Skip These 5 SF Spots: What San Francisco Locals Wish Tourists Knew Before Visiting

San Francisco is one of those cities that looks amazing in photos: the Golden Gate Bridge glowing orange against fog, cable cars climbing impossible hills, Victorian homes painted in pastels.

And then you arrive, fight for parking at Fisherman's Wharf, wait in a long line to drive down a famous crooked street, and wonder if you missed something.

You didn't. You just hit a few spots that work better as postcard backdrops than actual experiences.

Here's what San Francisco locals wish tourists knew before planning a trip—plus what to do instead if you want a day that feels more "lived in SF" and less "survived the crowds."

1. Fisherman's Wharf (unless you're there for sea lions)

Why it disappoints: This is the poster child for "famous but not good." Overpriced seafood that tastes reheated, souvenir shops selling the same Golden Gate Bridge keychains, and parking that costs more than lunch.

What locals say: "It's a theme park version of San Francisco," one resident put it. Another: "If you want clam chowder in a bread bowl, you can get better ones in literally any neighborhood."

The one exception? The sea lions at Pier 39. They're loud, photogenic, and genuinely entertaining—especially if you catch them mid-afternoon when they're at their most active.

Better alternative: Head to the Ferry Building Marketplace instead. Real food vendors, better bay views, and you can actually walk without dodging selfie sticks.

2. Lombard Street (the "crooked" one)

Why it disappoints: Yes, it's crooked. Yes, it's been in movies. But once you're actually there, it's just a residential street with eight tight turns, a line of cars waiting to drive it, and homeowners who look tired of the whole thing.

Bonus local fact: Lombard isn't even the most crooked street in San Francisco. That title goes to Vermont Street (between 20th and 22nd), which has more curves and way fewer tourists.

What locals say: "It's fine to look at from the bottom, take a photo, and move on. Driving it is a waste of time unless you really, really need the Instagram proof."

Better alternative: Walk Vermont Street if you want the "crooked street" experience without the circus. Or just admire SF's hills from literally anywhere else—they're everywhere.

3. Union Square (for shopping)

Why it disappoints: If you're visiting San Francisco to shop at Macy's, Sephora, and the Cheesecake Factory, you probably have those stores back home. Union Square used to be THE downtown hub, but in recent years it's seen multiple store closures, and locals describe it as feeling less vibrant than it once was.

What locals say: "It's just a mall. Nothing special." Another resident noted that it's become "crowded, dirty, and not worth the detour unless you need a specific high-end store."

The area can still be useful if you're staying nearby or need a restroom, but most San Franciscans don't go out of their way to spend time there anymore.

Better alternative: Check out the shops in Hayes Valley or the Mission for local boutiques, better coffee, and a neighborhood vibe that actually feels like San Francisco.

4. Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge

Why it disappoints: The bridge itself is stunning—that's not up for debate. But walking across it is a different story.

Here's what tourists expect: a breezy, cinematic stroll with panoramic bay views and the sound of waves below.

Here's what you actually get: 40 minutes of loud traffic (112,000+ cars cross daily), strong wind, and a realization that the bridge looks way better from a distance.

What locals say: "Bring earplugs if you insist on walking it," one local advised. Another: "Driving across is easier and honestly better. The walk is overrated unless someone in your group is really set on it."

Better alternative: Bike across instead (faster, less exhausting), or just view it from Battery Spencer on the Marin side for one of the best photo ops in the city.

5. Haight-Ashbury (if you're expecting 1960s vibes)

Why it disappoints: Haight-Ashbury is famous for being the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement—the Summer of Love, flower power, free concerts in Golden Gate Park.

That energy is long gone. Today, it's mostly vintage clothing stores (expensive ones), smoke shops, and a lot of tourists looking for a vibe that doesn't really exist anymore.

What locals say: "It peaked 50 years ago. The murals are cool, but there's not much to do here." Another resident: "It's fine for a quick walk, but if you're expecting hippie culture, you'll be disappointed."

The historic significance is real, and the colorful buildings are still Instagram-worthy. But as an actual destination? Most locals say it's overhyped.

Better alternative: Spend time in the Mission District instead—better street art, better food, and a neighborhood culture that's actually thriving in 2026.

What is worth doing in San Francisco?

If you're crossing off the "overrated" list, here are five things locals actually recommend:

• Alcatraz: Book ahead, but it's genuinely fascinating and worth the ferry ride.
• Golden Gate Park: Huge, beautiful, and full of hidden corners (Japanese Tea Garden, bison paddock, etc.).
• The Mission murals: Incredible street art, especially along Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley.
• Ferry Building + Embarcadero walk: Real food, real views, and you can walk to the waterfront without the Wharf chaos.
• Lands End Trail: Coastal hiking with Golden Gate views and way fewer people.

Final take: San Francisco is better off the postcard

The overrated spots aren't bad—they're just overcrowded, overpriced, or overhyped. If you've already got them on your itinerary, you don't have to delete everything. Just lower your expectations, spend less time there, and leave room for the places that feel more "real SF."

Because the best parts of San Francisco aren't the ones that show up on every travel blog. They're the bakery in the Outer Sunset, the bookstore in North Beach, the view from Twin Peaks at sunset when the fog rolls in.

That's the San Francisco locals want you to see—and the one that's actually worth the trip.