San Francisco, home of the breath-taking Golden
Gate Bridge. It is widely considered as the cultural, financial, and commercial
heart of Northern California. Many different cultures from all over the world
call this beloved city their home. You can expect a lot of exciting things to
do and places to visit in San Francisco. If you feel like solo traveling and
experiencing all if not most of the things the city has to offer, then this
article will help you.
1. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
This is a no brainer and is first on this list for a reason. The Golden
Gate Bridge is one of the modern wonders of the world and holds the record of
the most photographed bridge in the entire planet. You have not really visited
San Francisco if you have not crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at least once.
2. Chill at the Golden Gate Park
With all that walking around and traveling as a solo traveller, you are
bound to be exhausted. The Golden Gate Park is a great place to just unwind and
take in a beautiful green scenery. It is one of San Francisco’s most picturesque
places so be sure to have that camera charged and enjoy taking pictures of the
various lakes, gardens, and the wildlife that wander around them
3. Visit Golden Gate Bridge Restaurants
After you visit the Golden Gate Bridge, you can grab a meal or two at
the various restaurants located in the area. Below is just a small list of
them.
- Farley
Bar – a local favourite bar,
it features a small plate menu and several creative cocktails. The venue is
very relaxing with fireplaces and leather-bound chairs. - ALX
by Alexander’s Steakhouse –
Awesome steaks, friendly and accommodating service, a cosy venue with a great
view of Folsom outside, you cannot ask for a better steakhouse than this. - Scoma’s
of Sausalito – great
atmosphere, amazing seafood menu, and San Francisco as the backdrop it is a
great dining experience. If you are craving for some tasty seafood, I recommend
visiting this place.
Tips for International Travelers Looking to Visit San
Francisco
Visiting the U.S as an international traveller can be a very tricky and sometimes stressful experience if you do not have the necessary information ready and available. This section will outline the information you need and some pointers as well to make your trip as smooth as possible, like planning your transportation, when to visit, and finding an apartment in San Francisco, California for your lodging.
Do you need a car in San Francisco to
visit?
No, you do not need a car to visit San Francisco the complete opposite
is advised. This is because parking in San Francisco is extremely expensive and
having a car would just add to the costs of the trip. It is better to utilize
the public transport services of the city such as the cable cars which the city
is also famous for
Which is the best month to visit San
Francisco?
The best time to visit San Francisco would be from September to November.
Surprisingly, the city’s warmest temperature is in Fall. On top of this, there
will be fewer tourists around compared to Summer. Another good time to visit
the city is during Springtime because of the lack of rainfall compared to other
parts of California.
Learn what ESTA is about
If you’re a citizen of one of the 39 countries that qualify for the Visa
Waiver Program (VWP) and don’t have a visitor’s visa on hand, you might want to
take the esta online application. The Electronic System for Travel
Authorization (ESTA) is pretty much a mandatory test to see if you can visit
the United States. Read information online before your trip to learn more about
the VWP and ESTA.
The ESTA form will ask for your personal information such as date of
birth, age, full name, etc. Answer truthfully as this can be the catalyst on
whether you can visit the U.S or not. Do be aware that to be eligible for this
service, you are required to have an e-Passport available.
As a solo traveller, your safety will always be on top of your mind. San
Francisco is a huge place with many diverse neighbourhoods. Is
san francisco safe, It is not the safest city, but you can take precautions to be as safe as
possible. Another great reason not to bring a car to San Francisco is the
fairly high cases of car break-ins. Sticking to tourist areas and attractions
instead of walking off to sketchy areas can be a good way to stay safe.
Although, you do not have to strictly stay in these areas. Just always be
mindful of where you are as it is very easy to get lost in huge crowds and
bright lights. Areas such as the
Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown are known to have a very low crime rate.
Conclusion
Overall, San Francisco is a great place to visit, at least once. The
city is chock full of history, culture, and delicious food. There are some
areas where it is not ideal for a tourist to stroll around but overall San
Francisco is not dangerous to visit, even as a solo traveller.
