Having spent a good portion of the last 10 years in San Francisco, I have developed quite a bit of insight in regards to getting around, touring the sights, fun things to do, where to stay, where to stay away from, dining highlights and lowlights, transportation options, sightseeing tours and activities, and any number of other things.  I have so many travel tips for people visiting San Francisco, it was difficult to select only ten.  Here is my best effort:

1.  Make a sightseeing gameplan before you travel to San Francisco.  Since there is so much to see and do, it is important to make a schedule in advance.  Case in point, Alcatraz Tickets often sell out as much as two weeks in advance.  I have spoken to many tourists who were disappointed after missing out on the oppotunity of a lifetime to visit Alcatraz Island and take the audio-guided cell block tour.

2.  Be sure to check the location and read the online reviews about your hotel before your make reservations.  Although San Francisco is one of the safest cities to visit, there are still a few neighborhoods that are up-and-coming.  Occasionally, hotels located in one of these neighborhoods advertise that they are situated “near Union Square”.  It is worth checking because there is nothing more frustrating that changing hotels to start off a vacation.  Click here for some hotel recommendations.

3.  Don’t rent a car at the airport.  You will probably not need it as public transportation is excellent, and hotels charge parking rates between $15-40 per day.  If you do require a car for a day or two, you can easily get a daily rental in the city.  It should also be noted that driving and parking in the city is not an easy task for those that are unfamiliar with all of the one way streets and other factors. 

4.  Take an airport shuttle or arrange private transportation, but avoid the airport taxi.  Shuttle Transportation is available from the airport for very low rates.  Some hotels even have their own complimentary airport shuttles, so be sure to check before traveling.  Taxis are always an option, but they charge $50+ to travel from San Francisco International Airport to downtown.  For about the same price, you can get a private sedan or limousine with a driver.

5.  Take advantage of the transporation options in San Francisco.  Once you are in the city, there are taxis, trains, trolleys, buses, boats, and cable cars to help you navigate your way around.  The best way to get oriented with the city is to take a San Francisco City Tour or one of the private city tour options provided by San Francisco Tours.  In addition to a handful of city bus tours, there are private limo tours, jeep tours, and even antique car tours.  These sightseeing excursions provide an excellent overview, and will help you get better aquainted with all that the city has to offer.  Then, you can focus on your favorite spots for a more in-depth visit.

6.  Visit as many new restaurants as possible.  Try not to spend too much time dining at the hotel.  Sometimes, convenience wins, but keep in mind that San Francicso has hundreds of fantastic dining establishments and only a few of them are located in the hotels.  I always suggest reading online reviews or picking up a local magazine in the lobby rather than asking the hotel concierge for dining suggestions because they often have negotiated deals with the restaurants they promote. 

7.  Don’t waste your money at tourist traps.  As much as I love Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, they are tourist traps.  I am not saying you shouldn’t visit, but I am saying that you should spend your hard earned dollars wisely or you might end up with a bunch of circus-quality gifts for the whole family.  Make the most of your time on The Wharf with a visit to Musee Mechanique and the fish vendors lined up on the street.  Watch out for the “Bush Man”.

8.  Visit some of the many attractions that are close to San Francisco.  Muir Woods, Sausalito, Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Monterey, Carmel, 17-Mile Drive, Yosemite, San Jose, and Silicon Valley are some examples of great places to visit near the city.  San Francisco Tours provides tour reservations for all of these destinations.

9.  Take advantage of all the free views that are available in the city.  San Francisco is such an expensive city to begin with that it only makes sense that you should take advantage of all it has to offer.  Some favorite viewpoints around the city include Twin Peaks, Treasure Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Top of the Mark, the Marriott Bar and Lounge, and Coit Tower.

10.  Get out on The Bay and see San Francisco from a unique perspective.  Between sightseeing cruises, kayak tours, boat rides, and private yacht charters, there is something for everybody near the Embarcadero.  Seeing the city from the water is a great experience and it provides excellent photo opportunities.  For a complete list of San Francisco cruises and boat tours, please click here.

Well, that wraps up my top ten travel tips.  I hope this helps make your next visit to San Francisco even more pleasant and memorable.  I could have created a Top 100 with all of the tips I would like to share, so feel free to post any questions and I will promptly reply.