My San Francisco Trip – From The Castro to Cable Cars (and Cereal the Cat)

There’s nothing quite like a San Francisco visit; the city’s got energy of its own. The LGBTQ+ culture here is vibrant and everywhere – rainbow flags flutter proudly in The Castro and all over the city, and it feels like the whole town is celebrating it every single day. I love all these Victorian houses on the street; I just couldn’t stop taking photos of them. I spent a few days exploring some classic San Francisco tourist spots and a few personal favourites (spoiler: there were dogs, sea lions, and a hotel cat called Cereal 🐾). If you’re wondering about the best things to do in San Francisco, here’s a little recap of the places I loved.

Things to Do in San Francisco: My Favourite Spots

Not a definitive guide, just the spots that made me smile (and filled my camera roll).

Dolores Park

If you like parks with a view—and who doesn’t?
Dolores Park is where it’s at. Locals chilling with drinks, dogs running around, and that epic city skyline.
Pro tip: Swing by Bi-Rite Creamery nearby and grab a scoop. Their sesame ice cream is a game-changer!!

The Castro

I knew The Castro would be cool, but wow! the vibe here is something else. It’s not just the heart of SF’s LGBTQ+ culture, it’s a celebration on every street. Even if you’re just grabbing a coffee and people-watching, it’s impossible not to feel the love. Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or not, the welcoming vibe here is infectious.

Cable Car Turnaround on Powell Street

If you’re into photography like me, head to this intersection. Watching the cable cars climb those steep hills is peak SF, and it’s the perfect spot to grab that classic shot.

An insider tip: head to the intersection of Powell and Pine Streets. You’ll see cable cars chugging up and down the hill, and it’s the perfect place to snap that classic SF photo.

Pier 39 Sea Lions

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the sea lions at Pier 39 totally charmed me. They just flop around, bark at each other, and soak up the sun like they own the place. Which, let’s be honest, they do.

Palace of Fine Arts

We randomly ended up here after a long walk after visiting the Golden Bridge, and I’m so glad I did. It’s giving ancient Rome vibes but with a chill SF twist. The Palace of Fine Arts is seriously impressive – massive columns and a beautiful dome, all surrounded by a serene lagoon. Bring a coffee, wander around, and enjoy the calm.

Golden Gate Bridge

You see it in photos all your life, but standing under the Golden Gate Bridge hits different. I took a boat trip for the full effect—fog rolling in, giant red towers above me—wowwwww!!
**Golden Gate Bay Cruise info here

Where We Stayed – ft. Cereal the Cat

Quick shoutout to the Golden Gate Hotel, where we stayed. Super cosy, old-school charm, and best of all? Cereal, the resident cat, who basically adopted us during our stay. If you’re looking for a place that feels more like staying with a quirky friend than a hotel, this is it.

I would also like to recommend reading a blog post – How to Spend One Day In San Francisco: A Complete Guide from Matt and Alysha. It’s very insightful and full of useful info if you are visiting San Francisco!

See More in My San Francisco Travel Video

I filmed little bits along the way—nothing fancy, just the stuff I wanted to remember. If you fancy a peek at the city through my lens (and some sea lions being chaotic), here’s my vlog.