Overview
A city with a different vibe. Even on the hottest days, the center barely reaches 20-25 degrees Celsius because of the ocean fog rolling in. But go just a little north or south and temperatures jump to 30 and above. One street is stunningly beautiful, and the very next block turns out to be a massive homeless encampment, even though the area looks perfectly normal otherwise.
What to See
- The sea lion observation point at Pier 39 is a fantastic spot. I'd say it was one of the most beautiful places I saw in America. Right after, you can warm up with a clam chowder at Boudin Bakery; it's as good as its reputation.
- Don't be lazy; make the trip to Stanford University. The campus is truly incredible. It makes you want to be a student again. While you're out that way, you can stop by a few Silicon Valley companies too, but honestly there isn't much to see at any of them, especially since most closed their visitor centers post-COVID. At best you can walk around their campuses and grab a water.
- Alcatraz is an absolute must-see, but keep in mind that the whole island reeks of bird droppings and urine at an unbelievable level. You'll want to hose the place down. Also, the place has a genuinely tense energy; whether it's from everything that happened there in the past, I don't know, but we came back feeling very unsettled.
- You might not be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge because of the ocean fog; don't be surprised.
- The steady ocean fog can drop temperatures from 26 degrees to 15 in an instant.
Tips & Advice
- Dress in layers and carry both light and warm clothes with you. Don't assume you'll be walking around in a t-shirt and shorts just because you're visiting in August. The city demands at least pants and a moderately thick jacket, especially in the evenings.
- If you want one really nice, quality meal, Epic Steak was excellent. A bit pricey but absolutely worth it. One of the best steaks I've ever had.
- If you're into wine, it's definitely worth seeing the Napa scene, but don't set your flavor expectations too high.