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girls trip to San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the best destinations in California, and it’s perfect for a girls’ getaway. So I created this guide on how to plan a girls’ trip to San Francisco.

The Ultimate California Travel Guide

My favorite way to explore the city is with Bin 415, a fantastic tour company. Read about My Experience With Bin 415.

Here’s what you need to know to plan the perfect girls’ trip to San Francisco!

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girls trip to San Francisco

When To Go

September – November has some of the warmest and sunniest weather all year. And the crowds and prices will be much lower after the peak summer months end. Fall is your best chance for beach days in San Francisco, but always bring some layers because the bayside breezes can be chilly.

December – February sees low accommodation rates, and you won’t be competing with many other tourists for the best photo spots at top attractions. But make sure you bring plenty of warm clothes and rain gear if you’re visiting during these months.

March – May is the city’s shoulder season, so tourist numbers and prices will be on the rise, but not at their peak. I do recommend avoiding popular Spring Break weeks from late-March to Early-April. Temperatures will be in the mid-’60s (around 18ºC) during the day and a bit cooler at night, so still bring layers.

June – August. Because these are summer break months in the U.S., this is the peak travel season for San Francisco. Prices and tourist numbers will be at their peak, and you’ll want to book accommodation and tours in advance. And to many people’s surprise, San Francisco is quite chilly, damp, and foggy during the summer. So always have a layer with you, and bring a raincoat.

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girls trip to San Francisco

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    Must-Do Activities

    Stroll through China Town and visit The Dragon Gate

    Take pics from the top of Nob Hill

    Drive down Lombard Street

    Visit Alamo Square

    Shop and dine at The Marina on Chestnut & Union Streets.

    Visit the Lyon Street Steps and Billionaire’s Row

    Marvel at the Palace of Fine Arts

    Walk along Marshall’s Beach 

    Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge

    Explore Fisherman’s Wharf

    Ride the Famous Cable Cars

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    girls trip to San Francisco

    Where To Eat

    New American/New Californian: State Bird Provisions, Rich Table, Sons & Daughters, Tartine Manufactory.

    Brunch: Rose’s Cafe, Rusty’s Southern, Breadbelly, Lokma.

    East Asian: Mister Jiu’s, LihoLiho Yacht Club, Empress by Boon, Nari.

    Rooftop Dining: Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge (pictured above), The View Lounge, Top of the Mark

    Italian: Fiorella, Sotto Mare, Cotogna, Acquerello.

    Omakase Sushi/Sashimi: Ju-ni, Kusakabe, Omakase, Akiko’s.

    Seafood: Angler, Waterbar, La Mar, Tadich Grill, Swan Oyster Depot.

    My Favorites: Farolito (Burritos), Hog Island Oyster Co., Aziza (Mediterranean), Super Duper Burgers, Wildseed (Vegan).

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    girls trip to San Francisco

    Where To Stay

    Your accommodation is one of the most important parts of your trip, so I’ve rounded up the best hotels in San Francisco. From historic lodges and boutique hotels to modern highrises and urban oases, I’ve got the perfect hotel for you.

    If you have an RV or motorhome, I recommend Kirby Cove Campground, Bicentennial Campground, or Hawk Campground.

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    girls trip to San Francisco

    Best Day Trips

    Napa and Sonoma. I highly recommend spending a few days in both of these wine regions, but they are also leisurely day trips from San Francisco. You can drive to one of the hotels or towns and catch the wine shuttles that serve Napa and Sonoma. Or you can visit one or both of the regions as a guided tour from San Francisco. Either way, make sure you’re using good transportation judgment after each tasting.

    Here’s my Getaway Guide To Napa Valley

    Point Reyes National Seashore. Point Reyes is a beautiful cape just 30 miles northwest of San Francisco. Here, you can take those iconic Northern California Coast Instagram pics! I recommend visiting Point Reyes Lighthouse, Drakes Beach, and hiking to a view of Chimney Rock.

    Monterey. The Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur area is worthy of its own trip. But if you can only visit this area as a day trip, then I recommend you do the 17-Mile Drive in Monterey and hike the McWay Waterfall Trail in Big Sur.

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    girls trip to San Francisco

    Best Viewpoints Of The City

    Best Viewpoints Of The City

    Pier 7

    Coit Tower

    Alamo Square Park

    Twin Peaks Summit

    Golden Gate Overlook

    Bernal Height Park

    Hawk Hill

    Alcatraz Island

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    girls trip to San Francisco

    If-You-Have-Time Activities

    Browse City Lights Bookstore, walk through Jack Kerouac Alley, and visit the Beat Museum

    Visit the Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood – “birthplace of the hippie counterculture”

    Take pictures at Grace Cathedral, Huntington Park, the James Flood House,and the Pacific Union Club

    Sail to Alcatraz Island

    Relax at Golden Gate Park

    Explore the Union Square Neighborhood

    Visit the Aquarium of the Bay

    Tour the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

    Have a picnic at Washington Square Park

    Check out these websites for local events and festivals!

    dothebay.com
    sf.funcheap.com
    eventbrite.com/d/ca–san-francisco/events

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    Is there anything you’d add to this guide for planning a girls’ trip to San Francisco? Let us know in the comments!

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    Plan The Rest Of Your Trip
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    Recommended Tours in San Francisco
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    Frequently Asked Questions
    • How expensive is a San Francisco vacation?

      San Francisco is a relatively expensive destination to visit in the U.S. The average cost of a week-long trip is $3500. You can save some money on a San Francisco trip by visiting in the off-season, visiting on weekdays, doing free activities, and using hotel or credit card reward points.

    • Where should girls travel on a trip?

      The Best Girlfriend Getaways in California:

      1. Napa Valley

      2. Palm Springs

      3. Santa Barbara

      4. San Francisco

      5. Sonoma

      6. Joshua Tree National Park

      7. San Diego

      8. Big Sur

      9. Monterey

      10. Santa Monica

    • What is the cheapest way to plan a trip to San Francisco?

      You can save some money on a San Francisco trip by visiting in the off-season, visiting on weekdays, doing free activities, and using hotel or credit card reward points.

    • What is the best time to visit San Francisco?

      September – November has some of the warmest and sunniest weather all year. And the crowds and prices will be much lower after the peak summer months end. Fall is your best chance for beach days in San Francisco, but always bring some layers because the bayside breezes can be chilly.

      December – February sees low accommodation rates, and you won’t be competing with many other tourists for the best photo spots at top attractions. But make sure you bring plenty of warm clothes and rain gear if you’re visiting during these months.

      March – May is the city’s shoulder season, so tourist numbers and prices will be on the rise, but not at their peak. I do recommend avoiding popular Spring Break weeks from late-March to Early-April. Temperatures will be in the mid-’60s (around 18ºC) during the day and a bit cooler at night, so still bring layers.

      June – August. Because these are summer break months in the U.S., this is the peak travel season for San Francisco. Prices and tourist numbers will be at their peak, and you’ll want to book accommodation and tours in advance. And to many people’s surprise, San Francisco is quite chilly, damp, and foggy during the summer. So always have a layer with you, and bring a raincoat.

    • What are the best things to do in San Francisco?

      The Best Things To Do in San Francisco:

      1. Stroll through China Town

      2. Take pics from the top of Nob Hill

      3. Drive down Lombard Street

      4. Visit Alamo Square

      5. See if the Billy Goat Hill Swing is up (you also get great views of the city from here)

      6. Marvel at the Palace of Fine Arts

      7. Walk along Marshall’s Beach

      8. Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge

      9. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf

      10. Ride the famous cable cars

    • What are the best restaurants in San Francisco?

      For BurgersSuper Duper Burgers, Causwells, Sam’s, Comstock Saloon

      Brunch PlacesRose’s Cafe, Rusty’s Southern, Breadbelly, Lokma

      Asian FoodSaucy Asian (Asian Fusion), Dumpling House (Dim Sum), Mamahuhu (Chinese), Rasa Rasa (food truck)

      Rooftop DiningCharmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge (pictured above), The View Lounge, Top of the Mark

      SeafoodAlamo Square Seafood Grill, Anchor Oyster Bar, Farallon, Angler

    • Where do people from San Francisco go on vacation?

      The Best Weekend Getaways from San Francisco:

      1. Napa Valley

      2. Sonoma

      3. Yosemite National Park

      4. Carmel

      5. Monterey

      6. Big Sur

    • Where can I go on a day trip from San Francisco?

      The Best Day Trips from San Francisco:

      Napa and SonomaI highly recommend spending a few days in both of these wine regions, but they are also leisurely day trips from San Francisco. You can drive to one of the hotels or towns and catch the wine shuttles that serve Napa and Sonoma. Or you can visit one or both of the regions as a guided tour from San Francisco. Either way, make sure you’re using good transportation judgment after each tasting.

      Point Reyes National SeashorePoint Reyes is a beautiful cape just 30 miles northwest of San Francisco. Here, you can take those iconic Northern California Coast Instagram pics! I recommend visiting Point Reyes Lighthouse, Drakes Beach, and hiking to a view of Chimney Rock.

      Monterey. The Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur area is worthy of its own trip. But if you can only visit this area as a day trip, then I recommend you do the 17-Mile Drive in Monterey and hike the McWay Waterfall Trail in Big Sur.

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    This post is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this article about the guide for planning a girls’ trip to San Francisco are entirely my own. Some of these links are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this guide for planning a girls’ trip to San Francisco.

    Comments:

    • August 7, 2020

      toller Artikel, man sieht wirklich, wie schön es dort war! Wir würden dieses Jahr gerne Kroatien besuchen

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