San Francisco

Home of the Golden Gate Bridge, Dungeness crabs, and the lanterned-lined streets of Chinatown, San Francisco, California, is full of local color, culture, good food, and amazing architecture. Even during the foggiest of days, you will be able to see why this city is loved. Most of the tourists filling up the San Francisco hotels have knowledge of the well-known attractions, but a worldwide local can tell you how to experience them best. This is an insider’s guide to some of San Francisco’s top hidden gems. 

Start your trip in San Francisco with a visit to the Golden Gate Park. If you visit on a day without fog, sometimes a rarity with the San Francisco weather, you will be treated to an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge. For a more memorable trip, take a stroll across the bridge! Make sure you bring a jacket; even sunny days feel really windy while walking across. 

Worldwide Local Tip: Visit 16th Ave to witness the awesome 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project. It has been a neighborhood collaboration to create a “sea to stars” themed mosaic It flows up a 163 step stairway, and is located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood.  

If you are looking to have a rewarding time in San Francisco where all the locals hang out, check out the farmers’ markets. Spread across the city during the summer months, operating Friday-Sunday, you will find the best local foods, produce, and homemade pieces to take home with you. Then, visit Pier 39, where you can find live music, street performers, shows playing on the stage, and great areas for shopping! 

Worldwide Local Tip: Find the Hearts in San Francisco, based on the song by Tony Bennett, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” There are 131 hearts hidden all over SF, each with a unique design.

Keep in mind, before your trip, the residents of San Francisco are quite unique, relishing their own oddities! This is part of what makes it such a special place to visit, and why there are so many different types of things to do in San Francisco. Each neighborhood has an individual personality. If you meet enough people, you may start to notice the stereotypical demographics from each of the different neighborhoods around San Francisco. 

Worldwide Local Tip: Check the schedule of the city before your visit. There is always an impressive list of San Francisco events, such as festivals, street fairs, farmer’s markets, San Francisco Giants games, wine fairs, etc. You don’t want to miss any of the local action. 

While you are in San Francisco, no doubt you will be drawn to ride the trolleys (cable cars)! The famous, San Francisco trolleys are known worldwide as a nostalgic type of transportation. 

Worldwide Local Tip: Hop on the trolley near Union Square to avoid a long wait. No one tells you that you’ll stand in line for HOURS if you only use the trolleys at the first and last stop. If you hop on at any other stop along the line, however, there is NEVER a line. You’re welcome!

If you aren’t able to visit Napa, Sonoma, Anderson, Amador, or Monterey County, be sure you don’t miss out on the wine scene while you are in premiere wine country. There are also tons of urban wineries and tasting rooms in the heart of San Francisco. Bluxome Street Winery, The Winery SF, Treasure Island Wines, and Sottomarino Winery are just a few options. Those are just an example of the many wineries you can visit without ever leaving the city limits. 

Roaming the city as a worldwide local will grant you unparalleled access to its amazing sights and fascinating sounds. Whether you walk, bike, ride a trolley, or take a scooter around the city, you won’t be disappointed in the Golden City of San Francisco.