San Francisco was the final city I visited on the West Coast. After exploring Las Vegas, I took a bus to Los Angeles, and then another bus from LA to San Francisco. The bus is a more economical option compared to flying, so I chose this route despite the journey taking over 6 hours. One advantage of bus travel is that luggage is included at no extra cost, whereas in the US, you often have to pay for baggage allowance when flying. So, if you’re not pressed for time and want to save money, the bus is a better choice. Plus, the road trip from LA to San Francisco along the Pacific Coast is incredibly scenic.

I had booked a hostel near Union Square, as it’s a central location. Hostels are always a budget-friendly option, plus you get the chance to meet and connect with other travelers. HI San Francisco Downtown was just a 3-minute walk from Union Square, and I had booked a female-only quad room. One of my roommates was from London, another from Korea, and the third from Brazil. I had actually met the girl from Brazil at a hostel in Los Angeles, and since she was also heading to San Francisco, I suggested she stay here so we could meet up again.

The bus departed from LA at around 8 AM, and I arrived in San Francisco post 3 PM. After storing my luggage at the hostel, I headed straight to Pier 39, where I had booked a Sunset Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge. Pier 39 is a lively spot, full of energy with live music and a variety of food joints. Sailing in the Pacific Ocean and cruising across the Golden Gate Bridge was an incredible experience, and watching the sunset from the water was absolutely breathtaking.

The next day in the morning I headed to take the Iconic Cable Car Ride. You can hop aboard one of San Francisco’s most iconic experiences—the historic cable car! San Francisco’s cable cars are manually operated by a gripman and a conductor, making them one of the last manually operated cable car systems in the world. The braking system is also manually operated. You can take a Single Ride ticket or a Return.

A one-way ride cost me $8. I hopped in the car and experienced being a part of an iconic ride! I got down at Lombard Street and headed to explore the iconic street in the world. Lombard Street is one of the city’s most famous and picturesque landmarks, known primarily for its unique, winding section that has earned it the title of “the crookedest street in the world.” The street is so steep and the curves are so tight that you’ll have a great time making your way up and watching the cars navigate the turns.

From the top of Lombard Street, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. These views, combined with the street’s picturesque design, make it a favorite spot for photographers. I might have clicked tons of picture while I was there.

From there I went to the Golden Gate Viewpoint, the most famous spot, from where you can see the breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Visiting the Golden Gate Viewpoint is an unforgettable experience, offering a quintessential view of San Francisco’s most iconic symbol, all while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Bay Area.

It was a foggy day, so the gate wasn’t clearly visible, and being on a hilltop, the viewpoint was quite windy as well. I’d recommend bringing something warm to help with the chill.

From the viewpoint, I hopped onto a bus and visited the China Town for lunch. A day pass for a Bus costed me just $5!!

San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns in North America. I had visited one in Las Vegas too but this one was much better compared to Vegas. Nestled in the heart of the city, this bustling neighbourhood is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring San Francisco.

For the last day, I had booked a visit to Alcatraz. Known primarily for its notorious federal prison, Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, is one of the city’s most famous and intriguing landmarks. Alcatraz served as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963, housing some of the most infamous criminals in American history. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and participate in self-guided audio tours that provide a glimpse into life inside the prison.

The tour covers the cell blocks, solitary confinement cells, and the exercise yard, along with stories about the prison’s most notorious inmates. Despite the island’s reputation for being inescapable, there were several daring escape attempts. It is said that the prisoner who escaped made a dummy head like shown below and made the escape. They were never found though, leading to ongoing speculation about their fate.

You can easily explore Alcatraz in about 2 hours and then head back to Pier 33. Once back, I hopped on an open-top Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour that started at Fisherman’s Wharf, just a short walk from Pier 39. Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s most popular neighborhood, renowned for its seafood and other culinary delights—a must-visit destination for tourists!

The bus crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, and I have to say, capturing the drive on camera was an incredible experience.

I got off at Union Square and returned to the hostel. In the evening, my Korean roommate and I went out for dinner and stumbled upon a Korean restaurant where I tried ramen for the first time—it was absolutely delicious!

That’s how my three days in San Francisco came to an end. I had an early morning flight, and that dinner marked the last meal of my West Coast journey.

It was an incredible experience overall. I stayed in a hostel for the first time and met some amazing people. My wish to visit Vegas and experience a casino was fulfilled, my dream of taking a picture at the Hollywood Sign came true, and finally, being in and around San Francisco was an absolute delight.

I hope you enjoyed the read.

Cheers!