Hate to be corny, but … Oh my gourd – it’s the first day of fall! Fall breeze and autumn leaves. Stressed, blessed, pumpkin obsessed. Sweater weather is better together. I like you a latte and I’d love to see you s’more. If you don’t like fall, you can leaf me alone. No one said I was actually funny… 

After living in California for almost a decade (WHOA…), I’m finally starting to miss the seasons. Especially fall – I never realized how much the leaves changing, that cool, crisp air, and hot apple cider donuts mean to me! Fine, I won’t say no to a PSL either, but let’s not go overboard, now shall we?

This year, we’ve been feasting on maple streusel bread with pumpkin butter, getting crazy messy carving pumpkins, roasting those delicious pumpkin seeds, watching all our favorite Halloween movies, making semi-homemade apple pie — the works! 

With that being said, I’ve been on a mission to do everything and anything possible to celebrate fall in San Francisco. It’s no New England fall, but with a little digging, I was able to find a whole bunch of fun fall activities in the Bay Area!

I’ve put together the ultimate list of things to do in fall in San Francisco and beyond. Many are favorites from all my years living in the Bay, and others I found while scouring the internet. 

For, ya know, more fall activities to add to my personal San Francisco fall bucket list! Let’s get to it – all the impossible corn mazes, sticky candy apples, and haunted hayrides await!

Where to Find Fall in San Francisco

Haha, or shall I say, the greater Bay Area? Because, let’s face it – there’s not really tons and tons of fall activities in San Francisco itself. 

Many of the activities on this list of things to do in fall in San Francisco are actually surrounding the city, not in SF itself. Think the East Bay, Peninsula/San Jose, and North Bay. The greater Bay Area is full of farmlands and tons of open spaces, perfect for apple picking, pumpkin farms, (some) fall foliage, and autumn wine tasting!

Weather During Fall in San Francisco

• In September, it’s still summer in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Meaning it’ll be hot, especially inland (where you’ll find most of these fall in San Francisco Bay Area activities). Don’t be grabbing your flannels just yet! I typically wear fall dresses through September and into mid-October.
• By mid-October, it finally (kinda) starts cooling off (a bit…). 
• And FINALLY, by November, we’ve got your typical fall weather! Time to bust out the beanies and cute boots!

Most people don’t realize this, but we’ve got Indian summers over here. Meaning our actual summer doesn’t start until the month of September. San Francisco is pretty chilly in the “summer” months of June through August, but come September, the jackets come off and the sandals come on out. We do get a nice breeze being on the coast.

Regardless of the month, just remember, the city’s got microclimates, so it may be hot and sunny in one area, and chilly and gray in another. Always wear layers; you never know when you’ll need to strip one off or add another!

The Best San Francisco Fall Activities (and Beyond)

Fall Foliage in San Francisco/Greater Bay Area 

While San Francisco and the Bay Area in general are definitely not known for fall foliage, there’s a few spots to check out for leaf peeping! Fall colors are pretty unusual for San Francisco’s climate, so you really gotta know where to look. It’s definitely not Vermont or New Hampshire over here, but we take what we can get!

The leaves turn later than usual here, so don’t expect much color until the earliest mid-October.

Fall Foliage at Japanese Tea Garden (San Francisco)

Fall is by far my favorite time to visit the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. You’ll still find lots of evergreens, but those maple leaves really are something once they turn colors.

A stunning red pagoda framed by gorgeous yellow ginkgo trees. A waterfall peeking through the bright red maple leaves. The koi ponds and all the traditional architecture. And like all the other times of year, don’t miss the bronze Buddha statue, stone lanterns, pruned evergreen trees, reflective pond, and of course a walk over the drum bridge (it’s harder than it looks).

Your best bet is to come mid-October to early November, because if you come any later, there might not be many colors left!

SF Botanical Garden (San Francisco)

The SF Botanical Garden is 55-acres – of course there’s gonna be at least a little fall foliage here! The fall foliage peak is pretty short, only lasting about 2 weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out on the garden’s instagram page (usually peaking in November).

Two specific spots in the garden to check out for fall foliage in San Francisco: the Temperate Asia Garden and the Moon Viewing Garden! Expect striking Japanese maple trees, bright golden-fanned ginkgos, Persian ironwood trees, and deep purplish-red Dogwoods.

Hakone Estate and Gardens (Saratoga)

Japanese gardens are carefully designed to showcase all different seasons depending on the time of year. And Hakone Gardens in Saratoga is no different! We love visiting whenever we’re aching for a trip back to Japan (easily one of our favorite countries in the world).

There’s splashes of fall color all around the garden, and the maple leaves turn a bright shade of orangey red. Visit in late October/early November for the best chance of spotting them! 

I took my parents here on their last visit to the Bay Area, and we loved touring the grounds – tons of koi fish in the pond, giant bamboo stalks, and traditional Japanese architecture. Plus multi-tiered waterfalls, strolling gardens, unique lanterns, and even unique Japanese stonework. And a tea house! Don’t miss the bamboo garden – it totally feels like you’re in Kyoto, Japan!

While you’re probably here for the fall foliage (this is a post on my favorite fall activities in San Francisco and beyond), don’t miss the Upper House and Lower House – we loved them! And get this, the The Cultural Exchange Center (another building in Hakone Estate), was actually constructed in Japan, disassembled, shipped to Saratoga (California), and then reassembled right on site. Can’t get more authentic than that!

A few other spots for fall foliage in San Francisco and nearby:

• Filoli Gardens (Peninsula: Woodside)
• Henry W. Coe State Park (South Bay: East of Morgan Hill) 
• Tilden Regional Park (Berkeley)
• Sawyer Camp Trail (Peninsula)
• Sonoma County

Fun Fall Events and Activities 

Nightfall at Filoli (Woodside)

Looking for a spooky, festive night out? You’ve gotta add NightFall at Filoli to your list of magical fall experiences in the Bay Area — I haven’t been to anything like it! The historic estate gets totally transformed into this slightly spooky, super Instagrammable wonderland with glowing pumpkins, neon mushrooms, and massive art installations.

The “Trolls: Save the Humans” exhibit by Thomas Dambo? Already epic in the daytime, but at night it’s next-level — those giant wooden trolls lit up in the trees feel like you just stepped into a fairytale forest (and spoiler alert — you kinda did!).

My friends and I had SO MUCH FUN wandering the redwood paths, admiring all the flickering jack-o’-lanterns, and eventually coming across all the quirky, spooky scarecrows (what a surprise!). There’s even a tiny maze (which we definitely overestimated our sense of direction for) and a whole cluster of banana slugs that had us cracking up. The pumpkin arch was perfect for group pics, and we loved chilling by the fire pits with hot apple ciders and boozy hot chocolates.

There’s a little tarot reading setup right by the fire pits, which was such a fun (included!) surprise and added a little extra magic to the night. Jack’s Bar has snacks and drinks too, plus live music — a super cute spot to pause and soak it all in.

Inside, the historic house is decked out with full-on autumn and Halloween vibes — think flickering candles, pumpkins, and subtle spooky touches that make every room feel cozy yet festive. Like a giant ouija board and the dreamy autumn tablescape (oh what it would’ve been like to host a dinner there back in the day!).

Note that most of the gardens are blocked off for the event, but honestly, there’s so much to see that you’ll want to check the map and plan your route so you don’t miss anything. I don’t wanna spoil all the fun though… you’re just gonna have to go see it for yourself (buy tickets here… and yes, they do sell out, so plan ahead!)!

Psst — plan to spend the entire night here. We met up at 6 and didn’t end up leaving until 9:30pm! Such a fun night out!

Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival (Half Moon Bay)

Every year, Half Moon Bay is transformed into the Pumpkin Capital of the World. And I mean completely transformed. If you haven’t been to the HMB Art and Pumpkin Festival, you haven’t done fall in San Francisco.

Expect to find enormous heavyweight champion pumpkins (last year’s winner was a whopping 2,000 pounds!), tons of entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, home-style foods, expert pumpkin carvers, pie-eating and costume contests, and lots more. 

It’s kinda like fall threw up all over Half Moon Bay — and I’m here for it! There’s also pumpkin beer and pumpkin mac n’ cheese… so yeah, plan to go on an empty stomach (and wear your stretchy pants!).

The Annual Pumpkin Festival takes place in downtown HMB on Historic Main Street, not far from the Half Moon Bay pumpkin farms and stands. It’s crazy popular (and actually one of America’s most iconic festivals), so know there’ll be crowds. Admission is free! Get more info here!

World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off (Half Moon Bay)

Thought you’ve seen a huge pumpkin? Well, my friends, think again… 

Every year, farmers compete for big prize money for having the heaviest giant pumpkin – this year a whopping $30k! These pumpkins have been brewing since spring (April for most growers), so you bet they’re got time to grow. 

I mean, the giant pumpkins need to be transported by forklift to the official scale for weighing! How wild is that?! Makes sense considering some of them get to be over a thousand pounds! Half Moon Bay isn’t known as the World Pumpkin Capital for no reason!  

And just for the record, the current world pumpkin is a whopping 2,703 pounds – held by Stefano Cutrupi of Italy. Try and beat that, gourd growers! Find more info here.

If you aren’t growing your own bodacious behemoths, don’tchu worry – you can still be a spectator at the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay. 

Pumpkin Picking and Pumpkin Farms (Half Moon Bay)

Another great fall activity near San Francisco is pumpkin picking in Half Moon Bay! Sure, you’ll find some small patches here and there in the city and on the peninsula itself, but no one does pumpkin picking better than Half Moon Bay. Come late September, the coast is filled with thousands and thousands of pumpkins of all different colors, shapes, and sizes. 

So put on your fun fall outfit (flannels are perfect) and grab a wheelbarrow — time to go pumpkin picking in Half Moon Bay!

There’s plenty of pumpkin patches in Half Moon Bay to visit, and don’t feel like you need to visit each and every one. You can also go a bit further south to Pescadero where you’ll find even more pumpkin patches and farms (and that drool worthy artichoke bread)! Here’s the most popular patches:

• Farmer John’s:  The amount of pumpkins at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm is crazy — there’s tons and tons of different varieties! There’s those famous Atlantic Giants (sometimes weighing in at 250 pounds to a whopping 1500 lbs!), Cinderella and fairy tale, Jack be little, Lumina (white pumpkins!), speckled gourds, and a ton of others. We found Farmer John’s to have some of the cheapest pumpkin prices in Half Moon Bay, so plan to stock up here.

• Arata’s Pumpkin Farm: This is your one-stop-shop for allll the fall activities – think the famous Minotaur’s Labyrinth Hay Maze (a delightfully complex, 2-acre hay maze), a petting zoo, pony rides, a fun hayride through the corn stalks, as well as a spine-tingling Haunted Barn and the Pumpkin River in the corn field. See, oh so much! Plus a huge variety of pumpkins of course! You could easily spend half a day here, especially if you’ve got little ones with ya!

• Bob’s Vegetable Stand & Pumpkin Farm: So, you come to Bob’s for one thing and one thing only — to go pumpkin picking in Half Moon Bay! Unlike the other farms, it’s pretty basic and this typically translates to less crowds and better pricing!  There was hardly anyone there when we visited in mid-September! 

→ Find all my favorite pumpkin patches and farms here (with of course tons of photos, tips, and other less popular patches/farms in the area!).

U-Pick Sunflower Fields (Half Moon Bay)

Always wanted to run throughout a bright yellow sunflower field? Now’s your chance — at Andreotti Family Farms! This is one of my favorite fall activities in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I can guarantee you’ll have oh so much fun. You can even pick your own sunflowers to take home with you.

All my sunflower field tips here!

Plan to come in September or October before all the sunflowers have been picked through. However, the exact date varies every year depending on the season and the growth of the sunflowers. You’ll wanna follow Andreotti Family Farms on IG to check for sunflower opening updates. Not following them? Go do this, NOW.

A few things to know:

• There will be bees in the field (although they didn’t bother us one bit)
• Cutting down the sunflowers was actually way more labor intensive than I realized – the stalks are way thicker than you think!
• Wear sneakers – you’re essentially walking through a field full of sunflower stumps and there’s no clearly defined paths (you’re free to wander wherever), so you’ll probably get poked and stabbed quite a bit.

Read Next: Strolling through the Sunflowers in Half Moon Bay

Fleet Week (San Francisco)

Watching the Blue Angels soar overhead is easily one of the best things to do in fall in San Francisco. It’s not your typical seasonal activity per say, but it happens in autumn, so we’re adding it to the list!  Go try some caramel apple chocolate squares from Ghirardelli Square afterwards (not far from one of the best spots to see the Angels).

It took us 4 years of living in the Bay Area to finally watch these jaw-droppingly impressive flight demonstrations, but boy oh boy, the show did not disappoint. Fleet Week occurs every October, bringing some of the most elite pilots from the Navy and Marines to town, filling up the bay with military ships and choreographed jets soaring overhead. 

We watched on the lawn near the Aquatic Park area, and despite the intense crowds (over a million people came out to watch), it was tons of fun. Definitely one of the most iconic (and crowded) things to do in San Francisco in the fall, that’s for sure! Let’s just say watching fighter planes zip by the Golden Gate is not something you’ll quickly forget. 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (San Francisco)

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass welcomes fall in San Francisco. It’s a downright massive 3-day (annual) music festival that literally takes over Golden Gate Park. And get this – it’s completely free, you don’t even need a ticket! Just show up with your friends, picnic blanket, snacks, and wine and beer (in non-glass containers of course).

It’s an incredible 3 days of free music – with 6 stages (playing simultaneously), more than 50 gourmet food and beverage vendors (BYO alcohol), and all the good vibes. 

Even though it’s a free event the festival gets big acts like Mumford and Sons and Elvis Costello. While it all started in 2001 with only bluegrass performers, there’s now a huge variety of types of musicians on stage, including tons of new, up-and-coming bands and performers.

The whole city comes together – it’s like one big (ok, HUGE) party in the park with live music! Over 750k people attended over the course of the three days this year; absolutely wild!

Spooky and Strange Things To Do for Halloween

It’s spooky season, ya’ll! And the Bay Area’s got a few haunted spots to check out. 

Alcatraz Island After Dark (San Francisco Bay)

Being the inspiration behind countless urban legends, television shows, and movies, Alcatraz is most definitely one of the most famous things to do in San Francisco – and fall is the perfect time to visit. I mean, what’s creepier/eerier than visiting an ultimate maximum security prison, one of the most notorious in the world. Al Capone aka Scarface was held here!

Step into the solitary confinement cells. You’ll definitely feel the eerie coldness – it’s kinda like a real-life horror house.

Once home to the state’s most dangerous criminals, Alcatraz is now open to the public for guided tours (book yours here!). Wanna really send a shiver down your spine?! Visit Alcatraz after dark and buy a ticket for the night tour for all the spooky vibes. Eerie atmospheres at this abandoned prison on an island guaranteed. And if it’s raining? It’ll just add to the grim mood! 

Be sure to make a reservation as soon as you can – tours to Alcatraz are hugely popular. We’ve been to Alcatraz quite a few times, and lemme tell ya — the night tour is where it’s at!

Winchester Mystery House (San Jose)

Next up – The Winchester Mystery House! What is this exactly?!  It’s a stately mansion (and architectural wonder and historic landmark) in San Jose, with a strange and sinister history. 

The mansion is said to be haunted by the spirits of people killed by Winchester rifles over the centuries – so yup, expect the possibility of tons of paranormal activity here! So many years of history within these walls.

Like many others big on spiritually, Winchester was superstitious and was utterly obsessed with the number 13. Think 13 hooks in the seance room, 13 overflow drain holes in the sink in the Hall of Fires, and 13 parts to her will (which she actually signed 13 times!), etc. The mansion is bizarre and the grounds are actually quite lovely.

There’s a few different tours you can choose from here:

• Mansion Tour: Learn all about Sarah, the woman behind the house, and see all the bizarre architectural designs and mysterious elements. Plus the 40 bedrooms, 47 fireplaces, 6 kitchens, and just one shower (glad we didn’t live back then)!

• Walk With Spirits Tour: Explore the paranormal and topic of spiritualism – you’ll even attend a wake for a departed soul, experience a Victorian era seance, and end in the dark basement, home to the famous “Wheelbarrow Ghost”. 

If you’re looking for all the spooky vibes and can’t wait to get creeped out/get the chills, I’d choose the Walk with Spirits Tour. Also, the mansion typically has additional tours specifically for Halloween – “Unhinged: Nightshade’s Curse”. Expect malicious spirits and terrifying scenes. Once you’re done, stop by the Spookeasy Bar (21+)!

California Great America’s Tricks and Treats (Santa Clara)

California’s Great America, a theme park we’ve been going to ever since we moved here, literally transforms into a Halloween fantasyland come October. And Tricks and Treats is their new, over-the-top, larger-than-life, gotta-be-there Halloween event packed with fun and family-friendly eeriness. It replaced the haunted Halloween nights which I kinda loved, so of course we had to check out the new event.

Psst — it was fun, but definitely not as well-done as the previous one.

There’s two worlds to explore – the Land of Tricks and the Land of Treats, each with different festivities, shows, and decorations. We had fun taking a few pics, but totally wish it was scarier like Halloween nights was in the past! Lines are long so expect to stay all day if you wanna get on all the rides.

If you’re a rollercoaster fan looking for an all-zombie cover band, The Bride of Frank’s Ice cream, and all things slimy, crawly, goopy and stinky, head over to the Land of Tricks.

And then there’s the other side, the Land of Treats, – with softly glowing candles, pumpkin spice, cozy flannels, campfire stories, and an incredibly sweet Trick or Treat Trail. You’ll totally feel all the nostalgia of a cozy fall festival.

Of course there’s bewitching brews, potions and magical elixirs for all us adults out there. 

Tour the Haunted USS Hornet (Alameda)

Touring the USS Hornet is like taking a trip back in time. The ship’s been through a lot – serving in BOTH World War II and Vietnam, as well famously saving the Apollo 11 astronauts from the Pacific Ocean after the 1969 moon landing. So yeah, it’s pretty important in terms of history. 

Today, the Hornet’s a museum, and it’s HUGE (the length of three football fields).

But what most people don’t realize is that the ship is actually haunted. Veterans who used to work on the ship (who are now docents to the tours) claim there’s tons of paranormal activity. They don’t call this the most haunted ship in history for nothin! 

And you can visit on the museum’s three hour History/Mystery tour. It’s part history lesson, and of course part paranormal investigation. You’ll go below deck, into the dark, hearing ghost stories along the way. Get ready for lots of chilling history, and the K-II meters may even detect the presence of a spirit or two. 

There’s usually only one history mystery tour per month, so definitely snag your ticket way ahead of time.

If you really wanna feel all the mysterious vibes and history, there’s even an overnight version of the History Mystery Tour. You’ll sleep where the crew slept, eat where they ate, and investigate with the crew from 6 PM to 9 AM the next morning. The ultimate paranormal investigation.

Mystery Spot (Santa Cruz)

Take a drive down south to Santa Cruz – The Mystery Spot is one of those quirky roadside attractions you should only attempt with your tongue firmly planted in your cheek. It’s located in the nearby redwood forest and allegedly sits upon a “gravitational anomaly”. The 45 minute tour will show you amazing feats that defy the laws of physics. It’s goofy fun and not to be missed during any weekend in Santa Cruz.

I don’t wanna spoil all the fun, but I’ll say this – you’ll appear to defy gravity! The Mystery Spot is a circular area of effect around 150 feet, and within it, you’ll totally question your perception of the laws of physics and gravity.

Ghost Tours in San Francisco

Looking to learn about the haunted history of San Francisco? Join a walking tour after dark! 

This ghost tour visits the mysterious alleyways of Chinatown and ghostly Jackson Square historic district, while hearing tales of unexplained deaths, scandalous murders, the old red-light district (not only in Amsterdam!), famed spirits, Chinatown assassins, and so much more. 

Plus known ghosts and infamous crimes, and walk down the very streets where these hauntings and crimes took place. You’ll even be able to use your own ghost hunting tools, like an EMF detector – how cool is that?! 

Wanna check out Nob Hill and Union Square instead? This haunted walking tour explores the darkest corners of San Francisco. 

You’ll visit 8-12 sites, walk past haunted hotels, streets, clubs, and office buildings, plus learn about the famous tragedies that haunt The Westin St. Francis! Including some frightening stories about the gold rush and film industry! Definitely not your typical touristy tour!

Psst – you maaaay wanna leave the kids at home. Most ghost tours (including these) are rated PG-13 for some talk of violence and gore, and can be kinda scary (even for adults!).

San Francisco Vampire Tour 

Vampire lore and local history await! This guitchy tour primarily walks through Nob Hill, making stops at Grace Cathedral (where vampires played a role in the history), the Nob Hill Café (lots of wild history over here), the Fairmont Hotel (definitely a haunted hotel), and the InterContinental Mark Hopkins. You’ll learn all the neighborhood’s secrets and some favorite vampire tales as you go

The tour also tells stories about the cemeteries that were removed from San Francisco (whoa, where did they put the bodies?!), plus the darker history of Alcatraz and other areas of the city. It’s also funny and there’s vampire costumes – a great way to learn the history of San Francisco during the 1800s and have a little silly fun while doing so.

Check out the tour here and book your ticket! Guaranteed to sell out for Halloween!

Fear Overload Haunted House (Newark)

Unsavory demons. Horrifying whispers. Flesh-eating abominations. Enter hell through the gaping mouth of a hideous monster and descend to the negative thirteenth floor of the building. This is a breathtaking, haunted experience (only for the bravest souls out there)! And easily the scariest haunted houses in the entire Bay Area.

There’s not just one, but 2 ecstatic, over-the-top haunted houses rich with horrific monsters and humans in agony. 

Get lost in ridiculously detailed mazes (literally, you’ll get lost), get trapped in an Asylum, with horrific scenes all around you, and don’tchu worry, you’ll be hearing voices too. Humans chained by their wrists, sizzling away in barrels of acid. This is an experience you won’t believe – beware of nightmares!

Epic Halloween Decorations

Eucalyptus Street (San Carlos)

Residents on Eucalyptus Street in San Carlos really go all out for Halloween. The vibrant lights and spooky decorations are part of the San Carlos culture afterall! It’s a longstanding tradition over here – buy a house on Eucalyptus Street, and you’re automatically joined into the fun.

We love sipping on festive drinks (did someone say pumpkin spice?!) and wandering down Eucalyptus Street in San Carlos. Doesn’t hurt that it’s less than a 15 min drive from our condo – before buying our new place we could actually walk to Eucalyptus Street from our old apartment. 

And it’s oh so fun and festive – everyone dresses up, there’s tons of candy given out (yes, even to adults sometimes… just ask nicely), and there’s even haunted houses and musical Halloween performances. We once saw a zombie invasion!

What used to be a low-key local event has turned into a spectacle everyone wants to see! And make sure to come back for Christmas – the street goes out even more (if that’s even possible).

Please please please, whatever you do – clean up after yourself and make sure not to litter the streets at all (including candy wrappers). As you can imagine, with all the crowds, residents need to clean the streets afterwards. 

Do your part and don’t add to the madness. And of course be extra respectful to the families living there. The street is normally shut off entirely to traffic, so plan to park nearby (Burton Park is a great spot) and walk to Eucalyptus Street.

Halloween Houses in San Francisco 

The city’s got tons of decorations, and it’s so fun to just wander around looking for them! But there’s a few specific houses that totally go all out — think dozens of pumpkins cascading down steps, spooky 12-foot skeletons, and giant spiders galore.

I’m itching to spend a day photographing them all. Thankfully, my friend Wendan already has! And her photos are just so perfect — I mean, she’s totally giving off Wednesday Addams vibes here!

Here’s some of the most popular houses (closest intersections below):

• Upper Terrace and Masonic (they go all out for Christmas in SF too)
• 6th and Irving 
• Castro and Liberty 
• Divisadero and Washington 
• Page and Divisadero

Foodie Fall Things in San Francisco (and Beyond)

Okay, y’all know I’m all about the food when I travel. And fall food is no exception – I’m here for it all! Gimme the apple cider donuts, bratwurst, pumpkin bread, bartlett pears, persimmons (yes, I love those!), and literally any seasonal treat from Trader Joe’s (IYKYK). I recently had some pumpkin cheesecake and oh boy…

Oktoberfests! 

We can’t all get to Germany for Oktoberfest, but thankfully, there’s a few celebrations right here in the Bay! Put on your lederhosen and drink up – all the Oktoberfest beers and bratwurst await! 

Redwood City Oktoberfest (Redwood City): Bier! Brezeln! Bratwurst! If you’re on the peninsula, don’t miss Redwood City’s Oktoberfest – it ain’t Redwood City’s premier fall event for nothing! 

There’s authentic German food (like pretzels and brats), commemorative steins with delicious brews on tap, Austrian and German music from Tyrol and Bavaria, plus fun contests like stein holding, yodeling, and lots of variations of the “international” chicken dance all in a huge decked-out Oktoberfest tent. I already have it on my San Francisco fall bucket list for next year!

21st Amendment Brewery Oktoberfest (two locations: San Francisco and San Leandro): Another popular spot to celebrate, and 21st Amendment does it better than the rest! Enjoy Polka music, hearty German cuisine, the release of their Oktoberfest Festbier, and so much more. 

Expect a full-on Oktoberfest menu with all the grub – including beer cheese soup, German potato salad, spaetzle, pretzels with beer mustard and obatzda cheese, bratwurst with sauerkraut, and of course, schnitzel! Yum! 

Apple Picking

Growing up in NY, it seemed like there were dozens of apple orchards everywhere you looked. But here in the Bay Area? There’s not that many… and the closest ones are about an hour and 20 minutes from San Francisco (without traffic!). 

BUT, apple picking is one of the best fall activities out there… and you’ve got an excuse to make (and then eat) all the apple pie… so yea, you gotta go!

Depending on the orchard you visit, you’ll find all different types of apples. There’s gravensteins, golden delicious, rome apples, fujis, and other less common varieties like orins, pinovas, candy crisps, and jonagolds. You never know what you’ll find! If you’re looking for a snack, grab a few Gala, Fuji and Red Delicious. Rome, Golden Delicious, and Jonagolds are great for baking. Most apples cost $2-2.50 a pound.

U-Pick apple season typically runs from September through early December, although this always depends on the weather and availability of ripe apples. Always check specific farms/orchards before visiting to make sure there’s still enough apples to pick! As always, exact dates may vary. 

Also, some orchards require an advance reservation/ticket purchase/parking pass, so head to the individual websites below for all the logistics. Things change every year – you don’t wanna show up and then not be allowed entry!

Here’s the most popular apple orchards with U-Pick apples in the SF Bay Area. And honestly the only ones I could find… haha.

Gizdich Ranch (Watsonville): This is where we recently went apple picking, and had the best time! With no reservations needed, it was so easy. You just stroll up and you’re picking apples within minutes. 

Before leaving, don’t miss out on the famous pie and fresh pressed apple juice (we were too full to try the famed apple dumplings and puff pastries). 

The line gets exceptionally busy, so I recommend having some pie for brunch (hey, no judgments!), and then picking apples afterwards. Dogs are not allowed in the apple orchard (understandably), but they’re allowed elsewhere on property (so of course we took little Kona!). There’s a cute antique shop too.  

Clearview Orchards (Watsonville): Besides U-pick apples, Clearview Orchards sells fresh apple juice, delicious apple turnovers, organic squash, pumpkins, dried lavender, honey, and more. Do note a reservation is required for parking and entry (up to 8 people).  

Chileno Valley Ranch (Petaluma): This one you need reservations for, and it seems like there’s super limited availability (definitely check the website in advance for opening hours/days). ​​They also sell other items from their farm or neighbors, like free-range eggs, honey, and baked goods.  

Apple-A-Day at Ratzlaff Ranch (Sebastopol): This is where the award winning Apple-A-Day apple juice is produced! You’ve probably seen them at stores like Whole Foods and Molly Stones – and if not, I’m sure you’d recognize the label.  

The cider is made using 100% pure premium apples, and absolutely nothing is added. No reservations are needed for U-Pick apples! 

EarthSeed Farm (Sebastopol): This is the newest orchard in the Bay Area, and it just opened up in 2021. Do note you need reservations – u-pick is by appointment only and there’s a $25 fee (for up to 6 people). Dogs allowed (on leash!)

Pumpkin Ice Cream

I may be kinda basic, but one of my favorite things about fall in San Francisco is all the fall-flavored ice cream flavors! 

If you don’t know by now, I’m a sucker for sweets and treats (I’ve got an entire list of 50 dessert places in San Francisco right here… which I keep on adding to… whoops). So, suffice to say, this is right up my alley! We love to grab a few scoops and go hunting for Halloween decorations around town!

One of my all-time faves? Salt & Straw – and they ALWAYS deliver on the festive flavors. They typically have autumn favorites incorporating apple pie cinnamon rolls, pumpkin pie cheesecake, and caramel apples in September, and then things get really wacky for Halloween in October (think licorice and bugs and piles of candy), and then a menu of ice cream comfort foods entirely for Thanksgiving in November. Trying all the different flavors is my kinda sport.

Think The Great Candytopia (filled with homemade kit kats, reeses, snickers, heath bars in a salted butterscotch ice cream), Black Cat Licorice and Lavender (silky, dark anise and fennel caramel with a luminous salted lavender ice cream), and Don Bugito’s Creepy Crawly Critters (complete with, you guessed it – actual bugs like toffee-brittle mealworms and chocolate crickets in matcha ice cream). Kinda makes me feel like I’m back in Thailand again (bugs are a delicacy over there).

But my favorite of all?! Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Bread – with tender hunks of freshly-baked pumpkin bread and swaths of whipped cream cheese frosting in a pumpkin spiced ice cream. It literally screams Halloween.

If you’re looking for other ice cream spots, Mitchell’s has great Autumn Caramel Apple and Pumpkin Spice flavors, Smitten’s got a droolworthy Pumpkin Pecan Pie and Cinnamon Toast, and you can’t miss the spiced pumpkin sundae at Humphrey Slocombe.

Wine tasting in Sonoma/Napa

Sure, you could visit the vineyards anytime of year (wine country’s just awesome like that). But wine country in the fall is absolutely spectacular – the valley’s grapevines change from the deep greens of summer to beautiful shades of bright yellow, dusty gold, deep burgundy, and rusty red. We just visited last weekend (early October) and I couldn’t get enough! 

There were also still some (leftover, unwanted) grapes on the vines, which was so fun to see!  The rolling hills are turning a soft golden color, and daytime temps have finally cooled off a bit (although it’s still a bit hot at times). 

Some of our favorites in the area: 

• Ledson Winery & Vineyards (I’m all about that castle-style architecture)
• MacRostie Winery Estate House (I swear it’s the prettiest vineyard in all of Sonoma)
• Viansa Winery & Tasting Room (get whisked off to Tuscany for the day!)
• Castello di Amorosa (the famous one in Napa literally in a castle)

You could visit every weekend and never get bored. There’s SO many vineyards to check out (in both Napa and Sonoma). Easily one of my favorite day trips from San Francisco. 

Road trip to Apple Hill

Up for a road trip? When we’re really craving all things apple (ok, fine, when are we not?!), we drive out to Placerville for Apple Hill. And there’s a reason the area’s known as Apple Hill – it’s got California’s largest concentration of apple growers! 

Yes, this means alllll the delicious apple treats, like dutch apple pies, apple wines (yup!), apple cider donuts, fresh pressed cider, caramel apples, and tons more. I don’t wanna spoil all the surprises for you, so you’ll just have to go yourself to see what all the fuss is about!

There’s also apple picking (plus chestnut picking later in the season), several wineries and cideries (which always makes Apple Hill more fun), pumpkin patches come October, and even a brewery. 

A few of my favorites and non-negotiables whenever we go:

• Hot apple cider donuts from Rainbow Orchards (a staple and my all-time favorite)
• Caramel apple pie from Abel’s Apple Acres (just look at that thing – I definitely recommend sharing a slice and always add a scoop of ice cream on top!)
• Apple milkshakes from Apple Hill High Hill Ranch Pie House Restaurant (sounds kinda weird, but they taste exactly like fall)
• Hard cider at Hidden Star Bakery & Taproom (enjoy a flight or purchase a bottle)

The season runs from mid August to late December, so you’ve got plenty of time! But whatever you do, skip Apple Hill on weekends in October if you can – the place is absolute madness (and driving around from farm to farm will be horrible). I recommend visiting in either September or November instead, and on a weekday if your schedule is flexible! 

Autumn produce at the farmers market

Ever since we moved to California, we’ve had a thing for markets. There’s so much variety and you just never know what you’ll find! And it’s all SO fresh, and you get to support your local farmers! Food just tastes better when you know where it comes from.

The produce in the fall months is absolutely unbelievable — look out for Gravenstein and Pink Lady apples, Bartlett pears, persimmons, and pomegranates, plus lots of squash and peppers, all coming to a farmers market or farm stand near you in late September!

Which of these San Francisco fall activities are you putting on your bucket list this season?! I’m off to go pumpkin picking soon… and if you see a girl double fisting apple cider donuts, that’s not me (wink, wink).

The post Fall in San Francisco: 25+ Fall Activities in the SF Bay Area You Can’t Miss appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Bright yellow rows of sunflowers. The sweet, sweet smell of lavender. Manicured gardens full of colorful tulips, magnolias, and roses. Wildflower fields of stately calla lilies and yellow mustard. We’ve got it all here in Northern California! 

I promise, even if you can’t make it down to the Carlsbad Flower Fields in Southern California (my all-time favorite), you’ll still have your pick of gorgeous flower fields in the Bay Area.

Whenever spring rolls around, I make it my mission to visit a few of these patches and gardens in San Francisco. And I haven’t missed a season yet! I keep learning about more and more flower fields in the Bay Area, so I’ll be sure to update this list periodically.

Technically, all these flower fields are not necessarily in the Bay Area themselves. BUT you can easily make a day trip to them, which is why I included them in this post of flower fields in the Bay Area. The furthest one is roughly 2 hours from San Francisco, meaning it’s easily doable in just a day!

Psst – Here’s another THIRTY day trip ideas from the San Francisco Bay Area! 

In this post, I’ve not only included my favorite flower fields in the Bay Area, but a bunch of gardens in San Francisco as well! If you don’t have the time for a day trip, we’ve got lots of pretty blooms right here in the city itself!

I’ve organized this list of gardens and flower fields in the Bay Area by season making it super easy to plan what blooms you can see and when! Mark your calendars – a lot of the flowers only stay picture perfect for a few months or so, and some even a few weeks! You don’t wanna start planning your visit once the season has ended!

Bay Area Flower Fields Etiquette 

We’re lucky to have so many gardens and flower fields near San Francisco, but please oh please do your part. We want these flower fields in the Bay Area to stay super pretty and healthy for everyone, in years to come. A few things to keep in mind:

• Some fields may have a “No Trespassing” sign. If that’s the case, don’t trespass – it’s that simple. Respect the wishes of the farm owners. It’s as easy as that.

• I can’t believe I have to say this, but DO NOT STEP ON THE FLOWERS. Even to get your pictures. Stepping directly on a flower (in a garden, flower field, farm, anywhere), means it most likely won’t be growing back next year. If there’s a trail, stay on the trail. And yes, the rules apply to you, too!

• There’s also no picking of flowers, unless specifically directed by the farm owners, like at the U-Pick Sunflower Field in Half Moon Bay or the Metzger Family Zinnia Patch in Woodland. This goes for wildflowers as well – they are not your property. Keep them wild.

• Wanna fly a drone? Find out if it’s allowed ahead of time (before you attempt to fly it…) and get a permit if need be. Psst – it’s illegal to fly a drone on other people’s property, as well as in all state and national parks.

• Some farms/fields allow dogs, some don’t. Always be mindful of this before heading over – no dog should have to stay in a hot car. That’s just cruel. And if you are allowed to bring your dog, be sure to clean up after them and watch where they step. Some fields have uneven ground, sharp thorns, or can be extra muddy.

• Surprise, surprise. Bees love flowers just as much as we do, if not more! And they’re a necessity to help pollinate the fields. Leave them alone and they’ll probably pay no attention to you. I’m such a baby and hate bees, and have never had an issue in both the gardens in San Francisco or flower fields in the greater Bay Area.

Basically, be a good human being. Please and thank you.

Alright, let’s get to it – all my favorite gardens in San Francisco and flower fields in the Bay Area, coming right up!

Spring Flower Fields in the Bay Area

Various Almond Blossom Farms

• What You’ll See: almond blossoms
• Where: Along Highway 16 and Hwy 505 near Dixon and Woodland
• When to Go: mid-February to mid-March
• Cost: FREE!

What are almond blossoms, you ask?! Good question. They’re kinda like cherry blossoms – super delicate and tiny, but instead of being a pale pink, they’re typically white like snow! Fun Fact: California produces 80% of the world’s almonds (I really had no clue it was that high). Makes sense there’s so many almond orchards in California. And their tiny petals are oh so pretty!

Almond blossoms are one of the first of all the flower trees to bloom, and it’s a sign that spring is coming to the Bay Area! Yes, we get spring as early as February/March because we’re lucky over here. The almond blossoms unfortunately only bloom for a short period of time (typically mid-February to mid-March), so you’ll need to plan ahead if you wanna visit them in all their glory! 

Where to see almond flower fields in the Bay Area? There’s a few different spots, but along Highway 16, between Dixon and Woodland (near the Sacramento area), is where you’ll find the most! There’s also some near Los Banos as well if you find yourself in that area instead.

Remember – most orchards are private property. See a “no trespassing” sign? Stay out of the orchard and respect their wishes. There’ll be more to see down the highway!

San Francisco Botanical Garden

• What You’ll See: So much! Including magnolias in early spring!
• Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
• When to Go: Year round (early to mid February for magnolias)
• Cost: $10-$13 (depending on season), free for SF residents

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is in my opinion one of the most peaceful spots in all of San Francisco. A true urban oasis right in the middle of the city!

There’s gardens from Australia, Chile, the Mediterranean, + New Zealand, an impressive succulent garden, a small redwood grove, and even a cloud forest (yes, you don’t even need to leave the city to feel like you’re kiiiiinda in Costa Rica). It’s one of the most diverse gardens in the world, and you could easily spend all day there! 

While it’s wonderful all year round, I especially LOVE visiting when the magnolias are in full bloom (early to mid February). It’s such a sight to see the bright pink blooms against a clear blue sky. 

You don’t even have to get a ticket if you really don’t want to pay — there’s usually a few magnolia trees blooming right outside the entrance! But really though, go on in! 

Wild Mustard Fields of Iacopi Farms

• What You’ll See: Wild Mustard
• Where: Iacopi Farms, Half Moon Bay
• When to Go: February and March
• Cost: $10 per person

You’re driving by and then BAM — huge fields of tiny yellow flowers. Those are the wild mustard fields, popping up every February in Half Moon Bay. You can freely wander throughout the fields and even make your own paths (yes, I asked the owners), unlike all the other flower fields in the Bay Area.

Why? Because wild mustard is actually a weed — a very pretty one indeed! Take lots of photos, have a picnic, and have fun frolicking! One of my favorite things to do in Half Moon Bay in early spring.

Wandering throughout the wild mustard super bloom kinda felt like I was swimming in a sea of yellow happiness. I mean, how could you be anything less than ecstatic running through bright yellow flower fields? I swear, go on a bright blue day and you’ll feel like you’re frolicking through computer wallpaper. The contrast of the blue sky and yellow blooms is absolutely gorgeous!

• I actually have an entire post about everything you need to know to visit the wild mustard fields in Half Moon Bay. Make sure to check that out!

And while you’re over here, head to one of the best beaches in Half Moon Bay – late winter/early spring is known to have the clearest weather on the coast!

Calla Lily Valley 

• What You’ll See: Tall, white calla lilies
• Where: Garrapata State Park, Big Sur/Carmel-by-the-Sea
• When to Go: mid-February to mid-March (peak bloom)
• Cost: FREE!

Thousands upon thousands of tall white calla lilies. That cool California breeze. A leisurely walk down to the valley. This is Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur, California! It’s basically an annual oasis that comes to life every spring.

And get this – the calla lilies you’ll see over here are technically wildflowers! Since no one planted them and all. Mother Nature sure is sensational sometimes!

The calla lilies in Calla Lily Valley are in bloom from late January to mid-April. But visit too early and there won’t be many flowers in the valley yet, and visit too late, they’ll all be gone or heavily wilted and browning.

While the season obviously changes a bit from year to year (these flowers bloom in nature after all!), your best bet will be to go from mid-February to mid-March, as this is typically when peak bloom occurs.

To reach Calla Lily Valley, you’ll need to walk about ¼ mile on a dirt trail and down a few steps. To get as close to the trailhead as possible, you’ll wanna park near Gate 18 (or Gate 19 if you can’t find anything closer). While technically in Garrapata State Park, don’t park over there – you’ll be too far away from the lilies!

Read Next: Exactly How to Find the Secret Calla Lily Valley in Big Sur (plus lots of other tips)

Japanese Tea Garden

• What You’ll See: cherry blossoms
• Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco 
• When to Go: early to mid-April
• Cost: $12 (free for SF residents)

Cherry blossoms!!! These delicate tiny blooms are the main draw of the Japanese Tea Garden here in Golden Gate Park. While you can visit any time of year, plan to visit in the spring when the Japanese cherry blossoms are in bloom! Just know you can see bamboo, dwarf trees, and irises year round if you’re looking to visit one of the best gardens in San Francisco ASAP.

We were lucky enough to visit Japan a few years ago during sakura (cherry blossom) season – what an amazing trip that was! While the Japanese Tea Garden here in San Francisco is not quite the same thing, it’s still super fun to get a taste of the culture and see the pretty pale pink blooms.

Whether you’re craving some hot tea or just wanna say hello to the koi fish, head on in. There’s a bunch of pagodas resembling the real stuff in Japan, all nestled between lush gardens and manicured horticulture. It’s not huge, but so well maintained you really feel the traditional Japanese culture here. 

Expect wooden Buddha statues, a Shinto Shrine, porcelain lanterns, and glistening ponds with stones to walk on. And of course the cherry blossom trees in early spring! My favorite time of year to visit.

Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden 

• What You’ll See: Tulips
• Where: Dutch Windmill at Golden Gate Park (San Francisco)
• When to Go: April
• Cost: FREE!

Visiting San Francisco in early Spring? You NEED to make your way to the Dutch Windmill on the very edge of Golden Gate Park! I mean, you can visit any time of year, but I love it most when the tulips are in full bloom (obviously). It’s like a tiny piece of Holland in the Bay Area (although I’m dying to visit the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens in The Netherlands). One day, one day.

Hundreds, if not thousands of delicate tulips take over the surrounding area and fill it with vivid color – it’s a sight that will leave you searching for tickets to the Tulip Festival in Amsterdam! The area does get pretty crowded, so work those angles (shoot from down below) to help get some photobombers outta the shot. A visit during the week will be far less crowded, but I was surprised just how many people there were on a random Tuesday when I went.

Berkeley Rose Garden 

• What You’ll See: Roses
• Where: North Berkeley
• When to Go: April – May
• Cost: FREE!

Yay – more roses! You can expect lots of rose gardens in the Bay Area come springtime. And I’m a-okay with that!

The Berkeley Rose Garden is a city-owned park in North Berkeley, and actually was one of the first Civil Works Progress Projects built in 1937. Yes, it’s pretty old! And is even said to be one of the finest rose gardens in all of Northern California!

You’ll find 1,500 rose bushes and 250 varieties under and alongside a terraced amphitheater and 220-foot-long redwood pergola. It’s smaller than it looks in pictures, but I promise it’s still worth a visit!

The garden also features 4 tennis courts, a picnic area, hiking trails, foot bridges, a semi-circular terraced amphitheater, and an ornamental pool. There’s even breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from the rose garden! Yes, you don’t need to travel far for all this! 

You could easily spend all day here (but we usually just wander the rose garden for half an hour or so and then spend the rest of the day eating, haha)! Don’t miss out on Sliver Pizza and Gregories potato puffs before leaving Berkeley – my two gluttonous favorites over there!

Pink Magic Carpet Flowers in Montara 

• What You’ll See: pink sea fig flowers
• Where: south side of Montara Beach, Half Moon Bay
• When to Go: April through June
• Cost: FREE!

A completely natural pink superbloom! How often do you see that?! One of the most unique flower fields in the Bay Area, that’s for sure! These wildflowers pop up every April and last until about June or so, so head on over to Half Moon Bay to scope them out!

You may have already seen these beautiful fuchsia blooms on IG, but now it’s time for you to go! Getting here is super easy, just park at Montara State Beach, walk down the steps, walk towards the southern part of the beach, and climb up the narrow trail on the bluffs.

It’ll probably be foggy (the weather is super temperamental this time of year), but those pink flowers will really add a lot of color to your photos. Psst — I’m not sure exactly what they’re called (some people say they’re Pink sea fig flowers, others say redondo creepers, ice plants, or dew-flowers), but everyone I know calls them the pink magic carpet Montara flowers!

Psst – the super bloom is on PUBLIC property. There’s a private house nearby, so just don’t wander too far or make too much loud noise. We don’t want them complaining.

Magic Carpet Ice Plants in Pacific Grove

• What You’ll See: Pink Ice Plants
• Where: Perkins Park, Pacific Grove (Monterey Peninsula)
• When to Go: mid April to June
• Cost: FREE!

More ice plants! Every time we head down to the Monterey Peninsula (for say, Calla Lily Valley or the 17 Mile Drive), it was never the right time to see the pink ice plants of Pacific Grove! Thankfully, after living in the Bay Area for almost a decade (damn!), we finally made it down to see the famous Pacific Grove magic carpet!

And after visiting, I have to say it’s now one of my favorite flower fields in the Bay Area! 

Imagine a mile long trail of fuschia, fluorescent blooms! Kinda my dream come true. The entire coastline is covered in popping pink hues, contrasting beautifully with the blues of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a site to see for sure! 

Unfortunately the pinky-purplely ice plants of Pacific Grove are only seen for a short period of time, from early-mid May to sometime in June. It’s hard to predict exactly when they’ll be in bloom, but come in mid May and you’ll have the best luck.

Read Next: Everything you need to know to visit the Pacific Grove magic carpet!

Where did these plants even come from?! In 1943, longtime Pacific Grove resident Hayes Perkins (a super smart gardener) wanted to clear out an ocean bluff covered in poison oak. In order to do so, he planted a mix of shrubs and the South African drosanthemum floribundum, a succulent of the ice plant variety, and alas – the pink magic carpet was born! 

Summer Gardens in San Francisco and Nearby

Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden 

• What You’ll See: tulips, wisteria, and cherry blossoms
• Where: Palo Alto
• When to Go: April – September
• Cost: FREE!

Gamble Garden is one of my favorite places to check out as it’s right near me in the heart of Old Palo Alto. This charming little garden is truly an oasis in the middle of town, with its cherry blossom trees, small tulip garden, and their dreamy wisterias (which bloom around April).

Here at Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden you’ll find a rose garden, a cutting garden, and a formal herb garden! Plus a historic home, a carriage house, and yes, a tearoom! Feels kinda like a mini Filoli, and it’s completely free to the public !Couples even get married here – it’s that beautiful! 

I wanna go back for Yoga in the Garden (select Saturdays from May through October) and a Garden Fresh Luncheon (the perfect time to wear your straw hat and floral dress)! Check out all the fun activities at Gamble Garden over here – they’ve even got cocktails and watercolor nights! My kinda fun!

Araceli Farms 

• What You’ll See: Lavender
• Where: outskirts of Dixon
• When to Go: May through July
• Cost: $5-10

Lavender lovers, I gotchu! Nope — you don’t need to go all the way to Provence, France to smell the lavender (although of course I’m dying to go). Because thankfully, we’ve got a bunch of lavender farms right here in California, including a few not far from the Bay Area. My favorite – Araceli Farms on the outskirts of Dixon.

Imagine getting lost in the intoxicating scent of lavender. Frolicking throughout the lavender farms. Sipping lavender lemonade and even lavender champagne. Indulging in honey lavender ice cream and/or a lavender lemon bar. Sniffing the lavender until you can’t smell any more. Sounds like my kinda summertime dream.

When to Visit? Summer time, baby! June is peak lavender season, although anytime between May and July is a great time to visit Araceli Farms in Dixon.

San Jose Municipal Rose Garden

• What You’ll See: roses!
• Where: San Jose
• When to Go: late May to September
• Cost: FREE!

Imagine 11-acres and more than 4,000 roses. Breathe in that intoxifying floral scent. Feel the wind on your hair… ok scratch that… this is San Jose we’re talking about – it’s typically stifling hot, haha. But that’s the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden I’m talking about! It’s even been dubbed , “America’s Best Rose Garden”, and I can totally see why.

Colorful showy blooms and rolling green lawns. This historic rose garden in the Rose Garden District of San Jose (hey, how fitting!) has more than 189 rose varieties, along with a gorgeous fountain in the middle and a grassy lawn with benches.

One of the most gorgeous rose gardens I’ve seen, and get this – it’s completely free! Most other gardens like this cost at least something, so if you’re in the San Jose area come summertime, there’s no reason not to go! It’s the perfect spot for photoshoots, although I recommend coming on a weekday for the least crowds.

It’s also a fantastic place for picnics – we love bringing along a blanket and some snacks and sitting amongst the rose bushes. One bummer is that dogs are not allowed, so we need to leave little Kona at home. Sad face!

Bougainvillea House in San Francisco

• What You’ll See: bougainvillea
• Where: Cow Hollow, San Francisco 
• When to Go: late May to September
• Cost: FREE!

Okay, fine, you caught me! This isn’t a flower field in the Bay Area (or even a garden in San Francisco) in the least bit. It’s a house in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco. BUT it’s by far one of the most gorgeous houses I’ve ever seen. And it’s right in the city. So how could I leave it off this list?!

I mean, look – lush purpley-pink flowers are practically engulfing the entire house! And that my friends, is the power of bougainvillea. These tiny flowers bloom in dramatic and dense clusters, climbing up walls and structures like a vine.

I’m semi-obsessed with bougainvillea, and I just decided one of my dreams in life is to own a house with at least a little bit of these pretty blooms. Preferably in Greece or Portugal… we’ll see!

Psst — for the full effect, you’ll wanna go when the bougainvillea is actually in bloom! Come in summer for the prettiest blooms (they usually start blooming in May/June and last until September or so)! It’s literally covered from top to bottom in the prettiest pink flowers — any floral lovers dream! 

Find it on Baker and Lyon in Cow Hollow. The house next door is really pretty to shoot at too, with its own branches of bougainvillea! 

Central Park Rose Garden 

• What You’ll See: roses
• Where: Downtown San Mateo
• When to Go: late May to September
• Cost: FREE!

The Central Park Rose Garden is definitely more of a locals spot, but felt it was worthy enough of this list if you’re already in the Bay Area! We love coming here a bit before sunset, grabbing a tea on the main street, and wandering the garden. It’s typically not very crowded and you really don’t need more than 20 minutes here, but it’s a great spot for photos if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.

With over 100 rose bushes in 12 beds, you can bet the whole area smells just wonderful! The roses here are in every single color imaginable – from pink and red to yellow and orange and everything in between. And plenty are multi-colored!  

The gazebo is a great place for photos. And there’s a bunch of benches if you wanna bring a book and read/rest for a bit.

Before you leave the park, stop by the nearby Japanese Garden – it’s one of my favorite spots to go for a quick wander. And completely free!

Metzger Family Zinnia Patch

• What You’ll See: zinnias
• Where: Woodland
• When to Go: late June to early September
• Cost: FREE!

This flower field in the Bay Area is extra special. Why? Since 2013, Mark Mezger (the owner of the farm), has planted two acres of zinnias on his property – for the public to enjoy (and take home!) for free! And what a gorgeous zinnia patch it is! 

The Mezger family plants an entire field of flowers for anyone and everyone to pick! Yes, this is one of the only flower fields in the Bay Area where you can actually pick the flowers! How generous, right? You really don’t hear stories like that anymore. What a wonderful gift this family has given to the Woodland neighborhood and beyond.

I promise you – there’s no catch! Just pure generosity. Bring a few vases for others to use in the future if you plan on picking your own bouquets. The community donates clippers, vases, and buckets of water for anyone to use. And yes, the flowers are completely free! Bless that man’s heart.

Look out for butterflies, dragonflies, and hummingbirds – there’s lots over in the zinnia patch. Also, bees, lots of bees – but that’s to be expected.

I love the “rule” over here – if you pick a bouquet for yourself, you have to pick a bouquet for someone else who can’t get to the farm. How sweet is that?! Easily one of the most joyful places in Northern California. This is one of the flower fields in the Bay Area still on my to-visit list! Hopefully next year!

Monte-Bellaria di California

• What You’ll See: Lavender
• Where: Sebastopol (West Sonoma County)
• When to Go: late June to end of July for peak bloom season
• Cost: FREE – $20 (depending on season)

Monte-Bellaria di California, located on the coastal hills of Sebastopol, is one of the largest lavender fields in Northern California. This place looks like a lavender-scented dream, with the rolling hills covered in acres and acres of deliciously purple lavender. After seeing some photos, I’m dying to go here — it honestly looks like you’ve traveled all the way to Provence, France! 

The farm is open on weekends from mid-April to December, but not all months are created equal! If you’re looking to experience the peak lavender season (when it’s at its most vibrant purple), visit late June to the end of July. 

August to September is another nice time to visit; it’s known as fragrance season. Expect lots of lovely lavender aromas, although the bright purple color fades to a bluish-gray. Green Spring occurs in late April to mid-June, which is before the lavender actually blooms, so you won’t see any purple flowers then! 

Visits to Monte-Bellaria are reservation-only, so make sure to reserve your ticket in advance on their website! I recommend visiting from late June to July for the full lavender experience!

Before you leave, be sure to check out the farm store! It sells homemade lavender honey (yum!), homemade olive and essential oils, and tons of other lavender-scented products (like soaps, fragrances and culinary products). While you’re over here in Sebastopol, check out Patrick Amiot’s Junk Art (super quirky and free!) and The Barlow for lunch (industrial-style marketplace).

Conservatory of Flowers

• What You’ll See: rare and exotic plants inside, dahlias outside
• Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
• When to Go: outside – July to October, inside – anytime
• Cost: FREE (outside) – $10 (inside)

The Conservatory of Flowers is kinda a double whammy – it’s technically two separate gardens in San Francisco within a 2 minute walk. There’s bright blooms outside the greenhouse in neatly organized beds, and an entire atrium filled with tropical flowers and plants inside! A real-life flowerful oasis, inside and out! 

Outside, you’ll see the unofficial exhibit – the dahlia garden! They tend to change up the colors and designs every season, but I can promise you one thing, it’s always gorgeous! While you can come anytime of year to see the plants inside the conservatory, plan to come July to early November to see the dahlias at their brightest.

But don’t just admire the flowers outside – the Conservatory of Flowers houses a huge collection of rare and exotic plants in its tropical greenhouse. The greenery is so lush; you completely forget you’re within the actual city! 

Expect to see orchids, water lilies, lotus, hibiscus, and even carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps (aren’t those just ridiculously cool? Only me?). Plus Corpse Flowers (although they don’t open up very much so it’s unlikely you’ll get to see them in all its glory).

I love snapping photos outside the historical (and beautiful) Victorian-style greenhouse – with hundreds of windows is just so cool and unique! It’s actually the oldest building in the park, completed in 1879.

Happy Dahlia Farm

• What Flowers You’ll See: Dahlias
• Where: Petaluma
• When to Go: July to early October (peak bloom in August)
• Cost: Free to enter, plus build your own bouquet ($)

Flower farmer Meagan Major took over the farm a few seasons ago, and she completely transformed the space (previously Aztec Dahlias). The farm now grows over 100 varieties of dahlias, blooming in late Summer to early Fall. Definitely add this to your Bay Area bucket list – can you even imagine being surrounded by 10,000 Dahlia plants in rainbow order?! Any dahlia lover’s dream destination! Their slogan is even “All you need is love and flowers”. Super fitting!

The dahlias have such fun names, with Café Au Lait (with its large, ruffled, pale peachy-pink blooms) being one of the most popular! Break Out is more a soft, romantic pale pink, while Ivanetti sports a vibrant, dark purple hue. You’ll probably smell some basil within the dahlia flower fields as well; this helps attract cute little critters like ladybugs (important for a healthy farm).

You can even build your own bouquet and bring home some of the flower-power magic. It’s really a hidden gem in Petaluma, and I can’t wait to get there myself! The dahlias begin blooming in July, peak in August, and continue through early October, although I’d get there latest September (to make sure there’s still lots to pick from)!

Fall Flower Fields in the Bay Area

Andreotti Family Farms

• What You’ll See: Sunflowers 
• Where: Andreotti Family Farms, Half Moon Bay
• When to Go: September and October
• Cost: $20 per person

Always wanted to wander throughout a bright yellow sunflower field? Now’s your chance at this flower field in the Bay Area — at Andreotti Family Farms! This is one of my favorite fall activities on the coast, and I can guarantee you’ll have oh so much fun. 

It honestly feels like you’re walking through a jungle, just with pops of sunflowers to brighten the day! Andreotti Family Farms is actually the only farm in California that lets you pick your own sunflowers (included in the per-person admission fee), so you can bring home a few blooms to show off in your kitchen. 

If you missed the summer sunflowers in other parts of California, you’re in luck! Since Half Moon Bay is on the coast, this means that the weather is pretty foggy and cool. MEANING peak sunflower season is later than others in California!!! Perfect for us slackers, whoops!

Plan to come in September or October before all the sunflowers have been picked through. You’ll wanna follow Andreotti Family Farms on IG to check for sunflower opening updates. And make sure to visit a few pumpkin patches in Half Moon Bay afterwards — this is the perfect time for them as well!

Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About the U-Pick Sunflower Field in Half Moon Bay 

Year Round Bay Area Flower Fields and Gardens!

Filoli Historic House and Gardens 

• What You’ll See: Tons! Come for tulips and wisteria in April, roses in the summer
• Where: Woodside
• When to Go: Year Round! 
• Cost: $20-$25

It took me 7 years of living in the Bay Area to visit Filoli, and I have no clue why! It’s honestly super impressive and one of my new favorite places!

These gardens are all beautifully manicured, unlike wildflower fields you’ll see on this list of flower fields in the Bay Area. The hedges are perfectly cut, the flowers are bright and happy, and there’s even a beautiful country house surrounded by a 654-acre estate! It’s nothing like I’ve ever seen before and kinda feels like you’ve just stepped into the most gorgeous French garden (despite being here in the Bay Area)!

So wear your cutest summer dress, throw on a straw hat, and wander along the gardens in the sunshine! Sounds like the perfect day to me! Stroll around with a parasol in hand and you’ll feel just like a character in a classic English novel. Plus, there’s major Bridgerton vibes over here (if you’re into the show and all).

And unlike other gardens and flower fields in the Bay Area, there’s no perfect time to visit! Filoli has different blooms depending on the season, so you can head back time and time again and there’ll always be different flowers to see! When we visited there was a gorgeous rose garden, tons of dahlias, and even a vegetable garden. I really wanna visit in April to see the purple wisteria and stunning arrangement of tulips (a whopping 86,000-plus bulbs are typically planted)!

Whatever month you visit, you can tour the historic mansion, check out the reflecting pool in the sunken garden, and gaze up at the wrought-iron gates. While you’re over here, make a short pit stop at the nearby Pulgas Water Temple, one of my favorite photo spots near San Francisco!

Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery

• What You’ll See: cacti and other drought-tolerant plants
• Where: Walnut Creek
• When to Go: Year round, but steer clear of the sweltering summer months
• Cost: $10

This flower garden in Walnut Creek is a bit different from the other gardens and flower fields in the Bay Area. Ruth Bancroft Garden is considered a dry garden – meaning the bulk of the flora over here are drought-tolerant plants (from around the world I might add).

You’ll see more than 2,000 cacti, succulents, trees, and shrubs native to California, Mexico, Chile, South Africa, and Australia. To be honest, there’s not tons and tons of color over here, and it kinda reminded me a tad of the deserts of Arizona and even Los Cabos, Mexico! But I promise it’s still absolutely gorgeous and still worth a visit! Think blue-gray agave, single-stemmed aloe, orange poppies, light green ice plants, acacias, and blooming cacti.

I was amazed to learn that the garden’s founder, Ruth Bancroft, lived to be 109! She was actually a pioneer in drought-tolerant gardening, and her masterpiece is truly a work of art.

We visited on a scorching hot day (which wasn’t too pleasant because there’s hardly any shade in here). Check the weather ahead of time and plan better than we did if you don’t wanna be sweating profusely the entire time!

Hakone Estate and Gardens

• What You’ll See: iris, azalea, bamboo 
• Where: Saratoga
• When to Go: Year Round
• Cost: $12

If you’re into Japanese gardens, you’ll absolutely love Hakone Estate and Gardens! I took my parents here on their last visit to the Bay Area, and we loved touring the grounds – tons of koi fish, giant bamboo stalks, and traditional Japanese architecture. Plus multi-tiered waterfalls, strolling gardens, unique lanterns, and even unique Japanese stonework.

While you’re probably here for the gardens (this is a post on my favorite gardens and flower fields in the Bay Area), don’t miss the Upper House and Lower House – we loved them! And get this, the The Cultural Exchange Center (another building in Hakone Estate), was actually constructed in Japan, disassembled, shipped to Saratoga (California), and then reassembled right on site. Can’t get more authentic than that!

This 18-acre traditional Japanese garden is more than 100 years old, and it’s even recognized as one of the oldest Japanese-style residential gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Don’t miss the bamboo garden – it totally feels like you’re in Kyoto, Japan!

Arizona Cactus Garden

• What You’ll See: cacti and succulents
• Where: Palo Alto
• When to Go: Year Round, but it gets extremely hot it in the summer
• Cost: free!

A nice unexpected surprise in Northern California! Another drought-resistant garden, and one of my favorite gardens in the Bay Area! It’s home to over 500 species of cacti and succulents from all over the world, and we loved all the interesting shapes and textures. It kinda reminded me of a cactus garden we went to in Palm Springs, and a MUCH smaller version of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.

The garden itself is in full sun, but there’s a lot of shady trees around. It’s a great spot for a photoshoot, and we even saw some people in beautiful Mexican dresses taking pictures, I think for a quinceañera or graduation.

This small botanical garden is located on the campus of Stanford University — so be sure to check out the rest of the campus afterwards (the architecture is stunning, especially near Memorial Court and Hoover Tower). There’s also a Rodin Sculpture garden here!

Which of these flower fields in the Bay Area are you planning to visit soon?! Hope this helps you find some fun spring and summer activities in San Francisco and beyond!

The post The 21+ Best Gardens and Flower Fields in the San Francisco Bay Area (Where to Go and When) appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

The first time I visited Umbrella Alley, it was half completed. I recently returned for a second (and third!) visit, and there’s now lots more to see! I’ll definitely be taking friends and family to Umbrella Alley when they come to visit San Francisco. But what is it exactly?! It’s a colorful hub of (free) interactive murals nestled in a narrow alleyway in San Francisco!

Umbrella Alley is a seriously charming spot — yes it’s touristy, but I love it’s fresh, playful, and colorful vibe. And it’s always a work in progress — with new murals being painted on the regular and fun installations hung above (like rainbow balloons and umbrellas). It’s an explosion of color — every square inch is plastered with paint, even on the ground! 

I’m sure you’ve seen photos of the ‘Greetings from San Francisco’ mural — it’s all over social media (particularly IG) and is especially colorful! That’s the main attraction in Umbrella Alley in SF! 

Everytime I visit, I see people give the alley a quick glance and then move right on. Don’t be one of those people! Actually come in and take some pics! It’s easily one of the most colorful areas in the city and one of the best spots for instagram photos in San Francisco! 

Umbrella Alley used to be one of the best hidden spots in the city, but it’s now pretty well known thanks to social media (and rightfully so — the artists deserve to get their work recognized)! It’s a must on any 3-day San Francisco itinerary, especially since it’s so close to where so many tourists visit (Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf).

The alleyway is full of photo spots in San Francisco — there’s the Fisherman’s Wharf crabby Fnnch honey bear, a psychedelic butterfly, a gorgeous decoupage of pink and red and white hearts, umbrellas and balloons hanging from the ceiling, a gorgeous Kate Tova heart, and a whole bunch more. All the murals are selected to reflect San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf, California, and travel in general (but mostly California). And I can’t get enough of it.

Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about Umbrella Alley in San Francisco!

Background of Umbrella Alley

It all started during the pandemic. Well, a few weeks before that actually. Brian (the creator of Umbrella Alley and owner of Electric Tour Company) started painting the pavement of his space at the Electric Tour Company when tourism businesses started to feel the effects of the pandemic. There were already a few plans in the making for murals, but they never stopped, and he employed local artists to continue beautifying the entire alleyway and the interior of his garage. 

I’ve been able to kinda watch Umbrella Alley come to life. The first time I visited I couldn’t even get in because we didn’t realize the hours were so wonky, but the rainbow zigzag floor wasn’t even painted yet! The next time I came, a bunch of the murals were completed but the balloon and umbrella ceiling wasn’t installed yet. And last time I visited, the umbrellas were starting to get painted on the wall near Kate Tova’s heart. Like I said before, it’s always a work in progress, and you can expect to see new things from time to time! 

Where to Find Umbrella Alley and How to Get There

Umbrella Alley is located in Fisherman’s Wharf, the super touristy area of San Francisco. Locals tend to stay away from here, but I can attest visiting every so often is actually kinda fun! Especially to see the ever-changing murals evolve at Umbrella Alley (and of course indulge in some cotton candy at Pier 39).

But you’ll definitely need to pop the address (or simply ‘Umbrella Alley’) into your GPS, as it’s not the easiest to find if you don’t know where you’re looking. Exact address: 757 Beach St, San Francisco 

It’s in the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf, not far from Ghirardelli Square, the Aquatic Park, and Buena Vista Cafe (try a famous Irish Coffee afterwards — perfect on a chilly SF day!). If you see Wells Fargo Bank ATM, you know you’re in the right spot, but trust me, once you’re there, it’s REALLY hard to miss (so much color)!

• Public transport near Umbrella Alley: Thankfully, FIsherman’s Wharf is easily accessible from all points in SF via public transportation. The Powell/Hyde Cable Car ends right across the street, although the wait to board from downtown SF can be super long. Check the SFMTA — MUNI who operates the Cable Cars, F Line, and Bus System. You can also visit www.511.org for any transit questions you’ve got!

• Driving to Umbrella Alley and where to park: We tend to drive into the city since we live near Palo Alto (a bit south), and timing really depends on traffic that day. Hate to break it to ya, but parking’s definitely kinda difficult over here and there’s a 2 hour max limit. BUT if you do happen to be visiting on a Sunday, street parking is free (only on Sundays)! If parking in a paid garage is more your style, there’s the Anchorage Shopping Center Garage (two blocks away) and the Ghirardelli Square Garage (1 ½ blocks away).

Opening Hours of Umbrella Alley

The first time I attempted to visit Umbrella Alley, it was closed. Womp, womp… whoops! Just for the record, the alleyway is located behind a locked gate, and not open if volunteer staff are not on site. We didn’t know that and expected to be able to waltz right in! Don’t be us — double check ahead of time!

Opening days and hours seem to change every so often, so double check it’s open before heading there if you’re not already in the area! The latest opening hours are as follows:

• Spring and Summer: 10am to 6pm daily
• Winter: 11am to sunset most weekends

Although it does seem like the days open are often increasing (especially in the winter), so definitely check. And the hours tend to change depending on the season and sometimes even weather.

Psst — always check the official UmbrellaAlleySF instagram account — they’re really good about posting their current hours. Hours do seem to change pretty frequently, so watching their Instagram stories are definitely essential!

Photo Tips

• Crowds: Looking to get the alley all to yourself? Yes, it does happen! Visit during the week when less out-of-towners are going on tours, although I’ve never actually seen Umbrella Alley especially busy. And if there are some large crowds, most people only stay for max 15 minutes or so, so just wait them out! 

• Beware of Shadows: Ironically, I like to visit Umbrella Alley on overcast/foggy days, as this is when shadows will be at a minimum for photos! If there’s too much sun, you’ll unfortunately get tons of nasty balloon shadows and lots of glare.

• Tripods: There are provided photo stands around Umbrella Alley (which you can move around), but I prefer to take my own mini tripod since I can never seem to get my phone to stand up by itself on the ones provided. Maybe I’m just not very coordinated though, as I’ve seen others do it just fine, haha. 

• Try different angles! Stand up! Sit down. Spread your wings! Take your dog! Get up close! Make it fun of course — the whole premise of Umbrella Alley is to take pictures, so don’t be shy! Everyone here is doing the same thing!

• What to wear: Colors that won’t blend in — I wore light jeans and a white tank and like how I stood out against the different murals. But really though, anything kinda goes.

The ‘Greetings from San Francisco’ Mural

I have a slight suspicion (ok, a major feeling) that you’re coming to Umbrella Alley to take pictures with the ‘Greetings from San Francisco’ mural! I’m right, right?! :p This is definitely the star of the show here at Umbrella Alley in San Francisco, and easily one of the best photo spots in SF (great for that IG feed!).

If you haven’t heard, SF recently got it’s own ‘Greetings from San Francisco’ vintage postcard mural, like so many other big cities do. Finally! It’s a beauty and well worth the wait — completed and painted by the talented Maxfield Bala (a local California resident) in 2019. And once you walk into Umbrella Alley, you can’t miss it! The mural measures a whopping 13’ tall by 18’ wide, basically taking over the entire wall! The mural has all those iconic SF spots you’d expect it to — like the Golden Gate Bridge (obviously), Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, Alcatraz, the Painted Ladies, and even some golden California poppies. 

Psst — not many people know this, but Maxfield Bala has painted other murals in San Francisco. My favorite, besides this one of course, is the iconic Jefferson Airplane large-scale mural of the “Volunteers” album in the Haight.

The Other Murals of Umbrella Alley

We’ve already established that the ‘Greetings from San Francisco’ mural is what draws the most visitors in, but there’s a whole bunch of others that are just as fun to photograph! I especially love Kate Tova’s heart and the Summer of Love Monarch! 

And one of my favorite parts of Umbrella Alley? The fact that all of the murals are done by local artists — and they’re even looking for new muralists to help complete a new project! Here’s some other murals you’ll find in Umbrella Alley (although it seems like the space is constantly evolving, so expect to find others popping up from time to time)!

• Heart Mural by Kate Tova: Her colorful, textured hearts (and other powerful works of art) have been popping up all over San Francisco as of late, and I can’t get enough of them! So when I saw she painted one of her famous bleeding hearts at Umbrella Alley I was over the moon — it really helps brighten the space and the purple background is just perfect for it! You’ll also find one of her pieces on the ‘I Left My Heart in SF’ mural.

• Fisherman’s Wharf Honey Bear: I’m sure you’ve seen @fnnch’s work all around San Francisco. It’s everywhere! So how could Umbrella Alley be complete without a honey bear of its own! Just look at those little crabs — so stinkin’ cute! 

• Towering GATS Mural: Ohhhh, Umbrella Alley is super proud to have a piece by GATS, a street artist based in Oakland and an international graffiti legend. What’s GATS you ask? An acronym for “Graffiti Against The System“ — that’s what! The mural towers over the whole alleyway, and his iconic mask with its flowing beard can be found all over the world. 

• Summer of Love Monarch Wall: This huge piece by Maxfield Bala (the same artist who designed and painted the ‘Greetings from San Francisco’ piece) and Jeremy Novy just screams ‘photograph me’ — I mean look at just how colorful (and tall) it is. So spread your arms open wide and have fun with it! It’s got a psychedelic, Austin Powers-esque vibe, with wild patterns and neon colors. Probably because the mural is a nod to San Francisco’s history — being the Summer of Love in the late 1960’s and all!

• I Left My Heart in San Francisco: There’s just something about this piece that I just LOVE so much. I mean, just look at it — this heart balloon decoupage by artist Brian Huber is oh so fun! It used to be shown outside, but it’s recently been rearranged and now lives in the open garage under the umbrellas. 

• See The World Mural: It’s got two huge eyes (with the Golden Gate Bridge depicted in both) and dozens of faraway places. My take on it? Out of all the places you can go, you’ll always end up back in San Francisco! This one’s not my favorite (I tend to gravitate towards the more colorful pieces), but it’s still a pretty impressive piece by 3Nolam Oakland Based Muralist & Brian Huber.

• California Blooming Wildflower: I love poppies, so I was thrilled when I saw this piece by Amelie de Cirfontaine, a French-American street artist, currently based in San Francisco! It features three beautiful California wildflowers, specifically the California Poppy, the official state flower! Isn’t it just gorgeous?!

• San Francisco Homies: Such an interesting piece. I had never heard of Yonmeister (or Yon) before, and now I’m hooked! So fascinating and such a distinctive style. He created a piece with his signature “homies” (his distinctive big eyed characters) made up of San Francisco characters. I mean just look at them — basically all of San Francisco is represented! And Yon’s been at this for a while; he used to create characters ​​in his notebooks as a teenager and now there’s hundreds scattered throughout the city.

• Floating Umbrellas: Most recently, there’s been a flock of Luinova signature style umbrellas tumbling across the purple wall above and around the sparkling heart. They make the space feel so whimsical and fairy-like!

Other Things to Know:

• Price: In order to visit, you now need to donate $5 per person. Umbrella Alley used to be completely free, but now that it’s completely finished, it’s now a paid tourist attraction. If you can, donate a bit more to support the mural artists! Venmo: alley-artists

• Tours departing from Umbrella Alley: Since the alley is primarily used for tours (and housing the tour vehicles), you can head out on sightseeing tours from here! There’s guided segway tours (if you’ve never ridden one, you’re in for a treat — they’re so fun!), private open-top Jeep tours, electric scooter tours to the Golden Gate Bridge, and luxury three-wheel tuk-tuk private tours.

• Bathrooms: There’s no public bathrooms right here at Umbrella Alley, but you’ll find clean ones close by at Ghirardelli Square.

Things to do near Umbrella Alley

If you’re already in the area, stay a little while and experience true touristy San Francisco! Like I mentioned earlier, you won’t find many locals hanging around here, but I find it fun every once in a while! 

Some of my favorite things to do in Fisherman’s Wharf:

• Play tourist at Pier 39; watch the sea lions flopping around and sunning themselves on the docks, go on the merry-go-round, have a bucket of mini donuts (Trish’s Mini Donuts is one of my favorite desserts in SF when I’m in that area), slurp up some famous clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl from Boudin, and take some fun photos with the California mural (another one of the best photo spots in San Francisco)

• Indulge in an over-the-top ice cream sundae from Ghirardelli, and be sure to grab a free piece of chocolate!

• Play some vintage arcade games at Musee Mecanique 

• Sip a signature Irish coffee at Buena Vista — it’s kinda an institution over here and right down the street from Umbrella Alley

• Walk up the hill to Lombard Street (it’s a great leg workout on those hills!) then walk down the staircase next to the windy road (be sure to check out the blue house with all the bouganvilla — it’s my fave!)

Hope this gives you all the info you could ever want about Umbrella Alley in San Francisco! Which murals are your favorites?!

Looking for more California content? Explore my other California guides here!

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The post Umbrella Alley in San Francisco: Where to Find the Greetings from San Francisco Mural and More! appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Believe me when I say there’s no shortage of amazing photo spots in San Francisco. Every time I walk around the city, I’m continuously finding new instagrammable places in San Francisco (good thing I’ve got lots of space on my phone for photos!). I swear, the entire city is one big instagram feed waiting to happen! 

The city is eclectic and moody and exhilarating all at once — anything and everything goes here! Some people say SF is grimy and dirty — and where some parts are (just like any big city), you just have to know where to look and what neighborhoods to check out! There’s lots of beauty, I promise!

While my condo isn’t directly in the heart of the city itself, I live about 20 minutes south so make it to SF almost every week! I consider myself a local at this point, although I still see the city through bright eyed tourist eyes when I haven’t been to a particular neighborhood in a while! I’ve had so much fun photographing my backyard as of late and love exploring! 

I’ve broken down this list of San Francisco photo spots by category, since there’s just too many to randomly list! On this list of best photography spots in San Francisco, we’ve got landmarks and icons, murals and colorful art pieces, secret photo spots in SF, instagrammable cafes and restaurants, seasonal places to take pictures in San Francisco, and even some of my favorites right outside the city!

Visiting SF soon?! Check out my other San Francisco blog posts!

• The Perfect 3 Day San Francisco Itinerary (Written by a Local)
• 50+ Hidden Gems in San Francisco
• The Ultimate San Francisco Neighborhood Guide
• Battery Spencer (My Favorite Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoint)
• Where to Eat in San Francisco 
• 50+ Best Desserts in San Francisco (Yum!)
• Where to Watch the Sunset in San Francisco
• All My Favorite Secret Mosaic Steps in SF

Top Tips for Photographing San Francisco

• Be mindful of the weather and microclimates. Summer is chilly and don’t expect any epic sunsets from May to July! The fog typically rolls in by mid-afternoon, although it’s fun to chase Karl (yes, we even named our fog). With this being said, it’s usually cloudy by the bridge so plan accordingly! However, overcast, foggy skies greatly reduce the shadows on murals and other pieces, so shoot there! August through October bring much better weather and is my favorite time to explore (and photograph) the city.

• Regardless of the time of year, I always keep a light jacket or sweater in my bag — and I suggest you do the same! You never know when you’ll need it! Like I said, microclimates are a real thing here, even within the city itself!

• Be careful with any expensive equipment (that goes for your camera, phone, tripod, etc). There’s a decent amount of petty crime in certain areas of the city (especially touristy spots), and theft is unfortunately pretty uncommon. On that note, NEVER leave anything (at all) inside your car — break-ins happen more than anyone realizes. Use your gut like you would any big city. If you are using a tripod, make sure to keep a close eye on it at all times and never get too far.

• Beware of wind. It may knock over your tripod if it’s not super sturdy. Best to come along with a friend or IG boyfriend if you can. Or just ask someone to take a photo for you — although it might not come out exactly how you want it. I like shooting with friends or my husband (I bribe him with desserts in SF before or afterwards). 

• Have fun! Taking photos in SF should be a good time! I recommend plotting the San Francisco photo spots you really wanna see on a map and grouping them by neighborhood. There’s too many to see and photograph in just a few days in the city, so pick your favorites!

So let’s get to it — all my favorite places to take pictures in San Francisco coming right up!

SF Icons and Landmarks 

Golden Gate Bridge

You can’t come all the way to SF without visiting the Golden Gate Bridge — it’s just not possible! And thankfully, there’s so many epic photo spots in San Francisco that feature this crimson cutie! While there’s honestly tons of spots, some of my favorites include the Welcome Center, Crissy Field, East Beach, along the Batteries to Bluffs trail, and Golden Gate Overlook (where you can photograph the bridge framed between two eucalyptus trees — there’s actually two different spots). 

There’s really no bad photo of the bridge — just know that the city gets exceptionally foggy in the summer. That SF instagram photo you had in mind might not come out exactly as you thought! Visit midday if you’re hoping to actually see it (there’s perpetual fog in the morning which usually burns off around noon and then makes it appearance again by late afternoon).

If you can swing it, visit during golden hour (shortly after sunrise or right before sunset) for the softest pastels and when the red hues of the bridge will really shine. I’ve got a whole post on the best spots to see the Golden Gate Bridge (which are all instagrammable places in San Francisco of course), so check that out!

Palace of Fine Arts

Stunning columns. The impressive rotunda. Immaculate grounds. And swans in the lagoon.  Does this scream out photoshoot or what?! You may even feel like you’re in Europe for a hot second or two. It really reminds me of Athens and Rome quite a bit (ok, maybe just a little bit)! 

Definitely walk around the entire perimeter for different perspectives and angles! I like taking photos under the rotunda (swirl that skirt!), on the grassy lawn out in front, and with those grand green doors! Whenever I visit, there’s at least a few photoshoots going on — weddings, engagements, graduations, etc. 

Note that it’s usually pretty busy here (can you blame all the people?), but if you come in the early morning you may have the whole palace to yourself (well, almost!). Golden hour is of course absolutely stunning, with the dome getting filled with light.

Lombard Street

Everyone thinks of Lombard Street the second they think of SF — meaning you can’t miss a photo here! The light blue house with all the bouganvilla out front is my absolute favorite — and by far one of the most instagrammable places in San Francisco. Taking photos at the bottom of the street is fun too, since you can actually see all the curves!

Just remember, Lombard is a huge street, and only a small bit is the iconic windy section. Head to the intersection of Lombard and Hyde, and you’ll get right to the top. You can even see the squiggles on Google Maps! And get this: it’s actually not the curviest street in SF, despite what everyone thinks. You’ll find that over on Vermont Street. 

A few other things to note: 

• People actually live here. Those immaculate houses on the walk down are people’s homes. Please be respectful. This means absolutely no trash left behind, keeping your noise level down, and no venturing onto private property.
• There’s sidewalks/stairs on either side of the street — use them! Be sure to walk down those, not the street; cars are coming down! And if you’re driving, just remember, it’s a one-way street (driving down the curves, not up!).

Lands End

Up for a hike with some of the prettiest views?! Lands End is by far my favorite urban hike in the entire city! You don’t need to walk the entire 3 miles roundtrip (okay, so it’s really not that bad), but the further you walk, the more you’ll see. 

There’s Golden California poppies, bluffs overlooking the beach, and even views of the Golden Gate Bridge! Some of the best photo spots in San Francisco are here on this trail, especially if you wanna add some nature to your feed.

Japanese Tea Garden

Whether you’re craving some hot tea or just wanna say hello to the koi fish, transport yourself to Japan within Golden Gate Park! There’s a bunch of pagodas resembling the real stuff in Japan, all nestled between lush gardens and manicured horticulture. It’s not huge, but so well maintained you really feel the traditional Japanese culture here. 

Expect wooden Buddha statues, a Shinto Shrine, porcelain lanterns, and glistening ponds with stones to walk on. Come in the spring (for cherry blossoms!) or fall (for colorful fall foliage) to take your SF instagram photos to the next level! If you wanna shoot the red pagodas you’ll need a wide angle lens — they’re pretty tall!

Painted Ladies

An absolute icon to the city — these historic Victorian houses are one of the most photographed attractions in all of SF! So of course this makes it on my list of the best photography spots in San Francisco. Obviously!

If you wanna take a photo with the full row of all 7 Victorian houses, head to Alamo Square! The park directly overlooks them, so pack a picnic and sit on the grass. You can even see the skyline of the city from here, as long as you go on a clear day of course! 

Looking for the Full House house?! You’ll be surprised to learn that’s not right over here! The actual Victorian with the red door used in the show is over at 1709 Broderick Street, about a 20-minute walk or so from Alamo Square.

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks is easily one of the best views in all of San Francisco, making it one of the most instagrammable spots in SF of course! 

My favorite time of day to go? At sunset, as long as there’s no fog limiting the view (although this happens more often than you’d think). You can see every iconic bridge, building, and even the bay from up here. It’s one of the only 360 degree views in the city! Psst — Bring a jacket, as it’s usually pretty windy up here.

Note that the Twin Peaks area has unfortunately gotten a bad rep over the years, and is frequented by some not-so-wonderful people come nightfall. Be sure to keep your cameras in sight (might not be the best idea to set up a tripod or self-timer iphone here) and stay with your friends. It’s beautiful and shouldn’t be missed, just something to know in advance.

Chinatown Lanterns

The hanging red lanterns are one of the most iconic features in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and such a pretty location to shoot at. You’ll find them over here on Grant Ave. 

Be careful taking photos though — you’ll wanna stand right in the middle of the street, so be on the lookout for cars of course! There’s a small alleyway (where the Fortune Cookie Factory is located) which has some hanging lanterns as well, although I like the larger ones on Grant Ave. Although more difficult to shoot at, they’re much more picturesque in my opinion! 

And while you’re over here in Chinatown, make sure to grab a Chinese Mai Tai at LiPo Cocktail Lounge, buy a few bags of fortune cookies at Fortune Cookie Factory, and try to snag a coveted egg tart from Golden Gate Bakery (if they’re open of course; their hours are super limited).

City Hall

This ain’t your regular government building — It’s absolutely breathtaking! Go inside and admire the architecture. Tons of locals even take wedding photos here. It’s that spectacular. We’ve been to my husband’s holiday work parties here a few times (a benefit of the tech industry!), and I still cannot get over how glam and glamorous it is! 

The exterior of the building lights up throughout the year for different events, like red and green for Christmas and rainbow for Pride month. 

SF Houses

Look around, SF’s got some of the most fascinating architecture. There’s the elaborate gingerbread trim of the Queen Anne Victorians (like The Painted Ladies), steeply pitched roofs and pointed arches of the Gothic Revival, European influences of the Rousseau “Storybook” Homes, and modern lines and stylized decoration of the Art Deco. 

No matter what neighborhood you hang out in, you’ll be sure to find some of SF’s best photo spots. Everytime I walk around I find more houses to photograph! Some have intricate details while others are just super colorful and fun! That’s the beauty of it — they’re all so different!

Just remember, these are people’s homes — be courteous and stay off private property when taking photos. 

Hawk Hill and Battery Spencer

Looking for the absolute best views of the famed Golden Gate Bridge from afar? Head on over the bridge to Marin County! Here you’ll find two of my favorite photo spots in San Francisco — Hawk Hill and Battery Spencer! You know those famous opening credits of Full House? Yup — those were shot from Battery Spencer!

As I mentioned, you’ll need to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get to these instagrammable places in San Francisco, but trust me — they’re well worth it! I wouldn’t have you heading out of the city if they weren’t absolutely spectacular (promise). Photographers love it — it’s got that perfect postcard view you’ll be swooning over as soon as you see it! Plus the San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge in the distance.

Head to Battery Spencer for a super-close view (it looks larger-than-life from here!), or a bit further (but just as beautiful) view from nearby Hawk Hill. I LOVE coming here for sunset; the views are insane, just bring a warm jacket — it’s usually super windy and chilly over here! And bring a friend unless you’ve got a super sturdy tripod.

You can easily check off both of these SF photo spots in one go — the drive between them on Conzelman Road is less than 10 minutes, or you can make the short 30 minute walk over — there’s views the entire way! 

Of course try and visit on a clear, sunny day! Although the fog does make an appearance more often than not (which does make for some epic photos if you can see the fog rolling through under the bridge)!

CalAcademy

There’s lots of fun photo spots at the California Academy of Sciences, known as the CalAcademy by locals. I sadly haven’t been for a number of years, but love this shot of my friends and I against the aquarium walls after silent disco yoga during Nightlife (an after-hours adults-only party at the museum on Thursdays)!

Fisherman’s Wharf

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s touristy and all (it’s kinda like the Times Square of San Francisco), but Fisherman’s Wharf does have a few great photo spots in SF. 

You can’t miss a cheesy selfie with the sea lions on Pier 39 (you’ll probably hear them and smell them before you see them!), and I always love taking photos of the carousel. It’s just so iconic and colorful and cheery and puts a big fat smile on my face whenever I see it. Fisherman’s Wharf is like one big carnival, and it’s all kinds of fun as long as you don’t mind some crowds. Just don’t stay there all day, wink wink.

Conservatory of Flowers

The Conservatory of Flowers is one of the best places to get some SF instagram photos on a gloomy, overcast/foggy day — because you’re inside! The greenery is so lush; you completely forget you’re within the actual city! In the spring there’s dozens and dozens of flowers right outside; absolutely perfect for picnics!

Make sure to snap a photo behind the large circle cutout — it’s too iconic of a photo not to and definitely one of the best Instagram spots in San Francisco! Don’t leave without taking some pictures outside as well — the historical (and beautiful) Victorian-style greenhouse with hundreds of windows is just so cool and unique!

Fort Point National Historic Site

Wanna stand literally underneath the Golden Gate Bridge?! You can over here at Fort Point!

This is the closest you’ll be able to get to the bridge (well, besides walking on it of course), and the photo ops are spectacular (especially because you get the perspective of being underneath it!)! The actual fort is only open Friday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm, but if you’re visiting on a weekday, you can still get some great shots near the bridge. I can’t believe it took me so long to check this place out! 

I loved shooting the symmetry of the brick arches, as well as directly under the bridge from the top floor (but boy was it windy — my tripod definitely didn’t stand a chance!). And if you’re lucky, there might be a line of classic cars ready for their photo op in the parking lot.

Legion of Honor

There’s 4,000 years of ancient and European art here! But you don’t even need to pay for admission to get great shots! Play around with angles of the white marble columns, up on the grassy hill with the city in the far distance (try and spot the Golden Gate Bridge!), and the fountain right out front. There’s even a mini version of the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris.

SkyStar Wheel

A ferris wheel right in the middle of Golden Gate Park — with picture perfect views of the city no less. It’s one of the newest places to take pictures in San Francisco, since it just opened a few years ago! 

Have your photographer take the photo from one end of the cabin to get as much of the scene as possible. You’ll 1000% want a wide angle lens; try out the .5x zoom on your iPhone! And if you’re here at night, SkyStar lights up and puts on a show! A great date night activity (and you can trick your bf/husband/partner into taking some rad IG photos for you). 

The Bay Bridge

No one ever thinks twice about the Bay Bridge, connecting SF to Oakland and the East Bay — one of my favorite day trips from San Francisco. It’s often overlooked by it’s shiny sister the Golden Gate Bridge, but it’s actually pretty remarkable! Especially at night to see “The Bay Lights”, the world’s largest light art installation designed by Leo Villareal. (Early morning has stunning colors as well, but I do love my sleep!)

Why’s it so spectacular? It’s when the Bay Bridge sparkles — and it’s oh so beautiful (just imagine a dazzling display of 25,000 individually programmed white LED lights, covering an impressive span of 1.8 miles).

It was originally installed as a temporary two-year installation, but was made permanent in February 2016! Yas! “The Bay Lights” are illuminated every evening from dusk to dawn, so you can easily grab a photo at this San Francisco instagram spot. You’ll either need a tripod or night mode on your iPhone for the best results.

Murals and Other Colorful Art Pieces 

Greetings from San Francisco Mural

Finally!!!! SF recently got it’s own Greetings from San Francisco vintage postcard mural, like so many other big cities do. And it’s a beauty — completed and painted by the talented Maxfield Bala. You’ll find the mural in Umbrella Alley in Fisherman’s Wharf, in the alleyway of the San Francisco Electric Tour Company (segway, anyone?!). 

The mural has all those iconic SF spots you’d expect it to — like the Golden Gate Bridge (obviously), Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, and even some golden California poppies. There’s even a stand to put your phone on, making it one of the best San Francisco photo spots in the entire city! 

Just for the record, the alleyway is located behind a locked gate, so you’ll only be able to access it during normal operating hours. But those seem to change every so often, so double check it’s open before heading there if you’re not already in the area! Besides the fun postcard mural, you’ll also find a whole slew of fun photo spots in SF — including all those below (in Umbrella Alley)!

Umbrella Alley

If you’re already taking pictures with the Greetings from SF Mural, don’t put your camera away just yet! Umbrella Alley is full of photo spots in San Francisco — there’s the Fisherman’s Wharf crabby Fnnch honey bear, a psychedelic butterfly, a gorgeous decoupage of pink and red and white hearts, umbrellas and balloons hanging from the ceiling, a gorgeous Kate Tova heart, and a whole bunch more. 

Read Next: All the Murals of Umbrella Alley (plus photos and tips)

Easily one of the most instagrammable places in San Francisco considering there’s about 10 photo spots within 100 feet of each other! Again, just confirm the opening hours before making the trek over.

Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley 

Here’s a two-for-one for ya! Two alleyways with the most colorful murals around! You just cannot visit the Mission District without stumbling upon its colorful, mural-filled alleyways. Every single surface is painted (sides of houses, fences, garage doors, etc). While these two alleys are roughly a 25 minute walk away from each other, they’re both worthy to check out — promise!

The murals here are not just intricate works of art – the pieces have meaning, teaching about gentrification, modern politics, and the immigrant experience in SF. They’re thought-provoking, heart-breaking, and downright touching. 

Don’t miss the Women’s Building nearby, completely covered by the MaestraPeace mural, and the Santana Mural on 19th. And once you get hungry, go grab a burrito from either El Farolito or La Taqueria – two local favorites down the block from each other.

Ghirardelli Rainbow Steps

A fun and quick photo spot in SF, you just gotta know where to look! The Ghirardelli Rainbow Steps are part of a bigger project imagined by local artist Leah Rosenberg, titled 18 Colors For Ghirardelli Square. The point of this multicolored installation? For people to observe and connect to the world around them. 

And besides the rainbow steps, look around the square for even more color — there’s hand-painted murals, banners, benches, and signs. There’s also another staircase with fun pops of color on the railings, but I love the one with the actual steps painted the most!

Kate Tova Hearts

Her iconic hearts have been popping up all over the city, and I smile every time I see them. They’re super colorful and those brushstrokes have so much texture. I especially love the piece she did on gold leaf — what a feat I’m sure that was! Kate uses so much sparkle (like gems, 3d roses, glitter, and even strands of beads) and puts so much thought behind her pieces. 

During the crazy lockdowns, her pieces really put some color back into the empty city. Follow her on IG — she’s such a talented artist and kind human being. Hoping to meet her someday!

California Mural

You’re in the Golden State — how can you not take a photo with the California Mural?! Just look at that typography — swoon! I hardly ever venture over to Fisherman’s Wharf, because quite honestly, it’s touristy AF and it’s always swarming with a million people. 

But of course, I just couldn’t resist this piece! You’ll find the California mural on Pier 39 on the backside of Mulberry and Grand, so hop on over for a few minutes after Umbrella Alley to take a quick pic! Definitely one of the most colorful photo spots in San Francisco. 

There’s an annoying beam blocking the piece, so you gotta be creative with angles. You’ll definitely need a wide angle lens (although an iPhone works just fine).

Lincoln Park Steps

If you’re spending the day hiking in Lands End (suuuuch pretty views here!), swing by the Lincoln Park Steps! If you haven’t noticed, I have a thing for mosaic steps, and these are some of the widest ones in the entire city! 

The community raised money to replace the old, broken steps that were covered in debris and graffiti a few years ago. And what do we have now? An intricate pattern design and benches to relax on!

Avoid visiting during the harsh mid-afternoon sun. It’ll be difficult to capture the stunning colors with all the shadows on the designs. Better yet, go when it’s overcast or foggy! 

Mosaic Steps 

SF’s got quite a few mosaic stairways, and they’re easily some of the most instagrammable places in San Francisco. The tile work is just impeccable and adds such wanted color to the city! Like the Lincoln Park steps, most of the mosaic steps around the city were designed by artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher. Talented doesn’t even begin to describe them. 

Some of my favorites include:

• 16th Ave Tiled Steps: These are by far the most popular of all the mosaic staircases in San Francisco, and for good reason! Look closely — the tiles represent a landscape starting at the bottom of the ocean all the way to the sun in the sky! I recommend walking all the way up (great for those thighs!) to Grand View Park for some of the best views of the city! Try to come mid-day midweek for less crowds. You’ll probably need to be patient to get a shot without any tourists walking up/down the steps.

• Hidden Garden Steps: I kinda love this mosaic pattern a bit more (shh!), as there’s blooming flowers, cute butterflies, and even a salamander extending up the steps. It’s only a few minutes away from the tiled steps on 16th Ave and typically way less crowded, so definitely hit up this SF Instagram spot as well!

Rainbow House

The city is FULL of colorful houses, but you’ll find one standing out more than the rest. And that’s because it’s got every single color of the rainbow on its exterior (from shades of red at the bottom to purples at the top)! You can say that San Francisco really wears its Pride on its sleeve. The house is an iconic piece of SF history and a landmark home; it’s even got its own listing on Google Maps!

You’ll find this rainbow Victorian home on a quiet neighborhood street at 521 Clipper in the Castro/Noe Valley area.

Fnnch Murals

Fnnch is kinda like an artistic icon in the city, so obviously his fun pieces are by far some of the best San Francisco instagram spots! Here’s some of my favorites and where to find them:

• Fallen Cone at Loving Cup: You gotta get some ice cream (or homemade rice pudding) as a prop, right? (2201 Union)
• Flamingo Love: When the other flamingo mural got vandalized and then painted over I was devastated! I was so happy to find this one instead! (701 3rd Ave)
• Walking Balloon Dog: Definitely more a cheesy tourist photo than a true San Francisco instagram spot, but it’s so fun I didn’t wanna leave it off the list!

• Giant Lips: There’s a few of these sprinkled throughout the city, including in the Marina (right near The Dorian) and in North Beach at 700 Columbus Ave. There’s also giant rainbow lips in the Castro! You may find tables and chairs in front, but it still makes for a fun photo spot in SF regardless! (641 Green St)
• California Bear: One of Fnnch’s newest murals! This took my friend Katie and I FOREVER to find — true story, but we finally figured out exactly where it’s located! (1250 California Street)
• Shake Shack Trio: Okay, so this one’s actually on the Peninsula in San Mateo (at the Hillsdale Mall), but it’s so cute I wanted to share! (165 E Sailer Drive)

SF MOMA

Looking to grab a whole bunch of San Francisco photo spots in one go? You NEED to check out the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It’s such an eclectic museum housing 7 floors of work, including pieces by Frida Khalo, Andy Warhol, and Georgia O’Keefe. There’s even the largest living wall in all of the USA over here. 

While I enjoyed all of the collections, I loved all the pieces with the neon lights (most notably Dan Flavin’s grid!) and Robert Indiana’s Love Sculpture (in the outdoor courtyard). 

Be on the lookout for special exhibitions — when we visited we saw Nam June Paik’s collection (so interesting and fun!) and walked through the rainbow bridge at Contemporary Optics (it was super trippy!).

Rainbow Crosswalks (Castro)

There’s so much pride over here in the Castro, and you definitely won’t miss the colorful crosswalks walking around town! There’s 4 of them painted in pinstripe rainbows at 18th & Castro honoring LGBTQ+ activism & civil rights. Snap a quick pic while walking — shouldn’t all crosswalks be this fun?

Lisa Frank Technicolor House

Mansion goals? Am I right?! This house (which you’ll find on 24th and San Jose in the Mission District) is exactly what I picture when I think of Lisa Frank — pinks, purples, and lime greens. It kinda looks like candy! It’s hard not to instantly smile when you pass it!

Rainbow Garage Doors

More color, what can I say?! The Castro’s got lots of it! And whoa — this piece of art is hard to walk past without snapping a few pics. While it’s pretty eye-catchy, it’s got a lot of meaning behind it. April Berger was commissioned to paint this mural in honor of Gilbert Baker, who designed the Gay Pride Flag and actually used to live there once upon a time. 

More recently, Dennis Peron lived there; a LGBT Activist and the ‘Father of Medical Marijuana’. Such an iconic piece of the Castro.

This is one of the least well-known photo spots in San Francisco, and I even had a difficult time finding it myself at first! Find it at 3737 17th Street (between Church and Sanchez). 

Secret Photo Spots in SF

Pier 7

Most people just walk on by, making it one of the most secret photo spots in San Francisco! Walk to the end of the pier, turn around, and BAM — there’s a perfect shot of the Transamerica Pyramid and the city! 

The vintage style street lights make for great perspective and symmetry shots, so try to get your subject right between the lights. It’s especially beautiful during sunset with all the colors (if you’re lucky enough to catch a sunset of course).

Turrell SkySpace

You caught me — I haven’t actually made it here myself just yet (it’s part of the deYoung Museum and I didn’t even know about this secret photo spot in San Francisco before writing this list of hidden gems in the city). BUT I will definitely be visiting next time I’m at the deYoung! 

What is it exactly? A permanent piece in the deYoung’s Osher Sculpture Garden and a hidden spot to view the sky (or stars!) through the oculus hole at the top. There’s LED lighting which changes based on the weather — sounds pretty cool to me and easily one of the most most unique places to take pictures in San Francisco.

Gino & Carlo Alley

There’s such fun Italy vibes over here with the green, red, and white! Wear something neutral so you don’t clash with the colors. I love to grab a pepperoni slice from Golden Boy (literally right next door) and sit in the alley to eat it. Or you can dine at Gino & Carlo itself, an unpretentious Italian sports pub. 

Just remember — this SF photo spot is a road so cars do come by, so watch out while you’re shooting and eating! Be careful and don’t block traffic. (North Beach)

Cupid’s Span and the Embarcadero 

I was walking along the Embarcadero one early morning a few years ago (when my husband was running the SF Marathon), and I came across Cupid’s Span. Back then I had NEVER seen it before, and I didn’t realize just how cool it was until just recently. I mean, it’s a giant bow and arrow sculpture right in Rincon Park adding some color to the cityscape. 

There’s great views of the Bay Bridge from one side, with the buildings towards the other. Stand on the green lawn for the best photos! The Ferry Building’s right there, so grab a scoop of secret breakfast from Humphry Slocombe, my favorite!

California Street View

Here’s something a bit different than our usual SF views — an actual cityscape! And why’s it got that spectacular view? Because it’s on one of the hilliest parts of the city (gotta put in that leg work!). 

From here you’ll see Chinatown pagodas, downtown skyscrapers, and even a photogenic red Muni stripe! And the Bay Bridge actually peeks out right between the buildings — look closely! Walk up the street to get to a higher vantage point (the section between Grant and Stockton — right near The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco — is extra photogenic, and where I took that photo). 

Baker Beach and/or Marshall’s Beach

A golden sandy beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background?! Yes! Absolutely stunning, and making it one of the most instagrammable places in San Francisco, easily! Psst: The bridge is closer to Marshall’s Beach, but you’ll need to walk down an ungodly number of steps (and then of course back up). 

But do remember they’re both nude beaches (Baker Beach as you get closer to the rocks and well, Marshall’s Beach is always just a free for all), so choose your angles carefully!

Hamon Observation Tower at the deYoung Museum

If you’re hanging out at Golden Gate Park, don’t miss the FREE panoramic 360° views of downtown San Francisco from the Hamon Observation Tower! Open to everyone, even if you don’t have a ticket to the art museum (just follow the signs upstairs from the entrance). You can see Golden Gate Park, the Richmond District, the Pacific ocean, and more for miles and miles. 

Best to come on a sunny day so you can actually see the views (although watching the fog roll in is super SF haha). And plus, the unique copper facade of the building is gorgeous, so may as well snap a quick photo over there as well!

Grace Cathedral

One quick look at the Grace Cathedral in Nob Hill and you’ll see why it’s one of the best photo spots in San Francisco. There’s ornate stained glass windows and tall spires and intricate mosaics and even a pair of large labyrinths — it’s inspired by a medieval cathedral after all! The doors are even copied from a baptistery in Florence, Italy! 

You can walk all the way up to the doors or take photos from afar — there’s no bad photo spots here.

Garden Court Lounge at the Palace Hotel

OMG the glass ceiling. It’s decked out with the most gorgeous chandeliers I’ve ever seen — elegant and upscale and absolutely lavish! I’d love to stay the night sometime (the indoor pool is calling my name), but I’ll settle with some afternoon tea or a champagne brunch in the lounge. 

You can walk into the lounge and take pics (it’s easily one of the most gorgeous spaces in the entire city), but you’ll need a room key to access the floors and other amenities.

Alcazar Theatre

It’s super unassuming and right on the street in the heart of the Tenderloin (not the best place to wander around). But from the outside it looks like you’ve stepped right into a riad in Marrakech (a place I’m dying to go)! That architecture simply is stunning!

Note that you may (ok, more like probably) find some “interesting” characters hanging out on the steps (the theatres not in the best neighborhood), so you’ll have to come back later. Every time I pass it I can’t get my shot! It’ll probably be one of the most difficult San Francisco photo spots to capture, but that just means you’ll really appreciate your images! 

Wood Line at Lovers Lane 

Promise me you won’t miss the one-of-a-kind Andy Goldsworthy art installation “Wood Line” hidden away within a lush eucalyptus forest (yes, we have those in San Francisco!). The unique zig-zags of the fallen tree trunks make for one of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco, so bring along your camera of course.

Since eucalyptus trees are evergreen, you can take photos at Lovers’ Lane year-round. The light is absolutely gorgeous in the early morning hours or around sunset, but due to the tree cover here, there’s no bad time to shoot.

It used to be one of the best hidden gems in SF, but it’s definitely gotten more popular lately — there’s usually at least one professional photoshoot going on! So many weddings and engagement shoots! Go on a weekday to have more luck with crowds.

Grab your bf/gf/significant other/bff, and go for a romantic wander. I love doing this with my husband and little Kona!

Lands End Labyrinth

I’m sure you’ve seen this SF photo spot all over instagram — it’s one of the best photography spots in San Francisco. Follow the winding pathway of the Lands End Trail and go down the stairs towards Mile Rock Beach, and you’ll find the Land Ends Labyrinth hiding away on a cosy cliff corner. Thank you to artist Eduardo Aguilera for creating this beautiful labyrinth (in 2004!) for us all to enjoy! 

Make sure to have a friend take photos from a higher vantage-point so you can get the full labyrinth design in your shots! The labyrinth is one of the more popular photo spots in San Francisco, so you’ll need to wait your turn if you wanna get that perfect shot without anyone else in it. It’s usually pretty busy so you’ll have to be extra patient (or remove people from your photo later).

Unfortunately the labyrinth’s been vandalized a few times over the years and it has been completely removed once or twice, most recently in April 2021. It’s always been rebuilt, so fingers crossed it’s there when you visit (although I’d double check beforehand by doing some Google magic)!

Lyon Street Steps in Presidio

Locals certainly know about these steps (and actually use them for exercise), but I never see visitors over here!  With over 300 steps, this hefty climb is a strenuous workout that’ll leave your legs aching and heart racing. And plenty of people use them to workout — so be courteous and let them pass you! 

But exercise aside, we’re here because they’re one of the best photo spots in San Francisco! Since you probably don’t wanna get all sweaty before your photos (I don’t blame you), park at the top and get the views without doing all the hard work (just start on Broadway instead). You’ll see the most marvelous city views — including the Palace of Fine Arts, the blue water, and even Marin and Tiburon on a clear day! 

Don’t miss the golden SF heart on the way up or down — it’s such a beauty (and a favorite for pictures)! One of the most instagrammable places in San Francisco by far!

Sutro Baths

History lovers will love this secret San Francisco photo spot! The Sutro Baths were originally built in 1896, and were a privately-owned, salt-water swimming pool complex with 7 pools! But the entire structure was ruined in a fire, so now it’s “open” for visitors to explore the remnants. 

Want some epic photos? Come here for sunset (still on my SF bucket list — I can’t seem to make it there at night).

Sentinel Building and Transamerica Pyramid

Did you know SF has its own epic flatiron building? That’s the Sentinel Building you see, known for its distinctive shape and stunning copper cladding — which has actually turned green over the years, haha. 

If you want that epic SF Instagram shot, your photographer will have to follow you in the middle of the street as you cross the crosswalk — be extra careful! I did it for a friend once but was too lazy to get my own picture, whoops! I totally should have. 

You can also take pictures right in front of the Sentinel Building if you don’t wanna repeatedly run into the street, but the views and angles aren’t as good. See the difference in the photos? 

Instagrammable Cafes and Restaurants in San Francisco

Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters

They’ve got the cutest gold pineapple wallpaper and some awesome house-roasted blends. It’s small and quaint and I love the decor!

Le Marais Bakery

A fan favorite, with pastries to match. A delightful family-owned bakery that serves up tantalizing French treats and artisan pastries, all made with local and organic ingredients. The handmade croissants are some of the fluffiest and buttery-ist ones I’ve ever tasted, and I do love my croissants! 

The bakery is so cute and kinda feels like you’re in Paris for a hot second. I’m a sucker for their cute branding, minimalist interior, and beautiful Bonjour tile work at the entrance! Plus, it’s bright and airy which is always a plus for photography!

Media Noche

Once known for their flamingo mural (that’s sadly painted over), this Cuban hotspot is wellll worth a visit. You’ll find San Francisco instagram spots both inside AND outside this cute little restaurant! Inside, look down – the spot boasts beautiful floor tiles (perfect for your feed) and the most stunning pastel teal touches (plus leafy green plants behind the counter!). There’s even metallic bananas in the restroom. 

And outside? A gorgeous flower mural. 

Besides the numerous photo spots here, the food is to die for. I always order a plate, but I’ve heard their Cubanos are outta this world as well. And don’t miss out on a moonbar (ice cream dipped in chocolate).

Home Coffee Roasters

What can go wrong when you’ve got a rainbow latte in your hand?! It’s just screaming for a photo! 

There’s also a sea-salted caramel latte, lavender latte, cookie monster latte, and even a nutella latte. I’ve heard the toast is great too! Psst — the shop on Clement is the cutest. 

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Believe the hype, this place is gooood. Come early for a cruffin — what they’re known for! They do sell out, so come early (but I promise everything is delicious here). 

But this is a list of the best place to take photos in SF, and Mr. Holme’s got it with that neon “I got baked in San Francisco” sign. It’s easily one of the best San Francisco instagram spots, so be sure to take a photo with it! 

Son and Garden

Flowery walls. Wisteria hanging from the ceiling. Cotton candy drinks. And scrumptious ube pancakes. What more can you want? This new spot (the sister restaurant of Farmhouse Thai — another of our favorite restaurants in SF) is super buzzy and trendy — definitely one of the most instagrammable places in San Francisco; perfect for your IG feed! 

We’ll be coming back for their high tea next time! The ultimate spot for brunch! Psst — there’s another location in Menlo Park if you’re in that area! 

The Rotunda

That glass ceiling on the top floor of Neiman Marcus (where you’ll find The Rotunda) is everything and then some! We recently came here for afternoon tea and loved it — I couldn’t stop gushing about the popovers (they’re outta this world). 

The lighting can be kinda difficult since no matter where you stand your subject will have backlight behind them from the ceiling, but editing helps a lot! Get rid of those nasty shadows and increase the brightness!

Seasonal Photo Spots in SF

SF Botanical Garden Magnolias

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is in my opinion one of the most peaceful spots in all of the city. While it’s wonderful all year round, I especially LOVE visiting when the magnolias are in full bloom (early to mid February). It’s such a sight to see the bright pink blooms against a clear blue sky. 

You don’t even have to get a ticket if you really don’t want — there’s usually a few magnolia trees blooming right outside the entrance! But really though, go on in!

Tom and Jerry’s house 

Visiting SF during the Christmas holiday season? You NEED to go check out Tom and Jerry’s house for yourself. Located in The Castro at 3650 21st Street, it’s like Father Christmas threw up all over the house! There’s no fancy decorations and you won’t find a theme here — it’s chaotic and tacky and all kinds of amazing. Kinda like that ugly sweater you wore last year. ? 

You’ll find tons of stuffed animals, a huge decked out 65-foot tree, mini theme park rides made out of K’nex, and even a toy train running on tracks. Pure magic any time of day with an obscene amount of holiday spirit! Christmas overflows from every window, door, and face of the house! Absolutely insane! 

Tom unfortunately passed away in October 2020 after battling cancer, and there’s been talks of 2020 possibly being the last season of decorations. Fingers crossed the tradition continues!

Bougainvillea House

Over in the Marina (okay, technically Cow Hollow), you’ll find one of my favorite photo spots in San Francisco — the bougainvillea house! Lush purpley-pink flowers are practically engulfing the entire house! Psst — for the full effect, you’ll wanna go when the bougainvillea is actually in bloom!  

Come in summer for the prettiest blooms (they usually start blooming in May/June and last until September or so)! It’s literally covered from top to bottom in the prettiest pink flowers — any floral lovers dream! Find it on Baker and Lyon in Cow Hollow. The house next door is really pretty to shoot at too, with its own branches of bougainvillea!

Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden at the Dutch Windmill

Visiting San Francisco in early Spring? You NEED to make your way to the Dutch Windmill! I mean, you can visit any time of year, but I love it most when the tulips are in full bloom. 

Hundreds, if not thousands of delicate tulips take over the surrounding area and fill it with vivid color – it’s a sight that will leave you searching for tickets to Amsterdam’s Tulip Festival! The area does get pretty crowded, so work those angles (shoot from down below) to help get some photobombers outta the shot.

Castro Christmas House

Have a thing for Christmas decorations? You NEED to check out this house. It’s decked out in thousands of string lights, pretty red bows (tied absolutely perfectly), wreaths covered in ornaments, giant candy canes, tinsel, and so much more. It’s literally dripping with Christmas cheer. There’s even a little bench in front to take photos on! 

Wear some red to make your photos pop! I recommend visiting at dusk so you can see the twinkly lights on, but can still see all the little details (which makes this house oh so special). We visited once during the day and then again at night — I loved it that much! 

Obviously this house is only decorated during Christmas time, so if you’re visiting SF in December, be sure to stop by! Found on 68 Castro Street.

Shakespeare Garden

Looking for one of the most romantic things to do in Golden Gate Park? Look no further than Shakespeare’s Garden, one of my favorite hidden photo spots in SF! It’s even a popular place to get married in San Francisco!  

What’s so special about Shakespeare Garden anyways? The flowers and plants are all mentioned in his plays and poems! There’s more than 200 flowers and plants over here, including poppies, mandrakes, daisies, violets, roses, and lilies. I recommend visiting in the spring and summer to see the plants in bloom, with trees and flowers lining the walkway.

Purple Wisteria House

Imagine a delicate fence literally dripping in whimsical purple wisteria. You’ll feel like you’re in a romantic English garden, not San Francisco! Wisteria typically blooms in April/May, so you’ll need to time your visit to coincide with the flowers! I finally made it there after wanting to go forever, and it was just as magical as I imagined! Wear a white dress to really pop against the flowers.

All the IGers keep this spot super hush hush — for what reason, I have NO idea. Shouldn’t everyone be enjoying these blooms?! BUT now you know this gorgeous purple house is located at the cross section of Mariposa Street and Connecticut Street (in Potrero Hill). 

Instagrammable Places near San Francisco

Yes, I know this is a list of the best photo spots in San Francisco, but I couldn’t not include some of my favorites nearby!

If you’re visiting SF for a few days and wanna get outta the hustle and bustle, consider a day trip! There’s so much to explore in the Bay Area — it’s wild how much there is!

Muir Woods

Craving a bit of nature? Head on over to Muir Woods in Mill Valley, a bit north of the city. Here you’ll find some of the tallest redwoods near San Francisco, and some easy trails to walk. Muir Woods is popular for a reason — it’s absolutely stunning! Those trees are really something else! 

Try coming midweek in the morning for less crowds. Weekends are always crazy hectic, meaning you may have a difficult time getting that perfect crowdless IG shot. There’s tons of different angles to shoot from — if it’s crowded have your photographer shoot slightly upwards to eliminate the people. And look out for the light beams shining through the trees. Absolutely magical.

Sausalito

Right near Muir Woods you’ll find Sausalito; it’s one of my favorite spots in Northern California! I swear you’ll feel like you’re in the Mediterranean for the day! There’s a whole slew of photo spots in Sausalito — I mean the entire area is gorgeous and overlooks the San Francisco Bay! 

A few of my favorite photo spots include: 

• a nautical flag mural made out of tiny tiles — find it at the Bank of America building and shoot later in the day as the morning sun casts nasty shadows
• The white cabins at the dock locks (across the street from the Casa Madrona hotel)
• on the walkway with the houses cascading up the hillside behind you — I swear it looks like something straight out of Positano!
• with any and all bougainvillea you can find — it’s all over in the summer
• a cone at Lapperts with it’s tropical leaf wallpaper

There’s also houseboat communities to check out, viewpoints, and clam chowder! One of my favorite day trips from San Francisco!

Half Moon Bay

Another spot super close to San Francisco, although there’s usually tons of traffic to get here on the weekends (so come midweek if you can)! Psst — this is NorCal we’re talking about; you probably won’t get actual beach weather. Plan to wear (or at least bring along) a cozy sweater! 

Here’s a few of my fave photo spots in HMB:

• The wild mustard fields in February are perfect for a pop of yellow on your IG feed. Read this to find out how to visit them legally!
• The pink super bloom at Montara, which happens in May. And no, the trail leading here from the beach is NOT on private property which people keep alluding to.
• While you’re at it, grab a lobster roll over at Sam’s. We love walking on the trail right outside.
• Missed the mustard and super bloom at Montara? Don’t fret — check out the sunflower field in September! I’ve got a whole post on the Half Moon Bay sunflower fields with everything you need to know!

Treasure Island

I don’t know what took us so long to venture over to Treasure Island, but it’s got the best views of the city! We took photos on the rocks overlooking the skyline and Bay Bridge, and loved walking the pathway around the island. You can also hit up Mersea for alfresco dining — it’s a super fun spot to come with friends for a few drinks! 

Got more time? There’s also wine tasting, kayaking, and stand-up paddling over here too! Such a fun mini “day trip” from the city for a few hours — you really don’t even feel like you’re in San Francisco anymore!

Marin Headlands

Cross that famed Golden Gate Bridge and you’ve got viewpoints for days!  Go check out the Point Bonita Lighthouse (so many fun photo spots over here), Rodeo Beach (the sand is made outta tiny pebbles!), Kirby Cove (still on my SF bucket list!), and tons of batteries and missile sites. The picture below was taken at one of the numerous batteries lining Conzelman Road. 

If you venture a bit north, you’ll also find the Muir Beach Overlook, which we love (but can get extremely windy and extremely crowded — parking is HARD). Come midweek for the best chance of getting that perfect SF IG spot all for yourself.

San Jose

San Jose is ALWAYS forgotten, considering it’s not as popular as nearby San Francisco. We’ve been checking out this area more, and of course I found a bunch of fun photo spots already! 

There’s Santana Row (tons of trendy eateries here!), San Pedro Square (we love Three Sisters bar and Voyager Craft Coffee), and in summer there’s the Municipal Rose Garden (perfect for flowy skirts and picnics). Of course there’s tons of murals and street art everywhere! 

Peninsula

Everyone ALSO always forgets about the Peninsula, the towns and cities directly below San Francisco proper. But there’s honestly so much to see here! I won’t go into tons of detail (we’d be here all day), but I’ll share some of my fave photo spots over here! 

• Pulgas Water Temple (Woodside): A gorgeous reflecting pool with a Beaux arts monument?! Yes, please! Come during the summer months when the lavender is in full bloom — it’s absolutely breathtaking and smells oh so delicious (just watch out for the bees)! There’s only 30 minute parking but the main area’s pretty small so you can definitely get your shots in during that time. I’ve seen full on photo shoots here, from wedding parties to graduations to IGers in the wild (myself included, haha). The perfect spot for a picnic, although you’ll have to eat fast and it does get quite hot out here.
• Ettan (Palo Alto): That epic blue door everyone takes pictures at is right here! And honestly? The whole restaurant is blue and white heaven. Come for the intricate blue door and swoon worthy decor, stay for the exquisite Cal-Indian fusion cuisine!
• Mori Point (Pacifica): I’ve been to Mori Point more times than I can count! And it’s completely different each and every time depending on the weather. Come in late spring/early summer for wildflowers. 
• La Vie Nail Bar (Burlingame): A super cute nail studio right in the heart of downtown Burlingame in Burlingame Ave. I’ve never actually gotten my nails done here, but the photo opps inside and outside are worthy of a short stroll! The florals and pink bike just make my heart swoon!

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If you’re visiting SF, I can almost bet that seeing the Golden Gate Bridge is on your San Francisco bucket list! As it should be — it’s iconic to the City by the Bay and a true architectural masterpiece. And it’s freaking gorgeous — there’s a reason it’s one of the most photographed bridges in the world!

While there are tons of Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints, marveling at the bridge from Battery Spencer is, in my opinion, the absolute best place! It is THE signature view of the Golden Gate Bridge afterall. You know those famous opening credits of Full House? Yup — those were shot from Battery Spencer!

There’s been fashion shoots here (expect to see lots of IGers!) to fun family outings with lots of cute pups and kiddos, and everything in between. We’ve had picnics overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, brought visitors up here, and even witnessed a proposal or two. And when I tell you it’s downright magical — don’t just believe me. Go and experience it for yourself! Battery Spencer’s one of my favorite spots for sunset in San Francisco!

It’s one of the places we always take visitors (along with Muir Woods, the secret mosaic stairs, and Chinatown and the Mission — two of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco).

So get ready, we’re off to see the Golden Gate Bridge and it’s International Orange color in all its glory right here at Battery Spencer. Here’s literally everything you need to know before visiting!

About Battery Spencer

The Basics

• Cost: FREE!
• Parking: Limited but not crazy difficult
• Open: Always!
• Bathrooms: Available, but not in the best of shape
• Distance from Downtown SF: 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic

A little history about Battery Spencer

Yeah, the views are absolutely phenomenal (have you seen the photos?!), but did you know this area’s filled with military history?! Battery Spencer was part of the Harbor Defence and one of the protection points for the SF Bay from 1897 until 1942 (around the time of World War II). It’s where the three 12” guns were operated and stored. If you walk around Marin County, you’ll soon discover quite a few other historic forts and batteries.

You can actually still see bunkers and gun mounting remnants to this day! But the walls have since been vandalized and are covered with graffiti, so it honestly doesn’t look super historic anymore. Still kinda cool to check out. I honestly come for the views though.

The View

I’m not kidding when I say you get an up-close and personal view of the bridge from up here! There’s great views from every single angle! And besides panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, you also get spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge in the distance. Battery Spencer’s really one of the best hidden gems in San Francisco — there’s a reason it’s my favorite!

Photographers just LOVE this spot — there’s enough room for everyone to get their shot! The area is quite wide, so you’ve got broad ocean views to the west and views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and even Fort Baker to the east. 

And of course, with the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, Battery Spencer is a prime spot for sunset photos! You get that nice glow illuminating the bridge itself, and if you’re lucky, pinks and oranges in the sky! 

Battery Spencer Logistics

When to Visit

Want the views all to yourself — or close to it? Come early in the morning on a weekday. Sunrise shoot, anyone?!

But if you’re allergic to early mornings like we are, don’t worry — the views are absolutely fantastic any time of day. If you’ve got flexibility, aim to visit on a weekday; it’ll be far less crowded! Try and visit on a clear, sunny day! Although the fog does make an appearance more often than not!

We’ve visited Battery Spencer at sunset on a holiday weekend — not a good idea. I’m not kidding when I say we almost missed sunset entirely because traffic on Conzelman Road was that bad. Don’t be us — visit any other time. I’ve thankfully visited plenty of other times so I wasn’t terribly upset when this happened.

Pro Tip: If seeing sunset at Battery Spencer is on your SF bucket list, plan to come a bit early! You wanna give yourself enough time to get a parking spot and make the short walk to the viewpoint! Don’t rush it!

If you do manage to snag a spot for sunset, be sure to stay once the Golden Gate Bridge lights up and reflects in the water. And on a clear night, do a bit of stargazing — there’s plenty of stars up here!

Weather and What to Bring/Wear

Hate to break it to you, but the wind at Battery Spencer is NO joke, y’all. When I tell you it’s gonna be windy 95% of the time, listen to me! It makes sense — The viewpoint is at the top of a hill, and it’s San Francisco afterall (this is not SoCal with it’s near perfect weather). Expect it to be pretty chilly, especially at sunset. 

Make sure to wear layers, and leave that hat at home (unless you wanna be holding it down with fear of it blowing away, never to be seen again).

I always underdress and am always shivering! Make sure to wear enough layers, and yes, even in the summer! There’s tons of ridiculous and incriminating photos of me at Battery Spencer (with my dress half up, blowing in the wind). I just can’t learn. Don’t be me — wear pants or at least a long dress if you don’t wanna flash everyone in sight and/or hold your skirt down the whole time.

On the rare occasion it’s not terribly windy up here, just enjoy it and take in the views! Because that’s NOT the norm! :p

Should I visit on a foggy day?

Well, that’s entirely up to you — but I say, go for it! Fog is almost guaranteed over here at least a few times a week, and it’s kinda hard to know when it’s coming. Karl is finicky y’all (yes, our beloved fog even has a name AND a twitter account). Fog is very much unpredictable, and he seems to creep up in an instance.

And plus, if you get lucky and come at the right moment, watching the fog roll in over the bay is just as magical (if not more so!) than watching the sunset at Battery Spencer.

How to Get There

First things first, Battery Spencer is not located within the city of San Francisco itself. Many people get confused by this, but just hear me out!

It’s located on the north side of the bridge in the Marin Headlands just across the bay, meaning you’ll have to cross the bridge itself (leaving San Francisco) in order for the viewpoint. But I promise you it’s worth it! I wouldn’t have you leave SF for some regular old view! Just something to keep in mind because this means you’ll need to plan to leave the city for a hot second or two.

Driving:

Thankfully, driving to Battery Spencer from San Francisco is super easy. But depending on where in the city you’re coming from, it can take a bit of time to reach. From downtown SF expect it to take roughly 25 minutes. If you’re already in the Presidio near Crissy Field or the Palace of Fine Arts, it’s even closer (around 15 minutes).

Exact Address: Conzelman Road, Sausalito, CA 94965

It used to be super quick to drive up the hill to Battery Spencer after crossing the bridge, but they’ve since made that a one-way road. And thank goodness — because traffic and parking used to be an absolute nightmare!

Directions: After crossing the bridge, you’ll need to make your way around the hill by making a right on Alexander Ave, turning left onto Bunker Road, following that around until you reach McCullough Road, and then finally getting to Conzelman Road at the traffic circle. Once you reach Conzelman you’ll quickly see the bridge, but KEEP ON GOING! The Battery Spencer viewpoint is the closest one to the Golden Gate.

But honestly, just pop Battery Spencer into your GPS and you’ll be guided right there! Cell service isn’t the greatest up here, so just something to keep in mind on your return journey.

Or if you’re not renting a car, Uber or Lyft shouldn’t cost more than $20 or so (from the Palace of Fine Arts or nearby). But then you’ll need to get yourself back over the bridge if you don’t wanna walk, and finding a ride share in the opposite direction could be more difficult.

Walking:

Yes, you can in fact WALK straight to Battery Spencer from San Francisco! It’ll take a while, but that just means more room for desserts in San Francisco, right?! You’ll need to of course walk over the Golden Gate Bridge itself, and the bridge alone is 1.7 miles each way, soooo definitely expect a long walk! 

From Crissy Field (another great spot to see the bridge), it’ll be about an hour and 30 minute walk one way (including the walk over the bridge). Do note that there’s some slight elevation change, so wear your comfy shoes! 

If you’re coming from elsewhere in the city, it’ll take longer, so I’d plan on walking to Battery Spencer on a day you’re already hanging out in the Presidio. There’s the Palace of Fine Arts, Baker Beach, Lover’s Lane, the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, and a whole lot more around here.

Public Transit:

Thankfully, if you don’t feel like walking a few miles to reach the viewpoint from the city, there’s the bus!

You can take the #30 or #70 bus from the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza or Richardson Ave & Francisco Street, ride a few stops, and get off at the US-101 Off-Ramp/Sausalito Lateral Road. You’ll then need to walk about 20 minutes (0.8 miles), but that definitely beats walking 3 miles! 

Parking at Battery Spencer

Depending on the day — it can get kinda tricky. But it’s way better than it used to be!

The actual “lot” for Battery Spencer (if you can even call it a lot) is only large enough for a few cars, so I’d expect to park elsewhere on Conzelman Road. Thankfully, now that the road is a one-way street, there’s a decent amount of designated street parking on the side of the road. Phew — I used to majorly stress about that!

If it’s a busy day (not uncommon on the weekends), we sometimes have to park closer to Hawk Hill and walk over (about a 25 minute walk from Hawk Hill — but there’s other viewpoints along the way).

Just note that if you do in fact pass Battery Spencer and there’s no spots available, you’ll need to make the loop around the hill again. So if you see parking just before the viewpoint I say snag it up if you wanna ensure yourself a spot!

Local Safety Tip: Remember to LOCK YOUR DOORS and HIDE ALL VALUABLES (or better yet, just take them with you). Unfortunately, petty crime is a thing here in SF, especially in high trafficked tourist areas. 

And once you park, the viewpoint will be less than a ¼ mile walk away. Do note the walk is slightly uphill, so be prepared for that, especially if it’s super chilly! You’ll pass the old abandoned military buildings, which you can check out of course, but most people are just here for the views!

Cost:

Visiting the panoramic views at Battery Spencer are 100% free! But if you’re planning to venture back into San Francisco, remember you’ll need to pay the bridge toll (there’s no fee going northbound, only southbound).

If you’re planning to visit Muir Woods, Sausalito, Napa Valley, or anything else over the bridge, try and squeeze in a visit to Battery Spencer on the same day so you’ve only gotta pay the toll once! At over $8, it does add up!

Things to do Nearby Battery Spencer

Already over the bridge? Here’s a few of my other favorite things north of San Francisco!

• Muir Woods: Craving nature and giant redwood trees? Spend a morning in Muir Woods! Whenever I’m in the mood for some fresh air, I always head to the misty redwoods!
• Point Bonita Lighthouse: The hours are super limited (only open 12:30-3:30pm on Sundays and Mondays), but I promise you it’s worth planning around. There’s more ocean views along the half-mile trail, and the historic lighthouse is super interesting. I’ve only been once and desperately wanna go again!
• Sausalito: Wanna feel like you stepped foot in the Mediterranean for a hot second? Hang out in Sausalito for the afternoon! Don’t miss a walk along the waterfront and some Lappert’s ice cream! My absolute favorite way to spend a sunny day!

Other Viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge

I’ve got a whole post on other spots with spectacular Golden Gate Bridge views. Check that out here! A few of my favorites (besides Battery Spencer of course!) include:

• Golden Gate Bridge View Vista Point 
• Hawk Hill (super close to Battery Spencer but with totally different views!)
• Baker Beach and Marshall’s Beach
• Golden Gate Overlook (near Langdon Court Parking)
• Fort Point National Historic Site
• Crissy Field

I hope this helped you plan your visit to Battery Spencer, the most iconic viewpoint of the Golden Gate Bridge! Are you visiting SF soon? Don’t forget to add Battery Spencer to your San Francisco itinerary!

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The post Battery Spencer in San Francisco: My Favorite Viewpoint of the Golden Gate Bridge appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

San Francisco is weird, wacky, and downright wonderful. We’ve got literally everything right here — from world class sunset views and foodie restaurants to hidden nature trails and flowery houses. And it’s super easy to get off the beaten path in San Francisco — as long as you know where to look!

The city is filled with tons of secret spots, from beach swings with Golden Gate Bridges views and hidden concrete slides, to secret alleyways and 100 foot tall sculptures in the middle of the forest.

But everyone just visits the tourist hot spots when they visit — and I get it! There’s just so much to explore here in the Bay! There’s Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge (obviously!), Alcatraz, Chinatown, the Painted Ladies in Alamo Square (the famous “Full House” Victorians), etc. Among 100 other things (check out my full SF bucket list here)!

But if you wanna get away from those typical touristy places (hey, I still love them!), check out a few San Francisco hidden gems! And you’ve got lots to choose from in this post!

So if you’re visiting SF for the first time or you’ve been here more times than you can count, make sure to add a few of these secret spots in San Francisco to your SF itinerary! 

Secret Views in San Francisco

1. Hamon Observation Deck at de Young Museum

Entrance into one of the best hidden gems in San Francisco for FREE? Don’t mind if I do! If you’re hanging out at Golden Gate Park, don’t miss the FREE panoramic 360° views of downtown San Francisco from the Hamon Observation Tower! 

Open to everyone, even if you don’t have a ticket to the art museum (just follow the signs upstairs from the entrance). You can see Golden Gate Park, the Richmond District, the ocean, and more for miles and miles. Best to come on a sunny day so you can actually see the views (although watching the fog roll in is super SF haha).

2. Hawk Hill and Battery Spencer

Looking for the best views of the famed Golden Gate Bridge? Head on over the bridge to Marin! Here you’ll find two of my favorite San Francisco hidden gems — Hawk Hill and Battery Spencer! 

As I mentioned, you’ll need to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get to these two secret spots in San Francisco, but trust me — they’re well worth it! I wouldn’t have you heading out of the city if they weren’t absolutely spectacular (promise). 

Head to Battery Spencer for a super-close view, or a bit further (but just as beautiful view) from Hawk Hill. I LOVE coming here for sunset; the views are just insane, just bring a warm jacket — it’s usually super windy and chilly over here!

3. Kirby Cove

If you’re looking for another one of the best San Francisco hidden gems over the bridge, make the short 1.5 mile trek down to Kirby Cove. Not officially in the city itself, BUT the views of the bridge from the beach are just too good to pass up, so we’re counting it! 

There’s sometimes a swing over here with coveted views of the bridge and SF skyline, but it gets cut down so often I wouldn’t expect to find it. I’m dying to go camping over here — it’s highly sought after for a reason! The views!!!! Absolutely gorgeous on a clear day!

4. Treasure Island

We finally made it to Treasure Island a few months back, and I have no clue why it took us so long to get over there! The drive’s only a few miles from downtown, and even better — it’s free (despite needing to go on the Bay Bridge for a few!). 

Don’t miss an alfresco lunch on the outdoor patio at Mersea, and a walk along the paved path overlooking the water. Such a great view of the SF skyline and Bay Bridge! There’s also wine tasting, kayaking, and stand-up paddling over here too! Such a fun mini “day trip” from the city for a few hours — you really don’t even feel like you’re in San Francisco anymore!

5. Tank Hill

Hidden behind the famous (and overly popular) Twin Peaks, Tank Hill remains a local jewel, well, until now that is! I’ll never not share my secret spots in San Francisco with you guys, don’t you worry. 

And from up here — expect to find one of the best views and sunsets in San Francisco (without the hordes of tourists). You’ll see the ocean and Golden Gate Park to your left, the Golden Gate Bridge staring right at you, as well as the Saint Ignatius church not too far away! Most locals don’t even know about this park, making it one of the best hidden gems in SF!

6. California Street View 

Here’s something a bit different than our usual SF views — an actual cityscape! And why’s it got that spectacular view? Because it’s one of the hilliest parts of the city (gotta put in that leg work!). 

From here you’ll see Chinatown pagodas, downtown skyscrapers, and even a photogenic red Muni stripe! And the Bay Bridge actually peeks out right between the buildings — look closely! Walk up the street to get to a higher vantage point (the section between Grant and Stockton — right near The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco — is extra photogenic, and where I took that photo). 

If you wanna ride an iconic SF cable car, I highly suggest you choose the California Street Line Cable Car over the more popular Powell Line — I love the views even more!

7. Bernal Heights Park

Yes, this is where that coveted swing in San Francisco is (well, one of them)! If it’s there (it sometimes gets taken down), you’ll undoubtedly need to wait in line. The park stretches above the Mission and gives you a unique view of downtown San Francisco and the entire Mission District. Definitely climb the stairs to get a tad higher. 

Pro tip → you can drive almost to the top and park in the neighborhood to avoid most of the hike! One of the best spots for sunset in San Francisco!

8. Ina Coolbrith Park

A park that seems like an oasis in a big city? That’s Ina Coolbrith Park for ya! And trust me, you can easily overlook it (which many visitors, and even locals do!). But don’t → it gives one of the most spectacular views of downtown San Francisco (making for a wonderful sunset in SF)! 

The buildings are so close it almost seems as if the city is standing right in front of you! AND if you visit during spring, there’ll be tons of California poppies growing here. You’ll need to walk up a pretty steep hill to get here, but I promise, the views are worth the effort!

9. Fort Point National Historic Site

Most people who come to Fort Point come for the views — I mean, you can essentially get right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge to take the coolest photos! How sweet is that to be standing under the bridge? 

But what most people don’t actually realize, is that Fort Point is one of the most important historic sites in SF with over two centuries of history, built in the Civil War era. There’s a whole series of exhibits about the military history of SF, as well as guided tours, Civil War reenactments, and cannon drills (with limited hours). 

Head to Level 1 of the Fort to check out the many old cannons on display, and Level 2 for panoramic views of the Bay and an up-close view of the Golden Gate Bridge!

Super Quirky Hidden Gems in San Francisco

10. Yoda Fountain and Statue

Calling all Star Wars lovers! Have I found one of the best hidden gems in San Francisco for you or what?! Don’t miss the Yoda Fountain outside the Lucasfilm HQ, an iconic stop for any Star Wars fan. And it’s located in the Presidio, next to a whole bunch of other secret spots in San Francisco, so definitely worth the quick stop! 

You can even go inside the lobby headquarters for free to check out R2D2 and other iconic Star Wars props and memorabilia. Don’t miss the nearby Letterman Digital Arts Center Recycled Water Pond — it’s gorgeous on a sunny day!

10. Urban Putt

I bet you didn’t think San Francisco had mini golf, now did you? I promise this isn’t the same course you played as a kid — it’s on a whole other level and way more fun! I don’t wanna spoil all the fun, but there’s a blacklight submarine, a mini golf pinball machine, and even replicas of your typical San Francisco icons.

And one of the best parts? There’s a full bar inside, and they even encourage you to drink while you play! This is definitely more of an adult’s spot, but there’s usually plenty of kids inside too.

11. Golden Gate Park Bison

Yup, there’s real-life bison living here in Golden Gate Park. I told you we’ve got our fair share of unique secret spots in San Francisco! And no, they weren’t randomly placed here, haha. They were brought to San Francisco (GGP in particular) in the 1890’s when the species was close to extinction.

And guess what they did? Repopulated! Over 100 calves were born in the captive breeding program over here. Woo!  

12. Seward Street Slides

Concrete slides hidden within a mini neighborhood park (Seward Mini Park)? Yes, please!  Unleash your inner child; even my dad had an absolute blast on these during his last visit to San Francisco. Just be careful – they’re super steep. 

FYI: Bring a piece of cardboard to slide down on so you don’t rip your pants — it’s happened before! There may or may not be some extra cardboard at the bottom, but you won’t know until you get there — best to just bring your own! And if you wanna go extra fast, throw some sand down the slide first!

13. Vermont Street

Super crooked and super fun (depending on who you ask)! Everyone thinks Lombard Street is the curviest street in San Francisco, but it’s actually Vermont Street over in Potrero Hill. It’s not a place we go often, and definitely not as scenic as popular Lombard, but fun to drive down and say you’ve been to the windiest spot! 

Those sharp hairpin turns really are something (thank god they’re one way)! The windy part of the street goes right through McKinley Square, a huge hilly green space with a fun playground for kids (basically another hidden gem in San Francisco to add to the list!). 

14. Dangling Legs at Piedmont Boutique

Okay, so it’s not really one of the most secret spots in San Francisco as it’s literally on a super popular street in a popular neighborhood. BUT you’d probably walk right past it and not give it any thought had I not mentioned it here! Look up above the Piedmont Boutique and you’ll see the hot and sexy mannequin legs — in red high heels and fishnet stockings dangling from the window of the Victorian building. 

Located on Haight Street within the Haight-Ashbury, expect to find lots of outlandish fashion like sequins, faux fur, and feathers. The whole area is super unique and just so fun to walk around, but don’t miss these giant legs (by far one of my favorite neighborhoods in SF for exploring!).

15. Camera Obscura

Yes, there’s a whole slew of hidden gems in San Francisco near Lands End! And the Camera Obscura is another one! You just need to go! This one is located right behind the popular Cliff House (now sadly closed). 

What’s the Camera Obscura you ask? Essentially, a giant pinhole camera (and it actually works – go inside to see the projections and holograms!). It has weird hours so if you can’t go inside, no sweat, the views alone are worth the short trek from Lands End.

16. Sutro Baths

History lovers will love this hidden gem in San Francisco! The Sutro Baths were originally built in 1896, and were a privately-owned, salt-water swimming pool complex with 7 pools! But the entire structure was ruined in a fire, so now it’s “open” for visitors to explore the remnants. 

You can even see a small glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge if you walk up the concrete outlook far enough and look over the coast. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, head down to explore the huge sea cave with the waves crashing below. Crazy to imagine what it used to look like!

17. Three Gems Skyspace by James Turrel

You caught me — I haven’t actually made it here just yet (it’s part of the deYoung Museum and I didn’t even know about this secret spot in San Francisco before writing this list of hidden gems). BUT I will definitely be visiting next time I’m at the deYoung! 

What is it exactly? A permanent piece in the deYoung’s Osher Sculpture Garden and a hidden spot to view the sky (or stars!) through the oculus hole at the top. There’s LED lighting which changes based on the weather — sounds pretty cool to me!

Super Off the Beaten Path in San Francisco

18. The Wave Organ

An instrument that is actually played by the San Francisco Bay itself? Whoa! Found perched on the shores of the SF Bay, the metal pipes of the Wave Organ generate liquid music as waves roll in, creating low notes that match the restless movement of the tide (how cool is this?!). Some say it kinda sounds like a flushing toilet or a gurgle, but still cool nonetheless. 

You need to get lucky to hear the noises, as the most I’ve ever heard is a bit of gurgling. It’s a hit or miss situation, as the noises highly depend on the tide! If you’re hoping to hear the musical sounds, definitely come during high tide. But regardless of when you visit, you’ll get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and San Francisco skyline!

19. Albion Castle

Did you know there’s a real-life 6-story stone castle located within SF proper?! Kinda crazy, right?! It has a long winded history (a total time capsule!), but has since been sold and is now private property. You can’t even see the castle from the street. 

Because of this, I wasn’t even sure if I should include Albion Castle on this list of San Francisco hidden gems, but here we are! It’s kinda cool to know there’s a 140-year-old castle with underground caves right here in the city, despite not being able to visit (haha). I mean, most residents of SF don’t even know this place exists!

And better yet, it’s right next to the Flights of Fancy mosaic steps, one of the most colorful hidden gems in San Francisco.

20. Jungle House

You’re walking on Church Street in Noe Valley and BAM — there’s a house decked out with wild animals and even metal leaves sprouting from the rooftop! The entire house is painted with a jungle theme in mind (with tons of jungle animals), and it’s downright gorgeous! 

The detail is just amazing — so intricate and colorful. The garbage bins are even painted to perfectly fit into the scene! Where to find it? On Church Street between 22nd and 23rd!

21. Mt. Davidson

A Eucalyptus forest! A memorial cross! Unique perspectives of the city! A visit to Mt. Davidson is like checking off a whole bunch of secret places in San Francisco in one! Looking for the highest point to watch the sunset in San Francisco? You’ll find that over here at Mt. Davidson! 

The best views are actually during sunrise, but if you’re allergic to early mornings (like I am), you’ll find sunset to be just as spectacular! And from up here, be on the lookout for the fog rolling in over the city → it’s honestly so remarkable to see! Okay, fine, Karl the fog, you win — just sometimes!

22. Macondray Lane

Probably one of the prettiest spots on this list of secret places in San Francisco! You’ll love strolling along cobblestoned Macondray Lane, a small pedestrian street with flower gardens, fruit trees, and even a little zen fountain. 

Those in the know love it so much that it’s even been added to the National Register of Historic Places back in 1988! The street can be found on the southeastern side of Russian Hill not terribly far from Lombard Street, the super-famous crooked street in SF.

23. Frame in Hunters Point

Wanna truly get off the beaten path in San Francisco? Head to the “frame” in Hunters Point! And it’s exactly what it sounds like → a massive and ornate walk-through picture frame! It’s an enlarged version of an antique Rococo style frame, literally framing the multiple views and perspectives of the shipyard’s landscape. 

Mildred Howard, an African-American artist, created this 20 foot tall bronze sculpture, making it by far one of the most unique hidden gems in San Francisco. Plus, there’s a whole pathway with additional pieces of art, so definitely add this whole area to your must-visit secret spots in San Francisco

24. Musee Mecanique

Any gamers in the house?! You need to visit Musee Mecanique, an old fashioned museum with unique coin-operated instruments and vintage arcade games! I mean, some of the games are over 100 years old; think Mrs. Pac Man and Pirates of the Caribbean pinball!! 

If you don’t have coins, don’t fret — there’s a few change machines inside the museum. You can walk through for free, or play a whole bunch of games! Learn about the history of entertainment and games over the decade, including the technological advancements of those times. One of the most unique museums in SF for sure (a true San Francisco hidden gem), located on Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf.

25. Spire by Andy Goldsworthy

If you’re already in the Presidio, make your way to Spire, a tall outdoor sculpture by acclaimed artist Andy Goldsworthy. The piece symbolizes forest rejuvenation, and is made completely of material found in nature (exactly 38 Monterey cypress trees whose time had come). 

It’s amazing how many people have no clue it’s over here in the Presidio! Definitely one of San Francisco’s most secret spots and literally in the middle of the woods. Find it near the southern entrance of the Presidio on Arguello Blvd near the golf course.

Secret Stairways and Steps

26. 16th Avenue Steps and Grand View Park

There’s lots of mosaic stairways in San Francisco, but the 16th Avenue Steps are by far my favorite! Along the entire pathway you’ll find vivid tiles, stained glass, and even pieces of shattered mirror! And the fact that the entire design is based on the sea and sky makes me love it even more! We ALWAYS take visitors here, no matter what! 

Walk allllll the way up the tiled steps and on a few more switchbacks (and a few more stairs), and you’ll reach Grand View Park with all of SF below you. Plus, the sunsets in Grand View Park are outta this world. Makes sense because there’s breathtaking, sweeping vistas of the bay, and it’s hardly ever crowded!

27. Lincoln Park Steps

If you’re spending the day hiking in Lands End (suuuuch pretty views here!), swing by the Lincoln Park Steps! I have a thing for mosaic steps, and these are some of the widest ones in the entire city! The community raised money to replace the old, broken steps that were covered in debris and graffiti. And what do we have now? An intricate pattern design and benches to relax on!

28. Hidden Garden Steps

My second favorite of the tiled steps in SF, so I just had to include it on this list of hidden gems in San Francisco. It’s hardly visited, despite being super close to the more popular 16th Avenue Steps in the Outer Sunset! The mosaics are just as spectacular — there’s blooming flowers, cute butterflies, and even a salamander that slithers up the steps.

And once you’re done admiring all the tiles, walk your butt over for some fresh focaccia at Arizmendi Bakery — you’ve earned it!

29. Miraloma Stairs

The newest set of mosaic steps in SF, and boy are they beautiful! You’ll find this staircase at an elementary school in Miraloma Park. The main feature is the tiled dragon, which is the mascot of Miraloma Elementary — how fitting! 

Go take a look; the secret steps are kinda like a floating textbook — think of a tiled curriculum of alphabets, words, numbers, math problems, and more! There’s even inspirational quotes from Michelle Obama, Mark Twain, and Oscar Wilde. The entire staircase kinda gives off a whimsical feeling, and I can’t get enough of it.

30. Lyon Street Steps

Locals certainly know about these steps (and actually use them for exercise), but I never see visitors over here!  With over 300 steps, this hefty climb is a strenuous workout that’ll leave your legs aching and heart racing. And plenty of people use them to workout — so be courteous and let them pass you!

Once you’ve reached the top (from Green Street), you’ll be rewarded with the most marvelous city views. You can see the Palace of Fine Arts, blue water, and even Marin and Tiburon on a clear day.  And psst – it’s really not toooo hard, and you’ll earn your snack break! 

Or you can just park at the top and get the views without doing all the hard work (just start on Broadway instead). Don’t say I never shared my secrets. :p Don’t miss the golden SF heart on the way up or down — it’s such a beauty! One of my favorite San Francisco hidden gems by far!

Psst → there’s actually a whole slew of secret stairways, and they’re all pretty much hidden gems in San Francisco! You really gotta know where to look! Check out this post of all my favorites (including a whole bunch most locals don’t even know about!)

Nature-y Hidden Gems in San Francisco 

31. Huntington Falls

I’m sorry, but this just wouldn’t be a complete list of hidden gems in San Francisco without mentioning this secret waterfall in Golden Gate Park! Most people have zero clue there’s a waterfall over here in the middle of the city, let alone the busiest lake in the park. 

Admire the falls from either the rocky lower footpath or above it from the bridge for a completely different angle!  It’s close to the Golden Gate Pavilion (a Chinese temple-like structure given to SF as a gift from Taipei!) so make sure you walk over there as well (another of the secret spots in San Francisco!).

32. Lands End Labyrinth

Follow the winding pathway, and you’ll find the Land Ends Labyrinth hiding away on a cosy cliff corner. The Golden Gate Bridge is even far off in the distance — look closely and you’ll see it! 

Thank you to artist Eduardo Aguilera for creating this beautiful labyrinth (in 2004!) for us all to enjoy! You can’t not take a picture here! I’m not sure if this is truly one of the secret spots in San Francisco anymore, as it’s typically pretty crowded! But you really need to know what you’re looking for in order to find it! It’s really tucked away!

33. The Parrots of Telegraph Hill and The Filbert Stairs

If you’re headed to Coit Tower, don’t take the easy way up by driving! The Filbert Street Steps are some of the most picturesque in all of the Bay (kinda feels like you’re in a fairy garden), and offer ah-maz-ing views of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. One of those secret places in San Francisco you just can’t miss! 

And one of the hardest to find (I’ve attempted climbing the stairs a few times in the past but couldn’t find the entrance without looking up specific directions, haha!). If you don’t know where to find the steps, the starting point can be kinda confusing. Head to the corner of Sansome and Filbert and you’ll find them right away (kinda hard to miss).

On your way up the wooden steps (all 200 or so of them), don’t miss Napier Lane — a sidewalk lined with pre-1900, cottage-like homes! Seriously, too cute. And always be on the lookout for wild parrots of Telegraph Hill! Yes, parrots! Although you may hear them before you see them!

34. Marshall’s Beach

If you’re on the lookout for a wondrous view of the Golden Gate bridge, you’re in luck at this at this secluded shorefront spot. Just note there’s always a bunch of nudes over here, so keep an open mind and remember — you’re in SF. 

You’ll need to put in some effort if you wanna get off the beaten path in San Francisco, but I promise you it’s more than worth it! You can access the beach along the rugged Batteries to Bluffs trail, with tons and tons and tons of stairs. If you’re not looking to do the entire trail, start near the Golden Gate Overlook (there’ll be significantly less stairs, although still lots). And yes, regardless of the route you pick, that means you earned your dessert for the day (my favorite desserts in SF right over here)!

35. Transamerica Redwood Park

Did you know you can see actual redwoods in San Francisco? Yeah — without even leaving the city to go up to Muir Woods. SF’s got its own little redwood park (and yes it’s tiny, but it’s better than nothing!) Bring a book and relax on one of the benches underneath the green oasis → you won’t even realize you’re surrounded by glass and steel skyscrapers!

36. Fort Funston

Get off the beaten path in San Francisco and head on over to Fort Funston. If you usually head to Ocean Beach and Baker Beach, try something different. This spot is steep (we’re talking about 200-foot-high bluffs!) and is awesome for hang gliding (watch them take off and land — so fun!), hiking, and even horseback riding! 

Check out Battery Davis, spot whales off in the distance, and admire the views of Funston Beach all the way to Ocean Beach from the cliffs. It’s also one of the best hidden gems in SF for dog lovers! Dogs are allowed to run off leash here, so you’re bound to see lots of cute pups. Any dog’s happy paradise! 

37. Stern Grove

More secret redwood groves right here in SF itself! But Stern Grove is more than just trees — there’s a theatre, trails to Pine Lake, and a popular dog park (with TONS of off-leash pups, swoon!). Most locals know the area for the yearly Stern Grove Music Concerts on Summer Sundays (the acoustics are just amazing, but make sure to get there early ~10am to secure a good spot!). Pick up some desserts in San Francisco (and of course some wine) and have a picnic in the redwoods – during the concert or any other time! 

38. Spreckels Lake

Hardly anyone comes to Spreckels Lake for some reason, making it one of the best hidden gems in San Francisco! It’s typically pretty quiet, so take a long walk around the lake and watch the ducks swim around (and turtles if you’re lucky). Since the SFMYC Boathouse is right here, you’ll sometimes see remote-controlled model boats sailing around. It’s always fun to watch a race!

Seasonal Secret Spots in San Francisco

39. Dutch Windmill and Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden

Visiting San Francisco in early Spring? You NEED to make your way to the Dutch Windmill! I mean, you can visit any time of year, but I love it most when the tulips are in full bloom. Hundreds, if not thousands of delicate tulips take over the surrounding area and fill it with vivid color – it’s a sight that will leave you searching for tickets to Amsterdam’s Tulip Festival!

40. Bougainvillea House

Over in the Marina (okay, technically Cow Hollow), you’ll find one of my favorite hidden gems in San Francisco — the bougainvillea house! Lush purpley-pink flowers are practically engulfing the entire house! 

Psst — for the full effect, you’ll wanna go when the bougainvillea is actually in bloom!  Come in summer for the prettiest blooms (they usually start blooming in May/June and last until September or so)! It’s literally covered from top to bottom in the prettiest pink flowers — any floral lovers dream! Find it on Baker and Lyon in Cow Hollow.

41. Shakespeare Garden

Looking for one of the most romantic things to do in Golden Gate Park? Look no further than Shakespeare’s Garden, one of my favorite hidden gems in SF! It’s even a popular place to get married in San Francisco! 

What’s so special about Shakespeare Garden anyways? The flowers and plants are all mentioned in his plays and poems! There’s more than 200 flowers and plants over here, including poppies, mandrakes, daisies, violets, roses, and lilies. I recommend visiting in the spring and summer to see the plants in bloom, with trees and flowers lining the walkway.

42. Purple Wisteria House

Imagine a delicate fence literally dripping in whimsical purple wisteria. You’ll feel like you’re in a romantic English garden, not San Francisco! All the IGers keep this spot super hush hush — for what reason, I have NO idea. Shouldn’t everyone be enjoying these blooms?! 

BUT now you know this gorgeous purple house is located at the cross section of Mariposa Street and Connecticut Street (in Potrero Hill). Wisteria typically blooms in April/May, so you’ll need to time your visit to coincide with the flowers! I haven’t made it there just yet, but it’s on my list for next spring!

43. Tom and Jerry’s House

Visiting SF during the Christmas holiday season? You NEED to go check out Tom and Jerry’s house for yourself. Located in The Castro at 3650 21st Street, it’s like Father Christmas threw up all over the house! There’s no fancy decorations and you won’t find a theme here — it’s chaotic and tacky and all kinds of amazing. Kinda like that ugly sweater you bought last year.

You’ll find tons of stuffed animals, a huge decked out 65-foot tree, mini theme park rides made out of K’nex, and even a toy train running on tracks. Pure magic any time of day with an obscene amount of holiday spirit! Christmas overflows from every window, door, and face of the house! Absolutely insane! Tom unfortunately passed away in October 2020 after battling cancer, but the tradition continues.

Art and Culture

44. Goldsworthy Line & Lover’s Lane

Promise me you won’t miss the one-of-a-kind Andy Goldsworthy art installation “Wood Line” hidden away within a lush eucalyptus forest (yes, we have those in San Francisco!). The unique zig-zags of the fallen tree trunks make for great photo ops, so bring along your camera.

If you’re a nature lover, or just a lover of love, make sure to check this off your SF hidden gems bucket list! Grab your bf/gf/significant other/bff, and go for a romantic wander. I love doing this with my husband and little Kona!

45. Murals at Coit Tower

Sure, everyone knows about the spectacular views from atop the Coit Tower, but did you know there’s Diego Rivera murals at the base? To check out for FREE?! You’ll find these murals depicting California life during the Great Depression all around the inner and outer lobby walls surrounding the elevator, the steep inner staircase, and the second floor. 

There’s expansive scenes of the SF Bay and hills, agriculture and farming, street scenes, sports, camping, and home life. You’ll even see frescoes depicting historic cable cars. One of those hidden gems in San Francisco that’s just not to be missed! And did I say it’s free?!

46 + 47. Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley

Here’s a two-for-one for ya! Two alleyways with the most colorful murals around! You just cannot visit the Mission District without stumbling upon its colorful, mural-filled alleyways. Every single surface is painted (sides of houses, fences, garage doors, etc). 

The murals here are not just intricate works of art – the pieces have meaning, teaching about gentrification, modern politics, and the immigrant experience in SF. They’re thought-provoking, heart-breaking, and downright touching. 

Don’t miss the Women’s Building nearby, completely covered by the MaestraPeace mural, and the Santana Mural on 19th. And once you get hungry, go grab a burrito from either El Farolito or La Taqueria – two local favorites down the block from each other. 

48. Welcome to San Francisco mural

SF finally got its own welcome mural like other cities have! FINALLY! It used to be one of my favorite hidden gems in San Francisco, but it’s recently gotten more popular! As it should — because it’s absolutely beautiful! You can find the mural in Umbrella Alley, a new art alleyway/installation, recently created only a few years ago. There’s a whole slew of other paintings/murals here, including a gorgeous piece by Kate Tova and a super fun Fnnch honey bear! Don’t miss it! One of my favorite secret places in San Francisco, for now at least!

49. Jack Kerouac Alley

An alleyway on this list of secret spots in San Francisco? You betcha. What used to be a dark, dingy, and downright seedy back street, has recently been revitalized into a colorful showpiece! Now you’ll find decorative streetlights, plaques with both Chinese poetry and Western literature, and lots of color! 

This one-way pedestrian alleyway connects Grant Avenue in Chinatown to Columbus Avenue in North Beach (symbolic of the connection between the two neighborhoods). It was named after Jack Kerouac, a Beat Generation writer who used to hang out at the pub and nearby bookstore a lot. 

And better yet, it’s sandwiched between Vesuvio Cafe and City Lights Booksellers (one of the best bookstores in the whole city). Walk down the alleyway into Chinatown and check out the Zodiac Wall, one of the raddest hidden gems in San Francisco!

50. Grace Cathedral Labyrinth

If you quickly walked by this soaring church, you’d have no clue there were two walking labyrinths on its grounds. There’s an indoor and outdoor labyrinth, both just as spectacular! It would make for such a fun photo spot! Admire the stained glass windows — they’re absolutely spectacular! But again, the entire massive cathedral is a true masterpiece, so that’s no surprise there. 

You can go inside for free without a guide, but there are spots to give a donation if you’d like. And if you happen to be there at the right time (Tuesdays at 6:15pm), you can even do some Yoga on the Labyrinth! Imagine practicing your poses underneath Gothic arches and stained glass windows, while listening to soothing and enchanting live music. Still on my SF bucket list.

So there ya have it — all my favorite hidden gems in San Francisco! Which of these secret spots in San Francisco are you adding to your next visit?!

The post 50+ Hidden Gems in San Francisco: All My Favorite Secret Spots in SF appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Whenever I’m craving some culture and nature, I make a beeline straight for Golden Gate Park. Yes, it’s a tad touristy, but there’s just so many little nooks and crannies if you know where to look. Tulip gardens! Outdoor skating parties! Picnic spots! BISON! I’ve been living here for years and still can’t get over just how expansive the park is!

This massive guide will showcase not only my favorite things to do in Golden Gate Park, but how to get around, where to eat, and some brief history! This sprawling green space is the third most visited park in the United States, so you know it’s a good one!

Not many know this, but Golden Gate Park is actually larger than New York City’s wildly famous Central Park (roughly 20% bigger)! You could spend an entire day in the park and still not see everything! There’s plenty of cultural museums, flowery gardens (my favorite!), grassy green spaces for lounging, and even a secret waterfall! It’s easily one of the best San Francisco neighborhoods for outdoor lovers!

Because of the park’s size, there’s obviously a ton to do here! Definitely dedicate a good portion of a day on your San Francisco itinerary to explore these things to do in Golden Gate Park.  We’ve even taken a segway tour of the park once when friends were visiting; it’s that big! It really is the emerald heart of San Francisco, being an ultimate haven away from the urban chaos that is the city.

Psst → Golden Gate Park is not near the Golden Gate Bridge, so don’t expect to see bridge views here. 

And if you happen to be there at the right time, you may even get to see a special outdoor public art installation! This happens from time to time. I recently saw Entwined in Peacock Meadow, a hypnotic LED-light show of illuminated tree structures. It was wild y’all! Just wild!

Brief History of Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park has been around for a while, y’all. Circa 1870 something.

I had no clue, but the park was originally created on 1,013 acres of sand dunes. By a TWENTY-FIVE year old! Of course there were skeptics who said a park could never be built atop the windswept sand dunes, but he proved them wrong! If only they could see the park now!

The main reason for the park?! SF residents wanted a green space that would give New York City’s Central Park a run for its money! And that it did! Golden Gate Park is actually 20% larger than Central Park, and yes, we’re proud of it (but we don’t brag). And of course to increase tourism → which they effortlessly did so with the 1894 Midwinter Fair (a full-on carnival with culture and outdoor activities).

Besides being a sprawling green space for those in the city to enjoy, it’s served a few purposes over the year:

• used during the 1906 massive earthquake as a refuge for those who lost their homes <3
• Birth of the Summer of Love movement (with countless stoners at Hippie Hill)
• A place for moose, caribou, antelope, and even zebras to gallop (yes, although sadly, not anymore)

How to Get to Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is located on the far West Side of the city, spanning from the eclectic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood all the way to Ocean Beach. It’s a pretty straightforward drive from most spots in the city.

Muni has convenient connections from other parts of the city as well.

How to Get Around the Park

Walk

It may seem like you can easily walk from one end to the other, but Golden Gate Park’s SO MUCH BIGGER than most people realize! The park is a whopping three miles long from east to west and about a half mile wide from north to south. It’ll take a while to get from point to point. Don’t count on walking from one end to the other (unless you’ve got super comfy shoes on and wanna get in lots of steps!).

That’s where a map comes in handy — you’ll notice that quite a few attractions in Golden Gate Park are easily walkable! The new SkyStar Observation Wheel, deYoung Museum, Japanese Tea Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and Cal Academy are all super close to each other! And you can get to the Conservatory of Flowers in about 15 minutes as well.

Download your own map of Golden Gate Park here!

Shuttle

Yup — there’s a FREE shuttle that runs on weekends (and holidays)! Honestly, it couldn’t be easier! The shuttle includes plenty of popular stops, including the Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Museum, Rose Garden, Stow Lake, and more! Did I mention it’s free?!

Drive

If you really wanna take advantage of all the things to do in Golden Gate Park, it’s best to have a car. Sure, the shuttle’s great and all, but it doesn’t run during the week! And plus, parking will be much easier during the week, so hopefully you’ll be able to find parking spots kinda easy!

Where to Park

If you’re visiting SF and renting a car (honestly though, not the best idea), cross your fingers that you’ll be able to find street parking. There’s time-limited free parking (varying from 2-4 hours depending on the spot) along John F. Kennedy Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 

If you come mid-week you’ll have much more luck parking on side streets within the park itself. If all else fails, I typically park on Lincoln Way, which borders the south end of the park. Just be careful for no parking signs!

Really can’t find street parking anywhere? Or don’t wanna stress about it? There’s always the Music Concourse Garage near the CalAcademy, a 800-space underground parking lot (sadly, it’s not free, but you could have guessed that).

Cost of Golden Gate Park Attractions

The park is free to enter and visit, but there are a few Golden Gate Park attractions you’ll need to pay for. I can personally say that I’ve been to each and every paid attraction in Golden Gate Park and they’re all worthy of their entrance fee. 

BUT that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time if you don’t wanna pay for the extras — I get it! Don’t worry, there are tons of things to do in Golden Gate Park that are absolutely FREE! 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the cost of paid attractions in Golden Gate Park (and when those elusive free days are!):

• Conservatory of Flowers: $10-$12 for general public ($7 for SF residents)
  • free first Tuesday of every month!
• California Academy of Sciences: $34.95
  • free “Neighborhood Free Weekends” on select dates (depending on zip code) for San Francisco residents
• deYoung Museum: $15
  • free Friday nights from 6pm to 8:45pm, as well as free Saturdays for Bay Area Residents and free the first Tuesday of the month for everyone
• Botanical Garden: $9-12
  • free from 7:30-9am, always free for San Francisco residents!!!, and free second Tuesday of every month
• Japanese Tea Gardens: $10-$12 (less for SF residents)
  • Free admission: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-10am

Whatever you do, always triple check if you’re eligible for discounts! A bunch of these spots offer reduced admission for students, SF residents, seniors, etc. I once asked about a teacher discount and they gave me a student discount just because (note that I actually do work in the schools — don’t pretend)! Doesn’t hurt to ask!

The Best Things to do in Golden Gate Park

Museums 

H. de Young Museum

• Cost: $15
• Free entry: free Friday nights from 6pm to 8:45pm, as well as free Saturdays for Bay Area Residents and free the first Tuesday of the month for everyone

Art-lover? You’ll be impressed that one of the top things to do in Golden Gate Park is to visit  the de Young Museum, one of the most prestigious fine art museums in the city. With exhibits encompassing American, African, and Oceanic art, the De Young aims to spark a conversation regarding culture, perspectives, and time periods. 

Even the outside building is an artist’s dream! You’ll see what I mean as you soon as you get there — it’s all inside a dramatic copper facade! What could be better? There’s usually a bunch of special exhibits (I once visited when the whole place was decked out in flowers!), but the permanent exhibits are pretty cool, too. 

At the time of writing this (Spring 2021), there’s currently a special Frida Khalo exhibit that I’m dying to see! Ever since we went to Mexico City, I’ve been obsessed with her and her artwork.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the FREE panoramic views of downtown San Francisco from the Hamon Observation Tower! Open to everyone, even if you don’t have a ticket (just follow the signs upstairs). Before you leave, check out the intriguing Three Gems Turrell Skyspace exhibit outside, too.

California Academy of Sciences (CalAcademy)

• Cost: $34.95
• Free entry: free “Neighborhood Free Weekends” on select dates (depending on zip code) for San Francisco residents

What do you get when you put fossils, sea life, tropical plants, star gazing, gemstones, and an albino alligator (named Claude) all in the same building? The California Academy of Sciences, of course. The first time I visited I honestly couldn’t believe all the different sections of the museum — there’s an aquarium, planetarium, and even a rainforest bio-dome.

If you’re a science buff you’ve got to get yourself over to the Cal Academy – what us locals call it. It’s not just a natural history museum, but also an aquarium (where the albino alligator  lives and lots of jellies) and a planetarium (with showings every hour). Promise me you won’t miss the tropical rainforest in the dome (it’s really cool!) and the 2.5-acre “living roof” (one of the most sustainable buildings in America).

Book your CalAcademy ticket here

And get this — every Thursday night, the museum hosts themed 21+ “Nightlife” adults-only cocktail events. There’ve been events like “feel the force” Star Wars themed evenings, neuroscience focused “brain and body” nights, and even silent disco yoga in the aquarium.  I’ve been to silent disco before and can’t wait to go to more! It’s such a fun way to explore the museum (for a fraction of the price) AND have a cocktail or two while wandering around! It’s such a great night out with friends or for a boozy date night!

Gardens and Lakes

San Francisco Botanical Gardens

• Cost: $9-12
• Free entry: 7:30-9am for everyone, always free for San Francisco residents!!!, and free second Tuesday of every month

Smack dab in the middle of the park you’ll find one of the most relaxing things to do in Golden Gate park → The SF Botanical Gardens! And like it says right on their website, you can really travel the world in 55 acres! There’s over 8,000 different kinds of plants from all over the world over here. It’s way larger than you’d expect, and I always discover a new spot I’d never seen before. 

I love the Succulent Garden, the Redwood Grove, and the cloud garden the most. It’s all just so peaceful → there’s a lot of trails to wander around, tons of unique plant life, and oh so much fresh air. Bring a blanket, some friends, and have a picnic — it’s the perfect place for one!

And better yet, it’s completely FREE for SF residents (just bring your ID).

Visiting in late winter/early spring? Don’t miss the peak bloom of the famous magnolia trees. I literally gasped when I saw them! Those bright pink blooms against the blue sky sure are something special. There’s also white and light pink magnolia trees here as well, but I love the super pink trees the most! Peak bloom typically happens in early February and doesn’t last long, so plan accordingly if you really wanna see them. I like to follow the SF Botanical Garden’s IG for updates! And trust me, the magnolias are absolutely magnificent — go for yourself and see! :p

Japanese Tea Garden

• Cost: $10-$12 (less for SF residents)
• Free admission: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-10am

Whether you’re craving some hot tea or just wanna say hello to the koi fish, transport yourself to Japan! There’s a bunch of pagodas resembling the real stuff in Japan, all nestled between lush gardens and manicured horticulture. It’s not huge, but so well maintained you really feel the traditional Japanese culture here. Expect wooden Buddha statues, a Shinto Shrine, porcelain lanterns, and glistening ponds with stones to walk on.

We just love taking visitors here! Don’t miss the Drum Bridge (it’s harder than it looks to climb up), the gorgeous Zen Garden, and the five-storied pagoda. And of course make sure to head to the Japanese Tea House for some mochi (and tea)!

Plan to visit in the fall for super colorful fall foliage (there’s tons of beautiful maples over here!), or the spring when the Japanese cherry blossoms are in bloom! You will see some bamboo, dwarf trees, and irises almost year round though.

And i bet you didn’t know this, but the Japanese Tea Garden is actually the oldest public Japanese garden in the US! If you’re missing Japan like we always are, make sure to add this to your San Francisco bucket list.

Shakespeare Garden

• Cost: FREE, just walk right in!

Looking for one of the most romantic things to do in Golden Gate Park? Look no further than Shakespeare’s Garden! It’s even a popular place to get married in San Francisco! Not getting married any time soon? Set up a romantic picnic with your honey (or best gal pals), or just get lost in a book (there’s lots of benches to rest on over here).

What’s so special about Shakespeare Garden anyways? The flowers and plants are all mentioned in his plays and poems! There’s more than 200 flowers and plants over here, including poppies, mandrakes, daisies, violets, roses, and lilies.

I recommend visiting in the spring and summer to see the plants in bloom, with trees and flowers lining the walkway. And this all leads to a sculpture of Shakespeare himself! The garden is not too far from the SF Botanical Garden and the Japanese Tea Garden, so you can easily squeeze in a quick visit!

Conservatory of Flowers

• Cost: $10-$12 for general public ($7 for SF residents)
• Free entry: free first Tuesday of every month!

One step into the Conservatory of Flowers and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a hot and humid tropical paradise.

A Victorian-era glass greenhouse with more than 2,000 rare and exotic plants and flowers?! Whoa! Expect tons of biodiversity. Like the giant lily pad room and carnivorous plants. Oh — and the orchids; they’re beautiful! It really feels like you’re walking through a jungle at times! And if you don’t wanna pay, check out the grassy area outside – it’s typically filled with colorful flowers.

Being the oldest building in Golden Gate Park, the conservatory offers an up close and personal experience with plants you may not be able to find anywhere else in the world. During the summer, the conservatory even offers you the chance to lounge in a unique beer garden while surrounded by tropical wildlife (sounds like my kinda afternoon). Aptly named “Botanicals and Brews”!

Visiting at night during the holidays? Check out Night Bloom, the new(ish) light show in the conservatory (typically runs from late November to early January).

Dutch Windmill and Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden

• Cost: FREE!

Missed out on the blooms in Holland this year? Me too. Head on over to the Dutch Windmill instead! It’s honestly one of my favorite things to do in Golden Gate Park (and probably all of SF) in early springtime!

The tulips are in full bloom then (mid-late March), meaning it’s the best time to visit! A great place for photos and to just chill out on the grass for a bit. Hundreds, if not thousands, of delicate tulips take over the surrounding area and fill it with vivid color – it’s a sight that will leave you searching for tickets to Amsterdam’s Tulip Festival! 

Not many know this, but the 75m tall windmill was originally used to pump water to nearby areas! It was constructed way back when in 1903, restored in 1981, and is now one of the best attractions in Golden Gate Park! And one of my all-time favorites.

It does get busy, busy, busy over here, so aim to visit mid-week and on the earlier side. If you have more time and wanna check out another, the Murphy Windmill is on the south end of the park (although it’s not as scenic).

Stow Lake, Huntington Falls, and Strawberry Hill

• Cost: FREE!

Go for a wander around Stow Lake! We love taking little Kona here for a walk (I bet he’d say it’s one of his favorite things to do in Golden Gate Park, haha). Although Stow Lake’s actually an artificial lake, you’d never be able to tell.

You can easily lose track of time and spend an afternoon discovering everything this lakey area has to offer: hike Strawberry Hill (the highest point in the park) and marvel at the impressive Huntington Falls (yup, there’s even a waterfall over here in the middle of the city), and relax at the Golden Gate Pavilion with a picnic (a Chinese temple-like structure given to SF as a gift from Taipei!).

Looking for something a bit more active? Rent a rowboat or paddle boat and get out onto the lake yourself! Just don’t fall in like I would → that waters cold! Best on a warm San Francisco day. Such a fun date idea if you’re crafting your San Francisco itinerary with your partner or bestie! Still on my SF bucket list!

Spreckels Lake

• Cost: FREE!

Take a lap around Spreckels Lake (just watch out for all the geese poop)! It isn’t as well known as the super-popular Stow Lake, meaning it’s much more peaceful over here! There’s lots of ducks on the lake, and if you’re lucky, you’ll even see some turtles.  

Since the SFMYC Boathouse is right here, you’ll sometimes see remote-controlled model boats sailing around. It’s always fun to watch a race!

And plus, it’s not far from the Bison Paddock, so definitely go check them out before or afterwards!

The Dahlia Garden

• Cost: FREE!

An entire garden celebrating dahlias, which just so happen to be San Francisco’s official flower? Hey now — did you know SF had its own flower?! Every dahlia is super unique and stunning → just like SF’s residents!

If you’re hoping to see these wild beauties, visit in the summer (they start blooming around June). A great spot for flower photos — there’s every color and variety imaginable over here! These flowers are such a treat!

Other Spots Not to Miss

Bison Paddock

• Cost: FREE!

Yup, there’s real-life bison living in Golden Gate Park. And no, they weren’t randomly placed here, haha. They were brought to San Francisco (here in GGP in particular) in the 1890’s when the species was close to extinction. And guess what they did? Repopulated! Over 100 calves were born in the captive breeding program over here. Woo! 

To be honest, they’re pretty lazy and don’t move around much, so don’t expect a whole lotta action over here. But if you don’t wanna go to the zoo (I get it, I’m not a fan either), don’t miss the chance to say hi to the big, fluffy bison that hang around Golden Gate Park.

Mosaic staircase at the Koret Playground

• Cost: FREE!

If you’ve got no kids this will probably be a super quick stop, but don’t miss the mosaic staircase! I may or may not have a thing about fancy steps in the city → I even wrote a whole post dedicated to my favorite mosaic staircases in SF!

Interestingly enough, Koret’s Playground was actually the first public playground in the entire country! Today, there’s 5 playgrounds for the little ones to enjoy. 

The SkyStar Observation Wheel

• Cost: $18 (General Admission, must buy tickets in advance)

A giant ferris wheel in the middle of the park? Why not?! It’s one of the newest things to do in Golden Gate Park! 

Take a ride on the 150-foot wheel for unparalleled views of downtown SF all the way to the Pacific Ocean! You’ll be soaring 15 stories above Golden Gate Park!

The SkyStar Wheel was placed in the park to celebrate Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary (in 2020), and what fun it’s been! It was supposed to stay up until late March 2021, but it’s since been extended for at least another year, and possibly even 4 more years. So, lots of time to take advantage (although go sooner than later before everyone finds out about it).

Where is it? The amusement park ride is located in the Music Concourse, right between the deYoung Museum and the California Academy of Sciences.

Tours in/of Golden Gate Park

Segway Tour of Golden Gate Park: Ever wanted to roll around the park on a segway?! We did this tour with segway-loving friends once (seriously, they take segway tours in every city they visit), and had the best time! We got to see so many highlights of the park in a short amount of time, including the Japanese Tea Garden, the Music Concourse, the National Aids Memorial, the De Young Museum, Historic Carousel, and the Academy of Sciences. 

Never ridden a segway before? Don’t fret → it’s super easy! You’ll get hands-on training with an instructor, go on a short test ride, and do a skills review. Honestly? It’s all very easy once you get the hang of it. SO much faster than walking everywhere, and you’ll get lots of interesting info about the park from your guide!

Book your Golden Gate Park Segway Tour here!

Golden Gate Park Bike & Skate: Don’t feel like walking? Rent a bike, in-line skates, or fun, old fashioned skates and roll around the park instead! Safety gear is also provided. You can even rent a super-fun surrey bike (one of those multi-person “bikes” with 4 wheels, kinda like an enlarged golf cart), or go on a self-guided bike tour!

Festivals in Golden Gate Park

Ohhhh, is San Francisco known for its festivals or what?! Some of SF’s largest festivals and events are held right here in Golden Gate Park every year. Here’s some of the most popular:

Dance the day away at Outside Lands: If you happen to be in the city during August, dancing until your feet are tired at this lively music festival is one of the best things to do in Golden Gate Park. Stars such as Childish Gambino, Twenty One Pilots, Hozier, Blink-182, and Kacey Musgraves have previously taken the stage and sent crowds wild. 

So slap on your most eccentric clothing, sling on a bum bag (fanny pack), and fully immerse yourself in San Francisco festival culture – featuring a wide-ranging musical line-up, world-class art, mouth-watering food, and an intoxicating selection of wine.

Run the Bay to Breakers (or just walk part of it): Be sure to throw on some sneakers (or rainbow combat boots, whatever floats your boat), sport your zaniest costume, and get ready to run (although it’s more like one giant dance party than an actual run). Shield your eyes if you’re scared of a little skin, as many runners do their thang in their birthday suit (aka nothing). 

The official race takes place once a year at the end of May, but even standing on the sidelines is one for the San Francisco bucket list, as you’ll see decked out unicorns, Elvis impersonators, giant dinosaurs, and every other embezzled costume item you can think of just float on by. The route goes directly through Golden Gate Park, so if you’re not expecting it, you’ll get a surprise dash of true SF culture.

Get your country on at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (HSB): Not a fan of the typical American pop and rock music that’s all over the Top 40? Hang out on the lawn at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for a day (or all three)!

It’s a non-commercial music festival held the first weekend of October, and one of the best free things to do in Golden Gate Park! I honestly can’t believe it’s 100% free to the public! HSB started all the way back in 2001, and features an eclectic lineup of country, soul folk, and more. 

And better yet, it’s absolutely FREE! I can’t stress that enough, meaning it’ll undoubtedly be wildly crowded, but that just adds to the fun!

Where to eat in Golden Gate Park

There’s not too many places to eat within the park, but you’ll find the Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant, Twirl & Dip Soft Serve (the BEST on a hot day), and food trucks like Sam’s Chowder Mobile for lobster rolls and you guessed it – clam chowder (follow on Twitter for location updates). The museums also have cafes, but let’s face it, there’s much better spots to eat in San Francisco.

Are you planning a visit to San Francisco soon?! Hope this gives you an idea of all the fun things to do in Golden Gate Park!

Looking for more California content? Explore my other California guides here!

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From the old-school taquerias of the Mission to the brightly-lit boutiques of Hayes Valley, San Francisco’s really got something for everyone! You probably imagine SF to be all fog, cable car rides, and Full House houses. Sure, the Golden Gate Bridge sure is a beauty, but to get to know the real City by the Bay, you’ve gotta explore some of the best neighborhoods of San Francisco — beyond Fisherman’s Wharf.

SF is one of the most diverse cities I’ve been to (and I’ve been to my fair share of cool spots around the world). We loved it so much we even chose to move here after visiting only once or twice. And on that first visit we barely scratched the surface. 

Now?! You’ll find us exploring these different neighborhoods of San Francisco after work and on the weekends. 

Whether you’re a long time visitor or it’s your first time here, you’ll be smitten with the diversity within the different neighborhoods in San Francisco. Each neighborhood really has its own personality, and you can walk one block over and bam — it’s like you’re in a whole different world. Here you’ll find trendy neighborhoods to grungry areas and everything in between.

While San Francisco is super small and geographically compact (compared to massive cities like my beloved NYC), it sure packs a punch into it’s mere 49 square miles. But this just means you’re never too far from picturesque views, European charm, unique cultural history, and of course, countless culinary gems. And within its diverse neighborhoods, you can grab an egg tart on one block and climb 300 steps to a panoramic view of the city from another. 

And honestly, after checking out these San Francisco neighborhoods, I bet you’ll wanna move to at least two or three. Or at least add a whole bunch to your SF itinerary.

My suggestion for any San Francisco itinerary? Leave some wiggle room in your plans so you’ve got time to venture around a few of my favorite neighborhoods of San Francisco (I have a lot).

A few things to note:

• Microclimates are a real thing here! It’s true — it could be super sunny and beautiful out in one neighborhood, while another area of the city is foggy and windy. ALWAYS bring along a light sweater, especially if you’re planning to spend time on the coast.

• Some neighborhoods are tiny, with some being only a few blocks long. While this is awesome because it sometimes means it’s easier to get from neighborhood to neighborhood, this also means you could walk one block too far and reach less-than-desirable spots. If you ever feel super uncomfortable, turn around and walk a different way — you’ll more than likely find something more favorable.

• SF is smaller than other metropolises, but it still takes a while to get around. It can sometimes take an hour or so to get from one end of the city to the other, so don’t underestimate time or try to cram in too much. Look at the map of neighborhoods in San Francisco below and choose 2-3 that are next to each other per day to minimize travel time.

• Prepare for unwanted sniffs and smells — if you’re not used to a large homeless population, SF may be culture shock to you. While the city has made great efforts over the years to rectify this, homelessness is still a big thing in San Francisco. You might even see some tent cities — walk and move on.

• Tourists: you probably won’t venture to the southern part of SF (the more residential areas). Most of the touristy stuff is located within the northern half of the city. Take a look at the map of neighborhoods in San Francisco to see what I mean.

And just FYI, (in case you were wondering), the best way to piss off a local: calling San Francisco “San Fran” or even worse, “Frisco”. Just don’t do it – please! The only acceptable nicknames are SF (literally saying the letters) and “the city”. I don’t mean to be harsh, but I cringe anytime I hear anything else. And while we’re at it — don’t call California “Cali”. That is unless you wanna show off your tourist status! #sorrynotsorry

Visiting soon? Here’s (lots) more San Francisco content!

• The Perfect 3 Days in San Francisco (a locals itinerary)
• All My Favorite Desserts in SF (over 50 of them!)
• The Ultimate San Francisco Bucket List
• The Prettiest Mosaic Staircases in SF
• Where to Watch the Sunset in San Francisco
• 30+ San Francisco Day Trips (so many!)
• My Favorite Spots to See the Golden Gate Bridge

Let’s get to it! I’m rounding up the coolest neighborhoods of San Francisco in this (ridiculously wordy) SF neighborhood guide!

Cultural Foodie Neighborhoods of San Francisco

1. North Beach

What you’ll find here: true Italian heritage, authentic Italian food, and great views at Coit Tower

If you’ve done any research on the different neighborhoods of San Francisco, you’ve surely heard of North Beach. I mean, it’s basically the Little Italy of San Francisco (and yes, this just means it’s filled with pizza — a hot commodity over here since there’s not much decent pizza in all of California unfortunately).

So with that being said, whenever we want fresh pasta or authentic Italian food, we head on over to North Beach. Always. I’ll never say no to some cannoli cream and/or focaccia bread!

But besides all it’s culinary delights, North Beach really is worth checking out (just don’t eat beforehand) — popular Coit Tower and Washington Square Park are over here! It’s a vibrant community with a rich historical connection to Italian immigrants and hence, seeped in Italian heritage.

There’s tons of independent coffee shops to sip your morning cappuccino, checked-tablecloth trattorias for afternoon dates, and retro-flavored bars serving cocktails al fresco. Expect a lively nightlife, antique shops, lots (and lots) of cute cafes, and interesting architecture!

Top Things to do:

• Browse City Lights Booksellers — a wildly famous bookstore with an emphasis on world-lit, the arts, and progressive politics
• Have a pizza picnic on the grassy park at Washington Square facing Saints Peter and Paul’s Church, known as the “Italian Cathedral of the West”
• Gawk at the views from Coit Tower (don’t miss the free murals at the base) and listen for the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill while climbing up
• Burn those thighs on the Filbert Street Steps (they have what I call an “urban jungle” feel) and make sure to check out the pre-1900, cottage-like homes on Napier Lane
• See the cable-pulling equipment in action at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum (a super quick stop but great for those who like history)
• Go gaga over maps (and other fascinating items like prints and rare books) at Schein & Schein 
• Take a food tour — indulge in freshly baked bread, olive oils, gourmet chocolates, and of course, outstanding Italian pizza. Then sip and savor some cappuccinos!

What/where To Eat:

There’s lots of good stuff over here, but these are just the faves:

• Cafes and bakeries: Mara’s Italian Pastry, Cafe Trieste, Stella Pastry & Cafe, Liguria Bakery (go super early for some fresh focaccia, they sell out fast)
• Pizza: Golden Boy Pizza (always my #1 pick), Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
• Italian: Original Joe’s (always get the ravioli as your side and make sure to leave some room for their famous butter cake), The Italian Homemade Company
• Other: Firenze by Night, Sotto Mare, Portofino Seafood Co., Mama’s on Washington Square (great brunch)

2. The Mission

What you’ll find here: old-school taquerias, colorful Latino roots, diverse hipster vibe

The Mission District, commonly known as the “The Mission” to locals, is by far one of the coolest neighborhoods in San Francisco. No matter how many times I visit, I never get tired of it.  It’s eclectic, colorful, vibrant, youthful, and artistic (to name a few), and here you’ll find tons of colorful murals and street art that everyone talks about.

The Mission is actually the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco (true story!), and it has a long history rooted in Latin American heritage and traditions. Some serious gentrification has occurred, but the rich Latin heritage still shows along it’s streets.

Like Noe Valley, The Mission is one of the sunniest and warmest neighborhoods of San Francisco. You’ll see people chilling out at Dolores Park, walking along the main streets of Valencia and Mission, and stuffing their faces with a massive Mission burrito. Take part in it all — you won’t be disappointed!

Top Things to do

• Have a picnic and chill out at sunny Mission Dolores Park — bring a blanket, a frisbee, and some yummy drinky drinks and you’re good to go
• Stop by Dandelion Chocolate for some samples, a small-batch bean-to-bar chocolatier (try a giant marshmallow and the heavenly s’more, too — my favorite!)
• Stumble upon street art in Balmy Alley + Clarion Alley. You just cannot visit the Mission without stumbling upon its passionate, mural-filled alleyways. Admire the colorful Women’s Building as well!
• Drive down Vermont Street, the curviest street in SF (and nope, it’s not Lombard like everything thinks!)
• Stroll down Valencia Street (think hipster central) and Mission Street (you’ll feel like you’re in Mexico City, no joke!)

What/where to eat:

• Treat yourself to a warm morning bun and an iced coffee from Tartine (the ultimate pastry heaven) 
• Brave the line at Bi-Rite, for one of my favorite homemade ice creams in all of the city – salted caramel in a cone
• Stuff yourself silly with a few too many tacos — favorites being Taqueria Cancun, El Metate (one of my faves), and El Farolito
• Devour a Mission Burrito. La Taqueria, Pancho Villa, and El Farolito all take the cake, err guacamole. You can never go wrong with some carnitas or carne asada. 
• Sick of Mexican food? Check out Farmhouse Thai Kitchen, Media Noche for some bomb Cuban food, a Rebel muffin for breakfast at Craftsman and Wolves, and Foreign Cinema for an upscale dinner and a movie

3. Chinatown

What you’ll find here: deliciously authentic dim sum, pagoda-style architecture, exotic menus

Many people don’t know this, but Chinatown SF is actually the oldest and most established Chinatown in the entire country. Here you’ll find the oldest Chinese community in the United States, AND the largest enclave of Chinese residents outside of Asia. Because of that, the food is to die for, and you could honestly spend an entire day eating and still not experience it all. Making Chinatown one of the best San Francisco neighborhoods for foodies, obviously!

Surprisingly (or not!), Chinatown actually attracts more tourists yearly than the Golden Gate Bridge, which is kinda hard to believe! But when there’s authentic cuisine (hello wonton noodle soup and pineapple red bean buns), a plethora of cultural experiences, and super fun festivals, I kinda get it. I’m low-key obsessed with Chinatown myself.

Expect pagoda-style architecture, ornate lamp posts, exotic menus, and an endless supply of fresh fish and cheap produce. It’s truly a “city within a city”, and no other spot in SF feels like it. These 24 blocks are the most densely populated neighborhood west of NYC, which is crazy to imagine! If you wanna see all the action, come on a Saturday; it’s by far the busiest day!

Top Things to do:

• Enter Chinatown through its iconic Dragon Gate, adorned with guardian lions (don’t forget to snap a quick photo)
• Wander the maze of streets and alleys off of Grant Avenue (and grab some dim sum and other traditional eats), to find herbalists, bakeries, souvenir shops, dark cocktail lounges, and karaoke bars
• Check out the third floor of the ornate Tien Hau Temple, the oldest Taoist temple in Chinatown 
• Learn about the community’s history at the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, complete with more than 50,000 artifacts (whoa!)
• Take yourself on a DIY food tour of Chinatown, or sign up for a Chinatown Culinary Walking (and Food!) Tour
• Check out some iconic buildings, like the Sing Chong Building, Bank of Canton, and Waverly Place
• Hang with the locals on Stockton Street — this is where they do their shopping and bartering

What/where to eat:

• Stand on line (if they’re open!) at Golden Gate Bakery for one (or a few) of their famous egg tarts
• Sip some (deliciously-sweet) Chinese Mai Tai’s at Li Po Cocktail Lounge; we LOVE taking visitors here
• Dine where Obama dined — at Great Eastern, a quintessential dim sum restaurant with lots on their menu
• Watch fortune cookies being made at Fortune Cookie Factory, and pick up a few bags for later
• Slurp some spicy tan tan noodles at Chong Qing Xiao Mian
• Get dim sum to-go at Good Mong Kok Bakery — always opt for the har gow/shrimp dumplings and the char siu bao (bbq pork buns)
• Order some Sichuan at Z & Y, another favorite of Obama, with great chilled beef tenderloin and explosive chili pepper chicken wings

4. Japantown

What you’ll find here: Japanese sweets, anime and manga, the best ramen ever

Sushi! Shabu-shabu! Kitschy gift shops! Asian-style day spas! We visit Japantown whenever we’re desperately missing Japan (it’s one of our favorite countries)! There’s delicious ramen and takoyaki, Japanese sweets (like dango and mochi), anime and manga, kimonos, Japanese street fashion, kawaii cuteness, and of course karaoke bars. 

Being one of only three Japantowns left in America, you can’t miss this neighborhood in SF. Unlike Chinatown, Japantown is a lot more peaceful, much more quiet, and feels pretty secluded.

Japantown is technically only 6 blocks long, so you can really see a lot in a short amount of time. It’s like a neighborhood within a neighborhood, and it’s actually in the Western Addition. And right outside the Japan Center, you’ll find the striking 5-tiered Peace Pagoda in the courtyard!

It’s especially beautiful in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom — don’t miss the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

Top Things to do:

• Hang at in the Japantown Peace Plaza and admire the 5-tiered Peace Pagoda
• Shop-til-you-drop at the Japan Center, a cluster of two malls with tons of fun shops, restaurants, pika pika photo booths, and even a Daiso (Japanese dollar store)
• Feast on ramen and all the Japanese snacks you can find (my top recs below!)
• Spend an afternoon soaking at Kabuki Springs and Spa, a traditional bathhouse in the heart of Japantown 
• Local? Stock up on seafood and veggies from Nijiya Market, an Asian market with lots of prepared foods and unique overseas products

What/where to eat:

• The Best Ramen: Marufuku Ramen (expect a long line – well worth it though!), Hinodeya Ramen Bar, Waraku
• Desserts/snacks: Mochill Mochidonut, Belly Good Cafe & Crepes, Uji Time Dessert, Benkyodo for mochi, Takoyaki Yama-chan, and Matcha Cafe Maiko. Some of my favorite desserts in SF are over here in Japantown!

Touristy Neighborhoods of San Francisco

5. Fisherman’s Wharf and Embarcadero

What you’ll find here: kitschy tourist shops, those famous barking sea lions, sourdough clam chowder bread bowls, old-school carnival vibes

Tourists always wanna go to Fisherman’s Wharf, so I’m including it, but just know it’s by far my least favorite neighborhood in San Francisco. Not only is it incredibly crowded and touristy (especially on the weekends), but there’s honestly not much charm around these parts.

It’s still pretty fun if you’ve never been, just make sure you don’t spend all your time here. I’d compare it to an old-school carnival mixed with a few more sea lions and sourdough.

Fisherman’s Wharf is kiiiiinda like the Times Square of San Francisco, and you’ll never find locals hanging out here. But this is where Pier 39 and the famous sea lions are, there’s dozens of restaurants (including delicious sourdough clam chowder bread bowls at Boudin), tons of kitschy attractions, and even an aquarium. Don’t miss the kinda-new Umbrella Alley for some fun street art and color!

Right over here is the Embarcadero, another of these neighborhoods of SF, which is where the famous Ferry Building is. Here you’ll find lots of gourmet shops and restaurants, and it’s fun to take a stroll grabbing samples of cheeses, olive oils, artisanal ice cream, and craft beer. 

Top Things to do:

• Look out for the sea lions basking in the sun at Pier 39
• Get lost in Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze; it’s super psychedelic and kinda belongs in the Haight
• Stand underneath the shark tunnel of the Aquarium of the Bay, or just admire the many jellyfish and (super-cute) sea otters
• Take some colorful photos at Umbrella Alley; it’s where you’ll find the “Welcome to San Francisco” mural! (just check on opening hours — they close randomly)
• Grab some samples at the Ferry Building, a sprawling marketplace with gourmet shops lining the interior of the building (think locally made cheeses, olive oil, fresh oysters, artisanal ice cream, craft beer, and much more)
• Peruse SF’s best farmer’s market right outside the Ferry Building (only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, before 2pm)
• Go for a stroll in Rincon Park and check out Cupid’s Span
• Head to Pier 7 for that perfect shot of the Transamerica Pyramid (just look behind you)

What/where to eat:

The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream Factory, Boudin Bakery & Cafe (for some of the best sourdough bread bowls), Trish’s Mini Donuts, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Fog City Diner, Humphry Slocombe, Hog Island Oyster Co., Acme Bread Company

Trendy, Clean-Cut Neighborhoods in San Francisco

6. Noe Valley

What you’ll find here: a strong community feeling, clean-cut sunny small-town feel

Close your eyes and think of tidy rows of Victorian and Eduardian homes. A quaint main street with artisanal goods and tons of cute outdoor cafes. Lots of laid-back clean-cut families pushing strollers and walking dogs. That’s Noe Valley in a nutshell. And it’s downright glorious.

The fact that it’s one of the sunniest neighborhoods in San Francisco just adds to its appeal. It’s got the surrounding hills to thank for that! One of my favorite SF neighborhoods for sure!

In all honesty, you don’t really come to Noe Valley for the big tourist sites of SF, but to relax and take in the sunny weather and people watch. It feels like an intimate, small town despite being pretty central in SF.  And in spring, it’s bursting with blooms — my favorite time of year to visit!

Top Things to do:

• Be on the lookout for some funky houses; there’s a Rainbow House, Jungle House, Bunny House, and more
• Take a leisurely stroll down 24th street, full of bakeries, wine and cheese shops, artisanal goods stores, yoga places, and even a Whole Foods 
• Stop by the Saturday Farmer’s Market, featuring live music, food carts, local produce, and lots of childrens activities
• Peruse Omnivore Books — a little bookstore dedicated solely to cookbooks and other food-related reading
• Hang out with the locals at Billy Goat Hill Park, a little gem with amazing views of the cityscape (with a rope swing — only sometimes, though!)
• Climb the 22nd Street Stairs; you’ll be rewarded with great views from the top!
• Get your workout on by climbing the Harry Street Stairs — a local favorite and one of the longest staircases in SF
• Hike through Glen Canyon Park for sweeping views of the city, or just find a nice grassy spot for a picnic

What/where to eat:

Noe Valley Bakery (by far the most popular on 24th Street – get the cupcakes and some fresh bread), Viva la Tarte, The Little Chihuahua, Firefly Restaurant, Philz Coffee

7. Hayes Valley

What you’ll find here: brightly-lit boutiques, packed-for-a-reason restaurants, hip urban vibe

Wanna do some boutique shopping and eat at some of the best restaurants in the city? Head on over to Hayes Valley! It’s perfect for dinner dates with your significant other or a group of girlfriends — my husband and I just love coming here!

Just beware — the restaurants here are always packed, so you’ll wanna arrive way before hunger strikes. You can always hang at the park (in the central area) and people watch until your name gets called.

Not many people know this, but Hayes Valley has really changed a lot over the years. What was once a seedy area with crack houses, crime, and prostitution has turned into an area with trendy fashion boutiques, top-notch restaurants, and brightly-lit boutiques.

You’ll find locals and tourists sipping craft beer, hunting down designer tops, and stuffing their faces at plenty of on-trend dessert shops. Making it one of the coolest (and revitalized) neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Top Things to do:

• Hang out in Patricia’s Green, a small urban park with rotating public art installations
• Walk along Hayes Street, the main commercial stretch of Hayes Valley, and pop into the boutique shops and find a spot to eat 
• Sip a few cocktails at Smuggler’s Cove, a famous tiki-bar (always fun with its wacky interior and extensive rum menu) 
• Take a few pics with the Painted Ladies, just a few blocks away from Hayes Valley in Alamo Square

What/where to eat:

Don’t miss fresh pasta at a Mano (my favorite’s the pesto), artisanal ice cream at Salt & Straw, schnitzel and a beer stein at Suppenküche and Biergarten, super fancy macarons at Chantal Guillon, a fluffy pita gyro at Souvla (don’t forget the fro-yo), and some elevated Mexican at Cala.

Need some caffeine? Grab a cuppa coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee Company and/or Urban Ritual Cafe.

8. Russian Hill

What you’ll find here: hordes of tourists at Lombard Street, an upscale European flair, and charming Victorian architecture

Russian Hill, named after one of SF’s original seven hills (there’s 44 in total!), is next up on this list of best neighborhoods in San Francisco. Most of the neighborhood is actually pretty quaint and upscale and residential, but head on over to Lombard Street, and you’ll find hordes of tourists, cameras in hand! Yup, the famously crooked Lombard Street (one of the most famous tourist attractions in the entire city) is right over here. 

But once you take in Lombard Street, don’t leave so fast! Watch the iconic San Francisco cable cars on the neighborhood hills, walk around the scenic streets, and admire all the charming Victorian architecture.

If you look close enough, you’ll realize that Russian Hill kinda has a hip European flair to it — especially the boutiques and restaurants on the main streets of Union, Hyde, and Jackson. But beware for all the steep streets — Russian hill is one of the hilliest San Francisco neighborhoods.

Top Things to do:

• Drive down (or walk along the sidewalk next to) Lombard Street, the super-famous crooked street in SF (people live here, so please be respectful)
• Have a romantic evening and take your partner to watch the sunset from Ina Coolbrith Park; it kinda feels like an oasis in a big city
• Stroll along cobblestoned Macondray Lane, a small pedestrian street with flower gardens, fruit trees, and even a little zen fountain 

What/where to eat: We don’t typically come to Russian Hill for meals, but Berber SF, Fiorella Park, and Swensen’s Ice Cream Shop are good.

9. The Marina (+ Cow Hollow)

What you’ll find here: the romantic Palace of Fine Arts, boozy/bougie brunches, and trendy coffee shops

The Marina is just like it sounds — right on the water (on the city’s northern shore) with overwhelmingly gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

And the stereotypes are true — wealthy, attractive, and young post-fraternity/sorority members live (and frequent) here. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make The Marina a top contender on your list of neighborhoods in SF to check out.

Quite the opposite. There’s buzzy brunch spots, boutique shopping districts, trendy coffee shops, and stunning waterfront views. And plus, it’s one of the friendliest places around.

We love wandering around the Marina checking out the (gorgeous) yachts at the harbor, going for a stroll around the romantic Palace of Fine Arts, and chilling at Marina Green with a cup of Philz in hand. With some girlfriends? Go for a boozy, bougie brunch! They do them best in the Marina!

Top Things to do:

• Run, bike, or fly a kite at Marina Green, a grassy park with expansive views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and yachts on the water. 
• Marvel at the architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts, a beautiful neoclassical landmark with lots of grassy spots for picnics!
• Listen to the acoustic sounds of the The Wave Organ (the notes match the restless movements of the tide – super cool!)
• Stroll along the Marina Yacht Harbor, and pick out your next boat purchase while you’re at it (we love to do this, haha)
• Grab your girlfriends and go for a boozy brunch – it’s kinda what the Marina is known for!
• Take a photo with the famous bougainvillea house in Cow Hollow (the flowers bloom in spring)

And if all else fails — Go Shopping! You’ll find lots of shopping on Chestnut Street, while neighboring Cow Hollow’s got Union Street. There’s lots of independent boutiques with clothing, gifts, homewares, beauty, and accessories, all in beautiful Victorian buildings.

What/where to eat:

Brunch is especially fun in The Marina, and we love Le Marais, Blackwood, and The Dorian (it’s extra bougie). Del Mar is a bar/lounge with swings and great drinks, Wildseed’s got great vegan food, and go to Delarosa if you want some pizza. In the mood for some dessert? Don’t miss Loving Cup and/or U:Dessert Story.

10. Pacific Heights

What you’ll find here: sprawling mansions, grassy hilltop parks, sweeping views of the bay

I used to think Pac Heights was all sprawling mansions and manicured lawns, but it’s so much more than that. Although you definitely will find plenty of multi-million dollar homes over here (there’s even a section called “Billionaire’s Row”).

With that being said, it’s NOT a cheap place to live, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go for a visit (it is one of the most high-end neighborhoods of San Francisco, afterall!). Especially if you wanna check out the collection of French Chateau and Spanish-style mansions over here.

Go shopping on Fillmore Street, gawk at the opulent Spreckels Mansion, tour the only Queen Anne Victorian open to the public, and hang out on a grassy hilltop park. There’s sweeping views extending all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin, and psst — it’s absolutely gorgeous on a beautiful sunny day!

Top Things to do:

• Admire the view from the top of the Lyon Street Stairs, and don’t miss the heart statue (on your way up the steps) and Billionaire’s Row (on Lyon Street)
• Window shop on Fillmore Street, the main shopping hub of Pac Heights, with high-end stores like Prada, Ralph Lauren and Marc by Marc Jacobs
• Relax at Lafayette and Alta Plaza, two grassy hilltop parks with city views → great for picnics!
• Take in the views, because it’s almost like everywhere you look, there’s a view over here
• Visit some famous filming locales, like the Tanners Full House home (1709 Broderick), Grove High School from The Princess Diaries, and the towering Victorian from Party of Five
• Step foot in the Haas-Lilienthal House museum, San Francisco’s only Victorian home open regularly to visitors (check out the opulent Spreckels Mansion, too!)

What/where to eat:

Grab some Parisian and Viennese pastries at b. patisserie (you can never go wrong with a banana chocolate almond croissant), go for brunch at Sweet Maple, pick out a cupcake at Sift Dessert Bar and unique ice cream flavor at Salt & Straw, modern California comfort food at The Snug, and pitas at Noosh.

Go bar hopping at Santino’s Vino (for the wine lovers), Harry’s Bar (great whisky over here), The Snug (for cocktails and craft beer), and Flores (for when you want some tacos with your tequila).

Eclectic Neighborhoods of San Francisco 

11. The Castro

What you’ll find here: an openly gay community, a vibrant nightlife scene, risque and quirky adult shops, rich history

Ohhhh — the Castro! Commonly referred to as the “Gay Mecca” of San Francisco, the Castro is the beating heart of gay culture and LGBTQ Pride Week. It was one of the first established gay neighborhoods in the United States, and has been (and continues to be) a prominent location for LGBTQIA+ around the world.

It’s super fun and eclectic, with rainbow colored crosswalks, rainbow flags blowing in the wind, and unique shops and cafes. And the people are just as vibrant (although you may see a few nude people casually walking down the street — it’s common here).

Yes, the area is a little run down and it’s been a bit gentrified, but it’s definitely still worth a visit to soak up the history of the area and check out the risque and quirky shops (all part of the neighborhood charm)

Top Things to do:

• Catch a film at the iconic single-screen Castro Theatre, first opened in 1922
• Pop into shops on Castro Street to find interesting books and crannies (my favorite’s Local Take — a boutique showcasing local artists)
• Celebrate Queer History at the Harvey Milk Museum (otherwise known as the GLBT Historical Society Museum)
• Take a stroll on the brightly-colored rainbow crosswalks
• Stroll down the Rainbow Walk of Honor, which features bronze sidewalk plagues honoring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender personalities 
• Walk down the Vulcan Street Stairs, a set of 219 stairs that kinda feel like a little secret garden
• Slide down the Seward Street Slides, a set of concrete slides hidden in a neighborhood park (bring your own cardboard to avoid ripping your pants) :p

What/where to eat/drink:

Hi-Tops (San Francisco’s first gay sports bar), Zumi’s, Fable, Hot Cookie, Kitchen Story and U: Dessert Story (get the mango sticky rice), Starbelly, Beaux and/or Lookout for drinks, and Double Rainbow Ice Cream.

And whatever you do, experience the vibrant nightlife: a few suggestions — Twin Peaks Tavern (an iconic gay bar and Castro landmark), 440 Castro (notoriously known for beards and booze), Badlands (one of San Francisco’s most popular gay bars), Toad Hall (well known for it’s drag and karaoke nights).

12. Haight Ashbury

What you’ll find here: psychedelic hippy vibes, rock stars’ Victorian homes, and tons of funky smoke shops, boutiques, and street art

The second you step into Haight Ashbury’s borders (simply known as “The Haight” to locals), get ready for some groovy hippy dippy vibes. There’s funky tie-dye shops, vintage clothing stores, psychedelic murals and posters, and tons of quirky oddities. You’ll never get bored over here!

The Haight is where the Summer of Love in 1967 occurred — when over 100k young people flooded out west looking for love, drugs, and rock and roll! What a time to be alive!

Because of this, it’s where a whole bunch of famous 60’s rock stars lived (including the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, etc), as well as the original Haight hippies. You can even go find their houses today!

The Haight also has one of the best collections of Victorians in the city. Since it wasn’t hit hard by the 1906 earthquake and fire, most of the beautiful Victorian houses remain today!

Top Things to do:

• Explore the funky shops of the Haight, like:
  • Amoeba Music (famous for decades)
  • Love on Haight (it’s absolute tie-dye heaven)
  • vintage shops (don’t miss Decades of Fashion and Distractions)
  • Piedmont Boutique (where the famous dangling legs are)
  • smoke shops (pot is legal now, so there’s lots of those shops popping up)

• Map out a DIY tour of the famous 60’s rock stars homes, including The Grateful Dead (710 Ashbury Street), Janis Joplin (635 Ashbury), and Jefferson Airplane House (2400 Fulton)
• Take a guided walking tour of the Haight, and you’ll get loads of interesting info about the past and the guide will bring you to the exact locations of the rock stars’ homes
• Climb the 30 minutes or so to the top of Buena Vista Park for spectacular views of the city
• Stand at the corner of Haight and Ashbury; it’s the ultimate center of hippedom (take a picture!)
• Admire the beautiful Victorians on Waller Street; one of the best collections of Victorians in the city
• Check out the colorful murals of your favorite rock stars on Haight Street

What/where to eat:

Magnolia Brewery, Cha Cha Cha, Parada 22 (for some Puerto Rican comfort food), The Alembic (great cocktails over here!), Street Taco (tacos and draft beer), Hippie Thai Street Food, and VeganBurg 

Outdoorsy Neighborhoods in San Francisco

13. The Presidio

What you’ll find here: expansive views of the Golden Gate Bridge, golden sand beaches, a lush eucalyptus forest

Looking to get outside?! Don’t miss this neighborhood in San Francisco! I mean, get this — the Presidio is  actually a 1,500-acre park on a former military post! And the park couldn’t be any more varied — there’s forested areas, miles of trails, scenic overlooks, and even a golf course!

Some of SF’s best beaches are located right here in the Presidio as well! To say The Presidio is a major outdoor rec hub of the people of SF would be a massive understatement!

And tourists love it just as much — over five million people visit each year! I don’t blame them; this National Historic Landmark District is located right next to the Golden Gate Bridge — meaning, picture perfect views of the crimson cutie! 

Top Things to do:

• Set up the umbrella and bring the fam to Baker Beach, take a stroll, and feel the cold Pacific ocean on your toes
• Feel your legs burn on the Batteries to Bluffs Trail (just be prepared for all the steps and bridge views)
• Trek down to Marshall’s Beach for more great views of the bridge, although expect to see some nudes (it’s kinda clothing optional over here)
• Get great views of the bridge from both the Golden Gate Overlook and Golden Gate Postcard Viewpoint
• Snag views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point (you can basically stand under the bridge here) and/or the Torpedo Wharf (great views of the city, too!)
• Have a picnic (or fly a kite) at Crissy Field, a beach and picnic area where both locals and tourists hang out
• Unleash your inner child at the Walt Disney Museum (there’s even a film screen that continuously plays Disney classics)
• Pass by the Yoda Fountain outside the Lucasfilm HQ, an iconic stop for any Star Wars fan
• Stroll down Lover’s Lane, Andy Goldsworthy’s art installation “Wood Line”, which is hidden away within a lush eucalyptus forest

What/where to eat: We don’t eat much in the Presidio, but I’ve heard Presidio Social Club, Sessions at the Presidio, and Arguello are good.

14. Golden Gate Park

What you’ll find here: blooming gardens, tons of grassy green spaces for picnics, popular science and art museums

Okay, so Golden Gate Park isn’t actually one of the true neighborhoods of San Francisco, but there’s just so much to do here I couldn’t leave it off this list! And since it’s one of my favorite places to visit in the city, I couldn’t not include it!

Not many know this, but Golden Gate Park is actually larger than Central Park in NYC (roughly 20% bigger)! You could spend an entire day in the park and still not see everything! There’s plenty of cultural museums, spaced-out gardens, tons of grassy green spaces for lounging, and even a secret waterfall! Like The Presidio, it’s one of the best San Francisco neighborhoods for outdoor lovers!

Even though it’s the third most visited park in the USA (true story), it’ll never feel especially crowded. Must be because there’s miles and miles of green lawns, walking and hiking paths around lakes, and over 7,000 plants to admire and explore.

We’ve even taken a segway tour of the park once; it’s that big! It really is the emerald heart of San Francisco, being an ultimate haven away from the urban chaos that is the city.

Some of SF’s largest festivals and events are held here every year, including Outside Lands, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Opera in the Park, and Bay to Breakers.

* Do note that while the park is free to visit, a bunch of attractions do charge admission, such as the deYoung Museum, CalAcademy, Botanical Gardens, and the Japanese Tea Gardens. All well-worth the price tag!

Top Things to do:

• See the magnolias in full bloom in February/March at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (don’t miss the Redwood Grove Garden and Succulent Garden as well)
• Frolic in the flowers at the Dutch Windmill (the tulip garden is beautiful in spring!)
• Say hello to the Bison Paddock; yes, we’ve got bison here in the park!
• Take a stroll around Stow Lake (and/or go paddle boating!), and don’t miss Huntington Falls and the Golden Gate Pavilion
• Sip some tea at the Japanese Tea Garden surrounded by cherry blossoms (during spring) or gorgeous fall foliage (in fall!)
• Admire the art at the De Young Museum (don’t miss the FREE Hamon Observation Tower and Three Gems exhibit by James Turrell)
• Have a romantic picnic at Shakespeare Garden (come in the spring when the flowers are in full bloom)
• Spend an afternoon getting your science on at the California Academy of Sciences (complete with a planetarium, four-story living rain forest, an aquarium with a delicate coral reef, and a fascinating natural history museum)
• Check out the impressive array of flowers in and around the Conservatory of Flowers, a Victorian-era glass greenhouse (I love the Dahlia Garden and aquatic plants the best)

What/where to eat:

There’s not too many places to eat within the park, but you’ll find the Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant, Twirl & Dip Soft Serve (the BEST on a hot day), and Sam’s Chowder Mobile for lobster rolls and you guessed it – clam chowder (follow on Twitter for location updates).

Super Diverse Neighborhoods in San Francisco

15. The Sunset

What you’ll find here: beautiful mosaic steps, delicious dumplings on Taraval, and plenty of visits from Karl the fog

A neighborhood in San Francisco that used to be all sand dunes? That’s the Sunset for ya! There’s actually two parts (making it one of the largest neighborhoods in SF) — the Inner Sunset and the Outer Sunset, divided by 19th Street. The entire district borders Golden Gate Park (super close proximity!), so it’s super easy to pop on over there once you’ve gotten your fix of the Sunset.

Beware — It’s one of the foggiest neighborhoods in SF (yup, we’ve got microclimates over here), but don’t fret — there’s still plenty of epic sunsets over the Pacific at Ocean Beach (where the name Sunset actually came from!).

Besides that, it’s got some of my favorite mosaic steps in San Francisco, the world’s best chicken wings (you can be the judge), and a whole mix of happy SF locals (think college students, surfer bros, young families, and old retired couples).

Top Things to do

• Hang by the water at Ocean Beach; you’ll see people flying kites, going windsurfing, and sometimes having bonfires
• Admire the tile work of the 16th Ave Mosaic Stairs, then continue up to Grandview Park, one of the best sunset spots in San Francisco 
• Walk a few extra blocks to the Hidden Garden Steps, another gorgeous mosaic stairway (and not as well-known as the ones on 16th Ave)
• If you’re in the city with kids, a visit to the San Francisco Zoo is a must!
• Walk along the redwoods at Stern Grove, and don’t miss the grassy dog park and yearly Stern Grove Music Concerts on Summer Sundays
• Relax at Golden Gate Heights Park, walking along the paved paths and the mini forest (and then watch the dogs play around in the dog park!) 
• Search for treasures at the Inner Sunset Flea Market (there’s antique jewelry, vintage coats, local crafts, you name it)

What/where to eat:

• My 3 favorites in the sunset:
  • Dumplings on Taraval → our two favorites are Dumpling Kitchen and Kingdom of Dumpling
  • Chalos — get the churros (with dulce de leche dip) and made-to-order empanadas 
  • Focaccia (or anything!) at Arizmendi Bakery; it’s all out of this world (expect a line, it moves fast)

• Others (still all good!): Irish Coffee at The Little Shamrock, Marco Polo Italian Ice Cream, Home Cafe (for instagram-worthy rainbow lattes), coffee at Hollow (a super charming little coffee shop), delicious ice cream at Honey Creme, the world’s best chicken wings at San Tung, and breakfast sandwiches at Devil’s Teeth Bakery Company

16. Richmond District

What you’ll find here: the best Chinese food (and croissant) in the city, Lands End and the Sutro Baths, international ethnic eateries

Sandwiched between Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, you’ll find the Richmond District; a neighborhood of San Francisco known for both it’s diversity and beautiful beach views! The Richmond District encompasses both the Inner Richmond (found more inland) and Outer Richmond (closer to the Pacific).

It’s located in the northwest corner of the city, and is a pretty quiet, mostly residential area. But don’t miss it — there’s lots going on if you know where to look! And ohhhh — so many great sunset spots in San Francisco over here!

Not many tourists know this, but the Inner Richmond (especially Clement Street) is known as “New Chinatown”. Not only is there the best Chinese food in the city over here (move over, Chinatown!), but there’s shops with tai chi sandals, potted orchids, and even Chinese herbal treatments.

Keep on walking and you’ll find international ethnic eateries, with foods like peking duck, pho, Korean BBQ, and more. There’s also Burmese, Japanese, French, Middle Eastern, Russian — you name it! It really is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco!

Top Things to do:

• See the remnants of the Sutro Baths, a historic salt-water swimming pool complex that you can now explore
• Go for a scenic hike at Lands End (don’t miss the secret labyrinth and views of the Golden Gate Bridge!)
• Track Down the Camera Obscura & Holograph, a giant pinhole camera that actually works!
• Check out the colorful tiles of the Lincoln Park Steps, the largest of all the tiled staircases in San Francisco
• Pop into Green Apple Books and pick up a pre-loved novel
• Wander around the colorful mansions of Sea Cliff (technically a different neighborhood of San Francisco but it’s right there)
• Check out 4,000 years of ancient & European art at the Legion of Honor
• Catch a film at the Balboa Theatre, a historical two-screen movie palace
• Stroll down Clement Street and feast on BBQ pork buns, mouth-watering Swedish Princess Cake, and delicious crepes

What/where to eat:

• The best chocolate almond croissant in all of San Francisco at Arsicault Bakery
• Traditional Moroccan food and belly dancing (so fun!) at El Mansour
• PPQ Dungeness Island
• Fiorella Clement
• Na Ya Dessert Cafe
• The best Peking Duck in all of SF at Chili House SF
• Bread Belly (try the Kaya toast, brown butter mochi, chicken karaage, and watermelon lychee)
• House of Bagels
• Traditional Russian pastries and meat pies at Cinderella Bakery (try the pelmeni dumplings and piroshky)

Other San Francisco neighborhoods to explore if you’ve got more time:

17. Financial District (FiDi): This is where you’ll find the city’s high-rise office buildings. Honestly, it’s totally dead on the weekends (AKA not much is open), AND it’s a little more generic than other neighborhoods in San Francisco.

There’s mostly office buildings over here, so it’ll be a bit more popping during the week (granted people aren’t working from home or a coffee shop). It’s still worth a quick visit if you wanna check out the Transamerica Pyramid (and Redwood Park) as well as the Diego Rivera Mural in the City Club (on the 10th floor).

In terms of where to eat, Leo’s Oyster Bar, Wayfare Tavern, and Barbacco (for Italian small plates) are popular. Head on over to Coffee Cultures and/or Cafe Terminus for drinks.

18. Tenderloin: Honestly, I just come to the Tenderloin to eat, haha. It’s not really a place you wanna be wandering around. But if you’re nearby and want some good food — don’t discount the Tenderloin!

We love Brenda’s French Soul Food (the crawfish beignets are to die for), Bandit (breakfast sandwiches, anyone?!, Jane on Larkin (technically in Polk Gulch but I consider it the Tenderloin), and Mr. Holmes Bakehouse (always go for a cruffin) for breakfast/brunch. 

Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar is super fun, and Saigon Sandwich has some of the best (and super cheap) banh mi sandwiches in the city. It really is one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco to eat!

19. SoMa: The SoMa, technically called South of Market, is where you’ll find Oracle Park (where the Giants play) and Yerba Buena Gardens (a great spot for some yoga or frisbee-throwing). While it’s definitely not the prettiest place to wander around SF, you’ll find some of San Francisco’s top museums like the SF MOMA over here. 

There’s tons of events at the Moscone Center, a sleek convention center complex, as well as the new Salesforce Park atop the Salesforce Transit Center. It’s also where the Folsom Street Fair (a risky event celebrating the leather subculture) happens every September.

20. Nob Hill: If you’re interested in some old San Francisco vibes, look no further than Nob Hill. I really think it’s one of the most underrated neighborhoods in San Francisco, and most visitors don’t think of going! It’s got most of the city’s swankiest hotels, including the Top of the Mark lounge with great views! 

Don’t miss the largest donut you’ve ever seen at Bob’s Donuts and Pastries, yoga at the ornate, Gothic-style Grace Cathedral (hang at Huntington Park, too!), the kissing trees on Sacramento Street, and prime rib and martinis at House of Prime Rib.

Phew — that was a long one! Which of these San Francisco neighborhoods will you be visiting on your next trip?!

Looking for more California content? Explore my other California guides here!

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The post The Coolest Neighborhoods of San Francisco (All My Fave Spots + Map!) appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

The last few years, I’ve vowed to watch the sunset as much as possible. I’ve watched stunning sunsets in Greece. Phenomenal sunsets in Hawaii. The most remarkable sunsets in Bali (I kid you not)! 

BUT until not too long ago, I totally took for granted all the amazing spots to watch the sunset in San Francisco (and what a shame — the city is basically my backyard)!

Sure, the food is delicious and the Golden Gate Bridge sure is a beauty, but is there anything better than a San Francisco sunset? Nope! And if you haven’t realized by now, I love me a good sunset. On the beach. In the city. Climbing up those San Francisco hills. Anywhere and everywhere.

The way the lights manage to dramatically change the afternoon glow. The fact that no two sunsets are ever exactly the same. The deeper meaning which comes along with the thought of the current day ending and a brand new day emerging. 

But enough chit-chat. You’re here to find a spot to watch a San Francisco sunset! I got you, my friend. I asked fellow SFer, friend, and photographer @sf.beforesunset to share with us her favorite places to watch the sunset in San Francisco! She’s been living in the city for over 7 years, so has really made it her mission to find the best spots to watch the sun go down — no, really though, take a look at her IG!

I bet some Bay Area locals don’t know about all of these SF sunset spots. She’s even shared her super secret spot I’ve never even heard of before – and I do tons of research (way more than the average person)! It’s not one of the main 10 on this list — we’re making you dig in the article to find it! ?

You may be wondering what time to watch the sunset in San Francisco. Well, it obviously changes depending on the time of year (later in summer and way earlier in winter). But I always recommend always getting to your sunset spot AT LEAST 30 minutes before the sun dips below the horizon. Sometimes parking can be a royal pain, while other spots you’ll need to haul your bum up a short hill (always worth it, promise!).

So — let’s get to it! Grab your light jacket (SF gets even chillier once the sun goes down!) and possibly a picnic blanket (and some vino), it’s sunset time! All the best places to watch the sunset in San Francisco — coming right up!

But first, a few more tips to ensure you have the most pleasant sunset experience: 

• Dress warmly: This ain’t SoCal we’re talking about! It gets pretty darn chilly at night here in San Francisco! Especially by the water or up in the hills. Come prepared with a sweater and/or light jacket. I say bring a beanie as well!
• Go early: Parking can be tough in some areas of the city (especially if you’re like me and have a hard time parking on SF’s steep hills). Other spots you’ll need to do a bit of walking to get there, so come early!
• Go on a clear day: San Francisco is known for its fog (hey, there, Karl — yes, we even named him), meaning your SF sunset will be dramatically reduced to… well, not much. I can’t promise a good sunset, but I can show you the best spots for them! 

Visiting soon? Here’s (lots) more San Francisco content!

• The Perfect 3 Days in San Francisco (a locals itinerary)
• All My Favorite Desserts in SF (over 50 of them!)
• The Ultimate San Francisco Bucket List
• The Prettiest Mosaic Staircases in SF
• 30+ San Francisco Day Trips (so many!)
• My Favorite Spots to See the Golden Gate Bridge

Psst: most of the beautiful photos in this guide to the best sunset spots in SF are taken by my friend from @sf.beforesunsets (and of course, used with permission). Go check her out on Instagram for way more stunning photography of San Francisco!

Where to Watch the Sunset in San Francisco

TWIN PEAKS 

I’m smitten with Twin Peaks. And so is everyone else. Not only will you find one of the most phenomenal sunsets in San Francisco here, but it’s BY FAR one of the most popular viewpoints in the entire city → and for good reason! The 360° degree views are absolutely insane! Just watch out for fog (more on that below)!

This just means that whenever you go, there’ll always be tourists (and sometimes even locals) around. Whenever we have friends/family visiting us, we always take them to Twin Peaks to watch the sunset over San Francisco. Like, every single time (no joke, haha). When the weather’s right, you’ll get an absolute show of colors at Twin Peaks. True sunset magic!

To guarantee yourself a spectacular sunset with actual colors, you’ll wanna make sure there’s no fog over the ocean. If there is, don’t expect any type of sunset — all you’ll see is gray, gray, and more gray! Not worth heading up there in my opinion. 

BUT, on a clear day, Twin Peaks will be the most perfect vantage point to fulfill all your San Francisco sunset dreams. Make sure to look all around! To the west, there’s the Pacific Ocean and the Sunset District. To the south, you’ll see the San Bruno Mountains. To the north, Golden Gate Bridge, Sutro Tower, and Alcatraz. But (IMO), you’ll find the most beautiful view to the east — the city itself (with clear views of the Bay, Berkely, and Oakland in the distance).

How to get to Twin Peaks: Not everyone knows this, but there’s actually several routes to get up to Twin Peaks. You can easily drive up (what we typically do!), or you can park on Crestline drive and walk up the stairs if you’re feeling active (or just need to work off that afternoon burrito).

Fun (albeit, nerdy) science fact: The red rock you’ll see while climbing to the top is radiolarian chert (it’s super popular in the Bay Area). And why is this important/exciting? The rock is actually made of microscopic ocean organisms (WHOA!)! Yes, you’re standing on an ancient ocean floor. You can see it’s slightly tilted because it was lifted up while subducting under the continental plate. Told ya we can get a tad nerdy over here!

One more thing. It can be (aka usually is) super windy on the top so dress warmly! This is not the place for a picnic!

TANK HILL

If Twin Peaks sounds too touristy for you (I get it), head on over to Tank Hill instead (a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk — to the base). Hidden behind the famous (and overly popular) Twin Peaks, Tank Hill remains a local jewel, well, until now that is! I’ll never not share my secret favorites, don’t you worry. And from up here — expect to find one of the best sunsets in San Francisco (without the hordes of tourists).

Climb to the top on the wooden stairs, either from Twin Peaks Blvd or the end of Belgrave Ave. Trust me, the higher elevation gives way for lots of beautiful panoramas of the city, especially during sunset! 

And once you make it all the way up, sit on a bench or choose a cozy spot between some rocks, and just look out. Take a few minutes to just admire your surroundings (something we seem to forget about!). You’ll see the ocean and Golden Gate Park to your left, the Golden Gate Bridge staring right at you, as well as the Saint Ignatius church not too far away!

Photo Tip: Step back and include some rocks in your photo → this makes for an interesting foreground! 

GRAND VIEW PARK

Next up on this list of San Francisco sunsets → Grand View Park! Surprisingly, this park is the only one with a spectacular view of one of the largest neighborhoods in San Francisco. You can see the whole Sunset District from here (kinda fitting as this post is all about sunsets in San Francisco). Colorful rows of houses that look like little boxes come into view as you climb a metal staircase. It’s not too taxing, don’t worry (that is if you don’t climb the 16th Ave Steps first!). :p

Downtown San Francisco is kinda far away, but you’ll have a great view of Golden Gate Park and the recently installed Ferris wheel (you can’t miss it → its HUGE). And on a clear day, you can even spot the Farallon Islands (!!!). Lay out a picnic blanket and watch the sun dip below the horizon!

But wait! Before heading to Grand View Park for sunset in San Francisco, I recommend walking up the 16th Avenue Mosaic Steps and the Hidden Garden Steps (both which are some of my favorite mosaic staircases in SF). Do the Hidden Garden Steps first because climbing the 16th Ave Steps will take you directly to Grand View Park.

MT DAVIDSON

Looking for the highest point to watch the sunset in San Francisco? You’ll find that over here at Mt. Davidson! The best views are actually during sunrise, but if you’re allergic to early mornings (like I am), you’ll find sunset to be just as spectacular! And from up here, be on the lookout for the fog rolling in over the city → it’s honestly so remarkable to see! Okay, fine, Karl the fog, you win — just sometimes!

No matter how often you go, you can always see something different. Why? Because there’s different levels of the mountain so you’ll have different perspectives depending on where you look/stand.

Whatever you do, make sure you go all the way to the top to see Mt. Davidson Memorial Cross. It’s one of the oldest landmarks in San Francisco and stands as a memorial to the 1.5 milion victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. 

Also, don’t miss the Eucalyptus forest that grows on the west side of the hill. Yes, a eucalyptus forest right in the middle of the city! Who knew?! This is one of the paths you can take to get here but I warn you, it’s sometimes difficult to figure out which turn you’re supposed to take (a map works wonders here).

Do note that coyotes have been spotted here, so I wouldn’t recommend going alone unless you’ve been and REALLY know your way around (and of course know coyote safety). 

BILLY GOAT HILL PARK 

Yup, another hilly park on this list of best San Francisco sunset spots! Kinda makes sense that sunsets from a higher vantage point have great views.  

And among all these hills, Billy Goat Hill is kinda a hidden gem (to visitors, that is). You won’t find many tourists here, but you will see locals walking their dogs (a true neighborhood green space)! 

From here you’ll get an amazing view of the cityscape of San Francisco. Don’t miss the lookout point (step back next to the large trees) for one of the best views of the SF skyline. There’s also sometimes a rope swing over here which makes for super fun photos! It’s taken down all the time by the city, but neighbors keep putting it back up (although as of late it hasn’t been there). 

There is also a great view of a few neighborhoods, including Bernal Heights and Noe Valley. My recommendation — go early to check out the Harry Stairs, one of the longest staircases in the city, and Walter Haas Playground that offers another great view. 

BERNAL HEIGHTS PARK

Wherever you’re standing in the city, stop and look around. I can almost guarantee you can see Bernal Heights from there! Yes, this is a hill that you can see from almost every part of the city. 

It stretches above the Mission District and gives you a unique view of downtown San Francisco and the entire Mission District. Definitely climb the stairs to get a tad higher. There’s a swing on the top of the hill, but be prepared to wait in the line to get a picture on it. 

But shhhh, there’s another nice hill right next to Bernal Heights, which only locals really know about. I went back and forth on sharing my secret (don’t want it to become too popular!), but I’ll share anyways (just don’t tell all your IG friends).

That, my friends, is Mullen Peralta Park. SHHHHHH. It’s a small elevated park, has a sweeping view of the city, some beautiful gardens, and even benches to relax. A perfect mini park in my opinion!  There’s usually hardly, if any people around, and you’ll get a very unique view of Twin Peaks and the downtown area. 

INA COOLBRITH PARK

A park that seems like an oasis in a big city? That’s Ina Coolbrith Park for ya! And trust me, you can easily overlook it (which many visitors, and even locals do!).

But don’t → it gives one of the most spectacular views of downtown San Francisco (making for a wonderful sunset in SF)! The buildings are so close it almost seems as if the city is standing right in front of you! AND if you visit during spring, there’ll be tons of California poppies growing here. 

Unlike more popular spots like Twin Peaks and Battery Spencer (below), this park is relatively quiet, and a definite hidden gem in the Russian Hill neighborhood. Despite it’s close proximity to the (ridiculously) busy Lombard street, Ina Coolbrith has maintained its peaceful character. Meaning, you’ll often be the only one there! Kinda perfect for a date with your significant other if you ask me.  

Come a bit before sunset to watch the sky turn from blue, to orange, and finally, to pink! Does anyone else get all warm and fuzzy watching the sunset? Just me?

BEACH SUNSETS IN SAN FRANCISCO 

Is there anything better than watching the sunset from the beach? Spoiler alert – nope! And surprisingly (to visitors), San Francisco has a lot of ‘em! Beaches probably don’t come to mind right away when thinking about the city, but it’s true — we’ve got a whole bunch! SF is technically a peninsula afterall! 

Here’s a few of my favorites, all with spectacular sunset views.

• Ocean Beach: Ocean Beach is by far the longest and widest beach in SF. I mean, it even spans across a few neighborhoods (like the Sunset and Richmond District). This gives you ample spots to watch the sunset in San Francisco! And once you’re over here, don’t miss Camera Obscura — it’s pretty neat! If you wanna catch the sunset from a different vantage point (instead of on the flat sand near the water), climb up one of the dunes near Lincoln Street.

• Baker Beach: I love coming here to watch the sunset. Keep on walking towards the bridge — it’s an absolute stunner! Not only is it super accessible (there’s a huge parking lot – a rarity in SF), but if you walk a few minutes you can reach the Coastal Trail and get different views as the sun goes down.

• Crissy Field: Most people venture on over to Crissy Field during the day (it is a great picnic spot after all), but it’s just as spectacular at sunset (if not even more so!). Here you’ll find a recreational park, with lots of grassy fields and a bunch of small beaches. If you’re lucky, the low fog will be rolling over the city! Keep walking and you’ll reach Fort Point — there’s great views of the bridge from below!

• China Beach: If you’re willing to put in a little work (and don’t mind some stairs), definitely make your way to China Beach. This is the closest beach to the Golden Gate Bridge, and you’ll find significantly less people over here (as well as some nudes)! Just remember you’ll need to hike back up the stairs afterwards, so I don’t recommend waiting too long after sunset (or bring a headlamp/flashlight).

LANDS END

One of my favorite parts of the city is Lands End in the Richmond District, and it’s easily one of the best spots to watch the sunset in San Francisco.

What is it exactly? Well, it’s a trail that leads directly along the Pacific Ocean to the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s a secret labyrinth to check out, plenty of bridge and sunset views, and small, rocky beaches to admire. And yes, it’s just as magical as it sounds.

A few different options for watching the sunset in SF from Lands End:

• Sutro Baths (I recommend going down the stairs to the beach if the tide is low)
• Eastern Coastal Trail Overlook (great views of the Golden Gate Bridge over here)

If you’re willing to walk (before sunset of course), go down on the trail and start walking! You can even walk all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge from here (although it’s quite far). This is a two hour walk and remember that you’ll have to come back, so probably best to do it on a different day!

BATTERY SPENCER

Last but not least on this list of where to watch the sunset in San Francisco → Battery Spencer (my favorite!). This sunset viewpoint actually requires a trip to the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, but it’s well worth the short drive (I promise, or I wouldn’t be sending you over there!). I could easily soak up a few sunsets in San Francisco from here!

Thankfully, there’s lots of parking on the side of the road, and if you can’t find a spot right at Battery Spencer, try for Hawk Hill. It’s a bit further from the actual bridge, but I’m obsessed with these views as well.

Make sure you dress warmly since it’s ALWAYS very windy there (and I mean always). Stay after sunset and wait until the bridge and the city lights up — it’s downright magical! 

Psst — It can get especially crowded on the weekend at times, so if at all possible, visit during the week instead.

Are you planning to watch the sunset in San Francisco soon?! Which of these SF sunset spots are you most interested in checking out?

Looking for more California content? Explore my other California guides here!

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The post The Most Spectacular Sunsets in San Francisco: Where to Watch the Sunset in SF (A Locals Guide) appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Ever since I saw a photo of the 16th Avenue Mosaic Steps (probably on Pinterest), I was enamoured with its intricate tile work. So of course when the city literally became my backyard (STILL can’t believe I call The Bay Area home <3), I made it my mission to visit ASAP (and snag that coveted IG photo)!

If you didn’t already know, San Francisco is kinda infamous for it’s steep hills — and with hills, comes lots of stairs (which I’m honestly so thankful for). Scaling the steepest slopes of the city is hard work my friend. 

And on that note, walking up and down the stairs in San Francisco makes for a pretty great leg and bum workout. Meaning you can stuff yourself silly with the best desserts in SF and not feel guilty about it for a split second. Just maybe do the workout first and the eating second. :p

Many people visit San Francisco for the delicious (and authentic) food options, diverse culture, and sweeping views of the bay from the Golden Gate Bridge. And while there’s a TON to do here (no joke – take a look at my SF bucket list), a visit to a few mosaic staircases in San Francisco is a MUST for anyone who appreciates art.

I’d definitely recommend adding 2 or 3 into your 3-day San Francisco itinerary (which is fairly easy to do since many are within walking distance to each other and/or not too far from touristy sites).

While I’ve visited specific neighborhoods just to see them (yes, I made it my mission to find them all!), if you’re not actively seeking out the steps, they’ll be an unexpected delight during your wanderings. You turn a corner, and BAM, there they are! 

I’ve always loved finding all the San Francisco tiled steps in the city, and more seem to be popping up every year or two! They’ve gotten exceptionally popular due to instagram, but never seem to be crowded! 

Trust me when I say there’s a whole bunch of secret staircases and hidden steps to find → that’s where I come in — to help you on your search! 

I loved learning that SO many of these San Francisco tiled steps are volunteer-driven and community-based projects, meaning they primarily happened because the neighborhoods fought and worked for them! Thank you residents of San Francisco for making our city look so damn amazing!

With this being said, do your part and keep the steps clean, keep noise levels down, never leave trash around, and remember — people live here (sometimes literally right next to the staircases), so be respectful.

A few more things I’d hate to leave out:

• A bunch of these mosaic stairways were designed and executed by artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, who have plenty of pieces scattered around the city. Talented doesn’t even begin to describe them. 
• If you’re just looking to visit one mosaic staircase in San Francisco, make it the 16th Avenue Mosaic Steps (the first on this list of stairs of San Francisco). They’re popular for a reason and not too out of the way.

Psst → there’s actually lots more mosaic steps in San Francisco, but I’m highlighting some of my favorites and ones that I think visitors (and locals) will enjoy. You’ll find other ones in Cayuga Park (there’s 3!) and even in Golden Gate Park (it’s small but pretty — look for it at Koret Playground)!

Looking for more information on San Francisco? Check these out:

• My FIFTY Favorite Desserts in San Francisco (lots to choose from)
• 3 Perfect Days in San Francisco (all my favorite spots!)
• 30+ Day Trips from San Francisco (goes way beyond the obvious)
• Best Spots to See (and photograph!) the Golden Gate Bridge
• First Timer’s Guide to San Francisco (all you need to know!)
• Coolest Restaurants in San Francisco (with the BEST food)

Now let’s get to it — the most stunning mosaic staircases in San Francisco coming right up!

Mosaic Stairs in San Francisco

1. 16th Avenue Mosaic Steps

• Neighborhood: Outer Sunset 
• Address/location: Moraga Street between 15th and 16th Avenues
• What else to do in the area: Hidden Garden Steps, Grand View Park, coffee at Hollow or Home Cafe, ice cream at Honey Creme, focaccia at Arizmendi Bakery (the best)

The 16th Avenue Mosaic Steps are by far the most popular of all the mosaic staircases in San Francisco. And as you’ll see in this post about stairs in San Francisco, there’s a whole bunch. Get ready for a workout, because there’s 163 tiled stairs in all over here. 

Looking up from the bottom, you’ll see a whole collection of stories. And look closely — the tiles represent a landscape starting at the bottom of the ocean all the way to the sun in the sky! It’s quite moving! Aileen Barr’s first masterpiece in San Francisco!

Before you climb up, take note of the beautiful flowers and succulents — there’s basically a garden around the 16th Ave Steps!

Local Tip: They’re also known as the Moraga Steps, as they literally cascade up Moraga Street. People kinda use them interchangeably, but rest assured — they’re the same exact thing.

Once you climb to the very top (work those buns!), you’ll reach the final ascent to Grand View Park (known as Turtle Hill to locals — you’ll easily see the round silhouette). A few more switchbacks, wooden steps, and metal railings, and you’ve got all of SF below you. Including the Pacific Ocean and a tiny speck of the Golden Gate Bridge. You deserve a rest and some focaccia from nearby Arizmendi Bakery!

On the way back to your car, look out for the mini fairy gardens on the neighborhood lawns. They are just the sweetest and I smile every time I see them.

Psst → You’ll wanna make sure to hide any valuables in your car (or just take them with you), as this area is prone to vehicle break-ins. There’s signs posted about this on the streets surrounding the steps, just in case you forget.

Hidden Garden Steps

• Neighborhood: Outer Sunset 
• Address/location: 15th Avenue between Kirkham and Lawton Streets
• What else to do in the area: 16th Ave Mosaic Steps, Grand View Park, coffee at Hollow or Home Cafe, ice cream at Honey Creme, focaccia at Arizmendi Bakery 

If you’re visiting the super popular 16th Avenue Mosaic Steps, promise me you’ll walk on over to the Hidden Garden Steps (only a few minutes away). Some people even confuse the two, and think the Hidden Gardens are the 16th Avenue steps, but you won’t make that mistake! I mean, they were inspired by the original staircase, but still, very different! :p

I kinda love this mosaic pattern a bit more (shh!), as there’s blooming flowers, cute butterflies, and even a salamander that extends up the steps. This mosaic staircase in San Francisco looks a whole lot shorter, but it’s actually 148 steps up! You’ll definitely feel the burn on your way.

Tip: If it’s somehow crowded (though it never is – haha), you can take the 15th Ave Steps down. They’re boring concrete steps but you can’t see the tiles of the Hidden Garden Steps walking down anyways, soooo say goodbye to the people.

Tompkins Stairway

• Neighborhood: Bernal Heights
• Address/location: Tompkins Avenue between Nevada and Putnam Streets.
• What else to do in area: Bernal Heights Park, Esmeralda Slide Park, Holly Park, Alemany Farmers Market (Saturdays only), ice cream at Mitchell’s, and grab pupusas at Balompie Cafe #3 (another of my favorites, get the bean and cheese).

You’ll know when you see them – this set of mosaic stairs in San Francisco is so vibrant and fun! It’s honestly the perfect place to grab content for Instagram, haha. 

And interestingly enough, the Tompkins Stairway’s multicolored zig zag design was inspired by the Steps to Peace painted by Syrian students in Syria.

You wouldn’t know it, but this area used to literally be a garbage dump, with trash covering the hill. I mean, whoa, what a difference now! There’s lots of great landscaping over here, with tons of California natives and other drought-tolerant plants. And it’s all community led, with locals maintaining and cleaning up the garden every few weeks. 

Athens-Avalon Green Space Tiled Steps

• Neighborhood: Excelsior
• Address/location: corner of Athens Street and Avalon Avenue
• What else to do in area: Kenney Alley Stairs, John McLaren Park, pupusas at Balompie Cafe #3 or Reinas

Thank the neighbors, because these beautiful steps in San Francisco are all their doing. Like other San Francisco mosaic stairway projects, this one came about because neighbors got sick and tired of seeing garbage, old furniture, and bags of junk around. What a waste of a perfectly good space!

What was once a literal garbage dump is now a lovely stairway connecting Athens St. at Avalon Avenue and Athens St. at Valmar Terrace. The neighbors volunteer together to keep the space looking fresh and beautiful year round, with a gorgeous native plant garden surrounding the steps.

Walk all the way to the top → there’s sweeping views of the southern border of SF from the top of the tiled steps!

Kenney Alley Stairs

• Neighborhood: Excelsior
• Address/location: between France and Italy Avenues
• What else to do in the area: Athens-Avalon Green Space, John McLaren Park, Unity Plaza, and Pakwan Restaurant

What was once a community eyesore is now an “urban oasis”. The Kenney Alley Stairs were actually assembled by an art teacher, her students, and volunteers! Kinda impressive if you ask me! The alley also has murals painted on both sides and new greenery for a fresh new look.

Although it was recently completed in 2016, it possibly already needs a quick refresh. Honestly, when I visited, the place wasn’t particularly shiny and clean. 

Looking for them? The stairs are literally in an alleyway and kinda hard to find! We actually walked past them a few times without realizing! Whoops! I don’t know if I would make a special trip to see this mosaic staircase in San Francisco, but if you’re in the area, why not?!

Flights of Fancy Stairs

• Neighborhood: Bayview/Hunters Point
• Address/location: Intersection of Arelious Walker Drive and Innes Avenue
• What else to do in area: Albion Castle, Quesada Gardens Tiled Steps, Hunters Point, juice at Happy Moose, Hilltop Park, India Basin Shoreline Park

Another mosaic staircase in San Francisco! Told you there’s lots of ‘em! This one is a 4-foot wide, 87 step mosaic tile staircase, connecting Northridge Road and Innes Avenue.

This mosaic design was inspired by patterns all over the world — from India and Indonesia to Japan and the Middle East. Make sure to climb all the way up — the mosaic steps kinda wind up the hillside and each section has a different theme. Kinda fun!

Know that the Flights of Fancy Stairs are also called the Arelious Walker Stairway, in honor of Dr. Arelious Walker. She was a former pastor and advocate for the Bay View District, and more than deserves her recognition!

Like other secret steps of San Francisco on this list, don’t leave any valuables in your car.

Unfortunately, unlike the more popular steps, I’ve heard that The Flights of Fancy tiled staircase isn’t as well cared for. Do your part and don’t leave it any worse than it currently is.

Lincoln Park Steps

• Neighborhood: Sea Cliff
• Address/location: 32nd Avenue between California Street and the Lincoln Park Golf Course (dead end of California Street)
• What else to do in area: Legion of Honor, Lands End Trail, China Beach, Baker Beach, Lands End Labyrinth, Dungeness crab at PPQ Dungeness Island

Heading to Lands End and/or Sea Cliff? Don’t miss The Lincoln Park steps!

They’re a result of a community effort to raise $500,000 to get rid of the previous steps that had seen decades of neglect and decay (think broken steps, debris, graffiti, etc). Yuck! 

Now, the steps have been completely transformed (yes!), with an intricate pattern design and lovely bench at the top. And since these mosaic steps are super wide (about 30 feet!), you don’t have to worry about sharing the space with others.

The Lincoln Park Steps were designed by Aileen Barr, the same artist who designed the 16th Ave Steps and Hidden Garden Steps above, so you KNOW they’re impeccable.

Photo Tip: Avoid visiting during the harsh mid-afternoon sun. It’ll be difficult to capture the stunning colors with all the shadows on the designs. Better yet, go when it’s overcast or foggy! 

Miraloma Mosaic Steps

• Neighborhood: Miraloma Park
• Address/location: Bella Vista Way across from Dorcas Way
• What else to do in the area: Mt. Davidson, Glen Canyon Park, Twin Peaks, walk around Noe Valley, almond croissants and cupcakes at Noe Valley Bakery

There seems to be new San Francisco mosaic stairs popping up every few years, and the steps at Miraloma are the newest addition! Artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher are at it again, this time with a tiled staircase in SF at an elementary school.

The Miraloma Mosaic Steps will be used by hundreds of families weekly going to/from school, and it’s kinda exciting knowing these kids have something cheerful leading them into school.

The mosaic staircase is a permanent art installation on the steps between Miraloma Elementary School and Bella Vista Way.

The main feature is the tiled dragon, which is the mascot of Miraloma Elementary — how fitting! Go take a look; the secret steps are kinda like a floating textbook — think of a tiled curriculum of alphabets, words, numbers, math problems, and more! There’s even inspirational quotes from Michelle Obama, Mark Twain, and Oscar Wilde. The entire staircase kinda gives off a whimsical feeling, and I can’t get enough of it.

Quesada Gardens Tiled Steps

• Neighborhood: Bayview/Silver Terrace
• Address/location: Quesada Avenue between 3rd and Newhall Streets
• What else to do in the area: Albion Castle, Flights of Fancy Mosaic Steps, Hunters Point, juice at Happy Moose, Hilltop Park, India Basin Shoreline Park

The Quesada Gardens Tiled Steps are easily the most hidden of all these mosaic steps in San Francisco. Plenty of locals haven’t even heard of them before, and I had SUCH a hard time finding any info at all online about location. But they DO exist! You just gotta know where to look! :p

Quite possibly my favorite of them all — neighborhood kids painted the 600 colorful ceramic tiles you’ll find on the staircase! How sweet is that?!

Unity Plaza Ocean Avenue History Staircase

• Neighborhood: Ingleside
• Address/location: within Unity Plaza at the start of the Ocean Avenue business corridor
• What else to do in the area: Kenney Alley Stairs, Indian small plates at Pakwan Restaurant, Ingleside Sundial, sushi at Kaisen Don

Last on this list of the best mosaic steps in San Francisco we’ve got something a bit different. 

The steps are part of Unity Plaza, a new public space completed in 2016. And besides the tiled stairs, you’ll find benches to relax on, super-cool artistic pavement, and photography depicting the history of the area.

From far away the porcelain tiles don’t look like much (they’re even just black and white), but once you get closer you’ll see the real meaning behind them.

Scenes of the neighborhood are represented in the steps — and yes, they’re actual historic photos! Think City College students (in 1973!), the sundial at Ingleside Terrace, the Ingleside Presbyterian Church, and even historic street cars. 

Honestly, I wouldn’t go out of my way to see them, but if you’re on a hunt for all the mosaic steps in San Francisco, don’t leave this one off your list. I’m sure most people (and students) run up right past them and don’t even take note of their historical significance! 

If you really wanna cross ALL of San Francisco’s secret steps off your bucket list (why not?!), walk over to Balboa Park for a few tiled steps at the playground.

Other Secret Stairs in San Francisco

There’s actually way more little-known secret stairways in San Francisco than most realize. I’ve listed out a few below, but just know there are dozens, if not hundreds of them (although not all are as magnificent as these).

Filbert Street Steps: If you’re headed to Coit Tower, don’t take the easy way up by driving! The Filbert Street Steps are some of the most picturesque in all of the Bay (kinda feels like you’re in a fairy garden), and offer ah-maz-ing views of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. 

On your way up the wooden steps (all 200 or so of them), don’t miss Napier Lane — a sidewalk lined with pre-1900, cottage-like homes! Seriously, too cute.

If you don’t know where to find the steps, the starting point can be kinda confusing. Head to the corner of Sansome and Filbert and you’ll find them right away (kinda hard to miss). 

And always be on the lookout for wild parrots of Telegraph Hill! Yes, parrots! Although you may hear them before you see them!

Lyon Street Steps: Besides all the mosaic staircases in San Francisco, the Lyon Street Steps are by far my favorite. With over 300 steps, this hefty climb is a strenuous workout that’ll leave your legs aching and heart racing. And plenty of people use them to workout — so be courteous and let them pass you! ?

Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll be rewarded with the most marvelous city views. And psst – it’s really not toooo hard, and you’ll earn your snack break! Or you can just park at the top and get the views without doing all the hard work (just start on Broadway instead). Don’t say I never shared my secrets. :p 

Parking is typically easy in the neighborhood at the top (and well worth a look around; the houses are ridiculously gorgeous).

Ghirardelli Rainbow Steps: These newly painted steps add such a fun pop of color to Ghirardelli Square! The steps aren’t tiled, but they’re painted in a rainbow pattern, and just what the doctor ordered on a gray foggy day!

Vulcan Street Stairs: Take a beautiful short walk among the gardens of the steps, and get a great workout as well (if you’re trudging up of course). Look out for hummingbirds — it’s kinda like stepping foot into a secret little garden!

Vinton Court Steps: These used to be a gorgeous (hidden) pop of color in Chinatown with all my favorite Asian treats written on them, but they’ve sadly been painted over a boring gray color. Don’t go looking for them — you won’t find them in all their glory anymore!

Which of these mosaic stairs in San Francisco will you be searching for on your next visit?!

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