Bay Area Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bay Area
Bay Area
Bay Area
Bay Area
Bay Area

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.

Where to stay in Bay Area

Union Square

Union Square

4/5(289 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf

5/5(4 area reviews)

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

Fisherman's Wharf
Downtown San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(52 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and San Francisco Bay are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco
South of Market

South of Market

3.5/5(115 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to San Francisco Bay – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

South of Market
Nob Hill

Nob Hill

4.5/5(79 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Mission District

Mission District

3.5/5(11 area reviews)

You might enjoy the bars while in Mission District. SOMA Pilipinas is a notable sight, and you can get around town at 16th Street Mission Station or 24th Street Mission Station to see more of the city.

Mission District
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £157 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
£157
4 Jun - 5 Jun
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! (5,834 reviews)
"Peiarking is expensive in SF, so the hotel. Hotel is in a very convinient location for all types of travel reasons."

Reviewed on 31 May 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 £178 per night from 8 Jun to 9 Jun
£178
8 Jun - 9 Jun
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! (7,499 reviews)
"Great place. Convenient and near everything!"

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St San Francisco CA
The price is £139 per night from 7 Jun to 8 Jun
£139
7 Jun - 8 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,163 reviews)
"Good location. Expensive parking. Don’t use. Small bathroom and room, but they were clean. Old TV, coffee maker and carpet. The hotel is not bad, but definitely needs a refresh in the rooms and hallways."

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

Handlery Union Square 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.
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 (2,965 reviews)
"I would recommend people absolutely avoid this place until they do major renovations and management change. It's a vintage beauty with stunning views and nearby attractions-- but it's heavily neglected by the owners and staff, and may be in a dangerous area. The host was talking with a hooded figure ..."

Reviewed on 29 May 2026

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
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! (1,277 reviews)
"Over all it was an okay stay. Upon arrival we had to wait for our room and there was an issue with the payment from the third party. Not the way we wanted to start our stay. I spoke to the concierge and he said that for my husband he would send up apple cider as we don’t drink. We never received ..."

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

Marriott Vacation Club®, San Francisco
Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara

Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara

4 out of 5
588 El Camino Real Santa Clara CA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Santa Clara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Levi's Stadium and PayPal ...
9/10 Wonderful! (67 reviews)
"Clean and pretty unit. The check-in process and getting the car inside the gate was a little confusing. Once we figured out the process and got the badges inside the unit, everything was fine. Nice furniture and bed. A few more forks, spoons, knives and plates would have been helpful, too as we cooked ..."

Reviewed on 26 May 2026

Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara
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.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Bay Area

Explore a world of travel with Expedia