Fisherman’s Wharf

Website: http://www.fishermanswharf.org/

The only appropriate way to begin your tour of San Francisco is at the world-famous Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s right on the bay, with great views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate (assuming it’s not foggy).

Local’s Tip: By starting the day off here, it will be far less crowded.

http://www.marinemammalcenter.org

Shortly after the 1989 earthquake, the sea lions just started showing up at Fisherman’s Wharf; now it’s the sight to see.

Start off at Pier 39 and the sea lion statue.

Sea lion statue near Pier 39

To head to the “sea lion area” from the statue, walk towards Pier 39 and make your first left. Here’s a map:

After enjoying the sea lions, stroll through Pier 39 and then make a right to head towards the Fisherman’s Wharf. Walk down Jefferson Street, following the map above.

There are plenty of shops to browse through if you’re interested. 

Local’s Tip: If you’re looking for San Francisco memorabilia, hold off on buying them until we head into Chinatown. Prices are far better there.

Address: 39 Jefferson Street
Website: http://www.boudinbakery.com/index.cfm?page_id=15

This is Bistro Boudin’s flagship location. From the street, they have a cool view into their bakery; so make sure to check it out as you walk by.

If you’re interested, they also have a museum and bakery tour. They run it Wednesday through Monday 11:30am – 6:00pm. You can find out more information here: http://www.boudinbakery.com/index.cfm?page_id=15

After the bakery, continue to head towards Taylor Street, where you’ll make a right.

Address: 2801 Taylor Street

If you’re hungry and looking for a clam chowder bread bowl or a crab sandwich, this is the place to grab one. It’s much less expensive than going into a restaurant and is equally delicious. Everyone has their favorite stands. The first one on the corner is my personal favorite, but you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Price: Free
Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm (8:00pm weekends & holidays)
Address: Pier 45 Shed A at the end of Taylor Street
Website: http://www.museemechanique.org

After making a right on Taylor Street and walking past all of the chowder & crab stands, straight ahead you’ll see Musee Mecanique.

This is a fun museum and a great place to get rid of a few quarters. The owner showcases one of the world’s largest collections of mechanically operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines. Nearly everything is in working condition, so you can play with almost all of the machines.

After Musee Mecanique, head back down Taylor St past the chowder & crab stands again. Make a right down Jefferson St.

Address: 333 Jefferson Street (in the Anchorage shopping center)
Website: http://www.in-n-out.com/

One of the west coast’s most popular fast food restaurants is In-N-Out. If you’re hungry and chose to pass on the chowder bread bowl, In-N-Out is always a good decision.

Continue down Jefferson St and you’ll see the beginning of the Powell/Hyde Cable Car line.

Cable Car Ride to Union Square & Lombard Street

Price: $6.00 (pay once you’re onboard) or free with Muni all-day passport.
Address: Hyde Street & Beach Street

No San Francisco visit is complete without a ride on the world famous cable cars. You pay for your ticket once onboard. To get on, just follow the rail all the way around, hop on, and take a seat. When you’re about to get going, an operator will come around and collect your fare.

Local’s Tip: The cable car operators always leave a little room for passengers at future stops. So, if the line is exceptionally long to get on the cable car, walk up Hyde Street one block and cross North Point to go to the second stop. On the right hand side of the street, you’ll see a cable car stop sign. The trick to get on is that the cable car is going to stop literally in the middle of the Hyde & North Point intersection, on the flat section, very briefly. When they do, just hop on. Someone will come around and get your money.

When you board the cable car, I recommend standing or sitting on the left side so at least you’ll get a quick view of Lombard Street. Lombard Street is a popular tourist destination because it’s billed as the “crookedest street in the world”. The author’s opinion is that it’s highly overrated and not worth the effort to get to.

However, Lombard Street is a popular picture spot, so if you chose to get the Muni passport with unlimited cable car rides, here is a good place to take advantage of it. Hop off the cable car, walk down Lombard, take your pictures, walk back up Lombard and hop back on the Cable Car. The driver will yell “Lombard Street” and then stop very briefly in the middle of the intersection. When he does, just hop off. Get back on the same way.

Ride the cable car all the way through San Francisco to Geary and Powell. You’ll exit right next to the Westin St. Francis hotel in the heart of Union Square. (Please see the following map).

Union Square

Union Square is the nation’s third-largest shopping area and one could easily spend an entire day browsing and shopping. Because we’ve got a lot of things to see today, we’ll take a quick stroll through the main area as we head to Chinatown. This roundabout walk is 15 minutes, but I’ve allotted more time for a little shopping.

Stroll around Geary; take a left on Stockton St, then another left on Post St. Once you’ve arrived back at Powell, cross the street into Union Square Park and head back towards Stockton. We’ll continue down Post St to Grant Ave and then make a left on Grant Ave to head towards the Chinatown gates.

Chinatown

Chinatown Walking Tour with Labels Chinatown Map

North America’s largest and oldest Chinatown feels like you’ve actually stepped into China at times. If you’re looking for souvenirs to bring home, forget Fisherman’s Wharf, this is the place to get them. T-shirts, jewelry, and all of the other San Francisco tchotchke’s that you want can be found here for a fraction of the price than elsewhere in the city.

While in Chinatown plan on doing some shopping, checking out a couple temples and of course watching old Chinese woman handmake fortune cookies.

Tip: Make sure to take a look and take a picture of the beautiful light posts in Chinatown.

Continue up Grant Street from the Chinatown Gates. Check out the shops and get your souvenirs. At Sacramento St make a left, and then a right on Stockton.

Address: 855 Stockton Street
Admission: Free

Kung Chow Temple is not the easiest place to find. The entrance is next to the Post Office and is oddly not the ornate building on the other side. Here’s a picture of the front door:

Kung Chow Temple Entrance

The temple is located on the 4th floor. When you walk into the building on the ground floor, you can take the stairs on your left or if you walk straight ahead there is an elevator.

Kung Chow is free to get in – donations are accepted. When you’re inside make sure not to take pictures as that’s strictly not allowed. Check out the gigantic turtles on your right-side by the door when you walk into the temple.

After Kung Chow continue down Stockton towards Clay, and you’ll come to a small alley on your left side, Waverly St. Make a left down this alley to get to Tin How Temple.

Address: 125 Waverly Place
Admission: Free

Tin How was built in 1852 and is the oldest Chinese temple in the United States.

Tin How Temple is easier to find than Kung Chow. There’s a pretty clear sign on the top of the door, here’s a picture:

Tin How Temple Front Door

The temple is on the 4th floor and there’s no elevator.

Tin How Temple is also free to get in. Again, while inside, no pictures are allowed.

Tip: Step out to the balcony to get an awesome view of Coit Tower (assuming it’s a clear day).

From Tin How, head back down Waverly to Clay and head back across Grant to Portsmouth Square.

Address: Intersection of Walter U Lum Place & Clay Street

Take a walk through the park and watch people practice Tai Chi, play Chinese chess and card games. Here you will also find a rare public bathroom – however it will most likely not have any toilet paper.

Leave the park the opposite corner that you came in, at the corner of Washington and Kearny. Head down Washington towards Walter U Lum Place. Your third side street after Walter U Lum will be Ross Alley. It’s a small alley and easy to miss. If you get back to Stockton, you’ve gone too far.

Address: 56 Ross Alley

Next up is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Two Chinese women spend every day making 20,000 fortune cookies by hand. You can get a free fortune (not a free cookie though) or pickup a bag of fortune cookies for yourself.

You can’t go through Chinatown without having some delicious food. There are plenty to choose from. If you’re look for more options, I recommend checking out http://www.Yelp.com. Here are 4 of my favorites, each is a different type of Chinese restaurant:

Food type: Dim Sum
Address: 732 Jackson St (Jackson and Grant)
For more information, you can check out their website: http://www.yongkeecompany.com

Not to miss: Their amazing chicken bun.

Food type: Chinese (less expensive)
Address: 57 Columbus Ave (Columbus and Jackson)

Not to miss: Everything is great here.

Food type: Chinese (more expensive)
Address: 631 Kearny St (Kearny and Clay)
For more information, check out their website: http://www.rnglounge.com

Not to miss: Salt & Pepper Crab and Special Beef.

Food type: Noodles/Soup
Address: 941 Stockton St (Stockton and Washington)

Not to miss: Pho

Walk to Cable Car Museum

After lunch head down Washington St. for just a couple blocks to get to the Cable Car Museum.

Cable Car Museum

Hours: 10am – 6pm Apr. 1 – Sep. 30 | 10am – 5pm Oct. 1 – Mar. 31
Website: http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

Despite its name, I think you’ll enjoy this Museum, and at ‘free’ you certainly can’t beat the price. The museum overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables for the Cable Cars throughout the city. It’s amazing learning about and then watching the gigantic wheels pulling the cables around the entire city of San Francisco.

There are also plenty of photo opportunities with antique cable cars on display.

Bus to Golden Gate Bridge

Price: $2.00 (Free with Muni all-day passport)

After the museum, continue up Mason Street, hang a right at Jackson St. and then a left on Stockton St. This is where we’ll catch the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge. This bus stop is not that obvious, as there’s no formal bench and overhang. The numbers are written on a light post.

You’ll need to catch 2 buses to get to the bridge. First, take the 30 heading north on Stockton, which will be headed in the direction you’re walking.

Next, you’ll transfer to the 28, getting off at Chestnut St and Pierce St. Listen for the announcement for Pierce St (it will be right after the Fillmore St. stop). From Chestnut and Pierce, you’ll cross Chestnut and head one block south to Lombard (Toledo Way is the wrong way). You’ll catch the 28 on Lombard. You’ll get off in the Golden Gate Bridge parking lot.

Bus 30 to 28 Transfer 

If you have any questions, ask your bus driver for help, as they’re always willing to answer questions (don’t be put off if they’re a little rude, they have a tough job). 

Golden Gate Bridge & Fort Point

A trip to San Francisco isn’t complete without going to the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge’s “international orange” color is the icon of San Francisco.

As you walk up to the bridge area, you’ll see a statue of the bridges builder, Joseph Strauss. Off to his left you’ll see a part of the large cable that holds up the bridge.

Joseph Strauss & his Golden Gate Bridge

Continue to your left on the path with the handrails. Following this will lead you up the stairs to street level where you’ll have a great view of the bridge.

After enjoying the view and taking pictures, continue straight down the stairs – see the picture with the green arrow above.

We’ll now head to Fort Point, which is located beneath the bridge. (Fort Point is only open Friday through Sunday, so if you’re here on a different day, you won’t be able to get in. However, if you want the author’s opinion, it’s still a nice hike and it’s worth the time.) 

Go between the fence and then around the bend, down the hill. This is another great spot to take pictures.

After walking down the staircase, head to your left and swing around the fence.

Continue straight to Fort Point

The only tricky turn is a left down a gravel path. Follow the paved path pictured above for a couple minutes and then you’ll see a gravel path to your left. There will be a sign saying that it’s the correct way to Fort Point.

Left turn to Fort Point

Price: Free
Hours: Friday through Sunday 10am to 5pm
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Point,_San_Francisco

Fort Point was completed just before the Civil War and was used to defend the San Francisco Bay against warships. Unfortunately, the fort is only open 3 days a week. If you’re there on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, taking the hike down to Fort Point is a must.

On days that Fort Point is not open, the hike down the path to the Fort is still nice. Unfortunately, you won’t be rewarded with access to the Fort, but you will see the modifications to the bridge that were made in order to accommodate the Fort to ensure that the it did not need to be torn down.

When you first enter the Fort, to your left there will be a small room with brochures and more information. The brochure provides history on the Fort and the area, as well as a diagram showing all of the things to see while inside. Checking out the cannons on the bottom floor and walking around the roof are my two recommendations.

After touring the Fort, hike back up to where we started. As you get close to the top, you’ll see a sign for “G.G. Bridge Gift Shop”. Hang a left at the sign.

Take a look at the bricks. This path was built with the money generated from sponsoring the bricks.

Hang a left as you get back to the top on the brick path.

Following this brick path will lead you back to the statue of Joseph Strauss.

It’s been a long day, so head back to the hotel, relax, and get ready for dinner.

Dinner & drinks in North Beach

North Beach is home to San Francisco’s Little Italy and many great restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Local’s Tip: Regardless of which restaurant you choose, I recommend not choosing one on Columbus. They’re far more expensive. Wander off Columbus and eat where the locals eat.

Food type: Pizza
Address: 516 Green St
For more information: http://www.caffebaonecci.com

What they’re known for: Awesome thin crust pizza.

Note: Not open for dinner on Sundays.

Food type: Italian
Address: 1315 Grant Ave
For more information: http://www.idealerestaurant.com

What they’re known for: Pumpkin ravioli.

Note: Voted one of San Francisco’s 40 Places to Eat Before you Die -- http://bit.ly/40-places-to-eat-before-you-die-SF 

Food type: Seafood/Italian
Address: 552 Green St
For more information: http://www.sottomaresf.com

What they’re known for: Cioppino and clam chowder.

Note: They only serve seafood; no meat.

Address: 570 Green St
For more information: http://www.amantesf.com

Great bar, very relaxed atmosphere. A nice place to enjoy a drink or two.

Address: 1402 Grant Ave

What they’re known for: A huge beer selection.

Vin Club
Address: 515 Broadway
For more information: http://www.thevinclub.com

Great wine bar