The back story
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The back story
San Francisco & the Bay Area: the back story
Cable cars and fog, the Golden Gate and Alcatraz, and the most MICHELIN stars of any city in California.
Region guide · California
San Francisco & the Bay Area: Our Favourites
The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars over Nob Hill, the Ferry Building, SFMOMA and four three-star restaurants.
What's onThis week in California
What to see and do
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Walk or cycle across
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s great orange suspension bridge, open to walkers and cyclists.
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By ferry from Pier 33
Alcatraz Island
The former federal prison on its island in the Bay, reached only by the official ferry from Pier 33.
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Ride the hills
San Francisco cable cars
The city’s famous cable cars, run by SFMTA on three lines over Nob Hill and Russian Hill.
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Food hall on the Bay
Ferry Building Marketplace
The restored ferry terminal on the Embarcadero, now a marketplace of local food producers.
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Modern art in SoMa
SFMOMA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, on Third Street in SoMa.
151 Third St, San Francisco, CA 94103Explore View on map
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Aquarium, rainforest and planetarium
California Academy of Sciences
A natural history museum with an aquarium, a rainforest dome, a planetarium and a living roof, in Golden Gate Park.
55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118Explore View on map
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Victorian row houses
The Painted Ladies, Alamo Square
The row of Victorian houses on Steiner Street, seen from Alamo Square with the skyline behind.
Eat and drink
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Three MICHELIN Stars · new 2026
Californios
The world’s first three-star Mexican restaurant.
355 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103Explore View on map
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Three MICHELIN Stars
Quince
Californian-Italian tasting menus in Jackson Square.
470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CAExplore View on map
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Two MICHELIN Stars
Birdsong
Wood-fire cooking in SoMa.
1085 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103Explore View on map
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Two MICHELIN Stars
Lazy Bear
A communal-table dinner party in the Mission.
3416 19th St, San Francisco, CAExplore View on map
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Two MICHELIN Stars
Saison
Fire-led cooking near South Park.
178 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107Explore View on map
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Two MICHELIN Stars
Commis
James Syhabout’s tasting menu on Piedmont Avenue, Oakland.
3859 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CAExplore View on map
Where to stay
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On top of Nob Hill
Fairmont San Francisco
A landmark grand hotel on the summit of Nob Hill, with cable cars passing the door.
950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108Explore View on map
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Nob Hill, near Union Square
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
A Ritz-Carlton on Nob Hill, a short walk down to Union Square.
600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CAExplore View on map
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The Garden Court
Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel
A Market Street landmark with the glass-roofed Garden Court, between the Financial District and Union Square.
2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105Explore View on map
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Facing the Ferry Building
1 Hotel San Francisco
A nature-inspired hotel on the Embarcadero, across from the Ferry Building and the Bay.
8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105Explore View on map
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In Silicon Valley
Rosewood Sand Hill
A Rosewood resort on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, at the heart of Silicon Valley.
Property
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San Francisco specialists
Vanguard Properties
A San Francisco brokerage with its office in Potrero Hill.
636 Vermont St, San Francisco, CA 94107Explore View on map
Getting there
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The main Bay Area airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The main international gateway for San Francisco and the Bay Area.
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San Francisco to Silicon Valley
Caltrain
Electric commuter trains between San Francisco and San José.
Share your San Francisco & the Bay Area tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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