3 days in San Francisco

Early in the morning, head to Golden Gate Bridge. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.8 out of 5 across 85,368 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.

Around noon, I make my way to Fort Point National Historic Site. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (4,239 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

After lunch, meet me at Crissy Field, SF. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. 4.7 out of 5 across 6,242 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.

In the morning, it’s Golden Gate Park. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.8 out of 5 across 44,787 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.

Then, it’s San Francisco Botanical Garden. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. 4.8 out of 5 across 8,144 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.

In the afternoon, it’s de Young Museum. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (9,926 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.

To start, I make my way to Exploratorium. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.7 out of 5 across 8,795 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

Late morning, head to Filbert Steps. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. 4.7 out of 5 across 562 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.

Later, meet me at Coit Tower. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.6 out of 5 across 16,103 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.