Visit San Francisco, CA
A Foodie Paradise & Cable Cars - Must-See San Francisco Experiences
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 12/04/2024
This was our first stop on a two-week California adventure. Click here to view the trip overview. We chose San Francisco as the starting point for our northern and central California loop tour, primarily because it’s a United Airlines hub and an incredibly fascinating city to explore.
We stayed in the financial district, which offered convenient access to Chinatown, Coit Tower, and the city’s waterfront. Its walkability made it an excellent base for our explorations. Since we’d both visited San Francisco before, we skipped some of the more familiar attractions and focused on discovering new experiences. This page highlights the places we explored and is not intended to serve as a comprehensive guide to the entire city.
Our San Francisco Visit Highlights
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- Chinatown This is one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in the U.S. Beyond iconic Dragon’s Gate, a bustling maze of streets and alleys brims with dim sum joints and other traditional eateries.
- Coit Tower Coit Tower is a 210-foot tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, California, offering panoramic views over the city and the bay.
- Tadich Grill Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District, Tadich Grill is the oldest, continuously run restaurant in California, and third oldest in the United States. They now take reservations for half of their seating and the remaining half is available on a first come, first serve basis.
- Cable Cars The San Francisco cable car system is the world's last manually operated cable car system and an icon of the city of San Francisco.
- Fisherman’s Wharf Souvenir shops and stalls selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls appear at every turn, as do postcard views of the bay, Golden Gate and Alcatraz.
- Fort Mason / Ghiradelli Square Shops and restaurants fill this 3-level landmark former chocolate factory near Fisherman's Wharf.
- The Ferry Building Vendors sell produce, cheese, coffee, candy & prepared food in this soaring, restored 1898 space.
One of the first things that we noticed was how empty the city was compared to previous trips. COVID has definitely had an effect on traffic and crowds which helped create a more low key environment with less stress while still being entertaining. Bear in mind that our use of the word "empty" does not mean that the streets were devoid of people - there were people moving about, going to work, shopping, etc. But if you have ever been to San Francisco in the past, you are aware of how crowded everything was. Popular locations would have lengthy lines, the cable cars would be jam packed. So oddly enough, we enjoyed the diminished crowds because we had good access to every place we visited.
Just Traveling thru Northern and Central California 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary
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Click the above video poster image to view our California road trip which allows you to get a glimpse of San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Napa and Sonoma, Yosemite, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Pacific Coast Highway, Monterey, Carmel by the Sea... We did this short video to inspire others to try it out.
Getting Around San Francisco
Getting around San Francisco is pretty easy; Walking is a great choice if you are up for it. It is a walkable city although the hills will give you a workout. As just an example, Fisherman's Wharf is 1.3 miles walking distance from our hotel. We took an indirect walking route via Coit Tower (on Kearny Street) and then down Stockton to the wharf area.
The Muni system which includes buses, light rail trains, street cars, and the famous cable cars is a great option for touring the city. Of course, Uber and Lyft are always there if your legs give out.
The muni system offers many different passes. We suggest looking them up prior to your visit. You can download the App and purchase them from there. There is a one day visitor passport that includes all forms of muni transportation. It’s a good deal if you plan to use it a lot during your day and allows you to ride the cable cars as well which due to their touristy nature are more expensive than the other Muni options.
Click here to go to the San Francisco MTA site, where you will find information regarding all types of public transportation, fares & maps.
Interesting facts about San Francisco
- The Golden Gate Park is larger than NYC's Central Park.
- Locals call San Francisco fog "Karl".
- The Chinese fortune cookie was invented by a Japanese resident of San Francisco.
- Golden Gate Bridge was originally to be a black & gold color, the existing color is actually the primer. The Military wanted to insure that the bridge was visible when the fog was obscuring the bridge.
- The oldest Chinatown in North America is in San Francisco.
- There are no human burials allowed in San Francisco but there are pet cemeteries & only two human cemeteries still exist.
- The city's original name was “Yerba Buena” which means "good herb" in Spanish.
- San Francisco’s cable cars are the only National Historical Monument that can move - at a constant 9.5 MPH.
- Levi Strauss invented denim jeans in San Francisco for the Gold Rush miners.
- There are more than 4,415 restaurants and and 61 have Michelin stars.
- After New York, Moscow, and London, San Francisco is the fourth city in the world with the highest population of billionaires per square meter.
- San Francisco was originally covered by sand dunes that spanned an area of seven miles. As the city grew, the sand dunes were covered or eradicated.
- San Francisco has more dogs than children. According to Census and Animal Care and Control department data, San Francisco has around 10,000 more dogs than children.
- San Francisco is only seven miles long by seven miles wide for a total of 46.87 square miles.
For any of you who are "non-Californians", it might not be something that you are aware of, but most street names in San Francisco are named after individuals who played significant roles in California history, or individuals who played a role in American History. For example;
| Street Name | Person Named After |
|---|---|
| Powell Street | Dr. William J. Powell - the surgeon of the U. S. sloop of war Warren, which was active during the conquest of California. |
| Fremont Street | John Charles Fremont - an explorer of the Western United States, military officer, and politician. He was a U.S. Senator from California, and in 1856 was the first Republican nominee for President of the United States. Instrumental in the Mexican-American war and was responsible for the seizure of Santa Barbara from the Mexican Army. |
| Kearny Street | Stephen W. Kearny - instrumental in the liberation of New Mexico and California, and was the ranking U.S. Military Officer in California during the Mexican-American War. |
| Fillmore Street | Millard Fillmore - 13th President of the United States, and the last member of the Whig Political Party while in the White House. |
| Hyde Street | George Hyde - the mayor of San Francisco in 1847–1848. |
The above is just a small sample extract from a definitive list that can be read by clicking here to read a Wikipedia Article that will give you the street names, the person the street was named for and a link to that person's background & history.
Where to stay in San Francisco
Google shows that (as of 9/18/2024) there are 450 hotels in San Francisco. This list includes all types, ratings, locations, etc. If you would prefer to conduct your own research, click here to view the Google Search Results list for "accommodations in San Francisco". Once you are on that Google Search Results page, you can then change the filters to resort the hotels list by price, # of stars, property type, etc. This is a very useful tool for when you are research planning a trip.
NOTE: Google calculates a business's review score by averaging all of the ratings that have been published on Google for that business. The rating scale is 1–5 stars, with 5 being the highest possible rating.
Below is what Google says are the "five most popular hotels in San Francisco" based upon guest ratings;
- Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights: A 6-minute walk from The Presidio park, this 5 star hotel in the Pacific Heights neighborhood is 0.8 miles from Fillmore Street's boutiques and 4 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. (4.9 guest rating)
- Inn San Francisco: This Victorian B&B dating from 1872 is a 10-minute walk from a BART rail station and less than a mile from the lively Castro area and the family-oriented Noe Valley neighborhood. (4.9 guest rating)
- Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero: Occupying the top 11 floors of the 345 California Center high-rise, this posh hotel is 2 miles from stores and eateries at Pier 39 along San Francisco Bay. It's 7 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge and 15 miles from San Francisco International Airport. (4.8 guest rating)
- Omni San Francisco Hotel: Set in a former bank building dating from 1923, this refined hotel in the Financial District is across the street from a cable car stop and 13 minutes' walk from the shops and restaurants of iconic Union Square. (4.6 guest rating)
- The St. Regis San Francisco: A north star for arts and culture lovers, this 5 star rated hotel is adjacent to SFMOMA and across the street from Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. (4.6 guest rating)
As most of our city explorations were going to be in the vicinity of the Financial District, we concentrated our research on hotels in that area and decided to select the Hilton San Francisco Financial District. Read further to understand why we selected this hotel.
This hotel selection decision was made easier because we also planned to gather as many Hilton Honors points as we could with our Hilton Elite American Express Card. This is an experiment that we started this year and we will publish our results when we have them. We’ve planned to use Hilton when viable for all of our travel in 2021 to see what the effect is of having the Hilton Elite card.
If you click on the Hilton link (Hilton logo in a box below) and book through the link we could receive affiliate money. If you like our Just Traveling Thru content and plan to book with them we would appreciate the click through to help fund our costs for maintaining the website.
Although we do not recommend driving in San Francisco, the Hotel Parking lot is located underneath the Hotel and was very secure with security cameras, locked gates, etc.
IMAGE CREDIT: Image # 1 (left side) is the property of Hilton Hotels from the Hilton Website.
San Francisco Chinatown Map
San Francisco’s Chinatown, established in 1848, is the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. It emerged during the California Gold Rush, when Chinese immigrants arrived in large numbers seeking economic opportunities. Initially, the Chinese community faced severe discrimination, restrictive laws, and violence, forcing them to cluster in a specific area of the city, which became known as Chinatown.
During the late 1800s, Chinatown was a vibrant hub for Chinese businesses, culture, and social organizations, despite challenging conditions such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which severely restricted Chinese immigration and citizenship. Chinatown became self-sustaining, with residents creating their own institutions like schools, hospitals, and family associations.
The Chinatown neighborhood was nearly destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fire, but the Chinese community rebuilt it with new, ornate architecture, including pagoda-style roofs, which became iconic of Chinatown’s distinct look.
In the 20th century, San Francisco Chinatown became a tourist destination, celebrated for its unique blend of Chinese culture and American urban life. It remains a cultural and economic center for Chinese-Americans and is known for its traditional festivals, such as Chinese New Year, as well as its vibrant restaurants, shops, and historic landmarks like the Tin How Temple and Portsmouth Square.
As can be seen in the Chinatown map, it is located in downtown San Francisco and covers 24 square blocks. The approximate street boundaries are; Kearny Street to the east, Broadway to the north, Powell Street to the west and Bush Street to the south.
IMAGE CREDIT:The Chinatown Map image is the property of the Chinatown San Francisco Website.
We decided to walk to Coit Tower, as Kearney Street went straight north from the Hilton to Coit Tower. On the way, we walked by the Toppu Ramen & Dim Sum House, and the amazing scents coming out of this little restaurant were incredible - so we stopped to read the menu, and decided to have some dim sum. Because you don’t get Chinese food like this in Sarasota! Candidly, we didn’t have a big meal but what we sampled was amazingly fresh and authentic. We’ve since looked them up and they get good reviews. Sometimes the best things are the things you stumble upon. It’s now in our top five list of restaurants that we tried during our trip. Click here for their Yelp Page where you can view their menu, etc.
You can see that we also got some images of Chinatown early in the morning and the streets were empty. We expect that COVID has had quite an impact on the crowd level. We were up early but not before what would have been rush hour prior to COVID.
Although New York City's Chinatown is larger, San Francisco's Chinatown was the first in the United States and it is easily the second largest in the United States. It covers 24 city blocks and it's population is estimated to be 35,000. There are a number of historic buildings in Chinatown including Portsmouth Square where the United States flag was first raised in California. There are various "walking tours" you could try, but this is a very easy area to explore as a pedestrian with numerous restaurants, shops and other types of stores that you will perhaps find interesting.
Click here to view a Google Map of the route we hiked from the Hilton to Coit Tower.
More Info for San Francisco Chinatown
San Francisco Chinatown History: this Wikipedia Article is the best place to start, because it provides a lot of information about the history, demographics, location, origin, etc of Chinatown.
San Francisco Chinatown Google Images: the Google Images set is an excellent source of images for Chinatown.
San Francisco Chinatown Restaurants: this is a Google Search Results list link listing all current restaurants in Chinatown.
San Francisco Chinatown Google Reviews: this is Google Reviews list link which will give you an idea of what others are saying about Chinatown.
Image Credits: All of the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Coit Tower Telegraph Hill
Coit Tower stands at 210 feet tall and offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the Bay Area. Visitors can reach the top of the tower via an elevator and then climb a narrow staircase to the observation deck, where they can enjoy breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the city's skyline.
The walk up to Coit Tower from the Chinatown area is steep! Once you get there you will be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and the City. This particular day was bright sunshine & no fog, so our views were unobstructed in any direction. The top of Coit Tower is a circular observation platform with large windows. We heard from the people that work there that the view is different every day and it never gets old.
The tower is also famous for its beautiful murals, which were painted by a group of artists during the Great Depression as part of the Public Works of Art Project. The murals depict scenes from San Francisco's history, including its maritime heritage and the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.
More Info for Coit Tower
San Francisco Coit Tower Wikipedia Article: this Wikipedia Article is the best place to start, because it provides a wide range of information about Coit Tower's architecture, location, history, etc.
San Francisco Coit Tower Google Images Set: this Google Images Link will provide you with a large number of good Coit Tower images.
San Francisco Coit Tower Website: Website Link note that there is an entrance fee and it varies, all of the information you will need is available on their website. WARNING: Please note that parking at the tower is very limited and the parking lot is small. There is a MUNI bus (#39) from Fisherman's Wharf or you could consider walking (it is a .8 mile walk).
San Francisco Coit Tower Google Reviews: this Google Reviews Link will provide you with a list of what people have reviewed about Coit Tower.
Image Credits: All of the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
San Francisco Architecture
Much of San Francisco was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake which allowed for large portions of the hilly terrain to be rebuilt. Victorian homes and fire-resistant brick buildings can be seen throughout San Francisco. A developer named Oliver Rousseau built homes that followed the European styles including Bavarian castles and Spanish Villas.
San Francisco’s architecture is renowned for its distinctive, colorful houses, particularly the Victorian and Edwardian styles that dominate many neighborhoods. The most iconic of these are the "Painted Ladies"—a row of vibrant, ornate Victorian homes, most famously seen at Alamo Square Park. These houses are characterized by their intricate woodwork, bay windows, steep gabled roofs, and multi-story designs.
Edwardian homes, built after the 1906 earthquake, are slightly simpler, with more restrained detailing and a focus on practicality, yet they retain the charm of high ceilings, bay windows, and classical motifs.
In addition to these styles, Art Deco, Craftsman, and modern architectural designs can be found throughout the city, reflecting San Francisco’s diverse architectural landscape. The steep, hilly terrain has also led to the development of narrow, multi-level homes that make creative use of limited space.
Click here to view an illustrated guide of all the types of architecture you will find in San Francisco.
Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39
Fisherman's Wharf is usually one of the busiest areas in town, however due to COVID the crowds were very light and we walked around freely. We stopped for some sour dough bread and a coffee. As you would expect you can pick up all of your tourist gear here, grab some lunch and enjoy the views of the harbor and Sea Lions.
San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the city’s most popular and vibrant waterfront destinations, offering a mix of history, culture, and entertainment. Located along the northern waterfront, it’s famous for its lively atmosphere, fresh seafood, and stunning views of the bay, including Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The area is historically rooted in San Francisco’s fishing industry, and you can still see working fishing boats docked at Pier 45. Visitors can enjoy delicious seafood at the many restaurants and food stands, with local specialties like clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls and fresh Dungeness crab being must-tries.
Pier 39, a bustling part of the Wharf, is a hub for entertainment, featuring shops, arcades, and the famous sea lion colony, where dozens of sea lions bask and play near the docks. The Aquarium of the Bay and other family-friendly attractions add to the appeal.
Historical points of interest include the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, with preserved ships and exhibits on the city’s maritime history. For a scenic experience, visitors can catch a ferry to Alcatraz or take a bay cruise from the wharf.
More Info for Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf History: this Wikipedia Article is the best place to start, because it provides a wide range of information about the origins and history of Fisherman's Wharf.
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Images: this Google Images List link is a large number of images from the Fisherman's Wharf area.
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Google Reviews: this Google Reviews link is a good way to see what everyone else is saying about Fisherman's Wharf.
Restaurants near San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf: this Google Search Results link contains a list of all restaurants near Fisherman's Wharf. Once you are on that page, you could then resort to filter by cuisine, price or rating.
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Parking: this is a Google Map link where to park if you drive to the Wharf area. Pier 39 Parking Garage is closest, but you have to get there early!
Image Credits: All of the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Pier 39 Sea Lions
The Marine Mammal Center's biologists believe that the sea lions have chosen to haul out at Pier 39's K-Dock because there's plenty of food nearby in the bay and ocean, their natural predators (white sharks and orcas) do not typically feed in the bay and there is plenty of space. These marine mammals began populating the docks shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which disrupted local ecosystems.
The California sea lions are among the most vocal of all mammals, and the noise generated by this group is nearly constant and has been described as; barks, growls and grunts.
The floating wooden docks at Pier 39 offer a convenient resting place for sea lions, allowing them to haul out of the water and bask in the sun. The protected environment of the bay, with its calm waters and minimal predators, creates an ideal habitat for sea lions to thrive. There is minimal human interference, as the area is designated for the sea lions, keeping them undisturbed while allowing visitors to watch from a distance.
Pier 39 Sea Lion Webcam: this is a Webcam link that Pier 39 provides for web visitors to view the area around where the sea lions hang out.
San Francisco Restaurants
San Francisco is home to thousands of restaurants, reflecting its diverse culinary culture. Estimates vary, but as of recent counts, there are approximately 4,500 to 5,000 restaurants in the city. This includes everything from fine dining establishments to casual eateries, food trucks, and fast-food chains.
As of June 2024, there are 30 Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco, including: 3 Michelin-starred restaurants, 6 restaurants with 2 stars, and 21 restaurants with 1 star.
Further complicating anyone's "select a restaurant" question is that San Francisco boasts a vibrant, diverse culinary scene that reflects its multicultural heritage and innovative spirit. The city is famous for its farm-to-table movement, with many restaurants emphasizing locally sourced, organic ingredients. In Fisherman’s Wharf, seafood reigns supreme—think fresh Dungeness crab, clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, and oysters on the half shell. Chinatown, one of the largest outside Asia, offers authentic dim sum, Peking duck, and hand-pulled noodles.
Seafood enthusiasts will find a nice range of eateries in the Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39 area, where fresh crab, oysters, and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls are iconic.
The city's neighborhoods each offer their own unique flavors; Chinatown offers authentic Chinese dishes like dim sum and hand-pulled noodles, while the Mission District is famous for its Mexican cuisine, particularly tacos and burritos. Japantown is a haven for sushi and ramen lovers, and North Beach brings traditional Italian fare like pasta and wood-fired pizza.
Yet there will always be people who will Google search for "the best restaurant in San Francisco" even though it should be obvious that there are easily multiple "best restaurants" based upon the food type or ethnicity you are looking for.
How to change a Google Search Results list: We start with a list of all restaurants in San Francisco left sorted in whatever way Google sorted them. So now lets take that list and make it produce results that might be of interest to us. The "rating" filter is driven by the Google Reviews a restaurant has received and it represents a 1 to 5 range.
- Most popular Chinese restaurants in San Francisco: Using the above "All Restaurants" link this search results list was created by selecting "Chinese" from the "Cuisine Filter" and "4.5+" from the rating filter. Google resorts the data based upon those filters, and we get a new list.
- Most popular Indian restaurants in San Francisco: Using the above "All Restaurants" link this search results list was created by selecting "Indian" from the "Cuisine Filter" and "4.5+" from the rating filter. Google resorts the data based upon those filters, and we get a new list.
- Most popular Seafood restaurants in San Francisco: Using the above "All Restaurants" link this search results list was created by selecting "Seafood" from the "Cuisine Filter" and "4.5+" from the rating filter. Google resorts the data based upon those filters, and we get a new list.
You can combine filters to any list you create, for example the "Price" filter allows you to specify a "price range" in the restaurants you have specified.
Speaking about seafood, our top choice for incredible seafood in San Francisco is the Tadich Grill, located in the heart of the Financial District. Known for its historic charm and mouth watering dishes, we believe they serve some of the best cioppino in the city. It’s so good, it made our exclusive list of restaurants worth flying to just for a meal! Check out our full review of Tadich Grill in this next section.
San Francisco Tadich Grill Map
On a business trip in the early 2000s the Tadich Grill was recommended to me by a co-worker who lived in the area. I inherited a love for seafood stews from my mother who’s parents were from Portugal so I slipped away from the rest of the group one evening and walked over by myself for some Cioppino and a glass of wine. I sat at the counter (they have both counter/bar seats and white clothed tables for two or four and even have enclosed booths for a more private experience with friends). It was the best Cioppino I had ever had. When Terry and I planned this trip I wanted to stay in the Financial district so that we could easily walk to the Tadich Grill so that I could share the experience with my husband.
Being the oldest, continuously run restaurant in California that dates back to 1849, the decor is traditional with a long wood bar on the right side and tables and booths areas on the opposite side with wood wainscoting along the walls. The counter/bar is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner as they intend to turn those seats over more quickly. We made reservations and planned for a relaxing leisurely meal so we were seated at a table.
We both chose the Seafood Cioppino and ordered a bottle of chardonnay. The waiter had a dry wit and it was clear that he knew what he was doing. We had the feeling that he’d been working there for years and was showing us how to be customers. It was so apparent that they knew what they were doing that I went back and looked at the website later and saw that the servers average thirty three years in the industry. We’ve experienced issues during the pandemic at different restaurants. The lack of workers has hurt a number of restaurants that we visited and have had less than stellar experiences. I had steamer clams in Maine that were not cooked correctly if you can believe that. In any case, there were no issues with that at the Tadich Grill. The serving staff and kitchen are exceptional with the intent on you having a good time and not being overly formal.
The Seafood Cioppino, which had a tomato base, was full of fresh fish and shellfish and had a deep multi-layered flavor. It was served with plenty of bread that tasted homemade. The portion was perfect for us. We were full with no room for dessert. I was thrilled that the restaurant and food was as good as I had remembered so many years ago. It was the most pleasant dining experience that we had on our two week trip to California.
We have always said that we don’t mind paying money for good food. What we hate is paying good money for lousy or average food. The Cioppino at the Tadich grill falls into the “excellent” food category. I would consider another trip to San Francisco just to visit the Tadich Grill. The Tadich Grill is located at 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132.
We would rate the Tadich Grill Seafood Cioppino as the "best cioppino in San Francisco" without any hesitation. And judging by the Tadich Grill menu, and the expressions on the patrons who were having dinner there that night, we would probably rate the Tadich Grill as "the best seafood in San Francisco" as well.
Just for the record - if you are a member of "Trip Advisor" (and we are) you will find several very nasty reviews of this restaurant. We have read those reviews and we have absolutely no idea what their issue was, or what took place for them - but we would eat at the Tadich Grill again without any question. Those nasty reviews are not in sync with the vast majority of all the other reviews. Let me put it into perspective for you; there are 2,221 Trip Advisor reviews as of 12/4/2024 and 1,332 are five stars, and 573 are four stars. On Google Reviews you will find (as of 12/4/2024) 2,740 reviews and a 4.5 Guest Rating. See what I mean? The vast majority of Tadich Grill diners were very satisfied with their food and the service.
More Info for the Tadich Grill
Even More Tadich Grill Info
Cable Cars Map
The famous Cable Cars are back in service, after having been closed to protect their employees from COVID. We discovered that the Pandemic not only reduced tourism in San Francisco, but it allowed us to actually get a seat on a cable car. In normal times during tourism season, getting a seat can be a very difficult thing due to the crowds who all want to ride the cable car.
The San Francisco cable car system is a historic and iconic mode of transportation, offering both locals and tourists a unique way to experience the city’s famous hills. Established in 1873 by Andrew Hallidie, the cable cars were designed to handle San Francisco’s steep streets, becoming a symbol of the city's ingenuity and resilience.
Unlike traditional electric streetcars, San Francisco's cable cars operate by gripping a continuously moving underground cable. The cable runs through a slot between the rails, and operators, known as gripmen, manually control the car's speed and grip on the cable. This distinctive mechanism allows the cars to traverse San Francisco's famously steep hills.
At its peak, the system had over 20 lines, but today, only three remain in operation: the Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Street lines. Each offers a different experience, with the Powell-Hyde line providing some of the most scenic views, including Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Bay.
The cars are an integral part of San Francisco's heritage and were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Despite modern transportation alternatives, the cable cars remain a beloved attraction, allowing passengers to step back in time while enjoying the city's breathtaking vistas. Visitors can ride the cars through famous neighborhoods such as Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Russian Hill.
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Click this video poster image to watch a great video of our Cable Car ride. We had been in the Grace Cathedral area exploring, so we caught a Powell/Hyde cable car back to Market Street (downtown), got off and back on and rode it to Fisherman's Wharf. Fun way to see a lot of the city!
More Info for The San Francisco Cable Cars
San Francisco Cable Cars Tickets: Can be obtained at the MUNI Website, where you will be able to find ticket prices and other information. Our cost was $8.00 for a one way cable car ride.
San Francisco Cable Cars Schedule: Schedules be obtained/viewed at the San Francisco MTA Website, where you will be able to find route schedules and other information.
San Francisco Cable Cars History: An excellent historical article can be obtained/viewed at the San Francisco MTA Website.
San Francisco Cable Cars Museum: The Cable Car Museum offers insight into the history and mechanics of the system, providing a deeper appreciation for this enduring symbol of San Francisco. Whether commuting or sightseeing, riding a cable car is an essential and memorable San Francisco experience.
San Francisco Cable Cars Wikipedia Article:
San Francisco Cable Cars Google Images Set:
San Francisco Cable Cars Google Reviews:
Image Credits: All of the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Ghirardelli Square Map
The cable car ride dropped us off at the Powell-Hyde turn around area, and we decided to explore Fisherman's Wharf all the way up to the Fort Mason & Municipal Pier area to see if we could get some good images of the Golden Gate Bridge. Because the fog was not completely gone, we decided that we were not going to get good pictures of the bridge (from that direction) and that we would stop at the Fort Baker area on the north side of the bridge the next morning - and try for good pics there.
Ghirardelli square is only a short walk from Fisherman's Wharf. Originally a chocolate factory that moved to the current Ghirardelli Square in 1893 the square was the first successful reuse project and converted to a shopping center and restaurant center in the early 1960s after the chocolate factory was purchased by Golden Grain Macaroni Company and moved off-site. Buy yourself some chocolate here for the rest of your trip or grab some lunch and enjoy the views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you do have a car there is a parking garage for convenience.
We had not originally intended to stop at Ghirardelli Square, but the walk out onto the Municipal Pier had left us thirsty and ready for a break. Our thought was to get an iced coffee and relax for a while.
More Info for Ghirardelli Square
More Info for Fort Mason
Alcatraz Island 3D Map
Alcatraz is just over a mile from the shore of San Francisco. The island was originally built for a lighthouse with a military fortification and federal prison. Some of the most famous inmates were Al Capone (AKA Scarface), George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert Stroud (AKA the birdman of Alcatraz). There have been many movies made about Alcatraz: including the Escape from Alcatraz, Birdman of Alcatraz and the Rock to name a few. Alcatraz and the idea of escaping it is part of pop culture in America and the tour of the island and prison is worth the visit. There is an excellent audio tour that makes you feel like you are there with the prisoners. You can tour by day or by night, but you must have advance reservations. Click here to book ahead.
Alcatraz has had many "lives" since it was first discovered and named by Spanish Explorers in 1775; A "private island" in a Mexican land grant, during the civil war it was an Army Fort, in 1867 it became a Military Prison, in 1933 it became a Federal Prison reserved for dangerous prisoners and was closed in 1963. It was occupied by Native American Activists in 1964 and again in 1969. The 1969 occupation was over two years in length and some damage took place during that time. In 1976 it became a National Historic Landmark and it is now one of San Francisco's major tourist destinations.
More Info for Alcatraz Island
San Francisco Alcatraz History: the Wikipedia Article, is the best place to start because the article covers everything from the Spanish time frame, through the Fort Alcatraz time frame, through to modern day Alcatraz.
San Francisco Alcatraz Google Images: the Google Images set contains a number of excellent Alcatraz images.
San Francisco Alcatraz Tours: the Tours Website has information about tour schedules, prices, day or night tours, etc. This is where you need to go if you want to see Alcatraz, date/time advance reservations are in effect, so you will need to know when you want to visit.
San Francisco Alcatraz Google Reviews: the Google Reviews will allow you to see what many others have said about Alcatraz Island, as well as some useful tips.
Image Credits: All of the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Ferry Building 3D Map
An old friend of ours now lives in San Francisco, and we made arrangements to meet her at the Ferry Building where we planned to enjoy some wine while munching a few charcuteries. The area around the Ferry Building provided some really nice views of the Bay and Treasure Island, as well as the Oakland Bay Bridge.
Some of the wine shops inside the Ferry Building (called "The Marketplace") were closed due to COVID, so we moved to a sidewalk wine shop that allowed customers as long as they wore masks. As you can see in these images, inside the Marketplace were a number of neat little shops - everything from wine, bread, chocolate shops, a Farmer's Market, donuts, exotic mushrooms & fungi and a range of eateries.
The Ferry Building Marketplace has over 50 shops, restaurants, and food purveyors. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a registered landmark of San Francisco. The building has several open-air cafés and restaurants, and the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
More Info for the San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry Building Wikipedia Article: this Wikipedia Article is a good place to start, because it will provide you with a lot of information about the history, renovations, architecture and the Ferry Service.
Ferry Building Google Images: this is a link to the Google Images set for the San Francisco Ferry Building and area.
Ferry Building Marketplace Yelp Page: this is a link to the Ferry Building Yelp page.
Ferry Building Marketplace Google Reviews: this is a link to the Ferry Building Google Reviews page. It will provide you with information as to what others are saying.
Ferry Building Marketplace Shops & Restaurants List: this is a link to the a Google List of shops located in the San Francisco Ferry Building.
Ferry Building Marketplace Website: this is a link to the Ferry Building Website which will provide you with all current information pertaining to shops, events, etc at the San Francisco Ferry Building.
Ferry Building Parking: this is a link to a Google Map which displays parking lots located near the Ferry Building.
Image Credits: All of the above images are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Useful Links
- Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
- Google search results list for "Restaurants in San Francisco"
- Google search results list for "Accommodations in San Francisco"
- San Francisco History on the "Britannica" Website
- Things to do and see in San Francisco on "The Crazy Tourist" site
- Amazon Search Results list for "books about San Francisco"
- Youtube Search Results list for "San Francisco"
- San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise from "Get Your Guide"
- Things to do in San Francisco on the "Visit California" site
- 28 Things not to miss in San Francisco on the "San Francisco Travel" site
- Visit our Youtube Channel
- Our Image Gallery for San Francisco
- Wikipedia Article for San Francisco
- Google Image Gallery for San Francisco
- Google Reviews for San Francisco
Trip Itinerary & Overview Map
Click above Image to view larger Google MapAs you can see in this static map, we had a number of destinations (as well as a number of side trips) that would require a considerable amount of driving. Each of the itinerary stops is linked to our content (or page) to allow you to view our content.
Locations / Start & End points are both San Francisco International Airport
- San Francisco Hilton Financial District.
- Bonita Point Lighthouse and Fort Baker area.
- Sausalito, CA.
- Santa Rosa, CA in the heart of the Sonoma County Wine District.
- Salida, CA - overnight rest stop along the way to Yosemite.
- Yosemite National Park, CA where we stayed at the Rush Creek Lodge.
- Frontieres Underground Garden Fresno, CA - this was an entertainment side stop, as we had read about this place and also wanted to get lunch.
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Morro Bay, CA.
- Monterey Bay, CA to explore the Monterey Bay and Carmel by the Sea areas.
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Note: All images on this page are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC unless otherwise noted.
Note: If you are interested, click here to view our European Travel Tips & Warnings. Or to take a look at our methods for planning, click here to view our Trip Planning Page..
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