Day 1 In San Francisco, California

​This post was written 5/17/2016 & updated 3/12/2020

Touristy Things in San Francisco

If you're just passing through San Francisco, you can easily hit touristy attractions in a short time. While I love delving into the less known and more local side of a destination, I still like to hit the major attractions. Obviously, it's easier to be submersed in local life when you are somewhere for a longer period of time than a day or so. 

Drive Down Lombard Street - The Most Crooked Street in San Francisco

The Famous Lombard Street

Lombard Street is the most crooked street in San Francisco. With 8 hairpin turns, it will test your driving skills. I think you should check out Lombard Street in 3 ways (which are kind of 5 ways):

1. Drive Down
2. Check it out at Street Level (Top & Bottom)
3. Walk it (Up one side, down the other)

I'll have a more detailed post about why you should do all 3 (or 5) of these in the future! ;o) 

San Francisco's Most Crooked Street!

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Always Turn Around!

Don't forget to turn around! You might be missing a great view if you always plug on straight ahead. 

Don't forget to turn around as there are infinite great views in San Francisco!

Cable Cars!!!

The Cable Cars in San Francisco are so cute!!! I love watching them. Unfortunately, we didn't get to ride them this time or get a classic photo hanging off the back of one, but I definitely intend to next time I'm in San Fran! ;-) 

Isn't this school bus colored cable car adorable?!

There are so many places to get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Some beaches and areas that offer great views for free also get very crowded. So consider what time of day and what day of the week you are visiting. We spent a lot of time driving into packed full parking lots and not even getting to park and enjoy the scene after all. Still, there are endless opportunities to see the Golden Gate Bridge and also the Bay Bridge from many wonderful angles. More on that in the future too ;).

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Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge = <3

Leaving The City By The Bay

I found San Francisco easy to navigate and drive in. Still, being a city with lots of residents/workers/tourists, there will be traffic. If you are heading out of the city and want to miss a lot of traffic, try to get about 30 minutes out of the city by 3pm. You'll thank me later. And if you are heading to the coast, it works out great as you will arrive before it's too late in the evening. 

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Where I Stayed On The Pacific Coast

Stop back to see a detailed review ofwhere I stayed on the Pacific Coast:  Gualala, California.

More California Travel

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