Bay Area

Travel Guide

North Beach featuring cycling and street scenes
California State Capitol featuring heritage architecture
Hakone Gardens featuring a park
South of Market which includes cbd, a city and skyline
Bay Area featuring city views

The Bay Area has one of the most iconic cities in the U.S., as well as cutting-edge universities, acclaimed vineyards and stunning state parks.

Stride out across the Golden Gate Bridge, which crosses the entrance to San Francisco Bay and gaze out across the Bay Area stretching out in front of you. The artistic, energetic city of San Francisco is just one of the many attractions of this region, which encompasses other trendy cities and breathtaking natural wonders.

Follow the story of the region in the Oakland Museum of California, a multifaceted museum that charts the history of the Golden State from its Native American communities to 21st-century technological innovation. The museum also contains galleries dedicated to art and natural history.

Start your journey through the Bay Area in San Francisco, a city of world-famous landmarks and lesser-known delights. Bring your camera for photos of the winding roads of Lombard Street, the haunting prison tour on Alcatraz Island and the barking sea lions of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Beyond these popular spots, however, ‘Frisco promises even more to see. City Lights Bookstore is famed for its connection to beat poetry, while the collection in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is broad and exciting. Hop between countless museums and stroll through botanic gardens in Golden Gate Park. Lose the crowds on the windswept bluffs of the Presidio.

The East Bay is the home of legendary educational establishments. Wander around the campus of the famously progressive Berkeley University or visit the museums at the University of Richmond.

Tour the prestigious vineyards of Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Sip on acclaimed vintages in famous destinations such as To Kalon Vineyard and Chateau Montelena Winery.

Stand in awe of the redwoods of the Muir Woods in Marin County, which is located on the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The county also features Mount Tamalpais State Park, a popular destination for hiking and views of the city.

Busy international airports in San Jose and San Francisco make the Bay Area easily accessible from around the U.S. and beyond. The fall months between September and November offer warm temperatures and fewer crowds in the region’s more famous attractions.

Where to stay in Bay Area

Union Square which includes a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(287 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
Default Image

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(52 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Warfield Theatre and Golden Gate Theatre are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf featuring a bay or harbour

Fisherman's Wharf

5/5(4 area reviews)

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and The Cannery at Del Monte Square.

Fisherman's Wharf
South of Market which includes cbd, a city and skyline

South of Market

3.5/5(113 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from SOMA Pilipinas to San Francisco Mint – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

South of Market
Default Image

Downtown San Jose

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Jose. You can visit top attractions like SAP Center at San Jose and San Pedro Square, and jump on the metro at Santa Clara Station or St James Station to see more of the city.

Downtown San Jose
Nob Hill showing a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4.5/5(78 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St San Francisco CA
The price is €103 per night from 23 Dec to 24 Dec
€103
23 Dec - 24 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,020 reviews)
Best ever thank you

Reviewed on 17 Nov 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is €114 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
€114
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,871 reviews)
thank you!

Reviewed on 24 Nov 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
The price is €133 per night from 10 Dec to 11 Dec
€133
10 Dec - 11 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (7,121 reviews)
Room was spotless, the bed was comfy, breakfast was abundant.

Reviewed on 23 Nov 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coral Reef Inn & Suites

Coral Reef Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
400 Park St Alameda CA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
6.8/10 (2,857 reviews)
I like it

Reviewed on 20 Nov 2025

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara

Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara

4 out of 5
588 El Camino Real Santa Clara CA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Santa Clara. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions SAP Center at San Jose ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (54 reviews)
The place was as advertised and in a great location.

Reviewed on 22 Nov 2025

Kasa University-Airport Santa Clara
Cozy 2BR, Totally Private Suite With Parking, Convenient Public Transit

Cozy 2BR, Totally Private Suite With Parking, Convenient Public Transit

SF CA
Stay at this apartment in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Golden Gate Park and Ocean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (163 reviews)
Awesome host!! The location was on point and apartment was cozy. It was just a lil musty (might have been due to the rainy weather), but it fit our needs.

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2025

Cozy 2BR, Totally Private Suite With Parking, Convenient Public Transit
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do