Best Views in San Francisco

San Francisco is a city to behold. From the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge to the unique postcard of sea lions lounging on Fisherman's Wharf, this city gives you images to remember.

Obviously when you think of things to see and do in San Francisco, one of the first things you think of are the places where you'll find the best views. That's why I want to tell you about those favourite places to admire the city.

Located in Sausalito, Battery Spencer is the first place I want to show you because this is where you can take the real and most famous picture of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you are looking for the perfect spot to appreciate the bridge and above all to take the best pictures, Battery Spencer is the place.

It is one of San Francisco Bay 's protection points that was operated by military forces during the 20th century. Today it's just a great place to get a panoramic view of America's most famous bridge. All that remains of its military uses are abandoned buildings.

On clear days you can see how the bridge connects to the city of San Francisco at the other end of the bay, while on cloudy days the spectacle is to watch the bridge merge into the clouds, revealing an imposing figure from all angles.

Parking is a little limited here, but once you arrive and check that there is a parking space, you can continue on foot to the viewing platform at the top. There are a few metres to walk. Admission is completely free.

Details of interest

• Location: Conzelman Rd, Sausalito.
• How to get there: Bus 130 will drop you off at the Hwy 101 & Alexander Ave station which is about a 15 minute walk from Battery Spencer.
• Price: Free.

Twin Peaks are two identical peaks located in the heart of San Francisco. The reason why this place is special for the most beautiful views of the city is because of its height. Once you get to Twin Peaks you can clearly see the whole city, from the tallest buildings to every single street.

It is a true visual spectacle. With a height of approximately 280 metres, they are considered the second highest hills in San Francisco, after Mount Davidson. They are located in the geographical centre of the city, which makes them a greater spectacle.

At the foot of these hills are located some picturesque houses that will surely remind you of the Painted Ladies. I recommend the climb on foot, even if it's a bit of a strenuous walk, I assure you that the scenery you'll see at the top makes up for any fatigue.

But in case you don't want to walk up, you can go up by private bus, with companies that will take you to the top, or you can go by public transport. With the latter option you will also have to walk but it will be considerably less than going up from the beginning.

When you get to the top you will find the viewpoint, a busy place if you go in high season, but from where you will be able to take spectacular panoramic views of the city in all its splendour.

Details of interest

• Location: It is located in the geographical centre of San Francisco.
• How to get there: To get to the top I recommend walking. But you can also use route 37 Twin Peaks to get there.
• Price: Free.

A white concrete lighthouse that stands like a giant on the top of Telegraph Hill and has been an emblem of the city since its inauguration in 1933, it is one of the best views of the city thanks to its great height and strategic location. It is one of the places that offers the best views of the city thanks to its great height and strategic location.

Its construction was inspired by a San Francisco fire lady who died in 1929 and left a large monetary legacy in order to build something to further beautify her city. It was then decided to build Coit Tower.

Many believe that this tower was built with the intention that the top of the tower would resemble the nozzle of a fire hose, but others claim that this theory is false. Regardless of which theory is correct, it is definitely a site not to be missed if you want to admire the whole city from the top.

To access the tower you will need to buy a ticket at the bottom, just inside the gift shop. If you go up on a clear day, you' ll get 360º views of the entire city of San Francisco, but if you go up on a cloudy day you might see a lot of fog.

That's why I recommend including a climb up Coit Tower as one of your summer things to see and do in San Francisco. A good way to climb the tower and learn a bit more about its history and its relationship to the city is to go on a tour guided by professionals.

Interesting details

• Location: Telegraph Hill Blvd.
• How to get there: You can use route 39 bus to get to the tower.
• Price: From 7 euros general admission.

The well known Alcatraz Island is one of my favourite spots on the list. I suggest you visit Alcatraz Island mainly to take in the breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay, but also to nourish yourself with the stories that often haunt the contemporary history of this island.

On its surface lies what was once a military prison and then a federal penitentiary, home to the most dangerous criminals of its time during their final days. Known as "The Rock", it was considered an impenetrable place from which escape was truly impossible.

In addition to the island's isolation, the prison walls were elaborately built to prevent a possible escape and security inside the prison was ridiculously tight. If an inmate managed to break through all these barriers to escape, he would encounter another problem, the cold waters of the Pacific.

Beyond all the terrible stories of what is known to have happened inside, the island is now in the custody of the National Parks Conservation Association, giving the public the possibility to visit the place. That 's a great treat for tourists, because the view of San Francisco from here is one of the few beautiful things you'll see on the island.

Interesting details

• Location: Across the bay from San Francisco.
• How to get there: To get there you need to take a ferry from the pier in the bay. You can hire a guided tour to get to know the place better.
• Price: Between 25 and 40 euros for general admission. To go on a private tour, you can take a private tour.

This is San Francisco's most famous street. It is a winding and ridiculously steep street from the top of which you can see the whole city with its buildings and all the contrasts that characterise it.

Although it is not the highest street in all of San Francisco, it is known as such, and it is one of the iconic sights that I like the most because of its really beautiful appearance from beginning to end. One of the best angles to appreciate the view of Lombard Street is to look at it from below.

When you look at this street in the opposite direction, you realise how spectacular it is and what a visionary piece of engineering was put in front of it. It's really fun to watch the vehicles go down the street like a roller coaster.

The scenery on either side of the avenue is another feature to admire that makes it one of the most dedicated and photographed postcard images of the city. What's impressive is that this curving road that runs down from the Presidio to Fisherman's Wharf has no less than a 40-degree incline.

When you find out just how steep the terrain is, you discover the logic behind building the road this way. One of the best ways to discover this street is to book one of the most comprehensive and best bike tours in San Francisco.

Interesting details

• Location: From the Presidio to the Embarcadero.
• How to get there: If you have enough time, I recommend you hop on the tram on the F line which will take you right to Lombard Street. This is definitely the most pleasant ride to the steepest street in San Francisco.
• Price: Free

It is a housing complex of Victorian houses that has become a real attraction thanks to its colourful appearance. From here you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire city as far as the bay meets the Pacific. It's also a particularly nice place for people who love the vintage lifestyle.

Nowadays the area is mostly inhabited by young people attracted by the design of the houses and the stylish atmosphere they exude. Painted Ladies is definitely a destination I wouldn't miss on a visit to San Francisco.

If you go during the spring season , you can even appreciate the colourfulness of the city thanks to the flowers, but above all you can see the flowers that are located around the Victorian houses, giving them a much more beautiful aspect to the place.

Interesting details

• Location: Haydes Street opposite Alamo Square.
• How to get there: You need to take the blue, green or yellow route and then get on the 22 By Street route which takes you to Filmore St. & Grove St. From there you will have to walk for about three minutes to Painted Ladies.
• Price: Free.

The Golden Gate Bridge not only looks wonderful from above, but it is also possible to see it in all its splendour from the ground. And you can see this view from Baker Beach.

It's a public beach that borders the Pacific Ocean, so the waters are really cold, especially in winter. But the main objective is not to swim in the beach, but to appreciate one of the best views you'll find in the whole city, of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Of course, if you go to San Francisco in the summer, going to Baker Beach is the most authentic beach experience you can get in the city. From here you'll have a beautiful view of both the Golden Gate Bridge and other equally impressive sights such as the Marin Headlands and Lands End.

Note that this beach is open 24 hours a day, so it's a great option if you want a panoramic view of the Golden Gate at sunset. While stargazing or a leisurely stroll along the sand is a great activity to do at Baker Beach at night, I wouldn't recommend it on your list of things to do in San Francisco at night, as parking is not available after sunset.

Interesting details

• Location: South Bay next to the Royal Presidio of San Francisco.
• How to get there: You can go by private car or take the route 29 bus to the beach.
• Price: Free.

Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, this park is one of San Francisco' s most visited entertainment areas, thanks to the number of activities you can do there, such as picnics and biking. It is in fact one of the top choices for the best bike tours to get around the city on two wheels.

The park offers exceptional views of part of the city and the famous Golden Gate Bridge. As you've already noticed, the bridge is one of the most popular places for tourists to see, and there is definitely nothing that represents San Francisco more than its red bridge.

Returning to Crissy Field, the place will also leave you with incredible postcards of the entire city, its buildings and how they blend into each other. If you want to take panoramic pictures of the city, this is a good place to do it.

The park has several recreational and leisure areas, which makes it an ideal place to include among the places to visit in San Francisco with children, because not only will you be able to take amazing pictures, but also they will be able to run and enjoy the whole park without restrictions.

Interesting details

• Location: Across the street from Golden Gate Beach.
• How to get there: By public transport using routes 101, 130 and 150.
• Price: Free.

The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center is the first building you'll come across when you visit the Golden Gate Bridge, and it's a place that's interesting not only because of the close -up view of San Francisco's most famous bridge, but also because it's a place to learn a little more about the iconic bridge.

When you enter the site you can see some photographs of the bridge through time, as well as detailed information about it, the architecture and engineering behind it, the minute details that have to do with its construction and its history.

But back to the view you can see from here, it is undoubtedly one of the most imposing angles of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can see it in all its splendour and colour. It is one of the places I highly recommend to take the picture you are looking for along with the immensity of the great red bridge.

As you are right at the entrance of the Golden Gate Bridge, you can't miss this plus, so the logical thing to do is to go up to the bridge, from where you can have an impressive view of the whole bay and its different shades.

Interesting details

• Location: On the Coastal Trail.
• How to get there: By public transport using routes 130 or 150.
• Price: To pass through the Golden Gate you must pay a fee depending on the capacity of the vehicle. This fee can be as low as 8 euros.

It's not exactly a place where you can see the whole city, but I recommend it because I think it's one of the best places to see one of the most fun sides of San Francisco. It's the postcard-perfect view of the sea lions that hang out on the wharf's pier.

Pier 39 is the place these animals choose to rest and soak up some sun. If you're a lover of marine wildlife, it's a must-visit if you want to take some time to contemplate the tranquillity of the bay. At Pier 39 you'll also find plenty of places to eat while enjoying one of the best views in San Francisco.

Other piers on the pier also offer great views of the Pacific and the pier itself, so you can take different pictures. One of the most popular attractions on the pier is the large number of historic ships from which you can also enjoy interesting views of the pier.

Interesting details

• Location: Fisherman's Wharf.
• How to get there: Take Route F to Fisherman's Wharf.
• Price: Free.