California Cool: Your San Francisco Cultural To-Do List
For centuries, people have come to San Francisco to start new lives and shake things up. With this San Francisco cultural guide, you can follow in their footsteps…
There are loads of iconic San Francisco landmarks on everyone’s must-visit list, and we’re all for that. But our San Francisco cultural guide is all about uncovering the tales, monuments and cool little secrets that make this place tick.
So get ready to dive into the heart of American counterculture, literary legends and social movements with our whirlwind tour through some of the city’s quirkier spots.
Where the Beats hung out
First stop on our cultural road trip is North Beach, a neighbourhood made famous by the Beat Generation. This charming spot was the birthplace of a literary revolution back in the mid-20th century. Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and so many more were part of it.
Right at its core is the City Lights Bookstore, one of the coolest independent bookstores San Francisco has. It was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti. As well as a place to buy books, it was a publishing house and where poets, writers and deep thinkers hung out.
It’s still open today, so you can soak up the atmosphere, attend literary events and pick up some books to read on your trip.
When you’re in the neighbourhood, you’ve got to drop into Tosca Café. A favourite among the Beat Poets, it’s been a magnet for famous faces for over a century.
Hunter S. Thompson regularly wrote his SF Examiner column in one of the corner booths, Francis Ford Coppola once cooked up an Italian feast at the bar and our very own Bono reportedly did a 4am singalong to Pavarotti there.
Image courtesy of City Lights Bookstore, San Francisco
Relive the Summer of Love
Next up in our San Francisco cultural guide is the incredible Haight-Ashbury hippie history. Back in ‘67, this was the beating heart of the Summer of Love, drawing in thousands of people seeking peace, love and a whole new way to live.
Music legends like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin called these colourful streets home and you can still feel their energy in the vibrant Victorian houses, quirky independent shops and beautiful murals.
The Counterculture Museum gives a great overview of the social justice movements that started here, while the self-proclaimed tie-dye emporium Love on Haight will help you look the part. Music lovers will need to block off a couple of hours for a visit to Amoeba Music to browse endless rows of vinyl in a converted bowling alley.
Open since 1919, Pork Store Café is one of the best places in the neighbourhood to have breakfast or lunch. And you never know, some of your favourite 1960s musicians might just’ve dined in that very same spot!
Image courtesy of Love on Haight
A proud LGBTQ+ story
Our journey continues into the Castro, a neighbourhood famous the world over for its LGBTQ+ rights and activism. The Castro LGBT history is deeply woven into San Francisco’s story, representing years of struggles, strength and huge victories.
This lively district was home to Harvey Milk, one of California’s first openly gay elected officials and his inspiring legacy lives on.
The GLBT Historical Society Museum is a must-visit when you’re in the area. It’s the first stand-alone museum dedicated to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender history in the United States. Its fascinating exhibits can help you understand a little more about the community’s journey and their wider impact on the world.
As you might imagine, there are also one or two gay bars in the neighbourhood! Twin Peaks Tavern is a historic spot, the Lookout is famous for drag brunches and Beaux is fantastic for a proper dance.
If you’re looking for a place to stay for the night in the Castro, family-owned Beck’s Motor Lodge is an iconic place to catch some z’s.
Step through the Dragon’s Gate
No San Francisco cultural guide would be complete without a trip to Chinatown! It’s one of the oldest Chinese communities outside of Asia and one of the best neighbourhoods in San Francisco.
Step through the Dragon’s Gate and you’re transported to a bustling area full of lively markets and historic temples. Founded in 1852, the Tin How Temple is the oldest Taoist temple in the United States and its ceiling is covered in hundreds of glowing lanterns and prayer slips. It’s still a place of active worship, so be respectful if you do visit.
San Francisco Chinatown is also the birthplace of the fortune cookie. Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and see first-hand how these iconic treats are made.
Speaking of food, you’ve got to grab a meal when you’re here. China Live is a busy modern food hall with lots of tasty dishes. Or if you want to have a real treat, make a booking at the Michelin-starred Mister Jiu’s.
San Francisco is a place where art meets activism and the results can change the world
Getting Gonzo with Hunter S. Thompson
Do you like the wild and unconventional side of San Francisco? Then you might just have Hunter S. Thompson to thank.
This left-field literary legend basically invented Gonzo journalism and he wrote some of his most memorable books at 318 Parnassus Avenue, on the edge of Haight-Ashbury. His old house isn’t a tourist attraction, but it’s certainly worth a walk past if you’re a fan.
If you haven’t had your fill of Hunter S Thompson yet, stroll through Golden Gate Park to Seal Rock Inn. This is where he reportedly wrote his famous Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72. Grab or a drink or stay the night – ask for Room 305 and you’ll be in the very spot everyone’s favourite Gonzo journalist stayed.
Beyond the city with a Yosemite escape
San Francisco is an incredible city and one of the best things about it is how close it is to natural wonders like Yosemite National Park.
The majestic granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, the peaceful Yosemite Valley and the giant sequoias have inspired lots of artists, writers and environmentalists, making it more than worthy of a spot on our San Francisco cultural guide.
Rent a car and the trip will take you a little over three hours from San Francisco, or go with public transport and ride the Amtrak. It’ll take longer, but the journey’s half the fun, right?
For an unforgettable experience, you could stay for a couple of nights at The Ahwahnee, a historic and luxurious lodge that blends in with its natural surroundings. Or if you’re looking for somewhere more central, the Yosemite Valley Lodge is the perfect base for exploring.
