Top 12 Things to Do in San Francisco, California
With its iconic bridges, hilly cityscapes and cool coastal climate, San Francisco offers boundless opportunities for exploration and adventure. From the Victorian architecture of Alamo Square to colorful ethnic enclaves like Chinatown and the Mission District, the City by the Bay celebrates diversity at every turn. Outdoor enthusiasts will find sublime vistas and trails in Golden Gate Park and Land’s End. Foodies indulge in Michelin-starred cuisine alongside local favorites like clam chowder in a sourdough bowl. And no trip to San Francisco would be complete without experiencing the sites and sounds of Fisherman’s Wharf, riding a cable car or wandering the legendary halls of Alcatraz prison. This local’s guide covers the top 12 things to see, eat and explore in San Francisco to help travelers make the most of their California escape.
- Stroll Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Recognizable the world over for its vibrant orange towers rising through frequent fog, the Golden Gate Bridge deserves its spot atop any SF to-do list. Walking or cycling across the 1.7-mile suspended span treats you to spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Marin Headlands and Alcatraz Island. Pause halfway over on the span’s pedestrian walkway to gaze back at San Francisco’s dynamic skyline and snap that quintessential bridge selfie. Want a closer look? Book a free walking tour and learn behind-the-scenes facts about the bridge’s 1937 construction from an expert docent. - Wander through Colorful Chinatown
Venture beyond the iconic Dragon’s Gate entrance at Grant Avenue and Bush Street to discover the oldest and most ethnically diverse Chinatown in North America. From eclectic markets stuffed with produce and housewares to bustling alleyways and temples that transport you overseas, each block in this 24 square block neighborhood reveals stunning architectural details, rich heritage and mouthwatering flavors. Shop Chinese groceries and souvenirs, peek in curio shops on Wentworth Place, nibble potstickers and dumplings, slurp bubble teas or take a guided tour uncovering historic hotspots like Old St. Mary’s Cathedral and Pork Chop Alley’s contradiction between violent gangs and posh supper clubs during Prohibition. - Sea Lion Watch at Pier 39
Part shopping destination and part carnival along the water, Pier 39 remains one of San Francisco’s most popular attractions. But the real stars found flopping, barking and soaking up attention here are the famous sea lions. Nearly 700 wild California sea lions took over K-Dock shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and they’ve made the wooden platforms their laidback headquarters ever since. Watch bulls jostle for the best space to nap and bask while pups frolicking in the water steal your heart. Don’t miss this free and lively show steps from dining, street performers and Bay cruises at Fisherman’s Wharf. - Tour Alcatraz Island
Once America’s most feared maximum high-security prison housing mobsters like Al Capone along with other notorious criminals, today Alcatraz Island delivers an intriguing audio tour-led glimpse into lives behind bars from 1934-1963. Accessible only by ferry, plan to spend at least half a day wandering the lonely former cell house, recreation yard, dining hall, officer’s quarters and hospital. Bring a jacket and comfortable shoes to handle the steep climb up from the dock. Early reservations are recommended for Alcatraz tours, although limited same-day tickets may be available at Pier 33. - Photograph the Postcard Row of Victorian Homes
No picture postcard quite captures San Francisco’s charming personality like the iconic Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. The rainbow-hued Gothic and Queen Anne Victorian mansions pictured with downtown’s skyscrapers as their backdrop form one of the most photographed vistas around. Standing across the street at Alamo Square Park along Steiner Street snaps that perfect shot. Stroll around the neighborhood for more impressive architectural eye candy, with many ornate homes built as the city rapidly expanded during the 1890s. - Relax in Golden Gate Park
Over 1,000 acres of vibrant gardens, trails, lakes and recreational facilities encourage you to spend endless leisure time in San Francisco’s version of central park. Several days are easily lost here wandering through native oak groves, sipping tea inside the Japanese garden or meditating in the redwood-shaded National AIDS Memorial Grove. Don’t miss the Conservatory of Flowers’ rainforest architectures, SF Botanical Garden’s global plant diversity, Stow Lake for paddle boating, writings etched on Poet’s Cafe walls, bison roaming near waterfalls in an original buffalo paddock, or Sunday street closures for cars-free biking and skating. - Sample SF’s Favorite Treats
No matter how many hills you hike up or miles logged on foot exploring San Francisco’s sights, there’s always room for the city’s sweet and savory iconic foods. Stop for creamy-rich, kettle-steamed clam chowder served in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl. Queue up at Swensen’s for their famous ginger ice cream creation, the Earthquake. Bite into an Irish coffee-laced Butter Love cake or sticky-sweet triple threat Isadore chocolate truffle at local chain b. patisserie. And for a true taste of SF history, order Tonga Room’s flaming Scorpion Bowl cocktail first innovated here in 1945 to share. - Shop Small on Haight Street
Tracing back to San Francisco’s 1960s counterculture movement, Haight Street today retains its hippie-cool vibe alongside posh boutiques and craft cocktail lounges. Browse vintage clothing stores and second-hand music shops hawking vinyl records between local dives and trendy eateries around Haight and Ashbury streets’ intersection. Grab fortification from Blue Bottle Coffee or Bake Sale Betty before passing by buildings that once housed punk and psychedelic rock legends. Don’t miss seeing the street’s technicolor Victorian facades best viewed on a long, meandering walk downhill towards golden-gated Buena Vista Park. - Head out to Land’s End
Rugged Land’s End stands sentry where the Pacific surf crashes against rocky cliffs, delivering wild ocean vistas and soul-stirring sunsets over the Golden Gate. Follow the Coastal Trail where you’ll smell the salty spray, spot hidden pocket beaches and seals sunning themselves on outcroppings. Pass through cypress and pine groves across the former site of Sutro Baths public saltwater pools for picture-perfect views of Marin Headlands across the strait. Then point your camera toward the iconic shipwreck remains of Sutro Bath’s ruins. Best explored in the afternoon when the fog lifts, Land’s End is the prime spot to inhale nature’s restorative air far removed from the city’s hustle. - Ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon
Pack a picnic lunch or dine al fresco waterside in these two postcard-pretty harbor towns across San Francisco Bay. Ferries departing Pier 41 provide the perfect vantage point for your city skyline selfie before docking in artsy Sausalito to browse galleries, shops and seafood cafes. Or sail to bougie-chic Tiburon near Angel Island State Park and indulge over fine waterside dining, bicycling paths and incredible views of SF framed by the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Either laidback destination makes for an idyllic sunny spring or summer day trip – no car required via sleek catamarans with interiors designed like yachts. - Sing Along on a Cable Car
Clinging tightly to wood-bench grip poles while chugging straight up and over the city’s notoriously steep hills, cable cars deliver breathless views and joy rides around downtown San Francisco. Operating since 1873, cable cars were named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1964 and designated official moving California Historical Landmarks. So playing tourist for an hour while singing along with an enthusiastic gripman on one of the city’s moving icons offers quintessential SF memories. Expect lines to be long, seating tight and ticket prices slightly inflated for the novelty…but the views zooming downhill looking straight out the open sides makes it an unforgettable experience. - Get Lost Down Lombard Street’s Bends
Called “the crookedest street in the world”, Lombard Street’s red brick switchback turns have appeared in chase scenes for numerous Hollywood blockbuster movies. Hidden away on verdant Russian Hill, find your way to Hyde and Lombard’s intersection, then walk down the stairs and pathways to stand at the curved stretch’s bottom. Gaze up in astonishment at the one-way cobblestone street’s eight tight hairpin turns hugging radiant flowerbeds, uniquely designed to slow down 19th century horse-drawn buggies on the crazy 27% grade incline. Spend an afternoon walking Russian Hill’s stair street’s to earn those bay views, appreciating San Francisco’s eccentric engineering marvel from every angle along the way.
Conclusion
With culture around every corner, postcard-worthy vistas and the Pacific at your doorstep, San Francisco delights at every turn. Use this local’s city guide covering the top things to see, do and eat to uncover SF’s most famous landmarks alongside neighborhood gems and classic city experiences unique as San Francisco. Employ the maps, transit tips and itinerary ideas here to effortlessly fill your days exploring the City by the Bay.