San Francisco - What NOT to Do in San Francisco
TLDRIn this insightful guide, Mark from Walter's World shares essential travel tips for visiting San Francisco. He emphasizes avoiding common pitfalls like walking the entire Golden Gate Bridge, underestimating the city's hills, and expecting warm beach weather. Mark advises using public transportation, wearing comfortable walking shoes, and bringing layers due to fluctuating temperatures. He highlights must-see spots like Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Park, while also debunking myths about safety and the local atmosphere. The video offers practical advice to make the most of your San Francisco trip while staying budget-conscious and enjoying the city's rich culture and cuisine.
Takeaways
- 🏙️ Embrace the correct name 'San Francisco' rather than 'Frisco' to show respect for the city.
- 🌉 Consider taking a ferry tour around the Golden Gate Bridge instead of walking the entire span to avoid long walks and sharing paths with bikers.
- 🧥 Pack layers for your visit, as San Francisco's weather can change rapidly and is not always sunny and warm.
- 👟 Prepare for the city's steep hills by bringing comfortable walking shoes and training for inclines if you're not used to them.
- 🚍 Don't drive in San Francisco if possible; use Uber or Lyft to avoid the hassle of parking and navigating the streets.
- 🚎 For a more romantic and less crowded experience, avoid starting your cable car journey at Fisherman's Wharf due to long lines.
- 🍜 Explore different neighborhoods for diverse food experiences, such as dim sum in Chinatown, Italian in North Beach, and Latin American in the Mission District.
- 🍲 Make reservations for popular restaurants and be aware that some places may close between lunch and dinner, or only open for dinner.
- 💰 Be prepared for the higher costs associated with visiting San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the world.
- 🏖 While San Francisco has beautiful beaches, they are not ideal for traditional beach vacations due to cold water and weather; consider hiking instead.
- 🚶♂️ Watch your step while walking around the city due to uneven pavement and steep hills to avoid tripping or injury.
Q & A
What is the local's preference for the name of the city, San Francisco or Frisco?
-The locals prefer 'San Francisco' over 'Frisco', as indicated by the statement 'I love SF not I love Frisco'.
What is the recommended way to experience the Golden Gate Bridge without walking the entire length?
-The script suggests taking a ferry tour to see the Golden Gate Bridge from underneath and the side, or visiting a park for a picture-perfect view from a distance.
Why should visitors to San Francisco bring layers of clothing?
-San Francisco has a microclimate that can change rapidly, with temperatures possibly dropping significantly within a short period, necessitating layers for comfort.
What is the importance of bringing trainers and training for the hills in San Francisco?
-San Francisco is known for its steep hills, and visitors should prepare by training and wearing comfortable walking shoes to navigate the inclines without discomfort.
Why might the experience of riding a cable car in San Francisco not be as romantic as expected?
-The script mentions long lines at Fisherman's Wharf and the cost of eight dollars per ride, which might diminish the romanticized notion of cable car rides.
Why is it not advisable to drive in San Francisco, especially down Lombard Street?
-Driving and parking in San Francisco can be challenging and stressful due to the city's hilly terrain and switchbacks, like those on Lombard Street, making it better to use rideshare services.
What is the Clipper card and why is it useful for visitors?
-The Clipper card provides access to all public transportation in San Francisco, eliminating the need to constantly buy tickets and simplifying navigation of the transit system.
What should visitors expect regarding the beaches in San Francisco?
-While the beaches are beautiful, the water and weather are cold, making it more suitable for hiking along the beach rather than traditional beach activities like swimming.
Why is it recommended not to skip visiting Fisherman's Wharf despite it being a tourist trap?
-Fisherman's Wharf offers various attractions such as an aquarium, boat tours, and the famous sea lions at Pier 39, making it a worthwhile experience despite its touristy nature.
What advice does the script give about dining in San Francisco, especially in regards to local food?
-Visitors should try local specialties like sourdough bread, clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, cioppino, and seafood. They should also listen to waiter recommendations and explore different neighborhoods for diverse cuisines.
What is the significance of fortune cookies in San Francisco's history?
-Fortune cookies are said to have originated in San Francisco, and visitors can even tour the places where they are made, highlighting a unique part of the city's culture.
Outlines
🌉 Visiting San Francisco: Tips and Expectations
The video script begins with the host, Mark, in San Francisco, emphasizing the correct name of the city and sharing initial travel tips. He advises against walking the entire Golden Gate Bridge due to its length and shared path with bikers. Instead, he recommends ferry tours for a different perspective. Mark also dispels the myth of California's perpetual sunshine, reminding viewers to bring layers for San Francisco's unpredictable weather. He highlights the city's unique microclimate, affecting local products like sourdough bread. Lastly, Mark warns about the city's notorious hills, suggesting visitors prepare with the right footwear and exercise.
🍜 San Francisco's Food and Dining Experience
In the second paragraph, Mark focuses on San Francisco's culinary scene, urging visitors to explore diverse neighborhoods for a range of cuisines. He mentions the importance of making reservations and being aware of restaurant hours, which may not always align with expectations. Mark encourages trying local specialties such as dim sum in Chinatown, seafood, clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and ciopino. He also advises listening to waitstaff for recommendations and tips on local dishes, and highlights the origins of fortune cookies, a treat exclusive to San Francisco.
🏙️ Navigating the City and Its Attractions
Mark continues with practical advice on transportation, suggesting the use of Uber over personal vehicles due to San Francisco's challenging parking and traffic. He warns against driving down Lombard Street, recommends obtaining a Clipper card for ease of public transportation, and advises against certain misconceptions about the city's beaches, emphasizing their suitability for hiking rather than traditional beach activities. He also addresses the allure of Fisherman's Wharf, a must-visit despite its touristy reputation, while cautioning about the higher prices and hit-or-miss food quality.
🌳 Exploring Beyond the Common Tourist Spots
The fourth paragraph sees Mark discussing the broader cultural and architectural attractions of San Francisco. He encourages visiting museums and appreciating the city's unique architecture, such as the Painted Ladies and the murals in the Mission District. Mark also dispels the notion that Haight-Ashbury retains its 1960s hippie vibe, advising visitors to look beyond the main streets for authentic experiences. He wraps up with safety tips, noting that while San Francisco has a homeless issue, tourists are unlikely to encounter significant problems in popular areas and should be mindful of their belongings.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡San Francisco
💡Golden Gate Bridge
💡Weather
💡Hills
💡Cable Cars
💡Fisherman's Wharf
💡Chinatown
💡Fortune Cookies
💡Affordability
💡Cultural Spots
💡Safety
Highlights
San Francisco is affectionately referred to as 'SF' rather than 'Frisco' by locals.
The Golden Gate Bridge is best appreciated from a ferry tour or a distance rather than walking the entire span.
San Francisco's weather can be unpredictable, so visitors should always bring layers regardless of the season.
The city's unique microclimate contributes to its famous sourdough bread quality.
Walking up San Francisco's steep hills requires preparation and good walking shoes.
Cable cars in San Francisco are not as romantic or cheap as they appear in movies.
Driving in San Francisco is discouraged due to difficult parking and the city's layout.
The Clipper card simplifies public transportation use by eliminating the need to buy multiple tickets.
San Francisco's beaches are scenic but not ideal for traditional beach vacations due to cold water and weather.
Fisherman's Wharf, despite being a tourist trap, offers unique experiences and should not be skipped.
Dining at Fisherman's Wharf can be expensive, and visitors should check reviews and be prepared for higher prices.
San Francisco's Chinatown offers authentic dim sum and is a must-visit neighborhood.
Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants, even during lunchtime.
Exploring different neighborhoods for diverse food experiences is encouraged in San Francisco.
Local foods such as clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and ciopino are not to be missed.
Service staff in San Francisco are known to be helpful and their advice on food and dining should be considered.
Fortune cookies, despite their Chinese name, originated in San Francisco.
San Francisco is an expensive city, and visitors should be prepared for higher costs in accommodations, dining, and shopping.
The city's architecture and museums offer cultural experiences beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Haight-Ashbury may not provide the 'hippie' experience visitors expect, with commercialization taking over.
Safety in San Francisco involves being aware of uneven pavement and avoiding unnecessary interactions with homeless individuals.
Locals in San Francisco are generally friendly and can provide recommendations for a more authentic experience.
Sausalito is a nearby destination that offers a pleasant contrast to the bustling city with its charm and ferry rides.
Muir Woods and the Redwoods are a must-visit, but visitors should be prepared for a windy road and possibly motion sickness.
Banana slugs are a unique feature of the local flora in San Francisco's natural areas.
Despite negative news, San Francisco remains a safe and enjoyable destination for tourists.
Transcripts
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