This is a list of the seven best views in and of San Francisco. This list is my own personal list from my time spent living in this gorgeous city.
7. California Street
Fist of all California is a gorgeous, vibrant street that is a lifeline in the city. From California Street you can see all of downtown area, the Bay Bridge, and many other buildings and monuments. The best part about this street is you can take in all the amazing views and scenery from the California Street Cable Car. The cable cars run all up and down California Street giving you sweeping views of the city, wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and many more.
6. Coit Tower
Coit Tower is a fantastic view! You get sweeping views of the city, gorgeous views of the Ferry Building, and you get the Golden Gate Bridge nestled in the background. Although this view is not free, the the small fortune of $8 to get to the top is definitely worth it!
Pro Tip: If you don't feel like paying the $8 you can just go to the parking lot which has gorgeous views as well, but nowhere near the grandeur of the top.
5. Fort Point
Fort Point is a pretty amazing place. It used to be a military fortification used from the times of the gold rush all the way to WWII for protecting the California and the Bay Area from Naval attacks. However, now it it used to protect people against harsh winds as a tourist attraction and gorgeous lookout. The fort is directly under the Golden Gate Bridge, so you can see how long and expansive the bridge actually is (1.2 miles to be exact.)
Pro Tip: This place is a local surf spot, so at sunset you can see many surfers all waiting to catch a wave right under the Golden Gate Bridge.
4. Lands End/ Sutro Baths
This place is simply gorgeous! It is one of my favorite places in SF and the world. This whole area used to be a famous bath house back in the day complete with salt water swimming pools, an amphitheater, and an ice skating rink. Unfortunately, in 1967 it burned down and today there are only ruins. But these ruins are amazing. You can hike down through the paths to the bottom of the trail to find a myriad of options to choose from. You can walk along the ruins and rocks to the far side of the beach near the Cliff House, you can explore a cave with a secret inlet, or go left and climb to the top of a look out to see the Golden Gate Bridge.
Pro tip: Sometimes when the tide is really low, you can actually walk all the way around to the Sutro Baths from nearby Ocean Beach.
3. Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is by far the best view of the actual city part of SF, you can see street along Market Street all the way to the Bay Bridge. It offers remarkable views of all downtown, SoMa, Castro, Mission and many more parts of the city and even Oakland. If you come at night, all the buildings are wonderfully lit up and everything glows in bath of sparkling lights.
Pro Tip: Dress warm because it is notoriously windy.
2. Grandview Park
Grandview is one of my absolute favorite views of the city and in my opinion is better than Twin Peaks for two reasons. Number One being you can see way more nature and parts of the city, Number Two is that sunsets here are absolutely stunning. Firstly you can see ALL of Golden Gate Park, most of downtown, Lands End, Ocean Beach and the Pacific Ocean, and you're directly in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Additionally sunsets here are amazing, everything is showered in a bath of warm, inviting sunlight. It blankets the whole city in a haze of gold and then turns into one of the most beautiful sky's you have ever seen.
Pro Tip: Bring a hammock to string up in between trees here, it worth all the effort.
1. Marin Headlands
This is by the THE BEST VIEW OF SF! You have a quick drive across the bridge to get to the Headlands and it is well worth the pilgrimage. In addition, you see Grandview Park, Twin Peaks and Fort Point which is another reason why this is the best. You can literally see everything, the entire city is laid out in front of you like miniaturized map. You can see the Bay Bridge, all of downtown, the wharf, The Presidio, see ALL of Golden Gate Park cutting through the city, Lands End, China Beach, Baker Beach, and even Ocean Beach and parts of Daly City. When you're at the Marin Headlands the whole city seems energetic and alive; you really can take in how phenomenal, minuscule and beautiful this city really is.
Pro Tip: COME FOR SUNRISE