World-famous for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is an ace trip destination, winning the hearts of locals and visitors with iconic landmarks, stunning city skyline views, and diverse culture.
With so many things to see in San Francisco, it may be a bugger to decide which activities to do during a certain amount of time. But don't worry; you'll be rapt to know that we've curated a list of 10 things to do in San Francisco so you can experience the city to the fullest!
Why You Shouldn't Miss San Francisco
With lovely sights and destinations, you're sure to leave your heart in San Francisco!
Tourists dream of visiting San Francisco landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, Painted Ladies, Alcatraz Island, and more, each contributing to its allure as a cultural melting pot.
San Francisco's diversity extends to spots like Chinatown and Little Italy, where you can sightsee and indulge in all kinds of bonzer cuisines. And being home to several Michelin-starred restaurants, one of the best things to do in San Francisco is eat!
Aside from food trips, you can visit unique museums and dynamic city tours to feed your never-ending excitement and discovery.
And with the San Francisco Card Explorer Pass, you'll be able to choose from over 30 attractions and set the schedule at your own pace without waiting in line to pay for tickets! Your Explorer Pass also includes Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, bike rentals, and museum visits that will guide you through what to see in San Francisco.
Give it a burl with these 10 things to do in San Francisco:
- San Francisco Grand City Tour
- Alcatraz Island and City Tour
- Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Tour
- San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise
- California Academy of Sciences
- Napa Valley and Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tour
- The Walt Disney Family Museum
- Oracle Park
- Legion of Honor
- Haight-Ashbury
1. San Francisco Grand City Tour
An essential stop for every tourist: the Golden Gate Bridge! Credits to @jybaek on Unsplash
Still unsure about what to do in San Francisco? We reckon you should give the San Francisco Grand City Tour a go, so you can see the famous historic sites in a fun and immersive way!
All you have to do is hop aboard a comfortable bus and enjoy the ride as you soak in the breathtaking city views and impressive landmark architecture while learning about San Francisco's origins and culture.
The bus will stop at key locations like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, where you can take postcard-worthy photos against the San Francisco Bay and even cross the bridge to explore Marin County, where Muir Woods and Sausalito are located.
You can opt for the full-day combination tour to take a look around Muir Woods, where you'll find giant 1,000-year-old Redwood trees. You'll also stop by Sausalito, a Mediterranean-inspired coastal town with art galleries, restaurants, and scenic views.
If you're looking to tee up another full-day adventure of catching beautiful landscapes and touring big cities and small towns, you can see more of California with a San Francisco roadtrip to San Diego!
Locations: Lands End Beach, Sutro Baths, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, 1445 McAllister Street, North Beach, Presidio Tunnel Tops, Alcatraz Island, Pacific Ocean
Cost: 105.69 AUD
Operating Hours: 8:40 to 13:00
2. Alcatraz Island and City Tour
This unassuming island used to hold some of the most notorious criminals! Credits to @rodi01 on Unsplash
In San Francisco, things to do include exploring the heaps of popular attractions. You can visit them on the Alcatraz Island and City Tour, which begins with a comfortable coach outing around the city with lots of cultural and scenic stops!
You can check out places like Chinatown, one of the oldest and biggest of its kind in the United States; North Beach or Little Italy, known for its traditional Italian cafes and restaurants; and historic landmarks like Washington Square Park and St. Peter and Paul Church.
You'll also be stopping by historic spots like the Civic Center, home to the famous City Hall, the War Memorial Opera House, the Asian Art Museum, and more!
Next, the tour takes you to Twin Peaks, where you can witness unmatched views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge—equally enchanting during sunrise and sunset! You'll also see corker ocean views at the Sutro Baths, formerly the world's largest indoor swimming pool in the 19th century.
After that, you're set to leave the city on a ferry to Alcatraz Island, which used to hold America's most notorious criminals, giving a fair dinkum chilling vibe to the place. You'll be able to explore the island at your own pace while learning about the history of Alcatraz, one of the world's most legendary prisons.
This tour is good onya, especially if you want to maximise your trip while only staying a few days. For more ideas, here's a list of three days' worth of family activities in San Francisco using Go City!
Locations: Chinatown, North Beach, Civic Center, Presidio of San Francisco, Nob Hill
Cost: 245.30 AUD
Operating Hours: 8:40 to 14:10
3. Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Tour
Take a trip to one of the most beautiful coastal towns! Credits to @diklein on Unsplash
Nature-centric and peaceful would describe the Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Tour best.
The journey begins by passing through the rugged mountains of Marin County— on a comfortable bus, of course, so there's no drama. This is where you'll catch gorgeous sightings of the San Francisco Bay.
Upon arrival at Muir Woods National Monument, you'll be greeted by towering Redwoods that are over 1,000 years old! Spend some time basking in their majestic presence and strolling around Redwood Creek before heading over to Sausalito, coined as one of the most beautiful towns in California.
There are heaps of boutiques, galleries, and waterfront restaurants to see at Sausalito's Mediterreanean-style village. This beautiful coastal town is the perfect place to relax and unwind. In fact, you can even extend your stay in Sausalito and return to San Francisco by ferry at your own expense.
Location: Muir Woods National Monument, Sausalito
Cost: 147.19 AUD
Operating Hours: 7:40 to 13:00
4. San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise
See the city on a boat that stops by all the iconic spots! Credits to @taylorcole on Unsplash
See the city and all its glory on a boat that passes through some of the most famous sites on the San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise!
The best city skyline views come from sailing under the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay Bridges, which offer a different perspective from the water. While onboard, an award-winning multi-language audio guide will give cultural and historical context to each landmark as you pass by.
Unique spots include Alcatraz Island and Coit Tower, an art deco-themed building on top of Telegraph Hill that pays homage to the city's firefighters.
There's also the Ferry Building, a former transportation hub that now accommodates a marketplace with dozens of food stalls selling local produce and delicious culinary delights!
Location: Meet up at Pier 43 1/2 Fisherman's Wharf
Cost: 73.59 AUD
Cruise Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
5. California Academy of Sciences
See the wonders of the world's nature in one place! Credits to @davidvives on Unsplash
Being the only place in the world with an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum under one roof, the California Academy of Sciences gives you access to 38,000 natural wonders through the most bonzer exhibits.
Here's a little tip: You can skip the lines and enter immediately with the California Academy of Sciences Admission Ticket!
Through the all-digital planetarium, you'll see the Earth from an astronaut's perspective, learn about wildlife you've never heard of before in the four-story rainforest, and visit the world's deepest living indoor coral reef in the Steinhart Aquarium, which has 500,000 gallons of water—all in the middle of San Francisco.
Some cool displays include the Swamp exhibition featuring Claude, the albino American alligator, the life cycle of tropical butterflies and moths, and a colony of endangered African penguins.
Location: California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park
Cost: 62.49 AUD
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:30 to 17:00
- Sunday: 11:00 to 17:00
6. Napa Valley and Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tour
Lush greeneries and delicious wine make a great combination! Credits to @wizzyfx on Unsplash
California is known for its premier wineries and detailed winemaking process, so you've gotta go while you're in San Francisco!
The Napa Valley and Sonoma Full Day Wine Tour allows you to participate in wine tasting, learn about the basics of winemaking, and even take some bottles home! All the while, you get to admire the lush greenery, which serves as the most picturesque backdrop.
Three premier wineries are on the agenda. You’ll get an extensive tour of each of their fermentation facilities and wine caves, and you'll be able to watch the full winemaking process, from grape preparation to bottling and distribution. The best part is tasting all these delicious wines afterwards!
Besides these nice drinks, you can also get delicious lunch options at V Marketplace, the Historical Sonoma Square, or the Oxbow Public Market at your own expense.
Locations: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Sonoma Plaza, Napa Valley, Madonna State Winery, Roche Winery, BR Cohn Winery, Muscardini Winery, Ru Vango Winery
Cost: 259.09 AUD
Operating Hours: 8:40 to 17:00
7. The Walt Disney Family Museum
See some of Walt Disney's original drawings and animations around the museum!
Learn the humble beginnings of the creator of your favourite Disney characters in the Walt Disney Family Museum, which spans 40,000 square feet and has exhibits and artefacts that showcase Walt Disney's legacy.
Both kids and adults will have a blast exploring the interactive galleries, which show Disney's earliest and most recent works, animations, films, and music through special displays and music-listening stations. You'll also get to see the museum's centrepiece, a 12-foot-diameter model of Disneyland, which represents Walt Disney's vision and achievements.
A visit here might just inspire you to take a trip to Disneyland. And why not, you're already in California! Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are simply Klook tickets away.
Make sure you know where all the good spots are to eat! Here's a list of some must-try California food at the parks.
Location: The Walt Disney Family Museum at the Presidio in San Francisco
Cost: 38.35 AUD
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday to Sunday: 10:00 to 17:30
8. Oracle Park
Oracle Park is a paradise for every San Francisco Giants fan! Credits to @highorbitmedia on Unsplash
If you're an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants baseball team, you can easily spend an entire day at Oracle Park.
You'll get to enjoy guided tours of behind-the-scenes access areas like the dugout (a huge store selling official team merchandise), press box, and visitor's clubhouse, as well as explore the Wall of Fame that features' the Giants' achievements.
San Franciscans also love to hang out at McCovey Cove, right across Oracle Park, where they watch games from boats to anticipate home run balls falling into the water. Around the area, you'll find tonnes of installations dedicated to the past and present Giants players, like statues, plaques, and even colourful murals!
Location: Oracle Park
Cost: 53.56 AUD (General Admission)
Operating Hours: 8:00 to 22:00
9. Legion of Honor
Walk through the memories of World War I with creative exhibits! Credits to @dichicchon on Unsplash
Located at Lincoln Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, The Legion of Honor museum dedicates its art to the soldiers who fought in World War I. Paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts by artists tell the gruesome events from the past 100 years.
On top of this, you'll be able to find works by famous artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, Rodin, and Monet. Whether you're an art enthusiast or not, it's impossible not to be in awe of the impressive architecture and diverse art collection!
Location: Legion of Honor at Lincoln Park
Cost: 58.29 AUD
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 to 17:15
10. Haight-Ashbury
Take a lively walk through a colourful town in Haight Ashbury! Credits to @limamauro23 on Unsplash
Born out of the counterculture movement (a rejection of societal norms) in the 1960s, this charming neighbourhood is now a centre for hippie culture and artists who desire freedom for their ideals.
Haight-Ashbury is best known as the epicentre of the Summer of Love in 1967, when the youth gathered to celebrate peace, love, and music. The colourful Victorian houses, vintage shops, and vibrant street art add to the place's appeal and bohemian vibe, making it a popular tourist destination if you're seeking a laid-back atmosphere.
Location: Haight-Ashbury
Cost: Free
Operating Hours: 10:00 to 18:00
San Francisco holds a lot of cultural and historical significance for the world to see through creative museum exhibits, famous landmark tours, and charming neighbourhoods. With so many places to see, planning a trip may be overwhelming, but this list of 10 things to do in San Francisco will help you make the most out of your itinerary!
Written by: Celestine Chua
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