Top Recommendations For Your Visit

The image depicts a Chinatown gate with green tiled roof and dragon sculptures, situated at the entrance of a street lined with shops and tall buildings. Pedestrians are walking on the sidewalk, and a blue sky is visible overhead.

  • This gate was completed in 1970 as a gift from Taiwan to San Francisco. Before this, Chinatown didn’t have a formal entrance. The community wanted a landmark that would both honor Chinese heritage and invite visitors into the neighborhood. Over time, it became one of the most photographed locations in Chinatown.

The entrance of a building with traditional Chinese architectural elements, featuring red pillars and a green multi-tiered roof. The sign reads 'EastWest Bank' in gold letters on a red background.

  • The Chinese telephone exchange in SF Chinatown was created in the late 1800s to help Chinese residents communicate when they were excluded from mainstream phone services. The Chinese community created its own solution. This building became home to a special telephone exchange where operators only spoke Cantonese and Mandarin. Callers would simply ask for a person by name, a business by description, or even a family nickname.

A street scene with a historic trolley car traveling on red tram tracks through a city. Pedestrians are walking along the sidewalks, and decorative street lamps line the street. There are flags, including the American and Peruvian flags, hanging from buildings. Vehicles are parked along the sides, and a traffic light is green. The street has buildings with storefronts and trees, suggesting a lively urban area.

  • Riding a San Francisco cable car is a quintessential city experience. These historic vehicles have been climbing the steep hills since 1873 before cars, buses, and traffic lights. These wooden cars were already rattling up and down these very streets, powered not by engines, but by an underground cable that never stops moving beneath the road. This has become a national landmark.

The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with the city of San Francisco in the background, water below, and a cloudy sky.

  • An icon recognized around the world, the Golden Gate Bridge stretches 1.7 miles across the San Francisco Bay. Whether you walk across it, drive over it, or admire it from Battery Spencer, the bridge is absolutely breathtaking, especially when the famous fog rolls in and wraps around its towers.

People crossing a street at a crosswalk in an urban area with residential buildings and greenery in the background on a sunny day.

  • It is known as the "crookedest street in the world," Lombard Street's eight hairpin turns are lined with lush gardens and bright hydrangeas. In the early 1900s, this block of Lombard was so steep that cars couldn’t safely drive down it. In 1922, a local property owner named Carl Henry proposed a creative solution: instead of going straight down, the street would zigzag back and forth with tight switchbacks to reduce the grade.

A busy city scene at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, featuring a large nautical-themed clock with a crab illustration, people walking, sitting, and shopping, palm trees, street signs, and a bright blue sky.

  • It is known as the "crookedest street in the world," Lombard Street's eight hairpin turns are lined with lush gardens and bright hydrangeas. In the early 1900s, this block of Lombard was so steep that cars couldn’t safely drive down it. In 1922, a local property owner named Carl Henry proposed a creative solution: instead of going straight down, the street would zigzag back and forth with tight switchbacks to reduce the grade.

A historic temple with an ornate facade and a dome, surrounded by trees, situated by a body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

  • This wasn’t built as a palace. It wasn’t built as a museum. And it definitely wasn’t meant to last. Originally built for the 1915 Panama‑Pacific Exposition, this stunning Greco‑Roman rotunda sits beside a tranquil reflecting lagoon. It's one of San Francisco's most photographed spots and a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city.

A traditional Japanese temple or shrine elevated on stone steps, with a small bridge in the foreground and autumn-colored trees surrounding it.

  • The garden in Golden Gate Park is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, originally created for the 1894 Midwinter International Exposition. It features peaceful paths, koi ponds, a pagoda, and a traditional tea house that reflect classic Japanese garden design. The space offers a quiet escape from the city and a chance to experience Japanese culture and history in the heart of San Francisco.

Street view with cars parked along the curb, a row of Victorian style houses with elaborate woodwork, trees lining the sidewalk, and a dog on the grassy area in the foreground.

  • They are a famous row of colorful Victorian houses located along Alamo Square Park in San Francisco. Built between 1892 and 1896, these homes showcase classic Queen Anne architectural style with ornate details and bright pastel colors. They became widely recognized after appearing in the opening credits of the TV show Full House. Today, the Painted Ladies are one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.

Street scene with storefronts, parked cars, a tree, and building fire escapes. Visible signs for a Vietnamese restaurant and produce store.

  • It is a long-standing eatery in San Francisco’s Chinatown known for serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant is especially popular for its flavorful pho, fresh spring rolls, and hearty rice plates. Golden Star’s location near the heart of Chinatown makes it a convenient stop during a walking tour of the neighborhood.

The image shows a busy street scene in front of a restaurant called 'House of Dim Sum' with a green sign and logo. Several people are visible, some waiting outside, and a white truck is parked in front of the restaurant. There are other signs in Chinese and English, including a red sign for 'New Went Worth' at 737 Jackson St.

  • The restaurant is a small, popular takeout spot in San Francisco’s Chinatown known for its affordable and freshly made dim sum. Customers line up for favorites like shrimp dumplings, pork buns, and sesame balls prepared throughout the day. Its reputation for quality and value has made it a go-to stop for both locals and visitors.

Street view with a green building housing Tony's Pizza Napolitana, outdoor seating, bicycles, and a small market stand with tools, and scooters parked outside.

  • It is founded by world pizza champion Tony Gemignani and is an award-winning pizzeria located in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. The menu features high-quality ingredients, house-made doughs, and multiple specialty ovens tailored to each style of pizza. Tony’s often has a line out the door, reflecting its reputation as one of the best pizza spots in the city.

People standing in line outside Taqueria El Farolito restaurant with a yellow signboard displaying menu items like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and Swiss.

  • This is a beloved late-night Mexican spot famous for its hearty Mission-style burritos and quick, no-frills service. Located in the heart of the Mission District, it draws long lines from locals and visitors craving authentic, affordable food. Their carne asada super burrito and loaded quesadillas are especially popular for their generous portions.

Front view of a commercial building with large glass windows, red awnings labeled 'Sweet Maple', and a sidewalk with a parking lane.

  • The brunch spot located in San Francisco’s Lower Pacific Heights is a bustling breakfast and brunch spot beloved for its classic American morning fare with creative twists. The restaurant is especially famous for its signature “Millionaire’s Bacon,” an extra-thick sweet and spicy glazed bacon that many diners seek out. It always has a line outside.

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