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SAN FRANCISCO DESTINATION GUIDE

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real San Francisco in a way like no other.
A forward-thinking haven for techies, artists, dreamers and schemers, San Francisco is a city where you can dare to be different. Our San Francisco tours dive into the sunshine and good vibes of this Golden City, and you’ll be awed by the diverse culture, cuisine and architecture. We’ll start with the most iconic of San Francisco attractions - the Golden Gate Bridge - then catch a historic cable car past the candy-coloured Victorian houses, wander by the ornate temples of the country’s oldest Chinatown, and shop up a storm in bustling Union Square. You can’t forget about the natural highs of this coastal city, and we’ll take you down to Fisherman’s Wharf to spot sea lions and pick up crab roll, then sail across the glittering bay to the famous Alcatraz prison. Stroll through the stunning gardens of Golden Gate Park and at the end of the day, kick back in a cosy cocktail bar and watch the enchanting San Fran fog roll in. 
Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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5 million happy guests and counting

Overall Rating

4.6

Out of 5

Based on 93,274 independent reviews

"From lush parks and golden beaches to buzzing neighbourhoods and historic streets, I could never choose just one favourite place in San Francisco - so join me and see it all!"

Travel Director
San Francisco at a glance
San Francisco is a multicultural haven, where you can go from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to candy-coloured Victorian Houses, from the country's oldest Chinatown to the retro Italian trattorias of North Beach, and from the lush parklands to the sea lions of Fisherman's Wharf. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and get under the surface of this extraordinary Golden City.
Currency
US dollar
Winter avg temp
10°C
Summer avg temp
20°C
Time Zone
GMT-7
Capital City
Washington D.C.
Language
English
Good Morning
Good morning
Good Evening
Good evening
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Our top 5 things to do in San Francisco

We can’t wait to show you all the best things to do in San Francisco, and we’ll take you from the historic parks and markets to the best beaches and vibrant neighbourhoods.

Explore the Fisherman's Wharf

With all kinds of amazing attractions, quirky museums and dining experiences, Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the best places to visit in San Francisco. We’ll take you strolling along Pier 39, check out the sea lions lounging on the docks, and show you where to find the best crab chowder in the neighbourhood. You can even ride the San Francisco Carousel!
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Admire the eclectic mix of architecture, culture and cuisines

When you travel San Francisco with Trafalgar, we’ll dive into the city’s multicultural charm, taking you from the icons like the ‘postcard row’ of colourful Victorian houses, to the hidden gems, like the retro bars and Italian trattorias of North Beach. From the historic Ferry Building marketplace, to the world’s crookedest street, the treasures are endless in this city.
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Stroll through the Union Square

More than just a plaza, Union Square is the beating heart of San Francisco and one of the busiest squares in the country. Watched over by the Greek Goddess of Victory on the Dewey Monument, Union Square is surrounded by the best shopping in the city, with boutiques, galleries, and department stores galore, and we’ll lead the way through it all.
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Learn about the history of the American Civil War

Our San Francisco holidays dive into the history of the city, and we’ll take you from the Civil War monuments of the Golden Gate Park, to Union Square, once used for Thomas Starr King rallies during the American Civil War. We’ll even explore the Presidio, a former US Army military fort that is now a scenic 1,500-acre park and a National Historic Landmark.
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See the majestic Golden Gate Bridge

You can’t come to San Francisco without setting eyes on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Once the longest suspension bridge in the world, it’s now one of the most photographed bridges in the world, and we’ll take you on a guided walk across this 2.7km-long architectural wonder to snap some gorgeous shots and admire the city skyline.
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Best museums in San Francisco

If you’re looking for the best of San Francisco, you’ve got to check out the museums, with exhibits on everything from modern art to Jewish history.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Modern art lovers are in for a treat here. As the first museum on the US West Coast dedicated entirely to 20th-century art, today the SFMOMA is filled with over 33,000 artworks including paintings, photography, sculpture, design and architecture. It’s also one of the world’s largest modern art museums, so prepare to spend hours exploring all the treasures.
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California Academy of Sciences

Located in the Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is one of the world’s largest museums of natural history, with a dizzying 26 millions specimens. You can spend hours wandering the natural history section, plus there’s an incredible planetarium, aquarium, and even an Amazonian flooded forest in the rainforest exhibit.
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Contemporary Jewish Museum

Housed in the historic Jessie Street Substation, this fantastic museum shares the stories of Jewish history and culture, with everything from photography and textiles to sculptures and audio projects. It’s a must-see in San Francisco and the building itself is a work of art, designed by Daniel Libeskind based on the two Hebrew letters spelling “L’Chaim”, meaning “To Life”.
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Best food in San Francisco

We’ll take you on a San Francisco food tour you’ll never forget, with VIP access to the mobile food extravaganza of Fort Mason and a feast in our favourite Chinatown restaurants.

Dungeness crab

You can’t visit San Francisco without trying the famous Dungeness crab, and we’ll show you all the best spots in Fisherman’s Wharf to try this local specialty. You can even try this dish the traditional way, with the freshly cooked crab pulled out of a steaming cauldron and placed in a cup with cocktail sauce. Delicious! 
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Abalone

If you’re looking for a lavish foodie experience in San Francisco, you’ve got to try abalone. This rare mollusc is on par with truffles, caviar and Kobe beef in the luxury culinary world, and in North America, it’s only farmed in California. That means you’ll get the freshest abalone in the Bay Area, sautéed to perfection with that distinct buttery and salty flavour.
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Lemon cream tart

No San Francisco trip would be complete without a visit to Tartine Bakery for their famous lemon cream tarts. The lemon curd filling is more like a heavenly lemon butter, and it’s wrapped in a delicious cookie-like crust and topped with fresh cream. Tangy, silky and almost too pretty to eat, this lemony delight is what dessert dreams are made of.
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What to pack for San Francisco

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Coffee mug

As one of the country’s greenest cities, San Francisco is working to reduce waste, including banning disposable coffee cups. Follow their lead and bring your own reusable mug.

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Reusable bags

San Francisco has also banned plastic bags in stores, so remember to bring your own reusable bags or a day pack if you plan on getting some retail therapy.

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Swimsuit

The Golden City is lined with beautiful sandy beaches and incredible surf, and you’ll definitely want to pack your swimsuit and take advantage of the sunny weather.

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Comfortable shoes

Whether you’re wandering through the massive parks or hitting the vibrant streets, you’ll need a good pair of walking shoes on your San Francisco holiday.

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Layered clothing

Although the city is famed for its gorgeous sunshine, it can get chilly, especially if you run into Karl the Fog! Bring some warm layers and stay cosy.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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Our North & Central America destinations

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