Top 8 best places to visit in San Francisco

I collected postcards of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, as a little girl. And even till a few years back, one of my canvas paintings was also inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge.

So, yes, there was (or rather is) a lot of hype about Golden Gate and San Francisco and California but BOY Oh BOY! it is WORTH IT!!

My husband and I planned a trip to San Francisco for my birthday in Feb 2024 and that’s when, can I say, “my dream came true”. We most definitely saw some of the insanely beautiful landscapes along the Pacific Coast, walked into the humongous trunks of redwood trees that are over 1000 years old, and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the scenic vineyards, all while enjoying the legendary world-class wine.

Our trip was planned for a week, since we were also working for few days in the middle of the week. But this trip can be completed within 4-5 days at the most and can be also modified to suit the needs, as per your travel plan.

So, next time you are in San Francisco or around, don’t miss out on these places:

Muir Woods National Monument

This National Monument, approximately 12 miles north of San Francisco is home to some of the oldest coastal redwood forests. Prior reservations are required and there is a park entrance fee of $15 per adult. You can visit the park any time on the day of your reservation, regardless of the scheduled arrival time. There are also shuttle tours available but we decided to hike through the park ourselves. There are multiple options for hikes that you can get details on, on their official website. The visitor center also offers amazing souvenir options, maps, and guides to help along the tour.

Napa Valley

If you are looking for a day away from the jostle of hikes and treks and want to do something fancy, then you should have a day set aside for Napa Valley. Napa Valley offers the classic French-style vacation vibes with beautiful country scenery and delicious wine offerings. Needless to say, there are numerous wineries to choose from, that offer both wine tasting and vineyard tours. Since we visited during the off-season, we were content with wine tasting at two separate locations (our favorite was Domaine Carneros).

Lake Tahoe – Nevada State Park

If you love the sun (and who doesn’t) then do not miss out on the splendor of this lake. Lake Tahoe, shared by both Nevada and California, is just 3.5 hours away from San Francisco.

I was amazed by the different lakeside views each state has to offer. We drove along the south side of the lake. Nevada side offers relaxing sandy beaches along Nevada beach, where you can soak in the sun, and cliff-top views along Zephyr Cove and Cave Rock, where you can get beautiful panoramic views of the lake. Whereas, the California side offers numerous options to trek through the highest peaks along the Emerald Bay State Park and the view to the only island in the lake, Fannette Island. You can also ski during the winter months.

Golden Gate Bridge

The much awaited, Golden Gate Bridge, which upon its completion in 1937, was the tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world. There are numerous vista points on both north and south side of the gates, which have ample parking options. We went to the Golden Gate View Point, which offers amazing views of the bridge, during sunset hours.

Pier 39

One of the main central attractions of San Francisco is Pier 39 of the Fisherman’s Wharf. The place offers spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the famous California sea lions hauled on the docks. The Pier is full of great sea-food restaurants, shops and fun attractions like the Skystar Ferris Wheel.

Chinatown

One of the oldest Chinatowns of the US, this place is a bustling maze of dim sum joints and other traditional eateries.

Twin Peaks

The Twin peaks located almost in the center of San Francisco offers 360 views of the city. You can view as far as the bay and magnanimous city hall, on clear nights .

Pacific Coast Highway Drive

Devil’s Slide

One of the most dramatic and scenic stretches of the PCH, full of winding curves on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the shore lines, that was once known for landslides.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

One of the west coast’s tallest, and most photographed, lighthouses. This is one of the quieter scenic spots we stopped at, on Pacific Coast Highway

17 Mile Loop Drive

This drive along the Pacific Coast Highway is absolutely stunning and should definitely feature in your itinerary for California. We entered at Carmel by the Sea and finished at Pacific Grove at Monterey. There is an entry fee of $11.25 per car. You also get a route map for free. The route otherwise, is also quite easy to follow with the red markings on the road. We did not stop at all the spots, but here are our top picks – Ghost Trees, Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, Seal Rock, Restless Sea

Half Moon Bay

Easily one of the coolest hidden gems in the USA. Half Moon Bay is a small town located on the PCH. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, quaint downtown area, and world-renowned surfing competitions.

Bixby Creek Bridge

This iconic bridge spans more than 700 feet and is one of the most photographed spots on the PCH. You can pull off right before crossing the bridge to take your own photos of the bridge.

Ano Nuevo State Park

This state park is famous for it’s 3-4mile walk to see elephant seals. During the December to March breeding season, visitors can go on a guided walk bookable onsite.

Shark Fin Cove

A unique rock formation resembling a shark fin sticking out of the ocean, gives this view point its name.

Well, that was a round-down of my amazing trip to the west coast. How many of these do you plan to cover in your San Francisco itinerary?