Top Things to Do in San Francisco California
This list of 100 things to do in San Francisco California helps you decide what’s actually worth your vacation time. San Francisco packs iconic landmarks, waterfront neighborhoods, colorful Victorian houses, museums, street art, incredible food, coastal scenery, and plenty of quirky experiences into a compact city that’s fun to explore.
You will find San Francisco’s must-see attractions along with museums, food, outdoor activities, nightlife, shopping, viewpoints, and easy day trips. I’ve also included the experiences that make San Francisco memorable, from walking across the Golden Gate Bridge and touring Alcatraz to riding a cable car, eating dim sum in Chinatown, wandering Haight-Ashbury, and watching the sea lions at Pier 39.
San Francisco at a Glance
Best for: Iconic landmarks, food, neighborhoods, museums, coastal scenery, and city breaks
How many days: 3–4 days; add another day for a day trip
Don’t miss: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars, Chinatown, and Golden Gate Park
Best neighborhood to explore: Chinatown, North Beach, the Mission, or Haight-Ashbury
Best museum: SFMOMA or California Academy of Sciences
Best urban hike: Lands End
Best view: Twin Peaks or Coit Tower
Best classic experience: Ride a cable car
Best food experiences: Dim sum, Mission-style burritos, sourdough, seafood, and Ghirardelli chocolate
Best waterfront area: Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf
Best day trip: Muir Woods, Sausalito, or Napa Valley
Getting around: Walk, Muni, BART, cable cars, and rideshare; a car isn’t necessary for most city sightseeing
Good to know: San Francisco’s hills can make short distances surprisingly tiring, so group attractions by neighborhood
Top 10 Things to Do in San Francisco California
1. Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
2. Tour Alcatraz Island
3. Ride a historic cable car
4. Explore Chinatown and North Beach
5. See the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square
6. Wander through Golden Gate Park
7. Hike the Lands End Coastal Trail
8. See the sea lions at Pier 39 and explore the waterfront
9. Eat a Mission-style burrito and San Francisco sourdough
10. Explore the Mission District murals and Haight-Ashbury
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.
- 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 aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and natural history exhibits.
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 around Blue Heron Lake and see Huntington Falls in Golden Gate Park.
- Hike the Lands End Coastal Trail for Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean views.
- 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 the 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.
- 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, Alamo Square Park, Dolores Park, or the de Young’s Hamon Observation Tower.
San Francisco Festivals and Special Events
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 in 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 in 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.
My Favorite Booking Resources
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- Hostelworld Hostelworld has great inexpensive options.
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Bookmark and Pin 100 Things to Do in San Francisco, a Bucket List City
