Sunny California: Not So Sunny San Fransisco
While California is known for sunny skies and Pacific beaches, San Fransisco tends to sport a blanket of fog even in the summer. When visiting San Fransisco and the bay area, it's important to dress for cloudy skies and windy shores. Typical temperatures along the coast range from mid-50s to mid-60s throughout the day, with strong winds along the shore. Maybe not ideal for a beach day, however, the city and wharf offer plenty of summer activities with access to national and state parks.
Things To-Do
Fisherman's Wharf
@mckenziepochiro
A tourist epicenter, Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 serve as a must stop for souvenirs and local food. Try traditional sourdough bread bowls at Boudin bakery or a crab sandwich at Crab Station, see the sea lions on the Pier 39 dock, or board a ferry to explore the Bay. Fisherman's Wharf has it all.
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Alcatraz Island
@mckenziepochiro
A San Fransisco-classic, Alcatraz brings in hundreds of tourists per day. The island is accessible through ferries which are offered by several companies and depart multiple times an hour. The entire experience takes around 3-hours (including transportation), but can be done in more or less time to preference.
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Want a day trip out of the city?
Muir Woods National Monument
@mckenziepochiro
Only an hour drive from the heart of the city, Muir Woods shuttles are available from multiple companies in the area. The Big Bus Muir Woods tour was a 3.5-hour trip with a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge and a guided drive to the monument.
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Winchester Mystery House
@mckenziepochiro
An hour south into San Jose, is the Winchester Mystery House. Featured on paranormal investigations such as Ghost Hunters, the Mansion tour shows 110 of the 160 rooms in the home as well as offers a garden tour.
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Things to Eat
The Crab Station
@mckenziepochiro
In the heart of Fisherman's Wharf, this spot offers classic bread bowls along with a variety of fried baskets. The prices are fair and portions are large. My favorites: calamari and fries; crab sandwich.
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Home Coffee Roasters
@mckenziepochiro
A coffee stop in Chinatown, Home Coffee Roasters has a variety of specialty drinks, as well as breakfast snacks. There is plenty of seating and the cafe itself has a relaxed atmosphere. I tried the summer s'mores latte, and it was delicious.
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Il Canto Cafe
@mckenziepochiro
Known for their breakfast burritos, this spot is perfect for grabbing breakfast to go. Save yourself about 10 minutes by ordering online so you can skip the wait-time.
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Things to See
Not everything has to be a full day stop. San Fransisco landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge are perfect for a picture spot before joining a tour or entering a museum.
Golden Gate Bridge
@mckenziepochiro
Arguably the most notable landmark in California, the Golden Gate Bridge speaks for itself as a must visit when in San Fransisco. Walking and biking trails can be accessed from the bridge, as well as a gift shop, coffee shop, and some of the bay's beaches.
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Palace of Fine Arts
@mckenziepochiro
Designed for the 1915 World's Fair, the Palace of Fine Arts has since been reconstructed, however, it maintains its Greco-style architecture. The whole park takes around 15-minutes to walk and has plenty of spots to take photos and enjoy the gardens.
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Financial District
@mckenziepochiro
She's giving...New York. Tall towers, modern design; the Financial District is a transportation hub with plenty of admirable buildings.
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Getting Around
San Fransisco offers a wide variety of public transportation methods. In my experience, the fares are a little steeper than in other areas, however, the accessibility and timeliness make it a good way to get around.
Which transportation to use?
The metro system in San Fransisco is called the BART. BART stations are available throughout the city, as well as into the suburbs of Oakland, Berkeley and south of the city. Along with the BART lines, San Fransisco has bus routes, streetcars, cable cars, and city bikes. While not always walkable, buses can be used easily to get between hot spots in the city.
Often when getting to a particular destination, multiple modes of transportation may be needed. Coming from Berkeley, a bus and train were needed to get to a destination. On the other hand, if already in the city, a bus or streetcar may be the only mode necessary.
Happy Adventuring!
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