Ways to spend your first weekend in San Francisco & The Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its elegant architecture, beautiful bridges, and thriving gay culture. Whether you have moved to San Francisco for work or simply to explore everything the city has to offer, there’s so much to see and do in the City by the Bay that you could live here for years and not get to it all!

Blueground’s furnished apartments in Europe, the Middle East, and North America are the easiest way to find a home in a new city. All of our turnkey apartments are laid out by our in-house design team to maximize space and style. Every apartment comes standard with a fully equipped kitchen and a comfortable work-from-home setup. We also include high-tech extras like smart appliances, including a portable Bluetooth speaker, to help you upgrade your lifestyle.When you choose a Blueground apartment you can check in and then head out to explore the city right away, rather than having to spend time and money setting up your new place. Here are just a few ideas for how to spend your first full weekend in San Francisco.

Friday: Dinner and a Movie

The City by the Bay has long inspired filmmakers and storytellers, and there are a number of amazing films and TV shows set here. Pop some popcorn, order in an Asian feast using Chowbus, or cook a full meal in your brand-new kitchen before you fire up your Smart TV for a relaxing movie night.

It’s hard to go wrong with Vertigo, Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful look at a San Francisco society woman who believes she’s being possessed by her deceased great-grandmother. You’ll see famous sites like the Presidio, the former Ernie’s Restaurant, and the old Fairmont Hotel. There are also scenes shot outside of the city that show off Northern California’s epic scenery, including giant redwoods.

Saturday: Life Inside

Get up bright and early to experience one of San Francisco’s most unusual tourist attractions, Alcatraz Island. This small crop of land just over a mile from the city is the site of a decommissioned prison facility that was allegedly impossible to escape. Before the prison closed, it was the temporary residence of famous criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.

To visit Alcatraz, head to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where you can catch a ferry to the island from Pier 33. Park rangers regale visitors with tales from the inside as they guide them through the former prison. (Please note that masks are required) The tour lasts several hours, so be sure to pack a snack or pick up something to eat before boarding the ferry. You can see tour times and buy tickets in advance on the Alcatraz Cruises website.

Sunday: Coffee and Culture

Locals flock to Philz Coffee for the perfect cup of joe, so you owe it to yourself to see what the fuss is about. The original Philz opened in the Mission District in 1978, and now there are branches throughout San Francisco and the South Bay.

Once you’re properly caffeinated head to Telegraph Hill, where San Francisco’s world-famous City Lights bookstore is located. This temple to the written word was co-founded in 1953 by Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and remains one of the city’s most important literary sites. In addition to a truly daunting selection of books, the store hosts events — many of which are virtual at this point, giving you the option to attend in your PJs from your lovely new apartment.

At Blueground, we want all of our guests to feel more like intrepid explorers than mere renters. Our move-in ready apartments in San Francisco and other major cities in Europe, the Middle East, and North America have everything our guests need to feel their best and live life to the fullest. Find out more about the Blueground experience.