You may think you know San Francisco from social media, but for the real thing – the mouth-watering cuisine, ear-tingling performances and joyous celebrations of individuality – you have to be here.
But where do you start your urban exploration? From world-class museums to the best LGBTQ+ culture and incredible city viewpoints, here are the highlights of any visit to San Francisco.
Golden Gate Park
From bonsai and buffalo to redwoods and protests, and from flowers, Frisbees and free music to free spirits, Golden Gate Park contains just about everything San Franciscans love about their city.
Golden Gate Park
You could wander the park for a week and still not see it all. The park is home to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, Japanese Tea Garden, Conservatory of Flowers and Stow Lake.
Golden Gate Park
Today, everything SF needs is here: inspiration, nature and murals with microbrewed beer at the Beach Chalet.
Golden Gate Park
Ride a cable car
Carnival rides can't compare to the time-traveling thrills of cable cars, San Francisco's steampunk public transit.
Ride a cable car
Novices slide into strangers' laps – cable cars were invented in 1873, long before seat belts – but regulars just grip the hand straps, lean back and ride the downhill plunges like pro surfers.
Ride a cable car
Follow their lead, and you'll soon master the San Francisco stance and find yourself conquering the city's hills without even breaking a sweat.
Ride a cable car
Mission murals
Love changed the course of art history in the 1930s, when modern-art power couple Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo honeymooned in San Francisco.
Mission murals
Kahlo completed her first portrait commissions here, and Rivera created mural masterpieces. Today San Francisco's Mission district is an urban-art showstopper, featuring more than 400 murals.
Mission murals
Balmy Alley has some of the oldest, while 24th St and the landmark San Francisco Women’s Building are covered with glorious portrayals of community pride and political dissent.