San Francisco - What NOT to Do in San Francisco
Video Overview & Insights
Heading to see the Golden Gate Bridge or see the history of Alcatraz or just enjoying the incredible sourdough bread? Well no matter what your reason for going to San Francisco it can be a great time! However there are some do's and don'ts of visiting San Francisco.
3:39 the other problem with driving down Lombard is behind the iconic downhill street, thereâs often a massive line of cars on the other side. Especially during the weekends, you could end up spending quite some time sitting in a steep uphill line of cars all waiting to go down.
Filmed in San Francisco, California
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"Frisco" is used by rappers and the more urban culture. I grew up around Black and Hispanics, and we were more used to saying "Frisco."
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If you're new to driving in SF... hoo boy. The roads are extremely crowded during the day, and insane during rush hour. If you're planning to drive, you need to know not only which roads to take, but which LANES you need to be in, and your app probably won't tell you until it's too late to move over.
SF drivers are not necessarily more aggressive than in other places, but they are extremely ASSERTIVE. If you hesitate, someone else will act. Don't expect people to let you in - you should have been in the correct lane long ago! There isn't a lot of space, and there's a lot of people. Be considerate, and when someone cuts you off, don't assume it was personal.
Multiply distances by 5 when planning trips within the City. The time it would take you to drive a mile back home will take 5x or more as long in SF. SF is mostly grids, so if the street you're on is crammed, try the next street over.
Take public transit! The busses generally run 5 minutes or so behind on an average day - which isn't terrible, and a well-planned trip on MUNI can be more convenient and reliable than rideshare.
Consider driving at night when possible - SF is very drivable when the streets are empty, haha! Nighttime is the right time to visit places like the Lombard Street switchbacks, Hawk Hill, and Battery Godfrey with its sweeping view of the GGB.
And to reiterate what Wolter said - the homeless (or "unhoused", if you're in the business or Gen Z) are JUST PEOPLE trying to get by. They're as scared of you as you are of them - you have the power to call the cops who can revoke their shelter and confiscate their belongings, and they know it. The only power they have left is looking dangerous so you don't approach. Let them be, give them space. If you must speak to one of them, do it from a non-threatening distance and in a polite, direct tone letting them know what it is you want. "I need to move the car you're leaning against." "I need to get past you."
--former long-time SF Uber night driver :)
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Are all day Clipper cards good to use on the cable cars & vintage trolleys ?
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In SF you really don't want to take uber or lift due to pricing. Take your car and park somewhere safe and use public transit, it is less than $10 for a day pass and it gets you cable car access as well.
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Just got back from a week in SF the end of March. I laughed when you said don't walk the WHOLE Golden Gate bridge. I love to run, and that bridge was my destination run on this holiday. I ran to it (200 ft of vertical climb) to the north anchor point, and back (to the wharf) twice (10 mile runs). Absoutely surreal standing under the towers looking up and thinking about the men who built that beast.
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Cable cars are easy to get on if you don't get on at the turnarounds, i.e., the places where the cars start. The operators restrict how many people get on at the turnarounds specifically to leave spaces for people to get on along the route. Locals actually use the cable cars to get around, and need to be able to get on and off mid-route. Just walk one or two blocks up the route, and you can easily hop on. You may not get a seat, but you will get on.
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small update you don't need clipper cards anymore you can use contactless cards to pay for bart and muni now directly and in many cases i'd say its a waste of money to take an uber/lyft or waymo the public transit is very solid in SF and cheap, your going to pay a ton of money to save yourself maybe 10 minutes most of the time.
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You need a reservation for Alcatraz to be able to go on the island. Most of the boat tours just circle the island. Go to Fort Point, located UNDER the GGB, a sister fort to Alcatraz. It has 2!movies to see: how the GGB was built and History of Ft Point as it came into being before the Civil War.
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You turned the corner you go around the block and itâs a different weather experience. A lot of times itâs sunny on one side of a building but when you go around the corner, the building is blocking the sun and itâs shady and windy. Very good suggestion. Layers at all times.
More User Perspectives
I live an hour North of SF so I'm "in the neighborhood". Thanks for representing where I live so well! Both your positives and negatives are completely on point and to scale with reality. For those looking to come here this whole video is good advice.
@mikechevalier4023Lots of sound advice. I'd add explore the Richmond & Sunset districts. Cheaper & full of cool mini-hoods with their own vibe.For short visits, folks with mobility issues or gaggles of sprogs to herd, I always tell people to make the #30 Stockton their tour bus. Its circular route will take you through or close to many of the greatest hits & you can never really get lost. Runs 24/7 & frequently. The #1 California bus is also the best downtown hill-beater. And the California St cable car line is often less crowded & a fun ride with great views.
@DogasaurusWalked the golden Gate bridge on my 50th the weather was horrible...but you couldn't remove the smile from my face...
@johnhurd4519Idk man....im in 5 degree winter rn in wi. 60s sounds good rnđ
@brainrot-content12Great info. Curious time of the year you took this video? We're planning late next month (February/early March) and driving up to Mendocino to take in a Whale Festival March 1st. Thanks again for the info.
@KSKahunaI jogged across the Golden Gate Bridge and then back on one of my trips to San Francisco and it was a huge highlight of that trip. The worst thing is that you don't really have the bridge to yourself so you have to maneuver through throngs of people. The weather was a bit on the chilly side but that's much better than running in the heat so it was perfect.
@meropaleGrew up here.... The Best IMO !!!!
@KuljacksI need to add that San Francisco was covered with street people until the convention. I do not know what they dids with all of those people but two weeks ago I was all over San Francisco and I did not see one street person day or night. It was the old San Francisco of many years ago. I was so happy to see it l cleaned up and all stores opened on Market where I stay..
@marlenefunk2137What not to do in SF? Rule#1: Don't go there. It's a sewer.
@RandyLomax945#1 American complaining about long walk
@FinsaneLoristI'm from Berkeley and have driven down Lombard on several occasions because I think its one of the coolest experiences ever. I personally beleive it's something everyone should do at least once in their life, but I can also see it giving some a level of anxiety.
@NarratingLisaAng ganda
@JocelynAnchitaYou didn't mention the Castro. Huh.
@timothyclark-sl4ilI wad in SF a view weeks ago. And definetly driving took a toll on me đ If its finding Parking worrying about the clock or The crazy stops, all not that good for blood pressure.
@silvanhofer4817The best time of the year to visit San Francisco, California is Late September, October (there is a free concert in the park and Fleet week, the best blue angels show, plus US navy ship visits in Oct. and both are free) and early to mid-November. In the summer when most people come, the days are nice, but the fog comes in early afternoon and evening and it gets cold
@StevenJackson-f8xNot not ever in the evening lol
@GinaPimentel-l5bI want to do it at least half of it in the spring time just in case I get scared of heights lol
@GinaPimentel-l5bWe have just had an amazing week in SF!! Stayed at Hotel G on Geary St which was great. Food around SF great - loads of healthy food. Especially in SFMOMA and Jane on 3rd st. Did spend a day at Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 etc but also museums, GG park, love tour bus plus Muir Woods, Saucelito. Walked GG bridge. It was just so fab! We did see the fortune cookie place too, and cable car museum. Would love to go back
@Laura-yo1ghdont tell anyone in san francisco that you are conservative or republican.........you will get attacked.........
@lastmanstanding1954I needed your videos 9 years ago đ now I will use them for my next trip
@irisvandekaa8925Ryan V â€ïž
@RyanV-b7tDon't listen to #2! If you're there you gotta take that 1h to max. 2h time to walk that damn bridge! What else are you there for? Layin' around at the beach?!
No, you're not!
So go and take a walk to the North Vista Point and back to the Visitor Center on the South Side! Make some photos and enjoy the view, it's totally worth it! (Especially at sunset!)
LITERALLY EVERYTHING YOU DID IN THIS VIDEO IS WRONG. NATIVES CALL IT FRISCO - SF OR THE CITY IS ALSO FINE. YOU NEVER CALL IT SAN FRAN.
@danielg9408Really good tips!
@mariacorner100The 1st thing is don't go there
@paulryba4415If you are any kind of Disney fan go to the Walt Disney Family Museum at the Presidio. It is run by the Disney family, not Disney Inc. lots of interesting things there including his Academy Awards and Presidential Medal of Freedom. My favorite is the special Academy Award for Snow White that includes one large Oscar along with 7 small ones. Loads of original art, posters, memorabilia and even an early model for Disneyland. The area there is beautiful and the Presidio Park is wonderful.
For grab and go type food go the the Ferry Building. Lots of good food available there.
Bring warm clothes winter AND summer.
@jazzbeaux6154If you are driving to SF to stay for a few days donât expect to pay less than $40 per night for parking at any hotel.
@Pwdrhownd0819What not to dĂČ don't go there
@MikeButtrickI remember being young, fit, or so I thought, track, gymnastics, football, and then did 50-100 mile bike races every weekend in the summer. When I got to San Francisco I rented a bike thinking ehh, I can do this. Two days later I returned it after a few near death experiences. NOTHING will prepare you for climbing those hills on a bike, or going down and trying to stop with brakes that are smoking hot. LOL!
@Erin-ThorI would actually recommend bringing a light winter coat for evening time.... yes, it feels that cold to međ„¶
@davidrice6724Great advice. Iâve lived here 50 years and his advice is right on.
@gracesuarez3154As a life long resident, do yourself a huge favor and don't listen to certain negative Nancys' on what to do or not do when visiting Frisco (yes that's right, I said it) especially those who come across like they're some kind of know it all Mister Sugar Britches. After all, so called rules were meant to be broken. Going against the norm is what put San Fran on the map to begin with.
@johncope1511I lived here in SF for 25 years and Wolter knows his stuff! Thank you for keeping it real!
@BoomShakaLaka415This was great.
Havenât been to SF in years. Is the Japanese Tea Garden still open.
I love SF. My daughter moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, so when I go I have a great guide. Muir Woods is definitely a must do!
@debbieguitor1745