The wonderful road-trip continues.
After Hawaiian tropics we find ourselves in the startup nest, center of liberal waves – San Francisco vacation.
This city has its own spirit, which reflects also on the citizens there as well.
Our San Francisco vacation start late evening when we arrive from Honolulu and head to our apartment.
First impressions were of course for us very much different if we compare the city during the daylight.
Since, we arrived to San Francisco late night, we saw the city from a different perspective. Lets say it so – Not that appealing.
Or of course, could also be very much appealing for those that love it.
City center has a lot of drug dealers and drug addicts, drunk people around, and it is not so save to walk there during that hour.
Before we booked our apartment, we had a little look at the safety of various of districts in San Francisco, just to understand where we should book and where we should not.
It was obvious that areas such as Tenderloin. It is good for a tourist, who doesn’t want to risk it, to stay around Downtown, Union Square and Fisherman´s Wharf.
Also, what should be avoided if possible is public transport during the night. You never know about that.
We read forums, where locals told that it is better not, especially if you don’t know the district, you look like a tourist or if you are a woman. Do not!
Even if you are shopping on Union Square in Downtown, it is preferable to be careful, since a lot of pickpockets as in any other big city might be a possibility to happen.
Nevertheless, here were our warnings, and now it is time to move forward and talk about positive aspects of this wonderful city and our San Francisco vacation!



San Francisco Vacation: Places to see
Here we go with this new little chapter of the interesting places and attractions that you should visit and see during your San Francisco vacation.
Lets first of all mention Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge
The bridge actually is located a bit further away from the center.
Takes a while to get there. Since it was my first time in San Francisco, this was something that I was imagining differently. I always thought that the Golden Gate Bridge is just in the center and you can get to the bridge by walking there from your hotel in the center.
Super windy as well on the bridge and it is very busy there with the cars.
The Golden Gate bridge is 4,8 km long. Before there was the Golden Gate Bridge, the connection between San Francisco and Marin County was done via ferry line.
There were discussions before the contract for building the new bridge across was settled. Reasons were mainly because the weather – strong winds, deep water etc.
The construction of the bridge started during 1933 and ended on 1937.
Interesting fact is that the color of the bridge was first proposed to be black with yellow stripes.
This would ensure a better visibility for the ships and ferries. Despite this, the color, Orange got the privilege to become the color of the famous Golden Gate Bridge.
Alcatraz
See our blog post about this famous prison here.

Fisherman´s Wharf or in other words Pier 39
We definitely spent there a couple of hours or even more. Very touristic, but in a positive way.
Interesting souvenir-stores, a bit overpriced as usually these stores are, but one might find unique souvenirs from there, not only some magnets and keyholders with a sign of San Francisco.
Restaurants offer a big range of different seafood dishes.
Honestly, we would not recommend to stay there for a dinner or lunch.
Overpriced and quality-wise maybe not the best, of course it depends. But it is a typical touristy place, so do not expect anything amazing for a relatively expensive price.
The atmosphere of Pier 39 is something you should experience.
Total lightness and easiness; street musicians, nice little stores, great weather and friendly people.
For sure, this is the place where you will feel how open-minded and in a way liberal San Francisco is actually.



Union Square
Very beautiful district. Many great stores, certainly a place for shopping.
Nevertheless it would not hurt to take a double look at your purses, since might occur pickpockets from time to time like in any other big city –crowded place.

China Town
We loved it. A long street that offers you everything: Chinese food, souvenirs, clothes, electronics and anything else in between.
We even saw on our San Francisco vacation a Chinese Matroshka there, which was funny.


Lombard Street
Located in a calm district, but cannot say the same about the streets.
The hills are just crazy and it feels that you are climbing to the sky.
We have some very cool and funny shots from there. Of course Lombard is just unique and beautiful. I would not mind to get an opportunity to live on that street for a week or two.

Palace of Fine Arts
This beautiful place located nearby district Richmond. Certainly worth for a visit.
We had few amazing pictures there.
The area looks very calm and somehow roaylish. Beautiful pastel-colored houses around also made the atmosphere even more fairytalish.


And lastly Painted Ladies
The architecture of San Francisco is of course unique and you cannot find anything similar anywhere else.
That is also one of the main reasons why we liked the city so much. It is very beautiful. The houses are well-design and each of them is unique. Check out these beautiful houses in the neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury.
This was our short blog-post about San Francisco vacation.
Briefly what we saw and what you should also consider to see on your next San Francisco vacation.






In San Francisco always with some flowers in the hand – your travelling Birdie
See you soon with gigantic impressions from Yosemite National Park…
Dear reader, if you enjoyed reading our article we would be very happy about a small donation.
Thank you sincerely, Birdie & Hendrik.
My aunt just went there and saw their photo of the Lomabrd Street and I envy them! Will definitely visit these places too!
I visited San Francisco a couple of years ago and went to most of the attractions you mentioned. I was a big fan of the weather or the people, but loved the shopping and landscape.
Agree Carmen, same for us. San Francisco attracts with so many things. Obviously truly a great place to live in.
Beautiful photos! Lombard street looks crazy but really cool at the same time 🙂 Hope to be able to visit San Francisco in te future 🙂
Yeah Lombard street is really crazy but just one of so many things in San Francisco. It is without any doubt a travel destination 🙂
Never visited San Francisco but this place is on my bucket list! I will visit it even for just a couple of days! thanks for sharing helpful tips with many places to visit!
You are welcome, we recommend to take more time and plan a roadtrip or something similar, since all those great places like L.A., Vegas, SF and Yosemite are quite close to each other.
Your photos are really stunning! What I like the best are the Lombard Bridge and the Palace of Fine Arts. I am always in love with Architectures. Whenever my boyfriend and I go on a trip, I would always include places with some fine architectures.
Hi Ana, glad to hear 🙂
Travelling together double the fun, doesnt it?
San Francisco is one of the cities in the States that I would love to visit! I’m surprised about the “danger warnings” though – that’s disappointing. Being an architecture-lover, I would be ecstatic to see the Painted Ladies!
Hi Lydia, great to hear that you love architecture, you will definitely enjoy this city, also regarding its diversity.
The warnings are mainly like tips in general, you shouldnt worry about this too much. There are many sites with crime statistics, recommendations of places, which to avoid especially as a tourist and so on. We explored SF as a very safe city, at least those places we visited.
We just focus a little bit more on the safety factor in general when we travel, especially on places, we havent been before 🙂
Despite the pickpocket warnings, I would still love to visit San Francisco. The Golden Gate bridge is like a must see to me. Very beautiful pictures too!
Yes Agnes, maybe its better not to focus too much on possibilities of things that might happen, instead just to look on the bright side of life, as Monthy Python already said 🙂
SF is an amazing place, dont worry.
I love the pictures in this article! I live in San Francisco Bay Area and I actually find it relatively safe in most parts compared to many other cities. There are few areas where I am not comfortable walking around at night time but I do use the public transportation. During day time I am ok with any areas in SF and I have never had any problems at Union Square. Of course, like in any other big city, it is good to be aware of your surroundings, and if you keep your wallet in a place where it can… Read more »
Hi Paula, so glad you liked the pics. I hope they give a little bit back of the magic that we received from this city. Actually we completely enjoyed our stay in San Francisco and to be honest we were even thinking if this could be a place to live for us in the future. The mentioning of dangers that might happen sounds maybe a bit too dramatic, yes. We just saw some moments from our very own perspective but in the end we felt completely safe all the time. And as you confirm as a local it is like… Read more »
Great article! We were recently in SF also and it was interesting all the things you pointed out. It’s a beautiful city with a lot of great views but also a lot of dark parts as well. Coming from NY, we saw things that shocked even us! Lol. Wonderful pictures though and glad you enjoyed!