10 Stunning Architectural Wonders to Explore in San Francisco (Perfect for Tourists & Architecture Lovers)
Known for its stunning hills and iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a city of remarkable architectural diversity.
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USA
BACKPACKING THE
UNITED STATES
The USA is enormous and within its vast land mass are some of the most Iconic cities, beaches, countryside and tourist attractions in the world. It is a melting pot of music, film and fashion and home to some of the biggest sports personalities and venues on the planet. The USA is also the home of alien tourism and film tourism, after all, who does not want to rent an RV and pretend they are Walter White?
Washington
English
United States Dollar
BLOG FOCUS
OUR WEST COAST JOURNEY
BACKPACKING CALIFORNIA
Exploring San Francisco, Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Arizona In 10 days.
California Dreaming? We don't stop! Known for Silicone Valley, the Golden Gate bridge, Napa Valley and Sonoma (Valley of the Moon), the stunning and diverse west coast. If you are thinking about a trip then let us help inspire you.
TAKE ME TO 0.1. GETTING OUT OF THE AIRPORT
TAKE ME TO 0.3. THE WINE REGION
TAKE ME TO 0.4. THE WEST COAST
0.1.
GETTING OUT OF THE AIRPORT
SFO
Welcome
BART-MAP
San Francisco BART Map
Airport to Rental Car Terminal
Rental Car Location
BART-MAP
San Francisco BART Map
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Arriving Into San Francisco
From San Francisco International (SFO)
Option 01
Public Transport take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) 20 minutes to - Montgomery St.
Preload a Clipper Card
Option 02
Car rentals available at SFO
Better option when leaving the City/ Bay Area
Option 03
Don't forget, San Francisco is the home of UBER, so if you cannot get one from here ...
20 minutes later
SAN FRANCISCO
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BACKPACKING SAN FRANCISCO
For Backpackers it is easy to start your San Francisco Adventure. Simply jump on the BART and you will be on the bay coastline or in the thick of the city in no time at all. Once there there are a number of must see places, you will have plenty of accommodation options to choose from and and like all good cities, San Francisco will keep you busy all day and night. If you have three days here, you will be able to hit the majority of the famous sites at a relaxed pace. If you are a walker, and plan routes well, you don't have to set foot in a car. Get ready for an unforgettable stay in a city surrounded by water.
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Eat
Seafood
Pastries
Drink
Coffee
IPA
Cocktails
Do
Museums
Parks
Architecture
Bars
China Town
GG Bridge
Piers
Travel
Walk
Uber
Lime
Cable Car
Stay
Hostels
Time
3-5 Days
Where To Stay
Lets start with where to drop your bags. There are a lot of options in San Francisco. Budget between $30 - 50 Dollars a night for a dorm.
Green Tortoise
A comfortable stay in a central location, and a great place to do laundry! At 29 dollars a night not only is it a good hostel it is also a good price point and close the night life of Broadway.
HI San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf
An awesome location near Fisherman's Wharf, this hostel is right by the bay.
HI San Francisco - Downtown
More expensive at around £45 a night Hi Downtown has been voted the most popular hostel in San Francisco in 2018 and 2020.
ITH Pacific Tradewinds Hostel
Again more expensive around $50 dollars a night but highly rated and in a great location. Perhaps one where the staff elevate the experience over the design of the hostel.
SF
Lombard St
SF
Lombard St
What To Do
Golden Gate
Grab a bicycle from Unlimited Biking San Francisco to do the Golden Gate Trail and stop off at Palace of Fine Arts on the way back
Alcatraz
The iconic prison, book tickets ahead of time as this is a popular tourist attraction
Lombard Street
The red brick flower laden road, this is a beautiful street, go early to avoid mass tourism.
Pier 39
A vibrant pier full of arcades, sweet treats and food outlets
Fishermans Wharf
San Francisco
Architecture Tour &
Day Itineraries
Fishermans Wharf
Grab a bicycle from Unlimited Biking San Francisco to do the Golden Gate Trail and stop off at Palace of Fine Arts on the way back
Salesforce Building
The iconic prison, book tickets ahead of time as this is a popular tourist attraction
Ferry Building
Transportation hub with great coffee and bakeries as well as bohemian shops selling some great items
China Town
One of the most famous china town locations in the world, a beautiful place to stroll through
Broadway
Evening drinks and theatre location find live comedy or music in this area
Where to eat
Once you have finished in the city a car is going to be very useful for exploring the coast and wine regions. Car rentals are available in the city center and back at the airport if you want to return a car at the airport. Lets get out of the city and see that beautiful Californian Countryside.
NAPA VALLEY
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THE WINE REGION
Around 50 miles north of San Francisco you will come across two Valleys, the world famous Napa Valley, and the lesser known (but equally as beautiful). Sonoma is smaller, less 'touristy' and has a very picturesque square at the heart of the town which is great for food and wine tastings.
Napa town itself feels more like a spring board to the very long linear vineyard valley. There is an overwhelming quantity of vineyards which makes it incredibly hard to choose where to go. This has left owners not only cultivating grapes, but also cultivating innovative ideas in order to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
In this ever-crowded marketplace, the fusion of tourism and inventive vineyard offerings has become a win-win, enriching the wine-tasting adventure for visitors while helping vineyard owners establish their brand's identity in the hearts of consumers.
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Eat
Charcuterie
Seafood
Drink
Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay
Merlot
Do
Wine Tasting
Shopping
Hiking
Travel
Drive from San Francisco
Car needed
Stay
Air BnB
Hotels
Time
3-5 Days
Donus Estate
Napa Valley
A Few Vineyard Favorites To Explore
Donum Estate Winery
Combining contemporary wine with contemporary art, a truly unique experience.
Kunde
A modern place to visit, you can get a 90 minute long cheese and wine tasting, walk ins welcome and a good price point
Kenwood
Lesser known but an incredible bottle of fizzy white wine that will leave your palette refreshed
Matanzas Creek Winery
A beautiful building that has dedicated areas for lavender which smell divine when flowering
To the coast
Jack London National Park
American author and journalist best known for his adventure novels and stories. Explore the cottage where Jack London lived. Hike trails that wind through the picturesque Sonoma Valley landscape.
Baltimore Canyon Preserve
A beautiful set of trails in the quaint town of Larkspur. These trails will take you through wood lands and open up to breath taking views. Once you are finished Larkspur will have you covered for a well earnt glass of wine and a bite to eat.
Sonoma Town
The heart of Sonoma has a public square off which you will find shops, eateries and Sonoma State Historic Park for a bit of culture too.
Jack London
National Park
Hiking Time
WEST COAST
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0.4.
THE WEST COAST
The West coat will blow you away. Just driving the coast road is a worth while activity. If you get your hiking books on then you will rewarded again, and if you really brave you can even break out the swimming trunks
Lets jump in the car and head away from the bustle of San Francisco and explore some stunning coastal spots
Eat
Seafood
Drink
Coffee
Do
Hiking
Beach days
Travel
Car essential
Stay
Air BnB
Hotels
Campsites
Time
2-3 Days
Maps and trails? Head to the blog
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area
A beloved destination for both residents and visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area, offering a mix of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and historical significance. You will need a car to explore this area. The peninsular has ample parking for free and many different fork roads to explore. Spend half a day walking some routes
Larkspur
Larkspur is just up the road as mentioned about its a great spot, if you spend a morning at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, have lunch here before heading onto Point Reyes Peninsula
Golden Gate
Fox Trail
Heading North From San Francisco
Point Reyes
Cape
Point Reyes Peninsula
71,000 acres of land, including coastal bluffs, forests, grasslands, and estuaries this area is also home to Point Reyes Lighthouse and Point Reyes Light Station. These lighthouses have played a crucial role in maritime navigation along the California coast
Bodega Bay
Hiking, birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, and surfing. The Bodega Bay State Marine Reserve and Bodega Head State Marine Conservation Area are protected areas that support marine life and provide opportunities for wildlife observation. If you want to swim, the Doran Regional Park (paid entry) is one of the most protected places to do so along the West coast. It is also a camp site for those with an RV or wanting to pitch a tent. You also have a plethora of restaurants here.
Coffee Tip
If you need to top up you reusable cup then you will find Cafe Aquatica along the coastal road in a small town called Jenner. This is a great cup of Joe to accompany you along the scenic route
Sea Ranch
Developed in the 1960s as an experiment in environmentally sensitive and modernist architecture. Integration with the natural environment and minimalistic design is the overarching concept of Sea Ranch. A stunning location you can stay here as a west coast get away or just visit for a coffee, some food and a walk around the stunning coast line.
SEA RANCH
Residential
Once you are done exploring the Californian coast, head back to the airport drop of the car and get ready for a flight to Las Vegas. I am not usually one to opt to fly as a first choice but this is perhaps one of the times to do so. Las Vegas is an hour from San Francisco or a 13 hour trip by bus with the costs not being dissimilar, especially if you are travelling light! Lets go to Vegas
Ready for Vegas?
LAS VEGAS
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LAS VEGAS
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A solo visit to Las Vegas is an unusual experience. But on your own, you can see a heck of a lot in a short space of time. A truly surreal place, sin city will leave you pontificating about the manipulation of human psychology and the effects of tourism on the environment. Fundamentally, Vegas is about removing yourself from the social norms. A mecca of gambling, a culinary adventure, a playground of memorabilia, a lay by the pool with cocktail, no matter what you want from Vegas, it will do its best to provide Lets explore the fabulous Las Vegas.
Eat
Seafood
Drink
Cocktails
Do
Casinos
Fremont Street
Walk the strip
Travel
Walk
Monorail
Uber
Stay
Air BnB
Hotels
Campsites
Time
2-3 Days
monorail-map-dec2022
San Francisco BART Map
las_vegas_monorail_tram_map
Rental Car Location
monorail-map-dec2022
San Francisco BART Map
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Staying in Vegas
From the airport take an Uber! An Uber is far far cheaper than the taxi companies that line up waiting for the thousands of passengers. You do not need a vehicle in Vegas but you do need your walking legs.
This is one place where a hotel is probably going to be a good option, however if you are solo, be prepared for a solitary trip, there is one highly recommended hostel (Sin City Hostel) in Las Vegas, click the house above to be linked directly to it. With hostel options you will be slightly further away from the main action of the strip. Do not underestimate how long it takes to get from one place to the next in this city. Luxor was a comfortable option for a 4 night stay.
Luxor Temple
Hotel
Hotels have linking trams and there is a monorail that can get you from north to south.
I would recommend taking the Monorail just to experience Las Vegas. Take the complete journey north to south during the day and again at night to see the transformation of the city. Its possibly one of the cheapest and easiest ways to see Vegas, you also get to go past the recently completed 'Sphere' riding past it on the monorail in the evening is an enjoyable experience in itself.
Getting Around In Las Vegas
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Must Visits In Las Vegas
Book tickets early for a night tour old neon signs
A look at the history of this city and its players
A great way to lose a few hours and next door to Harley Davidson, this is essentially a warehouse with machines of past and present! A lot of fun.
Fremont Street/ Downtown Vegas
If you head down town to the Mob Museum, then you are a stones throw away from Fremont Street where you will get what can only be described as a festival vibe!
Neon Museum
Downtown
Las Vegas
The Sign
You have to get one for the picture book no matter who you are, but once you have got a photo from the iconic sign, Harley Davidson is only 100 meters away and well worth a visit
If you are into bikes this shop is massive with merch and loads of bikes! It is extremely close to the iconic Las Vegas sign.
If you are feeling flush you can get a flight straight down the strip at sunset or night time hours
You can get free drinks I hear you say check out our blog post on this because it is true (kind of).
Eating and drinking in Las Vegas
To the Grand Canyan
GRAND CANYON
0.6.
THE GRAND CANYON & HOOVER DAM
A short bus ride from Las Vegas you can get to Arizona where you will find the iconic Grand Canyon. A bucket list item for many and for good reason. This beautiful pieces of geology is vast and colourful. Booking tickets is easy with a large number of providers offering day tours. The majority will pick you up and drop you off from your hotel. The south rim tour with skywalk is a lot of fun, do NOT do the skywalk if you are not good with heights! I went with Sweetours (click the icon below for a direct link). The guide was extremely informative and funny, the day ran smoothly, lets look at how it went
Hoover Dam
Arizona
A Day Trip To The Grand Canyon
It will be an early start with pick up between 6 and 7 depending on where you are located. After this it is a short drive to an Ihope for breakfast. Its big, so if you are not a breakfast eater (like me) it may be best to inform the company prior to the day.
Hoover Dam View Point
From Ihop its around an hour to the hoover Dam. You get a good photo opportunity, but personally as an Architect I could have spend t a few hours here getting as close as possible.
Grand Canyon West Rim
The Canyon is the next stop an hour and a half down the road. Here depending on your package you get to do the skywalk (optional) and get lunch (optional). You get around an hour and a half here before moving onto the final stop
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Building the Dam
Guano Point
This spot is arguably a more beautiful spot than the Grand Canyon. A short walk brings you to an old industrial lift once used for collecting bat feces! Here panoramic views across the Canyon are available. Truly a humbling spot that reminds you how beautiful our planet is, how small we are as a species and how brief our time is.
Debrief
This is one activity I really do highly recommend, after the hustle of Las Vegas it is great to see some of the desert. The Hoover Dam is a great pieces of engineering and fantastic to see in real life. Driving through Arizona you can get the 'breaking bad' feel as you cross through rural communities and past burn out RV's! The Canyon is a spectacle that leaves you in ore, if you are in Vegas and contemplating a day trip, don't hesitate, spend the money and enjoy the day.
Guano Point
Arizona
Want to share your story?
We are working on bringing you new America stories from backpackers soon, if you want to share you backpacking tips please contact us. Until then, have fun explorers.
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