Bay Area Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A busy urban street with cars, a cyclist, and a red double-decker bus.
A large white building with a dome and columns, an American flag, and a clear blue sky.
A lush garden with a wooden bridge, a large tree, and a waterfall.
A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a central park with pathways, and a few people walking.
A modern skyscraper with a pointed top, surrounded by other tall buildings.

The Bay Area has one of the most iconic cities in the U.S., as well as cutting-edge universities, acclaimed vineyards and stunning state parks.

Stride out across the Golden Gate Bridge, which crosses the entrance to San Francisco Bay and gaze out across the Bay Area stretching out in front of you. The artistic, energetic city of San Francisco is just one of the many attractions of this region, which encompasses other trendy cities and breathtaking natural wonders.

Follow the story of the region in the Oakland Museum of California, a multifaceted museum that charts the history of the Golden State from its Native American communities to 21st-century technological innovation. The museum also contains galleries dedicated to art and natural history.

Start your journey through the Bay Area in San Francisco, a city of world-famous landmarks and lesser-known delights. Bring your camera for photos of the winding roads of Lombard Street, the haunting prison tour on Alcatraz Island and the barking sea lions of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Beyond these popular spots, however, ‘Frisco promises even more to see. City Lights Bookstore is famed for its connection to beat poetry, while the collection in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is broad and exciting. Hop between countless museums and stroll through botanic gardens in Golden Gate Park. Lose the crowds on the windswept bluffs of the Presidio.

The East Bay is the home of legendary educational establishments. Wander around the campus of the famously progressive Berkeley University or visit the museums at the University of Richmond.

Tour the prestigious vineyards of Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Sip on acclaimed vintages in famous destinations such as To Kalon Vineyard and Chateau Montelena Winery.

Stand in awe of the redwoods of the Muir Woods in Marin County, which is located on the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The county also features Mount Tamalpais State Park, a popular destination for hiking and views of the city.

Busy international airports in San Jose and San Francisco make the Bay Area easily accessible from around the U.S. and beyond. The fall months between September and November offer warm temperatures and fewer crowds in the region’s more famous attractions.

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is £125 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
£125
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,076 reviews)
"Clean room, staff made checkin feel rushed, parking too expensive"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
The price is £177 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
£177
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (7,559 reviews)
"Loved the drive up of the hotel and the glass firepits along the drive for outside seating. Our experience with the front desk check-in necessitated the help of a manager on duty. Parking at the hotel was at a premium yet could not accommodate SUVs taller than six feet so beware. We received mixed ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel

Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
55 Cyril Magnin St San Francisco CA
The price is £158 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
£158
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco

3 out of 5
2620 Jones St San Francisco CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,347 reviews)
"We loved this hotel! It was close to almost everything, with things like Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square about a 10-15 minute walk, and the added plus is the Walgreens right across the street. The rooms were cleaned everyday and very comfortable. The staff was incredibly nice and helpful with storing ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2026

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco
Coral Reef Inn & Suites

Coral Reef Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
400 Park St Alameda CA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
6.8/10 (3,009 reviews)
"Staff were nice. Location was awesome. Near the beach, shops and restaurants. Room is very rundown. Furniture is very old, there was leak from kitchen sink, tv remote was missing, toilet seat won’t stay up, closet doors were all off rails, electric stove didn’t work, carpet pretty dirty. At night ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2026

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Cozy quiet & relaxing hide-a-way in the heart of Sausalito's ‘Hurricane Gulch.’

Cozy quiet & relaxing hide-a-way in the heart of Sausalito's ‘Hurricane Gulch.’

Sausalito CA
Stay at this cottage in Sausalito. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
"Great landlord! He does need to include that there are 55 stairs leading up to the cottage. Terrific views of the Bay. He was very hospitable to us and generously helped with a few problems. The price is really understood since he allowed us to bring our two large Golden Retrievers with us."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2026

Cozy quiet & relaxing hide-a-way in the heart of Sausalito's ‘Hurricane Gulch.’
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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