Why Honeymoon in San Francisco
San Francisco is the gateway to Northern California's best honeymoon country. Napa and Sonoma are about an hour north, Big Sur and Carmel about two and a half hours south and Yosemite and Lake Tahoe within a half day's drive. A few nights in the city adds restaurants, museums and nightlife to a trip that is otherwise all vineyards and trees.
On its own terms, the city is compact and good for walking if you do not mind hills. Each neighborhood has a different mood: Italian cafés in North Beach, painted Victorians in the Haight and Alamo Square, taquerias and murals in the Mission, Pacific breezes in the Outer Sunset. Food is a real reason to come. The city has a long list of Michelin starred restaurants, but its everyday cooking is just as strong, from Mission burritos to dim sum in Chinatown and sourdough bread fresh from the oven.
When to Go
September and October are the best months. The summer fog usually retreats. The city often sees its warmest days of the year, with highs in the 70s and clear sunsets over the ocean.
Summer surprises visitors. June through August is often cool and foggy, especially near the Golden Gate and on the west side, with highs in the 60s and chilly evenings. Bring a real jacket. Inland neighborhoods such as the Mission can be sunny while the Presidio sits in the mist.
Winter, from November to March, is the rainy season. It is mild rather than cold and hotel rates tend to fall outside the holidays and big conventions. Spring is green and breezy. Because the weather changes so little through the year, the main factor for pricing is the convention calendar, which can push hotel rates sharply higher on certain weeks. Check before you book.
Where to Stay
Nob Hill is the classic honeymoon address, high above Union Square with cable cars rattling past. The Fairmont San Francisco, which opened in 1907, has grand public rooms and views from its upper floors. Union Square is central for shopping and transit, though some surrounding blocks feel rough at night.
For a quieter, residential feel, Pacific Heights has boutique hotels such as Hotel Drisco, a restored Edwardian building with views toward the bay. The Embarcadero puts you near the Ferry Building and the waterfront, with hotels that face the Bay Bridge. Fisherman's Wharf is touristy but convenient for Alcatraz and the waterfront path.
For something different, look across the Golden Gate in Sausalito, where waterfront hotels sit a short ferry ride from the city. Wherever you stay, ask about parking costs, which can run high per night. Consider skipping a car until you leave the city.
Romantic Things to Do
- Rent bikes near Fisherman's Wharf, ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and take the ferry back across the bay.
- Ride a cable car on the Powell Hyde line for views of Alcatraz and the bay as you crest the hill.
- Book the Alcatraz night tour, which leaves near sunset and returns with the city lit up behind you.
- Walk the Lands End trail past cypress trees and shipwreck views to the ruins of the Sutro Baths.
- Climb the Filbert Street Steps through hillside gardens to Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill.
- Graze the Ferry Building Marketplace on a farmers market morning.
- Picnic at Dolores Park in the Mission with views of the downtown skyline.
- Drive to the Marin Headlands at sunset for the classic view of the bridge.
Getting There and Around
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has nonstop flights from most major US cities. BART trains run from the airport to downtown in about 30 minutes. Oakland (OAK) across the bay is a smaller, often cheaper alternative, also linked by BART.
Inside the city, you do not need a car. Muni buses, streetcars, the historic F line and cable cars cover most sights. Rideshare is easy to find. Walking is pleasant but steep; plan routes that go down the big hills rather than up them.
Rent a car only for the days you head to wine country, the coast or the mountains. If you do have one, never leave anything visible inside, not even a jacket or charging cable, because break ins at viewpoints and in tourist areas are common. Ferries from the Ferry Building and Pier 41 to Sausalito, Tiburon and Larkspur are an easy and scenic way to see the bay.
Food and Drink
San Francisco takes food seriously without being stuffy. For a splurge dinner, the city has many tasting menu restaurants with Michelin recognition. Book well ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday nights.
Some classics worth seeking out: Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street, a counter with no reservations where couples queue for crab and oysters; Zuni Café, known for its roast chicken for two; and the House of Prime Rib, a wood paneled throwback where carvers wheel silver carts to your table. Tartine Bakery in the Mission draws lines for its morning buns and country bread.
The Mission District is the place for burritos; Chinatown and the Richmond District are strong for dim sum. For a drink with a view, head to a rooftop or top floor bar on Nob Hill or downtown. Irish coffee at the Buena Vista near Fisherman's Wharf is a tradition after a foggy walk.
Honeymoon Tips
Pack layers no matter the season. A clear 70 degree afternoon can turn into a 55 degree foggy evening within an hour, especially near the water.
Book timed tickets ahead for Alcatraz, which often sells out days or weeks in advance in busy months. Muir Woods, just north of the city, requires parking or shuttle reservations, so plan that before you go.
San Francisco has a visible homelessness problem in parts of downtown, the Tenderloin and around Civic Center. Most visitors have no trouble, but stick to busy streets after dark, use rideshare late at night and keep phones out of reach on crowded transit. The city is expensive. Plan on high prices for hotels, parking and dinners. Look for value in lunches, markets and casual neighborhood spots. Combine it with wine country or the coast to balance city days with slower ones.
