5 Travel ‘Rules’ You Should Definitely Break in San Francisco

When you travel (or heck, even at home), everyone loves to throw the “rules” at you. And sure, this advice is well-intended and sometimes makes sense. However, in a city like San Francisco, adhering to all the rules can actually mean missing out on things that have made the city famous.

Who cares if Fisherman’s Wharf is touristy? The Dungeness crab is fresh, the sourdough bread bowl full of clam chowder is still delicious, and the views are unrivaled.

So go ahead and break a few so-called travel commandments when you visit San Francisco. Remember: the clichés are clichés for good reason.

• Rule #1: Don’t Visit “ Touristy” Sites

  Somehow, the travel industry has turned the T-word (touristy) into a dirty one. Don’t get me wrong, there are ways to be a good and a bad tourist, and I understand that cities like Venice and Barcelona are fed up with the influx of people who arrive for a few hours, leave their trash, and don’t pay for a meal or a hotel.

  However, touristy places aren’t all taboo, especially in San Francisco, where these hotspots are also rich in history, culture, and insights into the city’s storied past.

  We’re at the age where we’re allowed to enjoy San Francisco, or anywhere, without guilt. Go for it!

• Rule # 2: Make No Plans and Go With The Flow

  I like spontaneity as much as the next person, and have spent time meandering rudderless through cities and countries. However, I’ve also been disappointed when I couldn’t get into a restaurant I really wanted to try, see an exhibit at a museum that was sold out upon arrival, or participate in an activity or event because I hadn’t planned ahead.

  So, I encourage you to plan ahead for a few things you’d be disappointed to have missed when you leave and aim for those first.

  Tip: In San Francisco, restaurant reservations book up quickly, sometimes a month or two ahead, and tickets to popular attractions like Alcatraz sell out far in advance.

• Rule #3: Never Eat Near Tourist Attractions

  Eating near a tourist attraction often gets a bad rap, but in San Francisco, these restaurants and cafés aren’t always the traps people make them out to be. Yes, prices can be higher, but that doesn’t mean the food is automatically awful. Many of these spots, such as Scoma’s, are family-run and have been around for decades, serving traditional dishes to locals long before the crowds arrived.

  In some cases, such as The Ferry Building, the location itself is the dining experience.

Read my guide on the  best things to do in San Francisco

• Rule #4: See ALL the Famous Landmarks

  I know, I know! You’ve spent a lot of money to get here, and hotels aren’t cheap, so you want to get your money’s worth. I hear you and appreciate that sentiment.

  But you don’t have to check every box. In fact, you might enjoy yourself more if you slow down and leave yourself a little room for spontaneous discoveries. If you’d rather skip a museum on a sunny day for a long walk on Crissy Field or take a long coffee break in North Beach, that’s totally fine. Travel at 50+ is about you doing you, am I right?

  Tip: In San Francisco, one activity can do a lot of the “box check” heavy lifting, too, such as riding the Powell-Hyde Cable Car. Hop aboard and you’ll not only get to zip up the hilly streets of San Francisco, but this Cable Car line also stops at the top of Lombard Street, offers stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, and Coit Tower, and turns around near Fisherman's Wharf, where you can stroll along the waterfront, eat clam chowder, etc.

• Rule #5: Don’t Rent a Car

  While I’d agree with this ‘rule’ if your plans are to stick to the city and its ferry-accessible getaways like Sausalito, some of California’s best scenery and must-see destinations are easy day trips from San Francisco, and best accessed by car. What you lose in spending, you gain in flexibility to explore places like Napa Valley, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Healdsburg, and Stinson Beach at your own pace. See my guide on the best day trips from San Francisco.

  Tip: Consider renting a car off the airport grounds, where prices are usually more expensive thanks to airport concession fees and taxes.

  • If you want to avoid driving in the city altogether, there are rental car agencies north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the cities of Mill Valley and San Rafael, and South in the cities of San Carlos, Burlingame, and Redwood City.

Read my guide on the best day trips from San Francisco here

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