San Francisco is a large coastal city in Northern California known for iconic attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Historically, It has been the center of the hippie counterculture and the home of technology start-ups.
San Francisco, known as “The City by the Bay” has become synonymous with diverse neighborhoods, an outstanding authentic food scene, and great weather much of the year, making it a perfect destination for bachelorette parties. This vibrant city offers many activities and is also the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of the rest of the northern California region.
Here’s our ultimate San Francisco bachelorette party guide with the best activities, brunch spots, picturesque locations, hidden gems, and more!
Highly Recommend Hotels In San Francisco For A Bachelorette Party Guide
San Francisco has many diverse and eclectic neighborhoods that each have their own unique vibe. From the popular shopping and hotel district of Union Square to the Italian-influenced North Beach and trendy The Castro, there are so many places and accommodation options to enjoy in the city by the Bay.
Luckily, we have narrowed down the best accommodation options to suit all preferences, budgets, and locations. These are ten of the top-rated hotels in San Francisco.
Luxury San Francisco Hotels
- JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square – Close to the Museum of Modern Art, this luxurious hotel has a terrace, a garden, and an onsite restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Omni San Francisco Hotel – This hotel offers a 24-hour gym, an American cuisine restaurant, and cycling. Guests can enjoy premium bedding and home comforts in the spacious rooms.
- The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco – A 336-room luxury hotel near Union Square. This five-star hotel allows you to relax in style with two restaurants serving Californian cuisine and even designer stores onsite.
- The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco – A historic boutique hotel that is close to the SHN Curran Theatre with a restaurant and rooms with city views.
Mid-range San Francisco Hotels
- Hotel Via – This hotel features an impressive rooftop bar with a 360-degree view of Oracle Park, making it the perfect location to enjoy a basketball game.
- Timbri Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton – Enjoy a stay at this vibrant and stylish hotel near Orient Park. The onsite restaurant offers a happy hour and free in-room Wi-Fi. The Timbri also offers suites that can sleep multiple guests – perfect for a larger group.
- San Francisco Marriott Marquis – This large hotel has an arty interior and amazing views, as well as a garden and two onsite restaurants. Some rooms also have balconies and city views.
Budget San Francisco Hotels
- Stanford Court San Francisco – This four-star hotel is close to the Cable Car Museum and offers premium comfort in its 400 rooms. Also, enjoy free bicycle rentals to explore the city.
- Argonaut Hotel – This quirky yet modern hotel near Ghirardelli Square has an onsite seafood restaurant with al fresco dining, a spa and bike rentals.
- citizenM San Francisco Union Square – This exceptional hotel near Union Square has a 24-hour gym, onsite restaurant and complimentary coffee/tea in the lobby.
Top Things To Do On A San Francisco Bachelorette Party
From the famous landmarks and world-known attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco is a popular tourist destination for visitors worldwide, but it has so much more to offer. From world-class dining and day trips to Napa Valley to boutique shopping, there are so many fun things to do in the city by the Bay that you may struggle to fit it all in just a few days!
From riding the cable cars to seeing the sea lions at Pier 39 and discovering your new favorite restaurants, here are ten must-do things on a San Francisco bachelorette party weekend.
1) Bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge
If the Golden Gate Bridge is on the bride’s bucket list, but you want a more original way to get close to this impressive structure, then what better way than to ride across the bridge on bikes.
You can rent bikes from bike shops in the city (some hotels also offer bike rentals – that are free in some cases) and cycle the 1.7 miles across the bridge – stopping to take those all-important Instagram snaps along the way. You can then explore the charming town of Sausalito on the other side. This is a great way to spend a day or afternoon – bonus tip: your photos will look even better at sunset!
2) Say hi to sea lions at Pier 39
Spending an afternoon wandering around Pier 39 and nearby Fisherman’s Wharf with restaurants, dessert stands, street performers, and shopping is easy. Still, the highlight is the sea lions who relax and play in the sunshine on the floating docks.
3) Enjoy the view/sunset from Twin Peaks
San Francisco can be expensive, but here’s something you can do that’s absolutely free. At 922 ft in elevation, these peaks offer unparalleled views of the Bay Area. Seeing the city’s lights after sunset is a spectacular sight. You can get here by driving, taking the bus, or on a short, steep hike.
4) Indulge in a Napa Winery tour
California is world-renowned for its wines – 90% of the wine consumed in the United States is from California and a trip to San Francisco, especially for a bachelorette party, wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of this fine wine.
Napa Valley is just over an hour away from the city, the home of Californian wine, and many of the wineries have wine-tasting tours on offer. Plenty of tour companies offer winery tours, including transportation to and from the wineries.
5) Ride the iconic cable cars
The cable cars in San Francisco are the last manually operated cable cars in the world and have been ferrying passengers around the city since 1873, so it’s the perfect way to get around the city over the hills and pretend you and your crew are in a movie.
6) Gaze in awe at Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, home to the giant sequoia trees that everyone should see at least once. Take a hike amongst these giants of nature and marvel at their 250 ft tall size. If time isn’t on your side, you can still see these impressive trees closer to the city at Muir Woods National Monument.
7) Explore the Golden Gate Park
San Francisco has many public parks and green spaces for you to enjoy, the largest being Golden Gate Park, which is a whopping one acre in area. Take a free guided tour to learn about the park, relax in this lush environment, and stroll to the beautiful Japanese Tea Garden.
8) Go thrift shopping
Due to San Francisco’s diverse history and importance in the hippie counterculture, it has become a superb place to browse vintage, thrift, and boutique one-of-a-kind stores. Head to neighborhoods such as Haight-Ashbury for the best places to spend an afternoon shopping and trying on great outfits.
9) Hike in Lands End
Take the Lands End trail for hiking options with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean.
10) Sunset at Baker Beach
For the most iconic Golden Gate Bridge photos with your bridal group, head to Baker Beach to watch the sunset. It can get crowded because locals love it just as much as tourists, but head there early, bring a picnic and you may even be lucky enough to see some dolphins!
Best Tours In San Francisco For A Bachelorette Party
San Francisco offers many fun tours that explore different neighborhoods, take you to the water to see the incredible sights, and visit natural wonders.
For a bachelorette party, here are some great tour options.
- Experience the best of San Francisco on this one-hour waterfront cruise. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island as you learn about the city’s fascinating history from audio commentary available in 16 languages.
- Alcatraz Island with 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus – This combined tour offers a visit to Alcatraz Island, a panoramic sunset tour, a Chinatown walking tour, and a two-day open-top bus pass so you can see all of San Francisco’s main sights at your leisure.
- Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip – Take this five-hour trip to see famous redwood trees and have free time in Sausalito to shop and sightsee, accompanied by a professional guide.
- Enjoy spectacular views any time of year on this two-hour cruise around the Bay. Sail past Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, and under the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying sunset or city light views.
- Discover California wine country and giant redwoods on this guided day tour. Taste wine from three different wineries in Napa and Sonoma and take in the sweeping views across the valleys.
Best Restaurants In San Francisco For A Bachelorette Party
San Francisco is a paradise for foodies and has a really diverse food scene, so everyone in your party will be able to find a restaurant they love. San Francisco is a food lovers dream from the freshest seafood, fine dining, farm-to-fork, and a whole host of award-winning international cuisines, not to mention 28 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Here are our suggestions for ten of the best restaurants in San Diego for bachelorette parties.
- Foreign Cinema – For a unique dining experience in a romantic and truly San Francisco setting, head to Foreign Cinema. This restaurant/outdoor cinema combines Californian and Mediterranean cuisines, and the chefs often collaborate with guest chefs. A dinner at Foreign Cinema really is a special treat for the bride-to-be.
- Plow – For classic farm-to-table food, wine, and a great breakfast, visit Plow on 18th Street.
- Elena’s Mexican – For classic Mexican food with a Californian twist in a stylish yet homely setting.
- Dalida – This restaurant in Presidio offers beautiful Eastern Mediterranean dishes and is the perfect place to enjoy hand-crafted meze dishes and laughs with your group of girls.
- Nisei – Combining Japanese-American flavors and Californian ingredients, Nisei is a James Beard Award-winning and Michelin Star fine dining restaurant in Russian Hill. Although pricier, their tasting menu is perfect for a special occasion.
- Zuni Cafe – With menus inspired by the changing seasons and a commitment to sustainable produce, Zuni is a classy corner café with a rich heritage and bustling, friendly vibe.
- Lazy Bear – For a fun, inventive dining experience with a difference, head to Lazy Bear with your bachelorette group. ‘Tickets’ for the 2.5-hour multi-course tasting menu are released in advance on the 1st of each month, so get in there early to secure your group’s spot. Expect a truly San Francisco dinner party experience.
- Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – Founded by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani and using the finest local and Italian ingredients, enjoy some of the world’s best pizza in San Francisco.
- Shanghai Dumpling King – For great dumplings in a relaxed atmosphere at an even better price, head to Duboce Triangle.
- Z & Y Restaurant – To taste authentic Szechuan Chinese food, head to this award-winning Michelin-recommended restaurant in the heart of Chinatown.
Best Bars In San Francisco For A Bachelorette Party
San Francisco has a vibrant nightlife scene; from breweries and wineries serving unique craft beers and California’s best wine to hipster warehouse bars and award-winning nightclubs with some of the best DJs around, there’s something to do every night of the week.
From our local experience, here are ten of the best bars in San Francisco for bachelorette parties.
- Audio – Winner of the best-sounding nightclub in San Francisco with cutting-edge lighting and sound technology and an incredible roster of events, this is THE place to dance the night away.
- San Francisco Brewing Company – An innovative craft brewery with an outdoor beer garden. Find seasonal house-made beers and experimental brews along with beautiful cocktails.
- Pacific Cocktail Haven – If cocktails are your thing, this lively bar near Union Square is the perfect setting for a great night with your girls. Expect hand-crafted cocktails inspired by Asian Pacific ingredients in a welcoming atmosphere.
- Trick Dog – This cool converted warehouse in the Mission District offers a vast selection of craft cocktails with classic San Francisco hipster vibes.
- Temple Nightclub – This stylish multi-room nightclub on Howard Street has rooftop views and an interactive dancefloor and hosts some of the biggest music acts.
- Anina – This island-inspired bar is fun yet classy and inviting, offers an outdoor patio and can host private events. It’s the perfect place to sip on a punch bowl in the sun.
- Club Fugazi – Head to Club Fugazi on Green Street for a night of live theatre in a historic venue. The shows often feature a mix of acrobatics, music, dancing and storytelling.
- Buena Vista Cafe – The Buena Vista has been credited for bringing Irish coffee to the United States, so it would be rude not to sample a cup at this San Francisco icon.
- Pandora Karaoke & Bar – For an evening of guaranteed laughs with your girls, head to Pandora. You also have the option to reserve a private room just for your group.
- The Rumpus Room – In a vintage-style “dive-deco” interior, enjoy happy hour from 2-5pm at this affordable and quirky bar.
How To Get To San Francisco
San Francisco is the ideal destination for a bachelorette party as it’s easily accessible by direct flight from all over the United States and abroad. You can reach New York City in just over six hours and about 1.5 hours from Los Angeles. The international airport is also a central hub for United Airlines.
It may be worth renting a car once you get there if you want to do more day trips, but if you prefer to take these day trips as tours, your tour company will arrange transport in and out of the city. In the city, most major attractions are walkable from the main accommodation areas. Uber is readily available, too, but it’s worth taking advantage of the bus, cable car, and ferry network.
Best Time Of Year For A San Francisco Bachelorette Party
California is famous for its great year-round weather, so there isn’t a bad time to visit San Francisco.
If you want to take advantage of the sunny and warm weather with fewer crowds, the fall (September to November) is an ideal time to visit.
Be sure to bring plenty of layers, though, as it can get foggy and the weather changes rapidly.
San Francisco Bachelorette Party Ultimate Guide Wrap Up
I hope you’ve found this San Francisco bachelorette party guide helpful. If you have questions about San Francisco or tips for our readers, please comment below!
If you’re interested in visiting other areas in this beautiful state, you can explore all our California articles for inspiration or our US bachelorette party guide for other party destination ideas.
We hope this article has inspired you to go on a San Francisco bachelorette party trip! If you have questions about a San Francisco bachelorette party or tips to share with our readers, please leave them in the comments below.
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