How to Experience San Francisco Like a Local

Trip of a Lifetime

In July of 2018, I had the privilege of visiting my friend, Lia Vargas, who lives in San Francisco, California. She and her family made my trip unique by allowing me to experience a mix of all the tourist attractions in San Francisco along with the spots that they and other locals love. To jog my memory on the names of all these locations, I asked Lia to create a list of all the places we visited. If you are planning to take a trip to San Francisco in the near future I would highly recommend planning your days with diverse experiences, as I believe I have the most well-rounded memories from that trip.

That being said, here are some of the specific locations we discussed that I would highly encourage you to visit.

Tourist Spots

• Golden Gate Bridge (pictured above)

• Alcatraz Island and Prison

• California Academy of Sciences located in Golden Gate Park

• Pier 39

Local Spots

• Castro Street

• Haight and Ashbury

• Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park

The Famous Red Bridge

There are several places in San Francisco that most tourists feel obligated to visit, and rightfully so. For starters, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge that receives millions upon millions of visitors annually, and has been named one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World! Although according to an article from World Atlas, the bridge has been called the most photographed bridge in the world, its beauty is something that no picture could ever achieve. Whether you are a local or not, Lia and I have agreed that it is a sight that can never get old.

Alcatraz Island and Prison

Once a prison for some of the most dangerous felons, the Alcatraz Island and Prison has now been restored, opened for tours, and is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in San Francisco. On my trip, we were unable to get tickets because of its popularity. A ticket for an adult will cost about $112, but is worth the cost. According to Lia, Alcatraz is the perfect mix of creepy and fascinating and is something that everyone should do at least once in their life.

The Tourist Shopping and Restaurant Scene

According to Lia, she has noticed that one of the most popular shopping destinations is Pier 39, located right in the heart of San Francisco with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Pier 39 has a variety of shops and seafood restaurants located

Photo: Getty Images

right on the bay. Pier 39 was one of my favorite places we went because on all of the decks on the water were sea lions. It is very common for them to hang out right on the decks, providing prime entertainment to people eating dinner or walking from shop to shop.

Local Sightseeing

While Lia loves the tourist attractions as much as the next person, living in San Francisco has allowed her to grow fond of other places in the area, and her love for these places made

Photo: Shutterstock

my visit so much more special. The first place she said she enjoys going that she would not consider to be a popular tourist attraction is Castro Street. While not a specific activity, Castro Street and the Castro district is known for its progressive atmosphere, and is known as one of the first gay neighborhoods in the United States! She and her friends enjoy the Rainbow Walk because of its history,

and open minded environment. When I visited her, I had the privilege of experiencing

this myself, and it is one I would recommend to anyone looking to understand more of the history and journey of the LGBTQ+ community.

Another great sightseeing destination that Lia loves and that is often overlooked by the public and tourists of the area, is the Botanical Gardens of Golden Gate Park. While the park itself is popular, other attractions within the park tend to cause tourists to overlook the beauty of the gardens themselves. The Botanical Gardens are where Lia enjoys going to admire the beauty of nature, and the variety of flowers and plants I saw there were unreal.

Local Shopping

Another spot popular among the locals is the district of Haight and Ashbury. Other than the cheerful and vibrant buildings that line the street, Haight and Ashbury is full of

Photo: Shutterstock

unique clothing stores, book and record stores, and a variety of restaurants. During my visit there, I even bought a ring from a street vendor selling homemade jewelry. The area encourages local shopping, and is a good, casual break from the chaos of main San Francisco.

Planning Your Trip

As previously discussed, the highest quality trip for me is one that includes all the tourist attractions, but also getting to experience the city as a local. By including these stops into your mix of activities for your trip, you will ensure you have a diverse experience. While there can often be a stigma around tourist attractions, these places are popular for a reason and are still incredible to experience. Places the ,c, however, can often be just as memorable. Knowing someone who lives in the area is the greatest advantage when taking in a large city. I am thankful that Lia was able to show me around, and I am excited to share this insight with you!