San Francisco Solo Travel Guide
San Francisco is one of the best cities in the USA for solo travel. Sitting on the tip of a peninsula, it’s a coastal city that boasts amazing views of the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. A bonus for solo travelers is that it is a compact, walkable city, making it easy to get around and see the best sights.
San Francisco offers plenty of solo-friendly attractions and an array of cuisines for food lovers. Ride the charming cable cars, go for a walk along the waterfront, or try a delicious meal at the bustling Chinatown.
San Francisco is a city marked by character, vibrance, and diversity. Keep reading below to see our ultimate solo travel guide to San Francisco.
Things to Do on a Solo Trip to San Francisco
A solo trip to San Francisco might include a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, a curvy walk down the famous Lombard Street, and a visit to see the sea lions at Pier 39. The are many interesting things to do in this stunning city.
Lombard Street
Lombard Street is San Francisco’s famous winding street featuring eight switchbacks stretched out over a steep slope. A fairly beloved landmark, Lombard Street attracts millions of visitors annually, who either walk or drive down the curvy street.
Starting from the top, enjoy a magnificent view and admire the beautiful surrounding landscaping, plants and blooming flowers on display as you zig zag your way down the crooked street.
This is a fun must-see stop for solo travelers visiting San Francisco. Lombard Street is accessible by the Hyde Street cable car as well as the regular city bus.
Golden Gate Bridge: Bike Across the Bridge or Admire the View from the Lookout Point
Perhaps the most iconic suspension bridge around, the Golden Gate Bridge stands out with its massive size and bold blue ocean in the background.
There are many ways to take in the magnificence of the bridge. Solo travelers can feel the breeze as they walk across the bridge, which spans 1.7 miles in length. One of the more common adventures is to rent a bike and cycle across the bridge, reaching the city of Sausalito before hopping on the ferry to get back to San Francisco.
Most of the bike rental shops are located in Fisherman’s Wharf, which is also where the ferry to/from Sausalito stops at. The bike ride from Fisherman’s Wharf crossing the bridge to Sausalito is about 8 miles. E-bike rentals and cycling tours are available, which may be a convenient option for some solo travelers.
Alternatively, head over near the start of the bridge on the San Francisco side, there are a few lookout points that showcase breathtaking views of the bridge and bay. The Golden Gate View Point and Golden Gate Overlook are two spots where you can capture some of the best views in the city.
Ride the Iconic Cable Car
Asides from the Golden Gate Bridge, the image that often pops up when you think of San Francisco is the classic cable car. Operations for the cable cars started in the 1870s, with 3 lines still running today.
Still as popular as ever, millions of people ride the cable cars each year. Riding the cable car is an incredibly popular attraction, as it’s both fun and practical for getting around the city.
The three cable car lines are: California, Powell/Hyde, and Powell/Mason. Depending on the line, there are stops that cover various tourist attractions including Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Chinatown and the Financial District/Embarcadero/Ferry Building.
The cable cars have seats inside and outside, as well as a narrow standing platform on the exterior, where passengers can hold onto the vertical poles and enjoy the ride while partially hanging outside. This was one of my favourite experiences; grabbing onto the pole and appreciating the breeze as the cable car chugs along the streets of the city.
Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and largest Chinatown outside of Asia. With it’s narrow alleys, colorful shops, and strewn-up lanterns, a visit to Chinatown showcases a wonderful part of the culture in the city. Walk through the ornate gates, try some delicious dim sum, or stop by a tea room.
Don’t miss the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, an awesome bakery where you can see and taste fresh handmade fortune cookies. Depending on the season, they make up to 10,000 fortune cookies a day!
Fisherman’s Wharf + PIER 39
Situated on the northern waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s busiest area. It is the quintessential tourist spot, filled with shops, restaurants, and activities. It’s a wonderful place to take a stroll along the waterfront and admire the fantastic views.
Fisherman’s Wharf is also the starting point for many of the scenic bay cruises, which showcase the city skyline as well as iconic landmarks.
Browse PIER 39, an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex built on a pier. Soak in the lively atmosphere, enjoy a meal with freshly caught seafood, and visit the famous sea lions.
Take a Sightseeing Bay Cruise
Hop on a boat and sail around the beautiful San Francisco Bay. Enjoy a relaxing cruise showcasing iconic city landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.
See the city skyline and view of San Francisco waterfront from a different vantage point. Bay cruises are typically 1-2 hours long, and are offered during the daytime as well as in the evening for a sunset cruise. They also provide indoor and outdoor seating.
Sightseeing cruises are a comfortable way of getting up close to the famous landmarks and are a laid-back way to enjoy magnificent views. The cruises conveniently depart from Fisherman’s Wharf, making it the perfect add-on activity while exploring the area.
Painted Ladies
Another highlighted San Francisco landmark, the Painted Ladies are a row of restored Victorian houses lined up across from Alamo Square Park.
The homes are recognized for their pastel colors and distinct appearance. They were also made prominent from appearing on postcards as well as from the opening credits of the Full House TV show.
From the hilltop park, solo travelers can snap some photos of the Painted Ladies, admire the downtown skyline in the background, take a break on the park bench or bring a snack for a picnic.
For those that would like to make a quick stop to see the Painted Ladies but aren’t keen on making the trip out there, Painted Ladies is also a stop on many guided tours’ itinerary, such as the Small-Group City Tour by Vintage VW Bus.
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is a former federal penitentiary located approximately 1.25 miles from the shore of San Francisco. Visitors get a rare and fascinating chance to explore the infamous maximum-security prison.
Set offshore in the San Francisco Bay, the island offers fantastic views of the city skyline combined with a look into the prison’s past.
Learn stories about the inmates, escape attempts, and daily prison life. One of the top attractions in San Francisco, there are numerous options for tours that give solo travelers an in-depth look into Alcatraz.
Solo Travel in San Francisco – Where to Stay
San Francisco has quite a few well-situated neighborhoods that are ideal for solo tourists, where you’ll be able to easily get to a few of the city’s most popular attractions as well as have access to public transit and restaurants.
Marina District
This hip area is a magnificent choice for solo travelers interested in a slightly less-touristy area with a scenic and relaxed vibe. The Marina runs right along the San Francisco Bay, offering stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
It’s right next to the Presidio of San Francisco, a national park with nature trails, and the photogenic Palace of Fine Arts. Staying in the Marina also provides convenient walking distance to the Golden Gate Bridge, including the various lookout points.
Compared to the Union Square district downtown, the Marina is quieter with a laid-back vibe. The one thing to keep in mind is that there’s slightly less public transit coverage in this district. It’s more suitable for travelers that are open to walking or take a ride share service.
Union Square
This district in downtown San Francisco has the largest concentration of hotels, providing an abundance of options to choose from, in a variety of price ranges. Union Square is the most centrally-located neighborhood in San Francisco, as it’s essentially in the heart of the city. It’s an excellent base for exploring many of the city’s attractions.
Staying in Union Square also provides easy access to public transit, including the BART system to get to the airport, as well as the local bus and cable car.
The downside of staying in Union Square is that it’s adjacent to the Tenderloin district, which is known for open drug use. As a solo female traveler, this is something to be mindful of if you choose to stay in Union Square; be sure to look up exactly where the hotel is located and perhaps choose a hotel that is further east.
Fisherman’s Wharf
This is another prime neighborhood for visitors due to its location on the waterfront and close proximity to PIER 39. Fisherman’s Wharf is also home to a few other conveniences, including a a large variety of restaurants, the departure point for the ferry to Alcatraz Island, and the departure point for sightseeing bay cruises.
Boasting beautiful views of the bay, including the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, it’s a stunning area for taking morning or sunset walks along the waterfront.
Fisherman’s Wharf is a good place to stay for solo travelers taking public transit, as the bus and cable car have stops in Fisherman’s Wharf, making it an ideal location to stay without a car. Hop-on hop-off sightseeing busses stop right in the area as well. It’s a safe, touristy neigborhood that’s further away from the riff-raff of downtown, making it a good choice for solo women.
Solo Dining in San Francisco – The Best Places to Eat Alone
San Francisco is a food lover’s paradise. You can find an assortment of ethnic cuisines, especially Chinese food in Chinatown and Mexican food in the Mission district. Get some Italian food in North Beach, or some fresh seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Tartine Manufactory
Tartine Manufactory is a top spot in San Francisco, gaining acclaim for their sourdough bread and sweet pastries. In addition, you’ll find heritage grain bread loaves and rustic sandwiches. Artisan baking meets casual dining in this airy cafe in the Mission district.
With bright and spacious cafe seating, this is a wonderful spot for solo travelers to relax with a baked good + coffee, or to enjoy brunch, such as one of their artisan sandwiches.
Try the smoked salmon tartine with whipped cream cheese, preserved lemon, pickled red onion, and mustard seed on country sourdough bread. Grab a breakfast sandwich with egg, sharp cheddar cheese and arugula on a sweet potato bun.
A highlight from their scrumptious selection of pastries is the morning bun which is like a fancy cinnamon roll crafted from croissant dough and country loaf sourdough. This is an ideal choice for solo women that love pastries or just simply crave a delicious breakfast or brunch.
La Taqueria or Taqueria El Farolito (Mission-Style Burrito)
Try the Mission-style Burrito, a Mexican burrito originating in San Francisco’s Mission District. It’s recognized for it’s distinctly large size, and choice of fillings.
Wrapped in foil, It’s larger than your typical burrito, tightly packed with rice, pinto or black beans, meat (carne asada, pollo, or carnitas), and salsa in a massive steamed flour tortilla. Additional topping options are sour cream and guacamole. It’s a hearty, flavor-packed meal that’s great for enjoying on the go.
La Taqueria and Taqueria El Farolito are two of the top spots to get a Mission-Style burrito. La Taqueria is a casual stop, and one of the only places that serve their burritos without rice. Focusing on the other fillings, you can get jam-packed burritos with meat of your choice, beans, and salsa.
On the other hand, Taqueria El Farolito is a popular no-frills spot serving delicious Mexican fare, with a focus on their burritos, which do include rice in the filling.
Z & Y Restaurant
San Francisco’s massive Chinatown is filled with an abundance of great restaurants, and jam packed with tasty food. Naturally, it is home to a wide variety of Chinese restaurants, as well as bakeries and tea rooms.
For authentic Sichuan cuisine, grab a meal at Z &Y Restaurant. This restaurant is featured on the Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list which recognizes places offering value and quality.
It’s a cosy casual restaurant suitable for people traveling alone. Their menu includes delicious dishes with bold flavors including kung pao chicken, house special fried rice and crispy garlic prawns.
For a guided experience into Chinatown’s culinary delights, check out the Walking Food Tours of Chinatown.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
This buzzing restaurant boasts 7 ovens and 12 styles of pizza, including Neapolitan, New York-style, Sicilian, and Detroit-style. It’s located in the North Beach district which is recognized as San Francisco’s Little Italy. Not too far of a walk from Fisherman’s Wharf, this is a wonderful spot to stop by for a solo meal after exploring the waterfront.
They have an impressively large menu; with over 50 types of pizza you’re sure to find one that catches your eye. Try the classic Margherita (limited to 73 a day) which features their award-winning dough.
Their assortment of pizza cover a wide variety of quality artisan ingredients/toppings, such as prosciutto, Italian sausage, caramelized onions, cabrese peppers, burrata cheese, and smoked applewood bacon.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is a casual restaurant and can get quite busy. This would be an excellent place to stop for lunch if you’re traveling by yourself. While visiting this neighborhood, solo travelers might also be interested in the North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour.
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