How to Enjoy a Day in San Francisco

San Francisco is the town dreams are made of, it's the place where "little cable cars climb halfway to the stars", and when you leave, you'll have left your heart. It's also tough to find a parking place and a little expensive, so if you've got a day to just roam around one of the world's favorite cities, here are some ideas on how to make the most of it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A good street map of The City
• A San Francisco guidebook
• Lots of quarters and few dollar bills for parking meters and buses
• A bus route map
• Walking shoes
• A good appetite
• A camera

1. The Golden Gate Bridge and the Moon. A sight you'll see only in San Francisco! Study your San Francisco guidebook to learn what each neighborhood has to offer.
2. The world-famous cable cars of San Francisco Visit the San Francisco Visitor's Bureau website to find out more about visiting San Francisco's famous landmarks and learn of special events happening during your visit that might interest you.
3. A North Beach street with Coit Tower in the background Make a list of the things you'll want to see most for your day in San Francisco.
4. Haight-Ashbury in all its glory. Groovy, man. Plan your culinary delights. What sort of food do you like? Great! There's a fantastic restaurant somewhere in San Francisco with just the cuisine you're looking for! But don't let your plans get in the way of spontaneity; you might just decide to try something totally new.
5. San Francisco's waterfront and famed skyline. You've got a plan, now enjoy your day in San Francisco!

Tips & Warnings

• Dress in layers! The weather can change throughout the day and from neighborhood to neighborhood. It can be cold and foggy on one side of town, warm and sunny on the other.
• If you're driving into the city or have a rental car, consider leaving it at the hotel parking lot or parking it in a convenient parking garage when you arrive in San Francisco.
• San Francisco is a great town to walk around in, sure, you'll have to climb some hills, but it's the best way to really get feel for the City.
• Often the best weather in San Francisco is late summer and fall.
• A bus ride costs $1.50. When you board the bus, take (or ask for) a transfer and you'll be able to ride the system for several hours.
• The bus transfer doesn't count for cable cars.
• A cable car ride costs $5. Ouch. Still, you can't come to San Francisco and not ride a cable car!
• If you do use a car and park on the street, make sure to heed the parking restrictions. During the week many on-street parking spots become illegal to allow traffic during commute hours. If you don't move your car, you will be towed. It's a great way to dampen the fun.