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Top Things to Do in San Francisco California
FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in San Francisco will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. San Francisco is well known for the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Painted Ladies, Alcatraz, redwoods, Chinatown, and Haight-Ashbury, but there’s more! Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in San Francisco. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Top 5 Things to Do in San Francisco
- Walk or bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Cruise out to Alcatraz Island and tour the infamous prison.
- Photograph the Painted Ladies, a row of colorful Victorian houses on Steiner Street.
- Take the cable car to the top of Lombard Street then walk your way down.
- Ride the historic F Market streetcar and admire its vibrant vintage designs.
Must Do Attractions and Activities in San Francisco
- Ride the double carousel at Pier 39 and say hello to the famous Pier 39 seals.
- Watch the turning of a cable car at the Powell-Hyde Turntable.
- Check out the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.
- Grab a coffee at Vesuvio Café and explore Jack Kerouac Alley.
- See Chinatown’s ornate temples.
- Wander the streets of North Beach, San Francisco’s Little Italy.
- See the Into the Light Mural at the San Francisco Public Library.
- Attend a concert at the legendary Fillmore.
- Have dinner and a movie at the Foreign Cinema.
- Explore the street art in the Mission District.
- Spend some time in Haight-Ashbury and dream of the Summer of Love.
- Check out the Victorian-style houses in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
- Walk through the Under the Bay tunnels at the Aquarium of the Bay and learn about the Marine life you see.
Best Museums and Art in San Francisco
- Browse American, European, African, Asian, and Oceanic art at the de Young Museum.
- Explore 18,000 ancient and contemporary works at the Asian Art Museum.
- View 20th Century photography, sculpture, paintings, neon installations, and short videos at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
- Learn about the history and technology of San Francisco’s famous cable cars at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum.
- Wander the galleries of the Walt Disney Family Museum.
- Visit the Museum of the African Diaspora, a contemporary art museum of Black cultures.
- Learn about Jewish heritage and culture at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.
- Browse ancient and European art at the Legion of Honor Museum.
- Discover the intriguing history of San Francisco’s cable car system at the Cable Car Museum.
- Learn about Latino culture at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.
- Ride the ferry ride to Angel Island State Park and visit the 1905 Angel Island Immigration Station.
- Take the kids to the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum.
- Have a family day at the California Academy of Sciences enjoying the dinosaurs, rainforest, and aquarium.
Outdoor Activities in San Francisco
- Grab a coffee and walk Lovers’ Lane at the Presidio.
- Stroll through Golden Gate Park and visit the Japanese Tea Garden.
- Wander through Golden Gate Park to the Stow Lake Bridge and Huntington Falls.
- Hike the trails of Lands’ End and check out the Lands’ End Labyrinth.
- Go for a bike ride along the scenic Bay Trail.
- Take a cruise of the bay and enjoy the city skyline.
- Play on the Seward Street Slides.
- Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito.
- Fly a kite and relax on Crissy Field Beach.
- Walk along the Embarcadero waterfront and stop at Pier 7 for sunset.
- Kick back in the Greco-Roman rotunda and colonnades of the Palace of Fine Arts.
- Spend a day in the sun on Ocean Beach.
- Wander through San Francisco Botanical Garden and check out the rare and endangered plants at the Conservatory of Flowers.
- Listen to the Wave Organ, an acoustic sculpture that mimics the sounds of the ocean.
Where to Eat in San Francisco
- Buy a sundae at Ghirardelli’s chocolate fountain.
- Stop and enjoy afternoon tea at the Japanese Tea Garden within Golden Gate Park.
- Stop for clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudin Bakery.
- Enjoy fresh seafood with a view in Fisherman’s Wharf, try Alioto’s or Fog Harbor Fish House.
- Eat a famous Mission-style burrito in the Mission District.
- Enjoy a dim sum feast in Chinatown.
- Treat yourself to artisanal ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery.
- Treat yourself to dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, try Benu, Saison, Quince, or Atelier Crenn.
San Francisco Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Stop by The Ice Cream Bar for an old-fashioned soda fountain cocktail.
- Have a cocktail at the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar and listen to live music on a floating stage.
- Check out the Bourbon & Branch speakeasy and find the Wilson & Wilson Private Detective Agency.
- Enjoy rooftop cocktails at Top of the Mark, The Rooftop at VIA, The View Lounge, or Charmaine’s.
- Spend a night out in the trendy SoMa (South of Market), North Beach or Castro District.
- Dance the night away at DNA Lounge, 1015 Folsom, or Audio Nightclub.
- Catch the Dear San Francisco circus show.
- Have a good laugh during the Punch Line comedy show.
Shopping in San Francisco
- Go shopping for souvenirs at The Cannery and Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Search for vintage treasures at the famous Haight Street Vintage stores.
- Browse the City Lights Bookstore, where the Beatnik Generation began.
- Browse the artisan shops, gourmet markets, and restaurants in the Ferry Building.
- Wander around the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, held T, Th, Sa.
- Browse the Hayes Valley boutiques along Hayes Street.
- Head to Union Square to shop at high-end retailers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel.
Lookouts, View Points and Selfies: Instagrammable Places in San Francisco
- Photograph: Lombard Street, Pier 43 Ferry Arch, Fisherman’s Wharf sign, Columbus Tower, Transatlantic Building, Financial District, Heart Sculptures in Union Square, Golden Fire Hydrant, Painted Ladies, 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, Bay Bridge from the end of Pier 14, Palace of Fine Arts, St. Patrick Church, Cupid’s Span sculpture in Rincon Park.
- Take in the city views from Coit Tower, Twin Peaks Summit, Alamo Square Park, Dolores Park, and the observation deck at Salesforce Tower.
San Francisco Festivals and Special Events
Be sure to check the San Francisco California Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Day Trips and Nearby Attractions
- Spend a day wine tasting in the famous Napa Valley.
- Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and explore the charming town of Sausalito.
- Visit the Point Reyes National Seashore and enjoy the coastal views.
- Walk under ancient redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument.
- Take a day trip to Monterey and Carmel.
Plan your Trip to San Francisco
Why Visit San Francisco
San Francisco had approximately San Francisco almost 22 million visitors last year. People are drawn to San Francisco by its famous Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco is also full of museums, fun attractions and great shopping.
How Many Days in San Francisco is Enough
3 days is San Francisco is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
Is San Francisco Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in San Francisco is low. There is a medium risk of natural disasters, being pickpocketed, or being mugged. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit San Francisco
The best time to visit San Francisco is from September and October. The weather is warm and summer crowds have thinned. The rainy season is from November to March.
How to Get to San Francisco
Several airlines fly nonstop to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). A nonstop flight from JFK to San Francisco is 6.5 hours; nonstop Chicago to San Francisco is 4.5 hours.
How to Get Around San Francisco
San Francisco Airport is 13 miles from the city center. Bay Area Transportation (BART) connects the airport to the city, see a system map here. Ride the SFO AirTrain from any terminal to the BART station. The SamTrans bus is the least expensive airport transportation. Taxi and Uber are also available. Cable cars are a fun way to get around once in the city, check the lines here.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
I stayed at Club Quarters the last time I was in San Francisco. I was traveling with my mom for a girl’s weekend and the hotel hit all the important “mom markers”. It had a restaurant and was close to the hop on hop off bus (mom LOVES hop on/hop off buses).
What Should I Budget for San Francisco
According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel is $222 per person per day. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in San Francisco
Take a day trip to Napa Valley or Sonoma for a romantic wine-tasting experience. Go for a walk in the vineyards, tour wine cellars, and do some tastings together. San Francisco is full of romantic restaurants, great rooftop bars, and places to watch the sunset. Consider a picnic in Alamo Square Park or Golden Gate Park.
Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids
Families with young children will enjoy Pier 39, explore the pier’s shops, visit the Aquarium of the Bay, ride a two-story carousel, watch street performers, and say hello to the famous sea lions. Children may also enjoy the Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, or the Children’s Creativity Museum.
Things to do in San Francisco with Teens
Older children may enjoy exploring the street art in the Mission District, a tour of Haight Ashbury, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, a DIY food tour through Chinatown, or spending a day on the beach.
Visiting More Bucket List Cities?
Check out our curated bucket list city posts with links to must-see destinations and itineraries!
Bookmark and Pin Things to Do in San Francisco California
Plan Your Trip to San Francisco California
San Francisco California Travel Guide
Pick up a San Francisco California Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in San Francisco California Now
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
San Francisco Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!