Why travel solo to San Francisco?
San Francisco is a destination that works well for all types of solo travelers. No matter what type of traveler you are, you can find what you are looking for in San Francisco.
First of all, San Francisco is a great destination for first-time solo travelers. It’s simple; there are tons of things to do; it’s safe; and there’s no language barrier. If you’re curious about traveling alone but have never done it before, a weekend trip to San Francisco is the perfect way to get your feet wet and see how you handle them.
But even experienced solo travelers can enjoy San Francisco. You’ll probably be scared off at Fisherman’s Wharf, but you’ll probably be more willing to explore neighborhoods like The Mission, which are great fun but a little overwhelming for beginners.
Are you a Hardcore Sightseer? San Francisco sights from the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to museums such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Oakland Museum of California.
Are you into food? San Francisco has incredibly good food, from the low end to the high end, including some of the nation’s best Chinese fare. And if you love wine, you’re a stone’s throw from Napa and Sonoma counties.
Do you love nature? San Francisco offers easy access to forests, beaches, bike paths, and much more.
Looking for good Instagram photos? San Francisco is full of iconic places you’ll love, from painted Ladies ‘ houses to the winding and twisted Lombard Street and, of course, the famous cable cars.
Are you queer? San Francisco is one of the most queer-friendly cities in the world for people of all genders and spectra of venereal.
I like to spend a lot of time walking around interesting neighborhoods, taking pictures and sitting in cool cafes. San Francisco is a great place to do all these things.
Above all, San Francisco is a City where Women live and work, not just for Travelers. Being a lone traveler will not mark you here as a stranger; you will be just one of the inhabitants of the city. If you’re lucky, you might even be mistaken for a local!
The best things to do in San Francisco on a Solo trip
I’ve been visiting San Francisco for years and I’ve been working my little piece of the city. While many of my beloved places have unfortunately closed down over the years, here are some of my favorite things to do in town.
Take a food tour of North Beach. North Beach was once home to San Francisco’s Italian-American community, and many Italian places have survived to the present day. I had one of the best food tours of my life with the taste of the city, and guide Tom is a character and a half.
Discover the Haight-Ashbury. This colorful neighborhood was historically home to the countercultural movement in the 1960s, as well as artists like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, and the Hippie spirit never left the neighborhood. It’s a great place to explore and there are lots of cool cafes, boutiques and record shops.
Visit a Singalong at the Castro Theater. Castro was once the epicenter of the gay community in the United States, and it remains a colorful and welcoming destination for all. The theater does all kinds of special events, but if you’re in town during one of your singalongs, like for Grease, Moana, or Annie, you won’t want to miss it!
Take a walk early in the morning. If you’re arriving from the east, you’ll probably wake up early from the jet lag anyway, so enjoy it and take an early walk while the fog creeps in! The city is so different at this time of day, and it’s a lot of fun to take pictures.
Visit the Oakland Museum of California. Yes, Oakland is worth visiting—and while I’m not usually a museum man, it’s one of my favorite museums in the United States, showcasing so many cultural aspects of California, from the history of the Black Panthers to the ecological environment of the Coachella Valley.
Take the ferry to Alcatraz. I didn’t think I was on this infamous cage island, but I had a boom! This is one of the supertourist activities in San Francisco that you simply have to do. If you are interested in Nicolas Cage’s Kitsch films, I recommend combining them with a viewing of The Rock.
Dive deep into Chinatown. San Francisco has a long history of Chinese settlers, and today San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest in America. You can browse the shops and markets, observe people in Portsmouth Square, sample tea at Vital Tea Leaf, visit the Chinese Historical Society, and of course eat in restaurants in the regions of China.
Look at Sausalito. This city on the Golden Gate Bridge is a beautiful small town and so different from San Francisco. You can get there by ferry from San Francisco, but if you’re looking for something more active, join a bike ride!
Eat at In & Out Burger. Granted, it’s a West Coast thing, not specific to San Francisco, but In & Out is incredibly good. There’s a reason your California friends are looking for them when they’re not at home. Read your “secret” menu here before you leave.
Enjoy a Margarita with a cloud of salt at Calavera in Oakland. Are you used to tasting a Margarita with a salty edge? Calavera makes Margaritas with a cloud of salt floating on top. I like them a million times more than normal Margaritas. Clouds of salt are the perfect garnish for a for a margarita!