San Francisco Holidays 2024/2025

San Francisco is a vibrant, fun and care-free city on the west coast of America that you can spend days on end exploring. There are of course certain spots which will be at the top of your to-see list, such as the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the historic cable cars. However, there’s so much more to discover tucked away on the hilly (and sometimes foggy!) streets of this spectacular city.

People of all ages flock to San Francisco every year to see its wonders first-hand. It’s one of the most photographed cities in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. Around every corner, you’ll see colourful street art, luscious green parks and distinctive tramlines. The beautiful scenery as you wander the sloping streets of San Fran is reason alone to visit!

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do in San Francisco. This cool and quirky city has everything from insightful museums and tricky escape rooms to historic buildings and the world-famous island prison of Alcatraz (a must-visit!). Most people also swing by the bustling area of Pier 39 to do a spot of eating, shopping and sea lion spotting. One thing’s for sure – you won’t struggle to fill your trip’s itinerary with exciting experiences of all kinds.

A City For Everyone

San Francisco was voted the ‘best place to live in the world’ by Time Out in 2021, so you can imagine how clean, friendly and thriving it is. The ‘City By The Bay’ (as it’s sometimes nicknamed) is a fabulous place for families, with everything from museums to play parks. It’s also a great destination for couples looking to inject some fun into their romantic getaways, and groups of friends would have a ball exploring the city.

There are daytime activities galore in San Fran, but that’s not all it’s known for. The electric nightlife here never fails to impress. As well as the things you’d typically expect – phenomenal clubs and quirky cocktail bars – there are some truly unusual places to go when the sun goes down. Think roller discos, improv shows, late night movies, speakeasy jazz clubs and themed parties. We’re sold!

Take A Bite Of San Francisco

The gorgeous streets of San Francisco are scattered with all kinds of tasty restaurants. The city’s signature dish is clam chowder – a taste you simply must try! If you’re a foodie visiting the city, you’ll be in your element. You’ll come across everything from laid-back coffee bars serving up buttery pastries for breakfast to lavish seafood restaurants where you can feast on fresh fish with a view. Even the fussiest of eaters will find something they love! One of the most popular places to visit in San Francisco is Chinatown. If you’re a fan of Chinese food, you simply must stop by this fascinating neighbourhood on your trip. As one of the oldest Chinatowns in America, it’s famous among tourists and you’ll find it’s buzzing with people day and night. With everything from dim sum restaurants to tea shops and karaoke bars, it’s not hard to see why!

Escape Alcatraz

Alcatraz Prison is the most famous in the world. Sometimes known as ‘The Rock’, this eerie prison built in 1850 is isolated on its own small island in the bay of San Fran. It’s renowned for holding some of the most notorious criminals in the USA, some examples including Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. There are some fascinating stories about prisoners trying to escape this rocky island – it’s said that of the 36 men who tried to escape, 23 were caught, eight died on the run and five are considered missing or thought to have drowned.

In the present day, Alcatraz is open to tourists and is among the top attractions visited in San Francisco. The only way to access it is via a private ferry, and you should book your visit in advance as spaces do fill up, especially at peak times. On your visit to the island, you can expect to see some ruins of the prison itself, have an audio tour and learn about its history through a series of exhibits. It’s one of the most eye-opening places you’ll visit!