My San Francisco game plan for first-timers and repeat visitors — Golden Gate views, cable cars, and the waterfront, then North Beach pizza, Chinatown alleys, and Mission burritos. These are the spots I actually send friends to when they visit the ci...
Map
I walk the bayfront path along Crissy Field with the Golden Gate Bridge ahead of me the whole way.
Crissy Field
I start at the Welcome Center and walk out onto the bridge for the classic view back at the city skyline.
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
I loop around the lagoon at the Palace of Fine Arts — the rotunda is gorgeous in the late afternoon light.
Palace of Fine Arts
I hike the Lands End Trail from the lookout for cliffside views of the Golden Gate and the Sutro Baths ruins.
Lands End Lookout
I go for the four-story rainforest dome, the aquarium, and the living roof all under one roof in Golden Gate Park.
California Academy of Sciences
I wander the pagoda, koi ponds, and drum bridge, then sit down for tea and cookies at the teahouse.
Japanese Tea Garden
I drive up to Twin Peaks on a clear evening for the best panoramic view of the whole city and the Bay.
Twin Peaks
I bring a coffee to the hill in Alamo Square and look at the Painted Ladies with downtown behind them.
Alamo Square
I ride up to the free observation tower at the de Young for a 360-degree view over Golden Gate Park.
de Young Museum
I graze my way through the Ferry Building, especially on Saturday mornings when the farmers market is in full swing.
1 Ferry Building Marketplace
I grab a seat at the bar for a dozen oysters and a clam chowder with a view of the Bay Bridge.
Hog Island Oyster Co.
I book the Alcatraz ferry weeks ahead and do the cellhouse audio tour — it's the best tour in the city.
Alcatraz City Cruises
I head to the end of Pier 39 to watch the sea lions barking and flopping around on the docks.
PIER 39
I get clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and watch the bakers through the window at the Wharf flagship.
Boudin Bakery
I treat myself to a hot fudge sundae at the original Ghirardelli chocolate shop after walking the waterfront.
Ghirardelli Square
I pop into the free Cable Car Museum to see the giant wheels that actually pull the cables under the streets.
Cable Car Museum
I climb Telegraph Hill to see the 1930s murals inside Coit Tower and ride up to the top for the view.
Coit Tower
I browse the poetry room upstairs at the legendary Beat Generation bookstore every time I'm in North Beach.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
I grab a drink across Jack Kerouac Alley at the bohemian bar where the Beat writers used to hang out.
Vesuvio Cafe
I grab a square of clam and garlic focaccia pizza at the counter — a North Beach classic since 1978.
Golden Boy Pizza
I come hungry for the cioppino at this lively seafood spot in North Beach.
Sotto Mare
I walk in through the Dragon Gate and wander up Grant Avenue through the oldest Chinatown in North America.
Dragon Gate San Francisco
I duck into Ross Alley to watch fortune cookies being folded by hand and buy a bag still warm.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
I line up early for a stool at the marble counter and order the crab back and a plate of oysters.
Swan Oyster Depot
I book ahead for the prime rib carved tableside with the spinning salad bowl — an old-school SF treat.
House of Prime Rib
I order the famous roast chicken for two with bread salad and wait the full hour for it, happily.
Zuni Café
I get there early for the morning bun and a slice of the country loaf at this Mission bakery.
Tartine Bakery
I get a cone of salted caramel and walk it across the street to Dolores Park.
Bi-Rite Creamery
I spend sunny afternoons on the hill in Dolores Park with the downtown skyline in front of me.
Mission Dolores Park
I visit the oldest building in San Francisco and its little garden cemetery from the 1700s.
Mission of San Francisco de Asis
I order the carnitas burrito dorado style, crisped on the grill, at this Mission burrito legend.
La Taqueria
I walk the whole block of Balmy Alley to see the colorful murals that started the Mission's mural scene.
Balmy Alley
I walk down the crooked block of Lombard Street past the flowers and houses instead of waiting in the car line.
Lombard St
I order the Margherita from the world pizza champion's oven, and it's worth the wait for a table.
