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San Francisco
California
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Why visit San Francisco
If there's a technology still unimagined, a poem left unspoken or a green scheme untested, chances are it's about to happen here. Goodbye, inhibitions; hello, San Francisco.
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Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.
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Road Trippin' USA: San Francisco, National Parks & Las Vegas
11 days / 10 nights
highlights
- 1 Riding a historic cable car to see the seals of San Francisco's Fisherman’s Wharf
- 2 Whitewater rafting along the thrilling South Fork American River
- 3 Hiking past Liberty Cap and Half Dome on a guided tour of Yosemite's highlights
from $5,780
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The USA10 days / 9 nights
From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days
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The USA10 days / 9 nights
Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden
See Trip DetailsFROM $3,795
per person
The USA
10 days / 9 nights
From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days
FROM $4,940
per person
The USA
10 days / 9 nights
Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden
FROM $3,795
per person
Top places to visit in San Francisco
Discover the best attractions in San Francisco from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.
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Attraction in San FranciscoGolden Gate Park -
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Attraction in The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the PiersExploratorium -
Attraction in The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero HillBalmy Alley -
Attraction in The Haight & Hayes ValleyHaight Street -
Attraction in North Beach & ChinatownChinatown Alleyways -
Attraction in San FranciscoGrace Cathedral -
Attraction in North Beach & ChinatownCity Lights Books
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Travel Guides
San Francisco travel tips from Lonely Planet experts
Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.
Best Things to Do
From frolicking sea lions to fabulous museums to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, these are our picks for the top experiences in San Francisco.
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Best Time to Visit
San Francisco is full of idyosyncratic quirks and vibrant culture, with a robust festival lineup, some fog and excellent food. Plan with the help of this guide.
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Things to Know
San Francisco has incredible views, delicious food and diverse neighborhoods. Make the most of your visit with these top tips from a local.
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Transportation
With notoriously bad traffic, near-impossible parking and streets as steep as ski jumps, ditch the car in San Francisco. Here's how to get around instead.
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Best Neighborhoods
These are some of the best hidden gems in San Francisco, from secret parks to scenic swings.
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Day Trips
Taking a day trip from San Francisco opens up a world of classic California experiences. Here are the best places to go.
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Traveling with Kids
San Francisco is an exciting place for families, who will undoubtedly enjoy the city's many green spaces, vibrant culture and good weather.
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San Francisco and beyond
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destinationThe Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill -
destinationThe Haight & Hayes Valley -
destinationThe Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers -
destinationNorth Beach & Chinatown
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