Jewish Travel Guide to San Francisco

**Overview**
San Francisco, a city famed for its Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and foggy hills, is also home to one of the oldest and most vibrant Jewish communities on the West Coast. Jewish settlers arrived during the Gold Rush of the 1840s and 1850s and quickly established synagogues, cultural institutions and businesses. Today San Francisco’s Jewish population remains active and diverse, with numerous congregations, cultural centers and community organizations.

**Jewish Heritage & Community**
The city’s earliest Jewish congregation is @Congregation Sherith Israel, founded in 1851; its stunning neo‑Byzantine synagogue in Pacific Heights is a historic landmark featuring majestic murals and a soaring dome. Another pillar of the community is @Congregation Emanu-El, whose beautiful sanctuary on Lake Street dates to 1925 and hosts services, music and educational programs. Don’t miss the Contemporary Jewish Museum downtown, with rotating exhibitions exploring Jewish art, history and culture, or the Holocaust Center at the Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) for thoughtful exhibits and survivor testimonies.

**Kosher Dining**
Kosher options in San Francisco are limited but growing. @Sabra Grill in Chinatown offers Mediterranean‑inspired dishes like shawarma, falafel and fresh salads. The kosher bakery Frena in SoMa serves Israeli‑style bourekas, babka and challah, while Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels (in nearby Palo Alto) is popular for breakfast and lunch. For Shabbat supplies, visit Mollie Stone’s Markets or the JCCSF’s café for kosher snacks and deli meats.

**Shabbat & Synagogues**
In addition to @Congregation Sherith Israel and @Congregation Emanu-El, there are several Chabad centers throughout the city: Chabad of Pacific Heights hosts daily minyanim and Shabbat meals; Chabad of Cole Valley welcomes students and young professionals. Conservative and Reconstructionist congregations like Congregation Beth Sholom and Sha’ar Zahav (an inclusive Reform synagogue) offer a range of services and programs. Many synagogues organize home hospitality or communal meals; contact them in advance to arrange Shabbat dinners.

**Must‑See Attractions**
Beyond its Jewish sites, San Francisco offers world‑class attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, the historic ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, and the sprawling collections at the de Young Museum and the Asian Art Museum. Stroll through the Italian cafes of North Beach, explore Victorian architecture in Alamo Square’s “Painted Ladies,” and ride the cable cars for sweeping city views. Golden Gate Park hosts gardens, lakes, and the Conservatory of Flowers, while the Ferry Building Marketplace has artisanal food stalls.

**Travel Tips**
San Francisco’s microclimates mean the weather can change quickly; pack layers and a light jacket even in summer. The city’s hilly streets make comfortable walking shoes a must. Public transportation via Muni buses, the historic F‑Line streetcars and BART trains is reliable; parking can be expensive and scarce. Plan synagogue visits and kosher meals ahead of time, as many venues require reservations. Finally, be sure to carry cash for small businesses and farmers markets.