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First Trip to San Francisco: My Insider's Guide for 1st Time Visitors
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: June 9, 2025
Are you planning your first trip to San Francisco? If so, start your planning here.
On this page, you will find valuable information to help you plan your first trip to the City by the Bay.
You will find everything, from where to stay and how to get around SF, to what to pack. I've also included some top attractions, things to do, and some of our top events each month.
You can also start by reading why I love San Francisco and some of the best times to visit.
Where to Stay
One of the most important decisions for your San Francisco vacation will be where you stay. Most of the hotels are in two districts: Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square.
Which one will work best for you? Use my guide to help you decide.
Popular Hotel Categories
Stay near the water and top attractions such as Alcatraz, Pier 39, and more!
More Hotel Options
In addition to the popular hotel options above, here are some additional hotel ideas for your visit.
- Pet-Friendly Hotels: Bringing Fido? These hotels will offer comfort for you and your four-legged friend(s).
- SFO Airport Hotels: Have an early morning flight? These are great options if you want to stay near SFO.
- Hotels with Pools: Do you love enjoying time at the pool on vacation? While SF is cool most of the year, you can still find some great hotels with pools.
- Inexpensive Hotels: Need to stick to a budget? These hotels around San Francisco offer you a chance to save a little during your visit. Nothing fancy here, but several great places to rest your head.
- Boutique Hotels: Want a smaller hotel? This list offers some of the best boutique hotels throughout the city.
- Motels with Parking: Many of these motels offer free parking. It's great for those driving in SF but wanting to keep their budget in line.
- More Lodging Options: Here are some additional tips and ideas on where to stay around San Francisco.
How to Get Around San Francisco
These are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about getting around San Francisco, including how to get to and from SFO, using the cable cars, and getting from your hotel to top attractions.
More Transit Tips
Here are more articles to help answer all your questions about getting around San Francisco.
- How to Get from Union Square to Top Attractions: I created this guide to help you easily get from Union Square to all the top attractions around SF.
- How to Get from Fisherman's Wharf to Top Attractions: This guide will help those staying in Fisherman's Wharf.
- Rental Car Tips: San Francisco is a challenging city to navigate, so here are a few tips for those renting a car for your visit.
- How to Ride Our Street Cars: In addition to our popular cable cars, San Francisco also runs a regular route with historic street cars from around the world. Find everything you need to enjoy them.
- SF Ferries: If you plan to visit Sausalito, Tiburon, or other spots around the SF Bay, consider taking a ferry. My guide details all the options and what you need to know before you ride them.
- Taxis: This page discusses what you need to know to take a local taxi.
- Parking: Parking can be a pain in San Francisco. My guide helps ease the burden of finding a parking spot, so you are prepared before you arrive.
- Parking at the Golden Gate Bridge: I created this special guide because finding a place to park near the bridge can be challenging. My tips include options on both the north and south sides of the bridge.
- Getting Around SF: Additional details and advice for getting around San Francisco and beyond.
What to Pack
When is it foggy? What is the coolest time of the year? What can I expect from the weather?
All of these are great questions, and you can find out more about our unique climate here.
In addition, I created monthly guides to help you pack for each month of the year.
More Planning Guides
Here are some additional guides to help you plan your stay.
- Which Airport is Right for You: The San Francisco Bay Area is home to three airports. My guide helps you decide which airport to fly into for your stay.
- Is San Francisco safe? San Francisco is one of the safest cities in the US, but the news has had a field day with the problems we do have. Check out my guide to find out what's really going on here and how you can stay safe during your visit.
- What you should book in advance: I'm frequently asked about what to book before arrival and what can be booked upon arrival. This guide helps you decide what might sell out and what you can book when you arrive.
- What is the best Alcatraz tour? This is another frequently asked question. My guide covers the three tours to Alcatraz, so you can decide which one is right for you.
Top Things to See & Do
Now that you have your plan set and many of your questions answered, this section gives you ideas on the best things to see and do.
My guides include details on top attractions, popular districts, and what day trips you might want to consider.
Popular San Francisco Events
There are dozens of special events each month here. These include popular picks such as the Bay to Breakers run and Fleet Week. Fourth of July and New Year's Eve are two of our most popular holidays, offering a wide range of fun activities.
Make sure to check out the best events for the month you'll be visiting San Francisco.
Here are some of my most popular event pages.
Earthquakes in San Francisco
Another question I'm asked by first-time visitors is what to do in an earthquake. While it's true we have earthquakes all the time in California, the odds of you visiting when there is one large enough to cause damage are small.
This is a great page to read to learn more about our earthquakes.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who are familiar with the area.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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