Francisco. These historic cars have been around since the year after inventor Andrew Smith Hallidie tested the first line in 1873 (he gained inspiration after witnessing a cart sliding backward down a slippery hill, dragging five horses with it). Today,...
Explore the Italian-American culture, learn about the Beat Poets and explore one of San Francisco's earliest settlements
North Beach is one of San Francisco's distinct, famous, and oldest neighborhoods, dating back to the village of Yerba Buena in the 1830s. Today Little Italy is home to the city's Italian American community, which means you can find some great food here! If you look carefully, you can find some signs of the city's rough past from the Barbary Coast...
Blaze your own trails through San Francisco and beyond with this guide for all ages and abilities.
Explore the region at your own pace with the Free Ride guide, safe in the knowledge that you're riding on 165 miles of the best bike routes around. Key: • Red tracks: Beginner and intermediate routes using bike trails, bicycle lanes and the most bike-friendly streets possible. • Pink tracks: Advanced road biking routes for experienced cyclists...
From Ferry Building to Pacific Ocean we recreate an old San Francisco tradition and fit in some great sightseeing.
Bay to Breakers is a century old road race through San Francisco celebrated in equal parts for its athletic challenge and notoriety. Although the 7.46 mile race hasn't changed much over the years, the event is probably best known for the tens of thousands of unofficial entrants who walk the route behind the runners, often dressed in costumes, and...
The shortest and flattest possible route to the Golden Gate Bridge, with plenty of great side trips on the way!
No journey to San Francisco is complete without a trip to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and there's no better to experience it than by bike. Take your time weaving through the crowds on the eastern sidewalk and enjoy the city views, or speed along on the bike-only western sidewalk and marvel at the engineering and architectural genius behind the...
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin and tour several picturesque bay-side towns. Return by ferry.
We trace a route along the shores of San Francisco Bay, over the Golden Gate Bridge and through the picturesque towns of Marin Country to take you on a tour you'll never forget. Beyond the attractions of San Francisco, you'll also get to experience the towns of Sausalito and Tiburon which are famed equally for their restaurants and shopping opportunities....
Fun and leisurely cruise across the bridge to the shoppers and diners mecca of Sausalito. Return by ferry.
Discover the quieter side of the San Francisco Bay across the Golden Gate Bridge in the former fishing village of Sausalito. You'll find this a perfect place to browse the little boutique stores that line the bayside road, followed by refreshments or a meal at one of the many well regarded restaurants near the center of the town. When you've had...
Escape the city and head for the hills! Cross the bridge in search of nature, beaches, lighthouses and awesome roads!
Just a few short miles from the bustle of San Francisco lies the relative peace and quiet of the Marin Headlands where you can enjoy Golden Gate views among rolling hills and soaring raptors. Our route guides you along the San Francisco bay shore past numerous side trips and on to the Golden Gate Bridge. From there we hang a left and head for the...
Connecting Fisherman's Wharf with the heart of San Francisco's shopping district, with plenty of sightseeing on the way.
The scenic Embarcadero is a memorable way to connect two of San Francisco's biggest attractions, and is also a conveniently short and flat route. Union Square is the center of San Francisco's shopping district and the great place to browse the flagship locations of some big name stores. Market Street is also the beginning of our guide to Golden...
Hike along the Coastal Trail from the Cliff House at Lands End to the Golden Gate Bridge
This section of the California Coastal Trail runs from the Cliff House near the Sutro Baths all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge and passes many landmarks including Baker Beach, the Seacliff area, Marshall Beach, and the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. This area of San Francisco is unknown to so many residents, even though it is one of the most beautiful...
Explore the spectacular cliffs along a short trail above the Pacific Ocean less than 30 minutes from San Francisco.
Point Bonita Lighthouse, located at the South Western tip of the Marin headlands, is an active lighthouse with a rich history. The lighthouse was the 3rd lighthouse on the West Coast and was first built in 1855. The short (0.3 miles) trail from the parking lot offers spectacular views on the Pacific Cliffs.
Winter On The Bay
From Bridgeway, the main street of Sausalito, California, you can see why this bayside town just north of the Golden Gate Bridge is often compared to a Mediterranean fishing village. Bay-windowed homes cling to steep hillsides and look out to sky-and-water-framed views of Alcatraz and the San Francisco cityscape. Sailboats, kayaks, and ferries glide...
Picture perfect San Francisco Bay views on this tranquil tour of a remote island with hardly a car in sight.
Away from the hustle of the city, Angel Island offers a retreat to tranquility surrounded by magnificent San Francisco Bay views. This six mile biking tour is great for both beginners and intermediate cyclists, highlights all of the major sights, an occasional side-trips and introduces some of the island history. If you're concerned about hills,...
Great way to see the Bay
The Perimeter Road provides access to pretty much everything else one can see and do on the island! It's got fantastic views around the bay, it's a fun walk and a pretty good bike ride. When taking a ferry, all walks start at Alaya Cove (formerly Hospital Cove). Pick up a map while there. The Cove also houses segway and bike rentals, a small store...
Trail from Summit Ave to East Peak.
This is a moderately difficult climb of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California. The top offers an incredible view of the surrounding landscape, this is one of the best views in the Bay Area. The climb is short but has a large elevation gain during the hike. Follow the fire road from the trail head. At 0.2 miles turn up a small path by the waterfalls....
Beat the crowds by walking to famed Muir Woods. 6-mile moderate hike.
Every weekend during the summer months, signs on the main roads in Marin County start reading "Muir Woods Parking Lot Full," leaving those who crave a stroll among the wondrous Muir Woods redwoods two options: take a shuttle or try another day. But there is a third option -- Muir Woods National Monument is only two miles by trail from the Pantoll...
