Things to do in San Francisco

Activities, attractions and tours

San Francisco featuring a bay or harbor and a bridge
San Francisco featuring a bay or harbor and a bridge
San Francisco
San Francisco showing a city and heritage architecture
San Francisco
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Top places to visit

1. Oracle Park

Visit Oracle Park for more than simply watching a San Francisco Giants game. Tour this privately financed ballpark, known for its breathtaking views, charm and character. This is the city’s replacement for notoriously windy Candlestick Park.
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Oracle Park featuring a bay or harbor and street scenes as well as a small group of people

2. Pier 39

First-timers taking a stroll along Pier 39 might be surprised by the strange sounds creeping up from its adjacent floating docks. But follow the fruity barks and deep groans to the source and you’ll immediately see what makes this pier a much-loved destination for visitors and locals alike.
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Pier 39 which includes signage and landscape views

3. Golden Gate Park

Take a breather from the city heat in over 400 hectares of natural parkland stretching from the Haight-Ashbury district to the Pacific Ocean. Opened in 1871 as a rural retreat for city-dwellers inspired by New York’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park made its indelible mark on popular culture during the Summer of Love in 1967, when San Francisco’s flower children spread their message of love and peace to the world. Half a century on, the hippie legacy lives on in the Janis Joplin tree, a notorious spot for illicit marijuana smokers said to be just large enough to conceal a girl and her guitar within its branches.
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Conservatory of Flowers which includes outdoor art, flowers and a garden

4. Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge connects the city of San Francisco with Marin County to the north and marks the point where the bay meets the ocean. Consisting of a single span of 2.7 kilometres, it took four years to build and was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1937. Its exposed location called for a robust design that would withstand high winds and extreme weather, yet its elegance and beauty have made it one of America’s most photographed landmarks, as well as a genuine architectural icon.
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San Francisco featuring a bridge

5. Alcatraz Island

The ghosts of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis still stalk the abandoned corridors of one of the world’s bleakest and toughest prisons. But since the maximum security facility closed in 1963, Alcatraz Island has been welcoming “guests” of a different kind. This rocky outcrop in San Francisco Bay is now a National Park, with thousands of people every year making the short ferry ride across the channel that separated the most notorious criminals of their day from the bright lights of the city.
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Alcatraz Island showing a coastal town and island views

6. Lombard Street

A one-block section of Lombard Street shows the steepness of San Francisco’s hills in a unique way. The redbrick road makes eight hairpin turns as it goes downhill from Hyde Street to Leavenworth Street. See this famous spot, one of the beloved quirks of the City by the Bay.
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Lombard Street featuring flowers and a garden

7. Presidio of San Francisco

The longest running military base in US history dates back to 1776, on a site which is now a National Historical Landmark District. Today the strict discipline and tough exercise regimes of military life have given way to more leisurely pursuits. The Presidio is the place where the locals go to let off steam in the picturesque shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Presidio Military Reservation showing a bridge, a bay or harbour and heritage architecture

8. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

If you’re a fledgling art enthusiast, a prominent collector or something in between, take time to visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. World-renowned SFMOMA features artists from around the world, an outdoor sculpture garden, a 30-foot-high (9-meter) living wall, restaurants and more.
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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art featuring a city

What to do in San Francisco

Popular places to visit

Oracle Park featuring a bay or harbor and street scenes as well as a small group of people

Oracle Park

4.5/5(24 reviews)

Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, this charming ballpark with outstanding views should be on your San Francisco sightseeing list.

Oracle Park
Pier 39 showing street scenes, signage and a city

Pier 39

4/5(364 reviews)

Sea lions are the star attraction at one of the liveliest piers on San Francisco’s historic waterfront.

Pier 39
Golden Gate Park showing flowers and a garden

Golden Gate Park

4.5/5(323 reviews)

This peaceful oasis in the heart of the city has been a favourite leisure haunt for locals and visitors alike since 1871.

Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Bridge which includes a suspension bridge or treetop walkway, night scenes and a bay or harbour

Golden Gate Bridge

4.5/5(362 reviews)

Walk across one of the most photogenic bridges in the world for unrivalled views from both sides.

Golden Gate Bridge
yerba buena gardens complex

Moscone Convention Center

4/5(13 reviews)

During your trip, find out what's happening in Moscone Convention Center, a top convention centre in San Francisco. Discover the acclaimed art galleries and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Moscone Convention Center
Alcatraz Island showing a coastal town and island views

Alcatraz Island

5/5(247 reviews)

For three decades, desperate inmates dreamed of escaping this notorious prison; today’s fortunate visitors can come and go as they please!

Alcatraz Island
Chase Center San Francisco Skyline Aerial Photography

Chase Center

Catch an event at Chase Center during your trip to San Francisco. Amble around this vibrant area's Chinatown or experience its entertainment choices.

Chase Center
Lombard Street featuring flowers and a garden

Lombard Street

4.5/5(298 reviews)

Often incorrectly called the world’s crookedest street, this San Francisco roadway is an iconic spot to see, photograph and drive down.

Lombard Street
Presidio Military Reservation which includes a statue or sculpture, a park and landscape views

Presidio of San Francisco

4/5(26 reviews)

This former military base is given over to pleasure pursuits, with a golf course, cycle tracks, hiking trails and some great picnic spots.

Presidio of San Francisco

Areas of San Francisco

Union Square which includes a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(287 area reviews)

This famous shopping area is a magnet for fashionistas as well as a historic landmark of old San Francisco.

Union Square
Fisherman’s Wharf featuring a bay or harbour

Fisherman's Wharf

5/5(4 area reviews)

Soak up the atmosphere of bygone days on this historic wharf where the emphasis is still firmly on seafood.

Fisherman's Wharf
Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

Downtown San Francisco

3/5(52 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Warfield Theatre are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco
South of Market which includes cbd, a city and skyline

South of Market

3.5/5(113 area reviews)

From baseball games to top-notch art exhibits, find endless entertainment in one of San Francisco’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.

South of Market
Nob Hill showing a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4.5/5(78 area reviews)

Examine architecturally significant buildings, visit the Cable Car Museum and enjoy magnificent views of greater San Francisco in this affluent district.

Nob Hill
Marina District showing heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Marina District

4/5(80 area reviews)

Visit the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre and marvel at views of the Golden Gate Bridge at this popular waterfront neighborhood.

Marina District
Lake Merritt featuring a pond

Oakland

Panorama of the Pacific ocean on sandy Cowell Ranch State beach surrounded by sea cliffs, rocky headlands on sunny day in San Mateo County, California

San Mateo

overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Thornton State Beach, Daley City - San Francisco Bay Area, California

Daly City

Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont, California

Belmont

Burlingame Caltrain Station, California

Burlingame

Aerial view of commercial and residential areas of Menlo Park, California toward Palo Alto along El Camino Real Road near Middle Avenue. Backdrop distant San Francisco Bay and mountains

Menlo Park

Sausalito which includes general coastal views as well as a small group of people

Sausalito

Bay, Fremont and Curvy Hiking Trail of Mission Peak, Silicon Valley, California

Millbrae

Frequently asked questions

Is San Francisco worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in San Francisco is explore Pier 39. Tick this leading attraction off your agenda, then discover more of this area's views and dining.
How do I spend a day in San Francisco?
After you've visited major attractions like Pier 39 and Union Square, spend some time experiencing San Francisco's retail and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in San Francisco?
Pier 39 is one of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco and deserves a place on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in San Francisco?
You can easily tour leading attractions like Pier 39, Union Square and Ocean Beach with a three-day trip to San Francisco. On average, most travellers plan three days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a while longer and head to Oakland.
Is San Francisco a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you plan to see and do in San Francisco. Several attractions, including Pier 39 and Union Square, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of San Francisco's best neighbourhoods, Downtown San Francisco is 0.32 kilometres away from downtown, while Union Square is 0.16 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in San Francisco with kids?
Deciding what to do in San Francisco with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're travelling with little ones or teenagers, there's a range of family-friendly sights to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in San Francisco for adults?
Winery Collective and Van Ness Avenue are just a couple of the things to do in San Francisco. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in San Francisco?
One of the simplest ways to find free things to do in San Francisco is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can enjoy without reaching into your pocket. Pier 39 is one spot that doesn't have an entrance fee.

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