10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting San Francisco
What Not to Do in San Francisco on Your First Visit
A trip to San Francisco can be an amazing experience, but it can be spoilt by some simple mistakes. Whether you’re interested in taking a ferry out to Alcatraz Island, driving through the iconic curves of Lombard Street, dropping a line off Fisherman’s Wharf, or just taking in the sights and sounds, the City by the Bay is filled with things to see and do.
However, a few very basic mistakes could mean the difference between a dream vacation and a trip fraught with pitfalls and problems. From the folly of thinking you should drive everywhere to underestimating the crowds at popular tourist destinations, we’ll walk you through some mistakes to avoid while visiting San Francisco.
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting San Francisco
- Planning to drive everywhere
- Catching an aerial cableway at the wrong stop
- Coming unprepared for the weather and climate
- Eating at touristy restaurants
- Failing to pack the right footwear
- Thinking Lombard Street won’t be crowded
- Planning on a typical beach experience
- Missing nearby attractions
- Underestimating the crowds at Alcatraz
- Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge
1. Planning to drive everywhere
There are many other ways to get around and explore the city
Categoría: De aventura, Económico
San Francisco is a big city, so it’s tempting to think the best way to see it all is driving a rental car. While having one at your disposal can be liberating, it opens you up to additional costs and hassles. Parking is limited and can be costly. By the time you find somewhere to park, chances are you will have to walk quite a distance to reach your destination, making the rental a bit redundant.
Instead, get around the city using Muni (buses, light trains, streetcars, and cable cars) or taking the BART (Bay Neighborhood Rapid Transit) railway. Or hop on a taxi cab or ride share to save time and hassle while traveling around San Francisco.
Planning to drive everywhere
2. Catching an aerial cableway at the wrong stop
The city’s iconic cable cars should be accessed strategically
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
There are few things as San Franciscan as taking one of the city’s famed cable cars. The cableway system covers 6 acres of San Francisco, with stops at tourist-friendly destinations like Chinatown, Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob Hill, and the Financial District.
However, catching the aerial cableway at the wrong stop can mean delays and massive crowds. For example, Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde are the most crowded options, so avoid them after 10 am. Or take the California Streetcar, which is usually a lot quieter. Most people choose to board at the start of their route and ride right to the end to get their money’s worth, so consider joining at a stop further along the line to avoid long queues.
Catching an aerial cableway at the wrong stop
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3. Coming unprepared for the weather and climate
San Francisco’s cool, wet climate can be a shock to many
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Many first-time visitors come to San Francisco during the late summer months, expecting warm and sunny days but are often surprised by the cool, wet weather and plentiful rain. In fact, San Francisco is cool and wet most of the year, so make sure you pack accordingly.
If you want to avoid the crowds of summer, visit San Francisco during the spring or early autumn. The weather is generally a bit more congenial, while still cool and damp, but there are fewer visitors. Don’t worry; the city’s iconic fog is present throughout the year.
Coming unprepared for the weather and climate
4. Eating at touristy restaurants
Overpaying at costly tourist-oriented eateries could ruin your budget
Categoría: Económico, Gastronomía en
When you set foot on Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll be bombarded with the scents and sights of delectable food. However, most of those restaurants cater to tourists who are willing to pay a lot. You can quickly go broke by eating at the wrong restaurants, even though they serve delicious fare.
Instead, seek out some of the city’s family eateries and small cafes. You’ll find them lining most streets, but take care to stay out of tourist neighborhoods if you want to save money. For delicious but usually more sensibly priced food, head over to Valencia Street in the Mission District, the Inner Richmond District, and Irving Street.
Eating at touristy restaurants
5. Failing to pack the right footwear
Taking care of your tired tootsies pays off
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
San Francisco is best explored on foot, whether you’re in search of amazing local eats or just touring its many parks, so be sure to bring suitable footwear. Comfortable, supportive shoes that will help you make the most of your visit to the city.
One thing that takes many first-time visitors by surprise is the amount of walking they need to do in the City by the Bay. So, if you’re on the fence about which shoes to pack, ditch the stilettos, a throw a comfy pair of walking shoes into your suitcase and you’ll thank yourself later.
Failing to pack the right footwear
6. Thinking Lombard Street won’t be crowded
The crookedest road is also one of the busiest
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Foto
Dubbed the “crookedest street in the world”, the iconic and busy Lombard Street has been immortalized in print and movie. The area of interest is actually just a one-block section that features eight hairpin turns that wind back and forth as the road descends a steep hill. It runs from The Presidio to The Embarcadero.
The problem is that this is one of the most visited destinations in the city, with an estimated 17,000 visitors per day during peak tourist season. While Lombard Street is well worth the experience, plan for the crowds if you’re in town during summer.
Thinking Lombard Street won’t be crowded
7. Planning on a typical beach experience
Ocean Beach is colder than you might think
Categoría: Económico, Foto
Ocean Beach is part of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and a popular destination in San Francisco, but many travelers are caught off-guard here. They assume that beach + summer sun = warm fun, but the truth is that the beach is often cold, even during summer.
Does that mean you can’t enjoy the ocean? Not at all. You might want to skip the bikini and wear layers instead. If nothing else, come to watch local surfers tackle the waves.
Planning on a typical beach experience
8. Missing nearby attractions
Focusing too much on the city can mean missing other sights
Categoría: Historia, Foto
San Francisco’s endless exploration opportunities might get many visitors so wrapped up in charms of the city that they miss some of the stunning nearby attractions. While Alcatraz Island is always fun (and crowded), you can find some out-of-the-way enjoyment in other locations.
A quick jaunt across the bay will take you to Muir Woods National Monument, where you can wander beneath towering redwood trees. The Berkeley University campus is open to the public and worth exploring, as are Golden Gate Park and Mount Tamalpais State Park, just to name a few. For an urban adventure, walk the scenic trail to Point Bonita Lighthouse in the Marin Headlands, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning views.
Missing nearby attractions
9. Underestimating the crowds at Alcatraz
Effective planning is the key to touring Alcatraz and avoiding the crowds
Categoría: De aventura, Historia, Foto
Alcatraz Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco, so you should include it on your travel itinerary. However, it’s incredibly crowded for much of the year, so you’ll need to plan your visit effectively to avoid getting lost in a sea of humanity.
The least crowded times of year to visit Alcatraz are the first two weeks of November and December. You can also visit the island from January through March, but these are also the coldest months of the year. Plan a visit for April and May as these months tend to have better weather and are less crowded than summertime.
Underestimating the crowds at Alcatraz
10. Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge
Walking across the iconic bridge gives you more time to take in the view
Categoría: De aventura, Económico, Foto
The Golden Gate Bridge is synonymous with the city of San Francisco and one of the best ways to savor the spectacular view is by walking across it. Many travelers drive across the bridge, therefore missing the true experience of this historic span.
The Golden Gate Bridge spans 1.7 miles, so be prepared to spend a couple of hours walking across and back. You can start your visit at the Welcome Center or the Roundhouse Cafe; the eastern sidewalk is just behind the restaurant, and is the only option for pedestrians. Take the eastern or western sidewalk if you’re cycling.
Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge
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