United States, North America
A compact city of steep hills and sudden views, where walking is rewarding but occasionally a real workout.
Photo: San Francisco Skyline as seen from Potrero Hill 2017
Why walk here
San Francisco packs a lot of neighbourhoods into a small footprint, so distances between areas like North Beach, Chinatown and Union Square are often short in a straight line. What complicates things is the terrain, with some streets climbing sharply enough that a route that looks simple on a map can turn into a genuine hill workout.
The flatter areas, like the Embarcadero along the waterfront or the Mission district, offer easier, more relaxed walking, and many visitors mix the two, tackling a hilly stretch for the views and then dropping down to flatter ground to recover.
Fog and wind can roll in quickly, even in summer, changing the walking experience within the same day, so dressing in layers matters more here than the calendar date might suggest.
Practical notes
Written for someone who has just landed and does not want to read a guidebook.
Muni operates the city's buses, streetcars and the historic cable cars, all accessible with the Clipper card, which also covers BART, the regional rail system that connects to the wider Bay Area. BART links directly to San Francisco International Airport, making for a straightforward if not especially fast trip into downtown. Cable cars are as much a tourist experience as practical transport, given their limited routes and often long queues.
Most of San Francisco's tourist core, including Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero, is safe to walk through during the day and evening, though certain blocks, particularly parts of the Tenderloin, have visible issues with homelessness and drug use that some visitors find uncomfortable and choose to route around. Staying aware and sticking to well-lit, busier streets at night is a sensible approach.
Tipping follows the standard American pattern, generally fifteen to twenty percent at restaurants, with small amounts expected for baristas and bartenders as well.
Tap water is safe and comes from a well-regarded regional supply. Shops keep fairly standard hours, with many open daily. Cards are accepted virtually everywhere, and cash is rarely needed. English is the default language in a city known for its international mix of residents. Weather is mild year round but can be foggy and cool even in summer, so a jacket is worth carrying regardless of season.
Walks in this city
Pick one, screenshot the cards, and leave the phone in your pocket between stops.
ViewpointsSan Francisco, United States
From a crooked street to a war memorial park, this walk climbs three of San Francisco's steepest hills for views over the bay, the bridges and the fog line.