San Francisco

Hills, fog and the Golden Gate Bridge: the ferry to Alcatraz (book weeks ahead), cable cars over Nob Hill, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39's sea lions, Chinatown, the Painted Ladies, and the redwoods of Muir Woods across the bridge (parking or shuttle booked in advance); Lake Tahoe is about four hours east. Air India flies here non-stop from Delhi. South of the city, Silicon Valley's Fremont, Sunnyvale and San Jose have a large Indian community, with temples such as the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple and the Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore, and dosa and chaat houses everywhere. Summer is often cool and foggy; September and October are the warmest months.

Highlights

• Walk or cycle the Golden Gate Bridge
• Alcatraz night or day tour
• Ride a cable car
• Pier 39's sea lions
• Muir Woods redwoods
• Lombard Street and Coit Tower
• Sausalito by ferry
• Dosa and chaat in Fremont or Sunnyvale

Things to do

• Alcatraz Island tourMorning · 3h 30m
• Cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge to SausalitoAfternoon · 4h
• Cable car and Fisherman's WharfAfternoon · 2h 30m
• Muir Woods redwoodsMorning · 4h
• Chinatown and North Beach eveningEvening · 2h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: September – November, April – May