Independent travel guide to San Francisco and Northern California. New guides, itineraries and field reports on Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, Muir Woods and Sausalito, the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine regions, the Monterey and Big Sur coast, the Silicon Valley cities of San Jose and Palo Alto, and the Sierra Nevada, from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe.https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/en-ushttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/17-mile-drive-is-it-worth-it/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/17-mile-drive-is-it-worth-it/I paid the toll and drove all 17 miles through Pebble Beach. Here's who should pay for it and who should just walk Carmel's beach instead.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT17-mile-drivemontereycarmelpebble-beachday-trips2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/bart-vs-muni-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/bart-vs-muni-guide/BART is regional rail, Muni is the city network. I explain the real difference and when a visitor to San Francisco needs each one.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTSan FranciscoBARTMunipublic transport2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/best-mission-burritos/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/best-mission-burritos/A first-person tour of the Mission District's burrito rivalry, from foil-wrapped classics to the debate that never really ends.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMission DistrictburritosSan Francisco food2026taqueriashttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-san-francisco/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-san-francisco/Why September and October beat July and August in San Francisco, plus what each month actually offers, trade-off by trade-off.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTSeasonsWeatherBest Time to VisitSan Francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/car-break-ins-how-to-avoid-them/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/car-break-ins-how-to-avoid-them/Rental car parked at a trailhead or viewpoint? Here's my real routine for avoiding San Francisco's infamous car break-ins.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTcar break-insrental carsan francisco safetytrailhead parking2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/castro-neighborhood-history/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/castro-neighborhood-history/Why the Castro matters beyond its rainbow flags and cafes — a first-person look at the history that shaped San Francisco's LGBTQ neighborhood.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTCastroLGBTQ historySan Francisco neighborhoods2026walking tourshttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/chinatown-etiquette-tips/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/chinatown-etiquette-tips/Practical, respectful advice for visiting San Francisco Chinatown — photography, alleys, markets, and how to shop without being that tourist.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTchinatownetiquettesan francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/do-you-need-a-car-in-san-francisco/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/do-you-need-a-car-in-san-francisco/I tested walking, Muni, BART, and rideshares against renting a car in San Francisco. Here's when a car helps and when it's a liability.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsan franciscotransportcar rentalmuni2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/ferry-to-sausalito-vs-driving/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/ferry-to-sausalito-vs-driving/I've done Sausalito by ferry, by rental car, and by bike across the bridge. Here's what each one actually costs, in money and in patience.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsausalitoferrygolden gate bridgesan francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/fishermans-wharf-tourist-trap-myths/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/fishermans-wharf-tourist-trap-myths/I sort the overpriced tourist-trap reputation of Fisherman's Wharf from what's genuinely worth your time, block by block.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTFisherman's WharfSan FranciscoPier 392026travel tipshttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/golden-gate-bridge-toll-explained/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/golden-gate-bridge-toll-explained/How the cashless Golden Gate Bridge toll works for rental cars and rideshares, and when it actually shows up on your bill.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTGolden Gate Bridgedrivingtollsrental car2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/highway-1-driving-tips-big-sur/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/highway-1-driving-tips-big-sur/First-hand tips for driving Highway 1 to Big Sur from San Francisco: seasonal closures, safe pullouts, and where I actually stopped.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTHighway 1Big Surroad tripdriving tips2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/how-cable-cars-work/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/how-cable-cars-work/How San Francisco's cable cars grip a moving underground cable, plus real fares, lines, and how to avoid the worst queues.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTcable carssan franciscotransport2026munihttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/is-alcatraz-worth-it/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/is-alcatraz-worth-it/I weigh Alcatraz's price, the 90-day booking window and the queue against what you actually see on the island.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAlcatrazSan Franciscoday trips2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/is-san-francisco-safe-for-tourists/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/is-san-francisco-safe-for-tourists/A level-headed, neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at safety in San Francisco, based on where visitors actually go and what really happens there.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsan francisco safetytravel tips2026practicalitieshttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/muir-woods-reservation-tips/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/muir-woods-reservation-tips/How the mandatory Muir Woods parking and shuttle reservation works, and how I avoid getting shut out on a summer weekend.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMuir WoodsreservationsparkingSan Francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/napa-tasting-fees-explained/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/napa-tasting-fees-explained/How Napa Valley tasting fees actually work in 2026 — walk-in rates, reservation-only rooms, and how I budget a full day of tasting.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTNapa ValleyWine TastingBudget2026Wine Countryhttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/napa-vs-sonoma-which-to-visit/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/napa-vs-sonoma-which-to-visit/I've done both valleys from San Francisco more than once. Here's how Napa and Sonoma differ on pace, price and atmosphere, and how to pick.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTNapaSonomawine countryday tripsCalifornia2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/ocean-beach-what-to-know/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/ocean-beach-what-to-know/Ocean Beach looks like a classic California beach but the currents, cold water and thin lifeguard coverage make it a walk, not a swim.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTOcean BeachSan Franciscobeachessafetysunsetoutdoors2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/sacramento-gold-rush-history/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/sacramento-gold-rush-history/I drove to Sacramento to see where the 1849 Gold Rush actually started, and came back understanding San Francisco itself differently.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTSacramentoGold Rushhistoryday trips2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-accessibility-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-accessibility-guide/How I found San Francisco's hills, cable cars and BART to actually work for accessible travel, plus which attractions handle mobility needs well.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTaccessibilitysan franciscotransitplanning2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-earthquakes-what-to-know/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-earthquakes-what-to-know/A calm, factual look at earthquake risk in San Francisco and the handful of things worth knowing before your trip.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsan franciscoearthquakessafetypractical tips2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-packing-list/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-packing-list/My layered San Francisco packing list, built for foggy 60s-degree summers and mild winters — not the summer heat you're probably expecting.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTpacking listsan franciscowhat to wearfog2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-sourdough-bread-history/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-sourdough-bread-history/How Gold Rush-era bakers gave San Francisco its sour, chewy sourdough, and the bakeries around the city where I still go to eat it warm.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsourdoughsan francisco foodgold rush historynorth beachfishermans wharf2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-tourist-passes-compared/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-tourist-passes-compared/I ran the numbers on San Francisco's sightseeing passes so you don't have to guess which combination of attractions actually pays off.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsan franciscotourist passbudget2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-weather-by-month/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/san-francisco-weather-by-month/A month-by-month look at San Francisco's temperatures and fog, so you pack right and plan around the coast-vs-inland split.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTsan francisco weatherkarl the fogpacking listbest time to visit2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/silicon-valley-tech-campus-tours/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/silicon-valley-tech-campus-tours/What you can and can't visit at Apple, Google, Meta and other Silicon Valley campuses, from my own drive down the Peninsula.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTSilicon Valleytech campusesday tripsSan Jose2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/snow-in-lake-tahoe/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/snow-in-lake-tahoe/How snowy Lake Tahoe gets in winter, why chains matter on I-80, and how different it feels from the mild city four hours away.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTLake Tahoewintersnowroad trip2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/summer-fog-in-san-francisco/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/summer-fog-in-san-francisco/I packed for California sun in July and shivered on Fisherman's Wharf. Here's why summer is San Francisco's coldest season, and how to dress for it.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTfogsummerweatherpacking2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/tipping-in-san-francisco/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/tipping-in-san-francisco/How much to tip in San Francisco restaurants, bars, tours and rideshares in 2026, and why the bill is always higher than the menu price.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTtippingbudgetsan franciscomoney2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/whale-watching-season-san-francisco/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/whale-watching-season-san-francisco/When gray and humpback whales pass San Francisco's coast, and how I pick a boat trip that's actually worth the seasick risk.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTwhale watchingSan FranciscoFarallon IslandsMonterey Bay2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/yosemite-day-trip-reality-check/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/blog/yosemite-day-trip-reality-check/Why I stopped calling Yosemite a day trip from San Francisco after doing the eight-hour round drive myself, and what I'd do instead.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTYosemiteDay TripsSan FranciscoRoad Trip2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-accessibility-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-accessibility-guide/How accessible Alcatraz really is: ferry boarding, wheelchair routes, the audio tour and what to plan for before you book.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAlcatrazaccessibilitywheelchair travelSan Francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-and-bay-cruise-combo-tickets/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-and-bay-cruise-combo-tickets/Do Alcatraz-plus-bay-cruise combo tickets save money or time, and can you realistically fit both into one San Francisco day? Here's how they actually work.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAlcatrazBay CruiseSan FranciscoCombo Tickets2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-ghost-tour-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-ghost-tour-guide/How to visit Alcatraz after dark, what evening and ghost-themed tours actually cover, and why the official Night Tour is the only way onto the island.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAlcatrazghost toursnight tourSan Francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-tickets-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-tickets-guide/How Alcatraz tickets really work in 2026: release windows, sold-out dates, night tours, prices, and what the ferry from Pier 33 involves.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAlcatrazticketsSan Francisco2026planninghttps://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-tour-operators-compared/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/alcatraz-tour-operators-compared/Alcatraz City Cruises is the only legal ferry operator. Here's how its ticket compares to combo tours that bundle Alcatraz with other San Francisco sights.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAlcatrazticketscomparisonSan Francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-day-trip-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-day-trip-guide/Can you really do Big Sur as a day trip from San Francisco? Honest driving times, what to skip, and how far to go before turning back.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBig SurHighway 1day triproad tripSan Francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-highway-1-road-trip-car-rental-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-highway-1-road-trip-car-rental-guide/Plan a Highway 1 drive to Big Sur from San Francisco: what car to rent, road conditions, fuel stops, and how far to actually go.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBig SurHighway 1road tripcar rental2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-hiking-trails-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-hiking-trails-guide/Big Sur's best short hikes and viewpoints reachable on foot, from McWay Falls to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, without a backcountry trip.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBig Surhikingstate parksHighway 12026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-vs-santa-cruz-coastal-comparison/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/big-sur-vs-santa-cruz-coastal-comparison/Big Sur's cliffs or Santa Cruz's boardwalk? Compare drive times, costs and what each coastal day trip from San Francisco actually delivers.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTBig SurSanta CruzHighway 1day tripscoastal comparison2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/carmel-by-the-sea-day-trip-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/carmel-by-the-sea-day-trip-guide/How to plan a Carmel-by-the-Sea day trip from San Francisco, drive times, pairing with Monterey, and what to see in one day.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarmel-by-the-Seaday tripsMontereySan Francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/carmel-by-the-sea-photoshoot-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/carmel-by-the-sea-photoshoot-guide/Where to shoot in Carmel-by-the-Sea: cypress-lined Carmel Beach, fairy-tale cottage streets, timing for light and fog, and permit rules.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarmel-by-the-SeaPhotographyPhotoshootsCalifornia Coast2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/chinatown-food-tour-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/chinatown-food-tour-guide/How San Francisco Chinatown food tours work — dim sum stops, tea shops, tastings, prices and what to expect before booking.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTchinatownfood tourdim sumsan francisco2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/chinatown-neighborhood-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/chinatown-neighborhood-guide/How San Francisco's Chinatown is laid out, what the Dragon Gate means, and how it differs from other Chinatowns visitors may already know.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTChinatownSan Francisconeighborhoodswalking tours2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/chinatown-walking-tour-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/chinatown-walking-tour-guide/Self-guided and guided routes through San Francisco's Chinatown, with the gate, alleys, temples and stops worth slowing down for.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTChinatownwalking toursSan Franciscoself-guided2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/driving-to-napa-valley-from-san-francisco/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/driving-to-napa-valley-from-san-francisco/Route options, drive times and traffic timing for driving from San Francisco to Napa Valley, plus tips on parking, tolls and getting back safely.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTnapa valleydrivingsan franciscowine country2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/family-friendly-lake-tahoe-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/family-friendly-lake-tahoe-guide/What actually works with kids at Lake Tahoe, summer and winter, from beaches and easy kayaking to snow play and drive times from San Francisco.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTLake Tahoefamily travelkidswintersummer2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/ferry-routes-san-francisco-bay-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/ferry-routes-san-francisco-bay-guide/Every San Francisco Bay ferry route explained: Sausalito, Tiburon, Oakland, Alcatraz, Angel Island — schedules, prices, terminals and Clipper tips.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTferriessan francisco baysausalitooaklandtransport2026https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/fishermans-wharf-evening-entertainment-guide/https://www.sanfrancisco-trip.com/guides/fishermans-wharf-evening-entertainment-guide/What actually happens at Fisherman's Wharf after dark: shows, pub crawls, dinner cruises, and how the area changes once day-trippers leave.Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTFisherman's WharfSan Francisco nightlifeevening entertainmentPier 392026