67 Epic Things to Do in San Francisco (By a Local)

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I’m a longtime San Francisco local, and I believe SF is the best city on the West Coast. To prove it, I’ll walk you through the best things to do in San Francisco. 

I’ll list my top 10 must-do activities, then go over other main attractions, iconic neighborhoods, gorgeous parks, and interesting museums. I’ll also include outdoor recreation, restaurants and bars, sports and entertainment, and seasonal festivals and events. This is my definitive guide on how to make the most of your time in SF.

All items listed here are things I’ve actually done, so you’re getting a true local perspective! And if you’re visiting from out of town, use our guide to where to stay in SF to plan the perfect San Francisco getaway.

Top 10 Best Things to Do in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

Walk, run, or bike across SF’s iconic red bridge.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 921-5858 | Website | Hours: 24/7 daily | Entrance: $9.75 cars, free for foot and bicycle traffic

The most important thing to do in San Francisco is see the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, it’s just a bridge, but it’s the unofficial symbol of San Francisco. 

You can see the bridge from practically any hilly location in the city, but for the best views head to the waterfront. Crissy Field, Baker Beach, and Pier 39 are the best photo spots. For close-up pictures, head to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. You can also run, walk, jog, or bike over the bridge. 

👉 Local Tip: If you didn’t know already, San Francisco has fog. We San Franciscans have lovingly named the fog Karl. Karl appears many evenings about 2 hours before sundown. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge in the late morning or early afternoon so that Karl doesn’t obstruct your view.

Golden Gate Park

It’s like Central Park in New York, but better.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 831-2700 | Website | Hours: sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: free

Golden Gate Park is my absolute favorite place in San Francisco. There are a million things to do, and a lot of it is free! 

Visit the Conservatory of Flowers, the SF Botanical Garden, the Tree Fern Dell, or the Rose Garden to view stunning plant varieties. Taste traditional Japanese treats at the Japanese Tea Garden, or rent a rowboat on gorgeous Blue Heron Lake.

Most of the park’s main attractions are found between Arguello Blvd and 19th Ave. To make the most of your time, check out my ultimate guide to Golden Gate Park.

🚗 How to Get There: Some roads cut through the park, but parking is notoriously tough (especially on weekends). Your best bet is to park on Fulton St. or Lincoln Way and walk in. 

Ferry Building

This historic boat terminal is also an indoor market with artisanal local goods.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 983-8000 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 8 pm daily | Entrance: free

The Ferry Building is one of the oldest buildings in San Francisco. Now, it’s been revamped into a large indoor market. It’s not just for shopping, however. Ferries still depart from the terminal, taking visitors to Angel Island, Sausalito, and beyond. 

Visit the Ferry Building to browse some of San Francisco’s most famous local goods, including fresh seafood, gourmet ice cream, and microbrews. Some of my favorite spots include Hog Island Oyster Co. (for oysters), Gott’s (for burgers), and Cholita Linda (for Latin American food). 

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the Ferry Building is home to a popular farmers’ market with local produce and food trucks. I’d highly recommend the Ferry Building farmers’ market — it’s my favorite one in San Francisco!

Painted Ladies

A postcard-perfect view of San Francisco’s Victorian architecture.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24/7 daily | Entrance: free |👉 Book a Blue Painted Lady House Tour on Viator

The Painted Ladies are the picture-perfect view of San Francisco. These pastel houses were featured in the intro to the popular TV show Full House.

Head to Alamo Square Park for the best view of the Ladies. The houses are a prime example of SF’s Victorian architecture, which has been beautifully preserved throughout the years. 

There isn’t much else to do besides snap photos — they’re real homes, after all, so you can’t just walk inside. However, the owner of the Blue Painted Lady has started to offer house tours! If you want to see inside an iconic Painted Lady, this tour is your best bet. 

Pier 39

A famous pier with a carnival-like atmosphere, fresh seafood, and a harem of seals.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 705-5500 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 10 pm | Entrance: free

There’s something for all ages on Pier 39. It’s a kind of outdoor-mall-slash-amusement-park for tourists, but I have to admit — even I have fun here from time to time.

Visitors can play carnival games, marvel at historic fishing ships, and wander through souvenir shops. Make sure to taste some fresh seafood and snap a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge. Pier 39 is also home to a colony of seals who live there year-round. 

Alcatraz Island

This former high-security prison held criminals like Al Capone.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-4900 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 9 pm | Entrance: $47.95 adult, $29.15 ages 5-11 |👉 Browse Alcatraz Tours on Viator

San Francisco’s notorious criminal past comes alive on Alcatraz Island. Once the most infamous prison in the country, Alcatraz has held the likes of Al Capone and other 20th-century outlaws. 

Today, you can tour the island and see inside the now-defunct prison. Take the ferry from Pier 33 to get there. 

Alcatraz is also the site of a famous Native American resistance movement in 1969, when Indigenous activists occupied the island for nearly 2 years. There’s a great exhibit about it on the island.

Ride a Cable Car

This rare form of public transportation is now only in use in San Francisco.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: $9 adult, $4 senior, free under 4 

San Francisco’s cable cars are an iconic sight. Cable cars used to be a popular form of public transportation, but now San Francisco is the only city that still has traditional cable cars. To ride a cable car is to ride a piece of history. 

There are three main cable car lines. They all run in the neighborhoods of Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, and Union Square. 

You must purchase your ticket before hopping on the cable car. You can buy them at a ticket counter or online through the MuniMobile app. Beware, lines to board the cable cars can be quite long.

👉 Local Tip: San Francisco also has streetcars, which look similar to cable cars. However, streetcars are powered by an overhead wire, while cable cars are powered by an underground wire and manned by an operator on the back.

Boat Tour on the Bay

Boat underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and see San Francisco’s skyline from a new angle.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 9 am – 11 pm | Entrance: $40 – 100 | 👉 Book San Francisco Boat Tours on Viator

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the best way to see San Francisco is from the water. There are a variety of boat tours available, ranging from party sailboats to luxury sunset cruises. 

Most boat tours will take you underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz Island, and over to the Bay Bridge before turning back. It’s a fantastic way to see the highlights of the city and enjoy a beautiful day out on the water. 

No matter what season you visit during, boating on the Bay will be windy. Bring a jacket. 

Giants Game

See the San Francisco Giants play baseball in one of the most beautiful stadiums in the country.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 972-2000 | Website | Tickets: starting at $14 

Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, seeing a Giants game in San Francisco is a must-do. Tickets are usually super affordable, the views are great, and the energy is contagious! 

Baseball games typically happen between April and October.

🚗 How to Get There: Parking by Oracle Park is super tough, so I do not recommend driving. Luckily the stadium sits on several public transportation routes. The easiest way to get there is from Embarcadero station — just take the N line on Muni. 

Mission Dolores Park

This expansive park in the heart of the Mission District is the best spot to have a picnic.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm | Entrance: free

After Golden Gate Park, Mission Dolores is San Francisco’s most popular park. Go to Dolores on any weekend day and you’re bound to see nearly half the city there. 

The energy here is contagious — people picnicking, sunbathing, playing music, or playing sports. While other parts of SF remain shrouded in fog, Dolores seems to be perpetually sunny.

The classic Dolores experience involves picking up a burrito from one of the numerous taquerias across the street, stretching out on a blanket in the sun for a few hours, and thinking to yourself: I should really move to the Mission District.

San Francisco Sites & Attractions

Coit Tower

Climb to the top of this North Beach landmark for panoramic views of San Francisco.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 831-2700 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $10 adult, $7 seniors (62+) and youth (12-17), $3 ages 5-11, free under 4

Looking to stretch your legs? Head over to Coit Tower, in the hilly and historic North Beach neighborhood. 

After climbing 234 steps to the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of San Francisco’s neighborhoods, the Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

There’s parking available near the tower, or you can park in the neighborhood below and walk up the hill. Gorgeous views await either way. 

Lombard Street

Drive or walk down the “crooked-est street in the world.”

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24/7 daily | Entrance: free 

Okay, maybe we exaggerated our credentials a little bit here — Lombard Street isn’t actually the crookedest street in the world. But driving, walking, or simply looking down the twists and turns of Lombard Street is a San Francisco rite of passage. 

It’s a one-way street, so make sure you drive down from the top. Plus, the view from the top is one of the best views of San Francisco.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory

Famed chocolate factory with fantastic ice cream and chocolate tastings.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 447-2846 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 10 pm daily; closed 11 pm on Fri-Sat | Entrance: free

Anyone who’s seen Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory knows that proper caution needs to be exercised when touring an old chocolate factory. Luckily for Ghirardelli, there haven’t been any mysterious disappearances here (yet). 

This chocolate shop isn’t as weird as the one in Willy Wonka. But it’s still a fantastic place to learn more about one of the world’s most beloved dessert companies. It’s equally famous for its ice cream as its chocolate, so be sure to grab a scoop.

Personally, I find Ghirardelli a bit overpriced. If you’re visiting on a budget, you won’t want to spend too much here. 

👉 Local Tip: Can’t make it to the factory? Ghirardelli sells their famous ice cream sundaes at Giants games. You can check off two attractions in one go at the baseball stadium!

Palace of Fine Arts

A Greco-Roman palace set in a well-groomed park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 360-3731 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: free

The Palace of Fine Arts looks like it belongs in a movie set rather than a residential neighborhood of San Francisco. And yet this gorgeous Greco-Roman gazebo is only a stone’s throw from SF’s ritzy Marina neighborhood. 

Take a walk around the Palace, relax on the lawn, or admire the wildlife in the pond. There are several informational plaques detailing the Palace’s role in the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. 

Sometimes the Palace hosts events, so check the website to see what’s on. I usually just bring a snack or coffee and sit in the park, admiring the view.

Japanese Tea Garden

Hidden in Golden Gate Park, this Japanese-style garden has historic architecture, a koi pond, and a teahouse.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 661-1316 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Nov-Feb, 9 am – 6 pm Mar-Oct | Entrance: $16+ adult, $7+ seniors (65+) & youth (12-17), $3+ children ages 5-11, free under 4

The Japanese Tea Garden is one of the best-kept secrets of Golden Gate Park. It has a wonderfully romantic atmosphere, which is why it made my list of the best SF date ideas.

This 5-acre garden has numerous walking paths around koi ponds, Buddhist shrines, colorful pagodas, and Japanese flora and fauna. Visit in spring to see the cherry blossoms in bloom.

Be sure to dine at the teahouse, which serves traditional teas and Japanese snacks in a gorgeous setting outside in the garden. I usually get Jasmine tea, udon, and mochi ice cream.

👉 Free Times: For visitors, entry to the Japanese Tea Garden is free between 9 am and 10 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The gardens are always free for San Francisco residents. 

SF Botanical Garden

A sprawling garden with over 8,000 species of worldwide plants, and a great place to take a relaxing walk. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 661-1316 | Website | Hours: opens 7:30 am daily, closes 5 pm in winter, 6 pm in fall/spring, and 7 pm in summer | Entrance: $18.75 adults, $10.75 seniors 65+ and youth 12-17, $6.75 children 5-11, free under 4 

Wander through plant species from around the world in the San Francisco Botanical Garden, located in Golden Gate Park. 

Plants are sorted geographically in landscapes like the “Andean Cloud Forest” or “Temperate Asia.” There are also thematic landscapes, like the picturesque “Moon Viewing Garden” or the “Ancient Plants” area. 

👉 Free Times: Entry to the SF Botanical Gardens is free from 7:30 – 9 am daily. There is all-day free entry on the second Tuesday of each month, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. The gardens are always free for SF residents. 

City Lights Bookstore

Beat writers once gathered at this iconic independent bookstore in North Beach.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 362-8193 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: free

City Lights Bookstore is a staple of San Francisco’s historic North Beach neighborhood. The three-floor bookstore opened in 1953 and was a gathering place for writers such as Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, and Allen Ginsberg. 

Visit City Lights to learn more about its involvement in the Beat movement and to support its continued existence as a fully independent publishing house.

Twin Peaks

A hilly viewpoint offering 360-degree views of San Francisco (and my personal favorite sunset spot).

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 831-2700 | Website | Hours: 5 am – midnight | Entrance: free

San Francisco’s best angle is the view from Twin Peaks. Located almost in the exact center of the city, this large hill gives you views over the distant downtown, the residential neighborhoods, the forested hills of Mt. Sutro, and the Golden Gate Bridge. 

To experience the most of the Twin Peaks magic, visit just before sunset. Market Street begins to light up, the downtown starts to twinkle, the Golden Gate Bridge is illuminated a bright orange, and the fog begins to roll in over the hills. It’s my favorite view of the city. 

👉 Local Tip: You’ll need a car to drive up to the top. I would not recommend walking unless you’re prepared for a full-on hike.

SF Zoo

Visit over 2,000 animals in this spacious zoo right on the Pacific Ocean.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 753-7080 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $29-31 adult, $24-26 senior (65+), $20-22 children 2-11, free under 2 

The zoo is actually one of the only places in San Francisco I haven’t been to, but I’m told it’s pretty spectacular. How many other zoos are located right on the beach? 

Over 2,000 rescued, exotic, or endangered species live at the SF Zoo. There’s also a petting zoo, carousel, and steam train for younger visitors.

Opera House

This magnificent Renaissance-style theater in Civic Center is dedicated to opera and ballet performances.

📍 Google Maps | SF Ballet Website & SF Opera Website | Box Office Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon, 10 am – 6 pm Tues-Fri | Tickets: $28+ 

I’m an undercover ballet fan even though I’ve never danced in my life, so I’ve gone to many shows at the Opera House over the years. Seeing The Nutcracker is one of my favorite winter activities in SF.

Tickets are often surprisingly affordable, starting at around $30 for upper balcony seats.

💰 Budget Deal: Sometimes the Opera House will release $10 standing-room-only tickets a few hours before the show. It’s still a pretty good view! 

Angel Island

Hike, bike, or swim at this natural island in the San Francisco Bay.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 435-1915 | Website | Hours: sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: $31 adult, $16 senior (65+) & youth (4-18), free under 4

Want an island escape just 30 minutes from the city? Head out to Angel Island State Park.

To get there, you’ll need to take a ferry from the Ferry Building. It costs $30 for a round-trip ticket, which includes your entrance fee to the state park. 

Once you’re there, you can hike, rent a bike, visit museums, or dine at the Angel Island Café. Angel Island is even home to some of the best campgrounds in San Francisco, so why not spend the night? 

Go Car Tour

Drive a go-kart around town! This tour lets you visit all of SF’s major attractions at your own pace, with GPS navigation and audio commentary along the way. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 441-5695 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Fri, 10 am – 6 pm Sat & Sun | Tickets: Range from $99 – $399 | 👉 Book your San Francisco GoCar Tour on Viator 

I’ve seen tons of people driving these little yellow Go Cars around town, and I have to admit — it looks so fun. The cars can seat 2 people and come equipped with a GPS screen and audio commentary. It’s a super unique way to tour the city at your own pace. 

Choose from different tours lasting 1 – 2 hours, like the Chinatown loop, the Golden Gate Bridge loop, or the Painted Ladies and Haight-Ashbury loop. You can also do a full-day tour.

Iconic SF Neighborhoods and Streets

For more, see my full guide to San Francisco’s neighborhoods.

Chinatown

Visit the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Chinatown Culinary Tour on Viator

Step into Chinatown, and it feels like you’re in a completely different city. I seriously love exploring this neighborhood and can’t recommend it enough. 

The historic neighborhood is the largest of its kind outside of Asia, and it’s home to delicious restaurants, colorful pagodas, intriguing museums, and a fantastic Lunar New Year parade.

The best thing to do in Chinatown is eat, eat, eat. Famous restaurants like House of Nanking or Sam Wo are always popular, but pretty much any place you go will have great food. Better yet, combine food and history with this Chinatown culinary tour. 

Fisherman’s Wharf

San Francisco’s waterfront is the most touristy neighborhood in the city.

📍 Google Maps

Yes, Fisherman’s Wharf is a tourist trap. Yes, a lot of the food and activities there are overpriced. But should you still go? Absolutely. 

Fisherman’s Wharf is home to iconic Pier 39 and the colony of seals. But the neighborhood also has Golden Gate Bridge views, old fishing boats, and cool historic WWII ships in the harbor. 

Visiting Fisherman’s Wharf is like visiting the Louvre in Paris — except much, much less classy. It’s going to be crowded and expensive, but you really have to do it at least once. 

And while we may not have the Mona Lisa, we used to have a guy who dressed up as a bush and scared tourists (RIP Bushman). So you tell me what’s more fun. 

🌳 A Local Legend: The story of Bushman is actually crazy. He began dressing as a bush in 1980 and scaring tourists along Fisherman’s Wharf. He eventually took on an apprentice, and the two worked in tandem for years, until one day they split and became rival Bushmen. Both have unfortunately passed away now, but the legend of Bushman lives on at the Wharf. 

Haight-Ashbury

The cultural epicenter of the 1967 Summer of Love.

📍 Google Maps 

Any fans of 1960s counterculture, Haight-Ashbury is for you. This small neighborhood rose to fame during the Summer of Love, when thousands flocked here to spread hippie culture, anti-war sentiment, and psychedelic experimentation. 

I always take family and friends to Haight Street. It’s the best place for record stores, thrift shops, quirky art and souvenirs, and cheap eats. You can also see the houses where Janis Joplin and the members of the Grateful Dead lived.

North Beach

San Francisco’s Little Italy has great food and even better nightlife.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse North Beach Tours on Viator 

Despite its name, North Beach has no beach. But it does have fantastic Italian food, fascinating history, and great nightlife. It’s one of my personal favorite neighborhoods, and it’s a must-see.

North Beach comes alive at night, with historic bars, live music, and speakeasies drawing crowds both young and old. Most of the action is on Columbus Ave and Grant Ave.

Castro District

This colorful neighborhood is the historic home of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community.

📍 Google Maps 

The Castro is San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ hotspot. The main street is Castro Street, where you’ll find popular gay bars, rainbow crosswalks, quirky shops, and the famous Castro Theater. 

Pay a visit to the GLBT Historic Museum to learn more about gay history, or go to a drag brunch to watch a performance.

Valencia Street, Mission District

The Mission District’s main drag is one of the coolest hangouts in the city.

📍 Google Maps 

Valencia Street has it all — unique local stores, cool clothing and vintage shops, top-tier dining, gorgeous homes, AND a pedestrian-only zone on certain summer weekends. 

The Mission is home to a large Hispanic population, so definitely get some Mexican or Central American food while you’re here. Iconic spots include Panchita’s Pupuseria and La Taqueria, but personally I’m partial to Taqueria El Buen Sabor. 

Valencia is also home to some of my favorite bars and clubs, so it’s a great spot for a night out. While some parts of the Mission get a bit dicey after dark, Valencia Street is well-trafficked and typically safe.

📚 Read Next: Is San Francisco safe?

Clement Street, Richmond District

Don’t be fooled by the quiet neighborhood — this street knows how to have fun.

📍 Google Maps 

Real San Francisco locals love Clement Street. It’s far away from the hustle and bustle of the touristy areas, but there’s still a nice amount of bakeries, breweries, and bars to entertain ourselves with. Plus, it’s a secret hotspot for some of the best restaurants in San Francisco, like Burma Superstar, Breadbelly, and Lily. 

Good news! The Richmond District is flat — no hills. Wander at your leisure and don’t worry about breaking a sweat. 

Divisadero Street

NoPa’s best street to bar hop, dine, and dance.

📍 Google Maps 

Divisadero Street is super long, but the most popular part is a 7-block stretch between McAllister and Haight. If you’re seeking out food or drink in an easily walkable environment, Divisadero is for you. 

Here, you’ll find breezy coffee shops, local restaurants, no-frills diners, live music venues, trendy cocktail bars, and more. Divisadero is beloved by all ages, but it’s cemented itself as a favorite among the 20s-30s crowd. 

The Embarcadero

Walk downtown San Francisco’s shoreline on this long promenade, passing piers, museums, and the Ferry Building. 

📍 Google Maps 

Whenever I want to go on a long walk or run, I head to the Embarcadero. Because it’s on the city’s Bay side, it’s usually a sunnier waterfront option than the coastal walks out by the Pacific Ocean! 

You’ll pass by the iconic Ferry Building and WWII-era ships like the SS Jeremiah O’Brien. Pop in for a bite to eat at one of the waterfront restaurants, or listen to one of the street musicians performing nearby.

San Francisco Parks

Alamo Square Park

An iconic park with a picture-perfect view.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 218-0259 | Website | Hours: 5 am – midnight | Entrance: free

Alamo Square Park is my favorite place to sit in San Francisco. I truly never get tired of this view. 

Alamo Square Park is the best place to view the Painted Ladies, so there are a few tourists here and there. However, it never feels crowded, and there’s always plenty of space to lounge. Grab a coffee at the coffee truck, play a match on the tennis court, or just sit back and enjoy the view. 

Alta Plaza Park

A small hilltop park in Pac Heights with distant views over the water.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 831-5500 | Website | Hours: 5 am – midnight | Entrance: free 

Alta Plaza Park is small but mighty. It’s a popular hangout spot for locals, and it has fantastic panoramic views over the city and the ocean. 

Alta Plaza is much less crowded than other popular parks in the city, and it’s a nice option for a peaceful afternoon. Trees provide plenty of shade, and there are tennis courts and a playground for kids.

The Presidio

This huge park right by the Golden Gate Bridge has countless things to do.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-4323 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

The Presidio is so much more than a park. It has restaurants, museums, beaches, hiking trails, campgrounds, and even a bowling alley — all inside the park boundaries. 

My favorite memory at the Presidio is meeting Brandi Chastain, one of the most famous soccer players in the women’s game. The new women’s soccer team in San Francisco, Bay FC, held their launch party at the Presidio. There was live music, food trucks, and tons of famous athletes! 

Washington Square Park

This local favorite park is the center of the action in the North Beach neighborhood. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 831-2700 | Website | Hours: 5 am – midnight | Entrance: free 

Upon first glance, Washington Square Park is small and rather unimpressive compared to other landmark parks. I didn’t fully appreciate its beauty until I started spending more time in North Beach. And now, I get it. 

Washington Square Park is a place to just chill. There are always people having birthday parties, throwing a frisbee, playing live music, or doing art. It’s somehow always sunny and warm, even though it’s close to the ocean. And it’s home to charming festivals, events, and movie nights in the summer.

Fort Mason

This waterfront park has a huge grassy lawn, popular for parties.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-4700 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 10 pm | Entrance: free

Fort Mason is a gorgeous waterfront park in the lively Marina neighborhood. The park is a popular spot to host parties because it’s one of the rare flat spaces in a city of hills.

Because it’s right on the water, Fort Mason can get breezy. Even if it’s sunny, bring a jacket.

On weekends, a typical Fort Mason crowd will be pretty diverse. Look to your right and see families enjoying a picnic. Look to your left and see recently graduated college students playing drinking games. It makes for excellent people-watching. 

Sunset Dunes Park

San Francisco’s newest park is a 2-mile pedestrian walking and biking zone on the beach. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free 

In 2025, the road formerly known as the Great Highway shut down and became a pedestrian-only park called Sunset Dunes. And if you want a juicy bit of local gossip, turning a road into a park was somehow one of the most controversial political acts in recent SF history. Google it!

Here, you can bike, walk, jog, rollerblade, or skateboard right next to the Pacific Ocean. My favorite part is the little activities along the way — including hammocks, reclining chairs, a child-friendly skate park, and sculpture art.

Museums & Culture

For more, see my full list of San Francisco’s best museums.

Legion of Honor

This European art museum houses 4,000 years of art on a bluff overlooking the Pacific.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 750-3600 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:15 pm Tues-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: $20 adult, $17 senior (65+), $11 student, free under 18 

The Legion of Honor focuses on European art, with permanent collections including impressionist works, Rodin sculptures, ancient art, and more. Plus, the location can’t be beat — walk 10 feet from the entrance and you’re met with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate Bridge. 

I’ve been to the Legion of Honor countless times, and each time I’m blown away. Go on Saturdays to catch the free organ concert at 4 pm. 

👉 Locals Only: The Legion of Honor is free to all Bay Area residents every Saturday. 

The Exploratorium

An interactive science museum filled with hands-on activities for all ages.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 528-4444 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat; 12 pm – 5 pm Sun; Closed Mon | Entrance: $39.95 adult; $29.95 youth (4-17), senior (65+), student (18+), teacher, disabled 

The Exploratorium is equally fun for kids as it is for adults. This science-driven museum goes above and beyond to curate an engaging, exciting, and imaginative environment. 

Want to avoid the crowds? Visit from 6-10 pm on Thursdays for their After Dark special exhibitions, available to the 18+ crowd. No kids allowed. I’ve been, and it rocks.

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

This place has everything: abstract political paintings, colorful light installations, sensory art, a 30-ft moss wall, and more.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 357-4000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Fri-Tues, 12-8 pm Thurs, closed Wed | Entrance: $30 adult, $25 senior (65+), $23 ages 19-24, free under 18 

Sometimes modern art is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, politically fraught depiction of an artist’s emotions. Other times it is a banana duct-taped to a wall (here’s looking at you, Maurizio Cattelan). 

You’ll encounter both at the San Francisco MOMA. Even though the focus is modern art, there are both new and old pieces on display here. 

Works by Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O’Keeffe sit next to more up-and-coming artists from around the world. It’s a stunning space well worth a visit when you’re in SF’s downtown. 

California Academy of Sciences

This museum dedicated to the natural sciences has a planetarium, indoor rainforest, aquarium, and rooftop garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 379-8000 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, 11 am – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: $49+ adult; $45+ youth (13-18); $39+ youth (3-12); free under 3

The California Academy of Sciences is my personal favorite museum in San Francisco. Yes, it’s educational, but it’s incredibly engaging. It also happens to be in a gorgeous setting, right in the middle of Golden Gate Park. 

Highlights include the living roof, the three-level rainforest ecosystem, the planetarium, and the aquarium. Adults should go on Thursday nights for their weekly NightLife cocktail party, available to the 21+ crowd. 

💰 Budget deal: Want to save cash? First, check out our guide on how to do SF on a budget. Next, purchase the San Francisco CityPASS. With it, you can visit the Academy of Sciences and do a boat cruise on the Bay, plus two more attractions. Choose from the SF Zoo, the MOMA, the Exploratorium, and more. Visit all 4 attractions for nearly half the total cost! 

De Young Museum

A fine arts museum located in Golden Gate Park, complete with a café and sculpture garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 750-3600 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:15 pm daily | Entrance: $20 adult, $17 senior (65+), $11 student, free under 18

The de Young is also in Golden Gate Park, right across from the Academy of Sciences. Here, you’ll find a wide range of styles. Permanent collections include African art, Oceanic art, and art from the Americas. 

Don’t miss heading up to the observation tower for gorgeous views of Golden Gate Park. After, stroll through the artsy garden and grab a bite to eat at the café.

👉 Locals Only: The de Young is free to all Bay Area residents every Saturday. 

Outdoor Activities in SF

For more, see my list of the best hikes in San Francisco.

Lands End Lookout

The best sunset spot for views over the Pacific Ocean.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 415-426-5240 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: free

Lands End looks out from the cliffs of San Francisco over the Pacific Ocean. But the Sutro Baths are what make this spot unique. Those are the ruins of an old public bathhouse now embedded into the hilly San Francisco landscape. 

A trip to this Outer Richmond viewpoint will take you through years of San Francisco history, architectural ruins, and native flora and fauna. Enjoy walking paths with gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge, or just find a spot to sit and watch the sunset. 

Batteries to Bluffs Trail

An easy hiking trail that leads you to some of the best views of the Golden Gate.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: sunrise – sunset | Entrance: free

This gorgeous out-and-back trail is one of the easiest hikes in the city, but that doesn’t make the view any less rewarding. The trail snakes along coastal bluffs the whole time, with constant views over the ocean and the distant Marin Headlands. 

It’s less than 1 mile long, but there are a lot of stairs. Wear good walking shoes.

Kayak on the Bay

Rent a kayak and explore downtown SF from a different angle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 294-1050 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 3 pm Sat-Sun; Closed Mon-Fri | Entrance: $36 for 1 hour, $55 for 2 hours, $72 for 3 hours

Looking for a unique way to see the city? Try renting a kayak and paddling around the Bay. The water is usually super calm, and you can cruise by major landmarks like the Giants Stadium and the Ferry Building. 

We rented kayaks through City Kayak and had an excellent time. If you’re not confident on a kayak, don’t fret. City Kayak also offers group tours and guided beginner paddles. 

Ocean Beach

Long, sprawling beach on the Pacific Coast popular for walks, jogs, bonfires, and the occasional surf.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-3000 | Website | Hours: 24/7 | Entrance: free

Ocean Beach is a 3.5-mile stretch of sand separating San Francisco from the Pacific Ocean. It’s my personal favorite sunset spot, running spot, dog-walking spot, and hangout spot. 

If you’re envisioning a sunny Southern California beach, think again. The water here is pretty cold, so it’s not your best bet for a swim. There’s a nasty riptide, and guidelines strongly discourage swimming or even wading. 

You may see a few surfers heading out into the big waves. Best to leave it to the experts — this is not a beginner beach. But on a day with a big swell, it’s great fun to watch!

Baker Beach

My favorite beach in the city has close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-3000 | Website | Hours: 24/7 | Entrance: free

On a sunny day, head to Baker! This beach is more protected from the wind and waves than Ocean Beach is, so it’s a great spot for suntanning or lounging. However, be very careful around the water. The NPS advises against swimming because of strong riptides and currents. 

The beach is only a mile long, but there’s plenty of space to spread out. Plus, you get a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Crissy Field Beach

Plan a picnic at one of the best kitesurfing spots in San Francisco, with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free 

Crissy Field is a popular spot for beach picnics, taking a quick dip, and kitesurfing. It’s known as one of the best kitesurfing spots in the country.

Because Crissy is still exposed to the ocean’s strong currents and riptides, exercise caution when getting into the ocean. However, you can splash around close to shore relatively safely. It’s generally considered safer than Ocean Beach or Baker Beach.

There’s a group that does a 7 am cold plunge at Crissy Field every Friday morning. I’ve gone a few times and loved it. Check it out!

Aquatic Park

Now THIS is where you swim in San Francisco.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

Aquatic Park is home to a gorgeous grassy park, a swimming cove, historic fishing boats, and the nationally-acclaimed Maritime Museum. 

If you’re looking to go swimming in San Francisco, Aquatic Cove is your best bet. The small cove is separated from the Bay by several large piers, which block the waves and create calm waters perfect for swimming, paddle-boarding, or kayaking. There’s also a small sandy beach.  

Marin Headlands

Just 20 minutes outside of San Francisco, this is the best place to hike for spectacular coastal views, rugged bluffs, hidden beaches, and a historic lighthouse. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $9.75 to cross the Golden Gate Bridge 

Anytime my friends or family visit San Francisco, I take them to the Marin Headlands. It’s the best spot for scenic views over San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean. 

There are tons of hiking trails here, but my favorites include the ones to Slackers Hill, Engagement Hill, Tennessee Valley, Kirby Cove, and the Point Bonita Lighthouse. 

Kirby Cove

Hike to a secluded beach with the absolute best views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Better yet, stay overnight at the campground! 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-4700 | Website | Entrance: free, $40 for overnight camping 

Kirby Cove is probably one of my top 5 favorite places in the Bay Area. The beach has incredible views, perfect swimming waves, picnic tables right on the water, and one of San Francisco’s best campgrounds. 

Getting to Kirby can be difficult (which is one of the reasons that the beach is never too crowded). The gates to Kirby Cove remain locked, and only vehicles with a valid camping permit are given the code. If not camping, you can still access Kirby Cove — but you’ll need to hike about 25 minutes down a steep road.

Food, Drink, and Dance

For more, see my full list of the best San Francisco bars and restaurants.

Tupelo

This North Beach bar has weekly live music, affordable drinks, and a good dance floor.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 981-9177 | Website | Hours: 2 pm – 2 am Mon-Thu, 1 pm – 2 am Fri, 10 am – 2 am Sat & Sun | Entrance: $10 weekends after 11 pm

Like live music and cheap drinks? Go to Tupelo, one of SF’s liveliest bars.

This is my go-to bar in North Beach. The food and drinks aren’t anything super special, but the atmosphere can’t be beat. Nightly events range from live bands to DJs to open mic nights, and there’s something on 7 days a week.

Hog Island Oyster Co.

This local restaurant is the place to get seafood in the Bay Area.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 391-7117 | Website | Hours: 11:30 am – 8 pm Mon-Thu, 11 am – 8 pm Fri-Sun | Price Range: $10-30

You can’t visit San Francisco and not try some of the city’s seafood. And if you’re going to go anywhere, make it Hog Island.

This local haunt became famous for its Sweetwater oyster, a rich, plump, buttery variety that practically melts in your mouth. It’s a great place to dine in — the restaurant is right in the Ferry Building, with outdoor seating overlooking the water. 

Fort Point Brewing Co.

San Francisco’s most popular craft brewery has taprooms in the Mission District and the Ferry Building.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 361-7001 | Website | Hours: Opens daily at 12 pm. Closes 8 pm Sun, 9 pm Mon & Tues, 10 pm Wed & Thurs, 11 pm Fri & Sat | Price Range: $5-15 

Fort Point beer is brewed right here in San Francisco, and it’s quickly become a staple of the city’s brewery scene. There are two taprooms: one in the Mission, and one in the Ferry Building. I prefer the Mission. It stays open later, has more food options, and draws a more local crowd. 

Fort Point Brewing specializes in ales, pilsners, and IPAs. Its flagship KSA Kölsch Style Ale has even been voted into the Northern California Beer Hall of Fame. So yeah, it’s worth a visit. 

Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club

Get a front-row seat for excellent live jazz while munching on dim sum and creative cocktails in this cozy underground lounge.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 384-9365 | Website | Hours: 6:45-10:15 pm Wed-Thurs, 5:45 pm – midnight Fri-Sat, 5:45 pm – 9:15 pm Sun, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: $15

Mr. Tipple’s is my #1 local recommendation in San Francisco. I love this place. It is worth every penny I spend here. 

This jazz club draws talented local performers from the SF Jazz Center next door as well as artists from around the globe. Music is paired with craft cocktails and delicious dim sum offerings like dumplings, bao, and clay pot rice bowls. 

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

The best pizza in San Francisco is at Tony’s in North Beach.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 835-9888 | Website | Hours: Opens noon daily; closes 9:30 pm Mon-Tues, 10 pm Wed-Thurs, 11 pm Fri-Sat, 10:30 pm Sun | Price Range: $8-30

Tony’s Pizza is famous among locals and visitors alike. Head chef Tony Gemignani is a 13-time World Pizza Champion, and he’s San Francisco’s most beloved pizzaiolo. 

Tony’s Pizza showcases nine regional styles of pizza, like Neapolitan, California, Sicilian, New York, and Detroit. Dine indoors or grab a quick bite to eat at their to-go window. Be prepared for a 20-minute wait time, at least.

Sports & Entertainment

For more on live music, see my guide to San Francisco’s best music venues.

Warriors Game

Watch the 6-time Champions at a basketball game right in downtown SF.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 479-4667 | Website | Season: October – June | Tickets: $100+

The Golden State Warriors are San Francisco’s pride and joy, winning 4 different NBA championships since 2015. We’ve been spoiled at this point, and we now expect the Warriors to be successful every season. Lucky for us, they usually are. 

While you can usually score cheap tickets to a baseball game, watching the Warriors play will be significantly more expensive. You’ll be hard-pressed to find tickets under $100 for a game. 

Men’s basketball season is typically from October to June.

Valkyries Game

Watch basketball in the summer with San Francisco’s brand-new WNBA team. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 479-4667 | Website | Season: June – September | Tickets: $60+

The Valkyries are a new professional women’s basketball team playing in the WNBA. They’ve quickly become a huge hit and regularly sell out games! 

The Valkyries play at Chase Center, just like the Warriors. Seats are pricey, but typically a bit cheaper than Warriors tickets. Wear your purple and black to cheer on the Valks between June and September.

👉 Local Tip: The Valkyries have a standing room only section, where you can get tickets for as low as $29! 

Golden Gate Theater

One of San Francisco’s off-Broadway venues, this historic art deco theater hosts musicals and more. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 746-1799 | Website | Tickets: Typically start at $30

The Golden Gate Theater is one of San Francisco’s premier theaters. I’ve seen a number of shows here, like Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the Carol King musical, Beautiful. 

We always pair a show at the Golden Gate Theater with dinner at Montesacro, one of my favorite SF restaurants just a block away.

Orpheum Theater

San Francisco’s best performing arts venue, in my opinion. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 746-1799 | Website | Tickets: Typically start at $60

The stage at the Orpheum is a little bigger than the Golden Gate Theater, making it the perfect venue to host large-scale musicals. Many of the biggest shows from Broadway have been held here, including Wicked, Hamilton, and Les Mis. 

Both the Orpheum Theater and the Golden Gate Theater are run by BroadwaySF. The main difference? Tickets at the Orpheum tend to be a little pricier. 

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

This is SF’s biggest music venue, hosting many of the best acts in rock, pop, and EDM. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (510) 548-3010 | Website | Tickets: Typically start at $70

Bill Graham is one of the largest concert venues in the city. It’s a huge, cavernous space, with a giant pit on the floor for dancing and tons of balcony seating up above. 

When a big artist visits San Francisco, chances are they’re performing at Bill Graham. I’ve seen Lorde, The 1975, and Disclosure here (among others). Bill Graham is particularly renowned for EDM concerts, as it has a spectacular lighting and special effects setup.

Seasonal Festivals and Events

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival

Like Coachella, but cooler.

📍 Google Maps | Website | When: second weekend of August | Tickets: $226+ 

⚠️ Closure Note: This attraction is temporarily closed.

Every August, Golden Gate Park turns into a huge festival ground for the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. The 3-day festival has 4 different main stages, with previous headliners including Green Day, Radiohead, and even Paul McCartney. 

Come for the music, but stay for all the other festivities. Wander through different “lands” dedicated to beer, wine, and weed. It’s one of the best times to visit San Francisco… if you can deal with the crowds, the noise, and the traffic.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

A completely free 3-day festival for bluegrass, country, folk, and roots music.

📍 Google Maps | Website | When: first weekend of October | Entrance: free

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass also takes place in Golden Gate Park, but it’s calmer, quieter, and less trafficked than Outside Lands. Most festival-goers bring picnic blankets to sit down in the meadows, picnic, and listen to the music. And have I mentioned it’s free? 

As the name suggests, the main genre is bluegrass, but there’s quite a lot more than that. Past lineups have included artists like Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons), Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Charley Crockett, and Robert Plant. 

SF Pride

The last weekend in June celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with DJs, drag performances, and a parade.

📍 Google Maps | Website | When: last weekend in June | Entrance: free

San Francisco is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the world, so it makes sense that the whole city turns out for the Pride festival.

Civic Center hosts the main event: several stages of live performers, pop-up tents from activist groups, and a huge parade down Market Street. But other neighborhoods are just as lively. Mission Dolores Park is alive with music, dancing, drag performances, food, and drink. Gay bars in the Castro are packed, particularly at night. 

Bay to Breakers

San Francisco’s weirdest fun run goes from one end of the city to the other.

🌐 Website | When: third weekend in May | Entrance: $66 

If you happen to visit San Francisco during Bay to Breakers and you don’t know what’s going on, you would think the entire city’s gone mad. Hordes of people walk and run down the streets wearing tutus, chicken suits, inflatable dinosaur costumes, roller skates, wigs, and more.

Yes, it’s a 12k race, but it’s so much more than that. Everyone dresses up in crazy costumes, half the participants are drunk, people are blasting music out of apartment windows, and the whole city’s in party mode. I can’t recommend it enough. 

Fleet Week

The Blue Angels take to the skies in this dramatic weeklong air show.

🌐 Website | When: usually second week of October | Entrance: free 

If you live in San Francisco, Fleet Week can be slightly terrifying. For example, I was in a Zoom meeting for work when all of a sudden a military fighter jet roared by at full speed, shaking my entire apartment. 

For anyone interested in aviation, Fleet Week is super cool. For those of us who may not be so interested in aviation, Fleet Week is another excuse to gather on rooftops, head to the nearest park, or take a fun boat cruise and celebrate in style. What exactly are we celebrating? Uh… planes? Yeah, planes! 

Portola Festival

This EDM-centered festival draws a 21+ crowd for 4 stages of DJ sets.

📍 Google Maps | Website | When: last weekend in September | Entrance: $325

Portola Festival is new to San Francisco’s festival scene. It made its debut in 2022. However, it’s proven it’s here to stay. 

The 2-day festival mainly centers on EDM artists and DJs. Previous artists on the lineup include Rüfüs Du Sol, Fred again.., Charli XCX, Disclosure, the Chemical Brothers, and more.

Want More? Listen to My San Francisco Podcast Episode!

If you liked this post, you’ll love my San Francisco episode on the Travel Lemming Podcast. It’s available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts (just search “Travel Lemming San Francsico”). 

I talk about my favorite things to do in San Francisco at minute mark 05:15. 

The host, Betty, and I also discussed where to stay in San Francisco (13:48) the best day trips from SF (09:47), safety in San Francisco (10:49), why more people should visit San Francisco (02:49) and all the other common questions about travel to San Francisco. 

Download now and remember to listen to the entire episode before you arrive in San Francisco.

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That concludes my picks for what to do in San Francisco! Enjoy our City by the Bay. 

Trying to figure out how to fit all of this into your trip? Check out my 3-day SF itinerary for my fool-proof plan to experience the best of this incredible city.