Neighbourhoods
Mission District
The best food density in the city, plus mural-lined streets.
North Beach
The old Italian quarter, still atmospheric.
Hayes Valley
Boutique shopping and a genuinely good, walkable main strip.
Things to do
Golden Gate Bridge, walk or bike across
Rent a bike and ride to Sausalito, then ferry back — better than the drive-by photo stop.
Mission burrito, no research needed
Any of the classic taquerias on 24th or Mission St. will do — this is a genuinely hard-to-mess-up local staple.
Ferry Building farmers market (Sat)
The city's best single food stop if your trip includes a Saturday.
Eating & drinking
Tartine Bakery
Worth the line once, ideally on a weekday morning to minimize it.
Day trips
Local logistics
City-specific transport and safety notes — for country-wide context, see the United States guide.
Very walkable if you don't mind hills; Muni and BART cover longer hops well. Skip renting a car unless you're heading to wine country.
Generally safe in visitor areas; the Tenderloin (near Union Square) has visible street-level issues and is worth routing around, especially at night.
Pacing & budget
Pacing: 3 days covers the city; add a day for wine country if that's a priority.
Budget: Runs above the US mid-range average, comparable to New York for lodging.
Visa, money, culture & transport for all of United States
Currency, key phrases, getting around by train, and everything that applies to your whole trip — not just San Francisco.