Planning a Trip to San Francisco

When it comes to travelling, planning is part of the fun (or at least it is for me!). However, sometimes it’s not so simple. There is a lot of information out there, and sometimes it is a little overwhelming. Deciding where to go, what to see, and what to do in a city can be daunting, especially if you have limited time. It is also subjective to what type of traveller you are. Are you the adventurous type or one who prefers to soak up arts and culture? Here are a few website picks on how to plan a trip to one of the world’s most loved cities, San Francisco.

The gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge. Image viaFlickrbyNicolas Raymond

San Francisco is a city that has stolen many hearts from across the world. Whilst I will always [heart] New York, thinking about San Francisco still brings up happy memories. With iconic scenery and images such as Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the beautiful streets buzzing with cable cars, San Francisco can offer something for all travellers.

Fisherman’s Wharf. Image viaFlickrbyAshleigh Nushawg

For the Outdoor types:

Natural beauty at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Get back in touch with nature. Image via Flickr by Asher Isbrucker

San Francisco has plenty to see for the active types. The Outbound is a cool website for those who love outdoor activities. It lists great suggestions on things to do in the city by the bay. From hiking trails to rock climbing, you can get your share of Vitamin D here. This is a website I only just stumbled upon, but will definitely use to plan some fun outdoor activities for our future travels!

For the Foodies:

Chinatown, San Francisco. Image via Flickr by Allie_Caulfield

For lovers of Asian food, you can’t go wrong in the largest Chinatown outside of Asia! However if you want to expand your culinary horizons further, check out Weotta for some inspiration. This website also offers great suggestions on activities, attractions, and shows.

For Families and Shows:

The famous townhouses of San Francisco. Image via Flickr by Erik Söderström

There’s nothing worse than finding out that a hit concert was happening in the city you were visiting after you’ve made alternative plans. Thankfully websites such as TiqIQ and Score Big allow you to put in your destination and see all the events happening in your area so you can book ahead and have something else to look forward to.

Sightseeing:

The Alcatraz. Image via Flickr by Tim Benedict Pou

The best way to see a city is on foot. San Francisco City Guides offer a variety of free walking tours. If you still need inspiration on what to do and see in San Francisco, check out the Top 20 Attractions based on visitor data! Our personal picks are Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Also, you can’t visit San Francisco without taking a cable car down “the crookedest street in the world” — Lombard Street! SF Cablecar is a pretty helpful website that has the routes, fares and other helpful information on riding the iconic cable cars in the city.

San Francisco’s iconic Cable Cars. Image via Flickr by Ronnie Macdonald

Accommodations:

San Francisco is not short of accommodations. Our advice is to stay somewhere convenient such as Super 8 Union Square, as it is within walking distance to public transport and close to the great shopping district of Union Square.