San Francisco off the beaten path

These gems will show a different side to San Francisco than what you’d typically find at the popular touristy hot spots. If you prefer to explore a city and discover the local hangouts, favorite viewpoints, parks and places to escape the crowds you’ll want to add all of these to your next San Francisco trip!

When I visited san Francisco for the first time it was 2001. It was a last minute decision to spend a long weekend visiting the city and I left on a whim. I packed up the car, tossed my entertainment book in my bag (anyone remember those?! 😉 ) and I was off. I stayed in a hostel overlooking the bay, visited Ghirardelli to taste their delicious confections, rode a cable car, wandered around the cathedral used in Sister Act, spent some time at the beach, listened to Lighthouse perform at a local spot and took the tour of Alcatraz. It was a wonderful long weekend exploring the city. I loved that I was able to incorporate some touristy spots with non toursity locations. Back in the early 00’s it wasn’t as big of a deal to visit populated cities, there were crowds but not like we tend to deal with them now. Whenever I travel that is my goal, to peel back the layers & find the untouched, low-key spots that no one else knows about or that haven’t been overly hyped and spread across social media. In my opinion that’s the best way to truly get the feel/vibe of a place and to enjoy the best of what a location has to offer.

Over the past 2 & 1/2 decades I’ve visited San Fran multiple times. On the last 2 visits I specifically wanted to avoid the touristy spots to focus on unknown gems that only the locals visit and that aren’t overcrowded. I spent several months researching to find the best gems that have remained off the radar and provide a different perspective of the city compared with the overcrowded toursity spots. The last two visits were in the Spring and Fall, with a range of temps between the mid 50’s to low 70’s. When you plan your trip to San Fran remember to pack layers. The mornings can begin foggy and quite chilly before the marine layer burns off. So it’s best to carry an additional layer with you throughout the day, as temps can change multiple times depending the areas you’re exploring.

Some of our favorite locations are on this list. The top two being the Sutro Baths & Bernal Heights. Both offer incredible views that aren’t often spoken of when referencing San Francisco. Below I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 locations in & around San Francisco that still offer a bit of a respite from the hub-bub of the city and offer some calm, tranquil locations to escape and relax while surrounded by stunning scenery.

San Francisco Sights:

Battery Spencer & Battery Cranston both offer unique perspectives of the city. Battery Spencer’s viewpoint from across the bay provides an upclose view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean and city views while Battery Cranston has the Golden Gate Postcard Viewpoint, Fort Point National Historic Site & the Golden Gate Bridge Welcom Center. *Battery Spencer: Conzelman Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965 *Battery Cranston: Golden Gate Bridge Plaza, Cranston Rd, San Francisco, CA 94129
Baker Beach has direct access to Battery Chamberlin, offers beach cabanas and unforgettable Golden Gate bridge views at sunset. *12 25th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
Bernal Heights is a secret hilltop escape in the heart of the city that offers sweeping views of the coastline from Bay Bridge *with views of Oakland in distance all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge and the entire city sprawled out around you. It’s the perfect spot to escape the crowds & see the city from a unique vantage point. Look for the swing that’s usually available near the top of the hill. *Bernal Heights Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94110
Painted Ladies is the inspo for Full House and a lovely park perfect for a picnic is located directly across from these ladies. It’s perfect for an afternoon stroll, picnic or sunset. *Directly across from: Alamo Square Park, Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94117. Between Steiner & Grove Streets. San Francisco, CA 94117
Palace of Fine Arts is home to the architectural magic that was created for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. On a sunny day sit and watch the swans, geese and seagulls splash in the pond, stroll along the paths under the magnificent columns and enjoy this marvel that is one of 3 structures from the exposition that has survived. *3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Get ready for a drive by viewing of 2640 Steiner Street to stir up some nostalgia with the home used in the 1993 classic film Mrs. Doubtfire.
Golden Gate Park offers so many options for your family to explore this beautiful area of San Fran. Whether it’s visiting the Japanese Tea Garden, strolling through the Succulent Garden, Redwood Grove Garden, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Rose garden, Shakespeare Garden, hiking up Strawberry Hill to see Huntington Falls or riding one of the pedal boats around Blue Heron Lake, visiting the bison paddock, wandering through the Queen Wilhelmina Gardens and viewing the Dutch windmills (Dutch Windmill & Windmill Murphy). There are plenty of activities and hidden gems to keep everyone happy. *Japanese Tea Gardens:75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 *Chinese Pavillion located on Strawberry Hill: 4736, 7684 CA-1, San Francisco, CA 94118 *Shakespeare Gardens: 335 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118 *Queen Wilhelmina Garden & Dutch Windmill: 1690 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121 *Murphy Windmill: 2100 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, San Francisco, CA 94122
Then head to the Sutro Baths and wild life sanctuary (just a short walk from the Dutch Windmills). These hauntingly beautiful ruins are one of a kind and offer unmatched views of the ocean & Golden Gate Bridge. *Sutro Heights (Overlook): 846 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121 *Sutro Baths: 1004 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
Head across the bay to visit Sausalito and enjoy lunch at The Spinnaker. Delicious local seafood with incredible views of the bay, Sausalito hillside views and boaters enjoying the dreamy view. *100 Spinnaker Dr, Sausalito, CA 94965
Muir Woods is San Fran’s very own National Monument with giant Redwoods! The drive is so scenic and anyone who craves hitting some trails while you’re in the San Fran vicinity make sure to add this to your list! *1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

The following list are a few other spots to add on if you’ll be in the area for more than a few days:

San Francisco Zoo is a great spot to take the kiddos, then head to nearby Lake Merced Park, Thornton State Beach or Ocean Beach for a fun afternoon in the sand & surf.
McLaren Lodge is a national historical landmark definitely worth a visit for all the history lovers.
The Wave Organ is a manmade musical marvel when the waves crash against the shore. A must see for music lovers. Located at 83 Marina Green Dr. San Francisco 94123
Land’s End Labyrinth: man made labyrinth created in 2004 that has views of Golden Gate Bridge. *Lands End Trail, San Francisco, CA 94121
China Beach: Small cove with a small beach, tide pools and awesome views of Golden Gate Bridge. Just south of Baker Beach (See above for address)
St. Paul’s Catholic Church: was used in the film Sister Act. It is generally open to view the interior between 8:30am-10:30am daily except for Sunday.
Princess Diaries film locations: School- 2601, Lyon Street, at Green Street, Marina District. Mia’s (Firehouse) House- 724 Brazil Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112
Lyon Street Steps: 2990-2996 Lyon St & Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94115
Ride the ferry over to Alcatraz and take the tour for a fascinating look at the history of Alcatraz. *221 Valley St. San Francisco
Point Bonita Lighthouse: San Francisco Bay entrance in the Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA 94965. Also check out Point Diablo Light near Mill Valley, CA 94941