Your Ultimate List of Things to Do in San Francisco

Welcome to San Francisco! A city of innovators, creatives, free spirits and trailblazers – it’s almost impossible to define. One of California’s most exciting cities, San Francisco has something for everyone. From its dynamic food scene to its vibrant nightlife, its gripping history to its breathtaking natural beauty, San Francisco is overflowing with things to do, places to visit and streets to explore. Discover the very best that San Francisco has to offer with our ultimate to-do list when you find yourself in California’s Golden City.

Top San Francisco Tourist Attractions

San Francisco boasts tourist attractions that are as diverse as the city itself. How many can you tick off?

Golden Gate Bridge

First and foremost, you have to visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Take a scenic drive over the bridge into Sausalito for an experience behind the wheel you’ll never forget. Don’t fancy trying to find parking yourself? Take Golden Gate Transit (routes 30, 70 and 101) from Downtown. All buses stop at the northbound Toll Plaza. From there, you can visit the welcome center for historical information, sign up for a guided walking tour or cycle along the bridge and back.

Extend your day by relaxing on the lawn at Crissy Field or explore the wooded Presidio hills. If you have kids in tow, take them to the House of Air indoor trampoline park, located in an old airplane hangar.
 

Alcatraz Island

While gazing across the bay from the Golden Gate Bridge, you can see Alcatraz Island in the near distance. Even locals agree it's a must-see for any visitor to San Francisco. Best known as a federal penitentiary and setting for a daring escape, Alcatraz was also a Civil War fortress, a bird sanctuary and home to the first west coast lighthouse. The only way to get to the island is by private ferry via Alcatraz Cruises, departing from Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33. Be sure to book well in advance, as tours do sell out.
 

Pier 39

If it's your first time in San Francisco, you have to say hello to the sea lions at Pier 39. They're adorable and a local phenomenon. The sea lions started hanging out in the area in 1989 thanks to the huge number of herring in the area. Ever since, they just can’t stop coming around – much to the delight of locals and tourists alike.

While you're in the neighborhood, browse two levels of dining, shopping, and entertainment – Pier 39 is extremely touristy – and take postcard-perfect photos of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline. Once you get a hankering for some lunch – maybe a hearty bowl of clam chowder – stop by Fisherman's Wharf a few blocks away. 
 

Golden Gate Park

You could spend an entire weekend in Golden Gate Park and still not run out of things to do. The third most visited U.S. park, this attraction includes two museums — de Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences – as well as a botanical garden, the Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden – all well worth a visit.

In between these sites, from ‘the panhandle’ that borders Haight Ashbury down to the Pacific Ocean, you can find grassy meadows, running trails, waterfalls, gardens, lakes and even American bison. 
 

Top Free Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco is an expensive city to live in, but you can still enjoy great music, dancing and plenty more without spending a dime.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

The most widely attended free event in San Francisco takes place in Golden Gate Park every fall. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass offers three full days of roots, Americana, pop, blues, and bluegrass music. Past performers have included Cheap Trick, Duran Duran, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Bela Fleck and Dave Alvin.
 

Fillmore Jazz Festival

Around the Fourth of July weekend, catch the Fillmore Jazz Festival – the west coast's largest free jazz festival. It's always packed with top talent on multiple stages, and you can catch traditional and contemporary jazz, swing and DJ music and browse more than 12 blocks of fine arts and crafts vendors.
 

Stern Grove Festival

One of the highlights of San Francisco's summer entertainment lineup is the Stern Grove Festival, which offers a varied musical palette under Sigmund Stern Grove's eucalyptus trees. On any Sunday afternoon from mid-June through mid-August, relax on a picnic blanket and listen to the San Francisco Symphony, an Afro-pop combo, funk, roots music or classic soul. Hint: Get there early to get a good spot.

San Francisco Mime Troupe

When you're in town, track down the schedule for the San Francisco Mime Troupe, America's oldest street theater group. Founded in 1959, the Troupe performs spy thrillers, musical comedies and political theater – always free of charge and usually in local parks.
 

Top Things to Do with Kids in San Francisco

Beyond the famous attractions, San Francisco is a surprisingly kid-friendly city.

Walt Disney Family Museum

What kid doesn't love Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck? At the Walt Disney Family Museum, you can check out early Disney drawings, cartoons, films and music, as well as learn about Walt Disney himself. Rotating exhibits have included the work of Eyvind Earle, the lead stylist for "Sleeping Beauty" and the concepts that led to "Lady and the Tramp" and "Peter Pan." It also features a spectacular model of Disneyland.

Children's Creativity Museum

Located in SoMa, the Children's Creativity Museum is a hands-on space where children can design clay motion animations, invent a new machine and tackle any number of multimedia projects. Artists and educators staff studios and exhibits, giving your children expert guidance when they need it.

Koret's Children's Playground

Tucked away in Golden Gate Park, you can find the renovated Koret Children's Playground, which stars one of the few remaining old-time carousels. The park also offers plenty of slides, merry-go-rounds and other equipment to keep your kids entertained for hours.
 

Top Things for Couples to Do in San Francisco

One look at the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, the city skyline and the sailboats gliding across the bay and it's easy to see what makes San Francisco one of the country's most romantic cities.

Top of the Mark

Celebrate your arrival at Top of the Mark, located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel in Nob Hill. This elegant lounge offers iconic views in every direction — and it's especially stunning at night.
 

Palace of Fine Arts

Many weddings have taken place at the historic rotunda at the Palace of Fine Arts. Take time to admire its impressive architecture and the swans in the lagoon. It's a popular spot for photos – and proposals.
 

Lands End

No matter where you wander, San Francisco has spectacular views at every turn. Admire one of the best from the trail at Land’s End. From Sutro Park, take the trail to Sutro Baths, where you can explore the historic ruins of what was once an elaborate swim center.

Belden Place

As well as scenic views, San Francisco has no shortage of excellent dining establishments. For a romantic taste of Europe in the heart of the Financial District, visit Belden Place, a narrow alley packed with restaurants and cafés. Stroll through this bustling neighborhood and let yourself be enticed by the sumptuous smells that waft by. If you’re lucky enough to catch San Francisco on a warm day – like in early fall – dine al fresco.

Seaplane Tour

For an adrenaline rush with your significant other, take a seaplane tour of the bay. Seaplane Adventures takes you soaring above the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the San Francisco skyline and the Pacific coast. On the sunset champagne tour, you can see the sights while enjoying a crisp glass of bubbly – just make sure to plan a ride home before hopping on the plane. Seaplane Adventures offers shuttle service from Pier 39. After your flight, enjoy a romantic early dinner in Sausalito before taking a ferry back to the city. It's pricey, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Are you ready for your upcoming trip to San Francisco? Let us know by tagging us on Twitter and telling us what you’re most looking forward to doing in Frisco.