Haight-Ashbury is one of the most city’s most historic neighborhoods. Known for its old-world charm, its preservation of the Summer of Love is evident in the colorful and frilly Victorian homes and architecture, as well as cute mom-and-pop boutiques offering up heaps of groovy items to purchase—and yes, there’s still a lot of tie-dye. The region is also centrally located in the city, bordering Golden Gate Park, with MUNI lines running in and out of the area. The Castro is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in San Francisco, and offers easy access to great Mission Dolores Park. Since the ’70s, it has been regarded as one of the more LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods in all of the US, too.
North Beach, which borders Chinatown, is one of the real lifeblood neighborhoods of San Francisco. It’s home to some of the most historic and charming cafés, bookstores, top-notch restaurants, and of course, a kooky cast of characters for people watching. You’ll also find the Italian Quarters here, where you must pop in to indulge in a meal (or a few). The Mission District is one of the sunniest parts of the city, and colorful, too—with outdoor galleries of endless murals (especially on Balmy Alley) and authentic regional cuisines (for one, the traditional Mexican taquerias). It’s super accessible from all of the city’s counterparts, too—thanks to the BART’s regional trains as well as MUNI options.
One of the most popular tourist destinations is Union Square: Its central location (and easy transit access) serves a quintessential city buzz, especially thanks to the high-rise views and heaps of shopping. That said, the surrounding streets are often packed with those either shopping or working in the skyscrapers themselves, so it’s probably best to stay here for business trips.