California (CA)

Things to do in San Francisco

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in San Francisco

Things to Do in San Francisco

Expect to get your steps in (or hop on a cable car), while spotting iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge or taking a day trip to Alcatraz.

Explore popular experiences

See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.

Ways to tour San Francisco

Book these experiences for a close-up look at San Francisco.

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco
1,211
Full-day Tours
from
C$304
per adult
Reserve
Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)
1,059
Bus Tours
from
C$123
per adult
Reserve
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
807
Spring Break
from
C$222
per adult
Reserve
Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
316
Full-day Tours
from
C$53
per adult
Reserve
Chinatown and North Beach Walking Tour
302
Food & Drink
from
C$118
per adult
Reserve
Alcatraz Island Tour Packages
93
Adventure Tours
from
C$195
per adult
Reserve
Muir Woods, Sausalito, SF, All in One Day! Add (ALCATRAZ OPTION)
329
Historical Tours
from
C$151
per adult
Reserve
San Francisco Love Tour
1,021
Historical Tours
from
C$118
per adult
Reserve
San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
330
Food & Drink
from
C$119
per adult (price varies by group size)
Reserve
San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoia Day Tour
780
Full-day Tours
from
C$304
per adult
Reserve

City Tours

Top Attractions in San Francisco

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

1. Alcatraz Island

Historic Sites

Alcatraz Island was once the most secure federal prison in the U.S., and held notorious inmates like Al Capone. After being decommissioned in 1963, the prison is now a museum, welcoming millions of curious travelers every year. Catch the ferry on Pier 33 to Alcatraz and explore the island at your own pace as you soak up the views of San Francisco and the bay. You can take a guided tour with a park ranger to learn more about the intriguing anecdotes about the facility’s fascinating history. But book your spots early—tickets sell out fast. – Tripadvisor

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2. Golden Gate Bridge

Historic Sites

Stretching 4,200 feet and towering as high as a 65-story building, this well-known bridge is the gateway to San Francisco.

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3. Cable Cars

Trams

Since 1873, cable cars have run up and down the hilly city, though after the 1950s, these cars have been kept in operation more out of historic nostalgia. Seventeen miles of track remain and have been deemed a historical landmark.

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4. Pier 39

Points of Interest & Landmarks

From amazing views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread bowls and California wines, your visit to San Francisco starts at PIER 39. Kick off your visit by exploring two levels of dining, entertainment, shopping and attractions, all surrounded by unbeatable views of the city and the bay. Take it from the world famous sea lions: a visit to San Francisco starts at The PIER.

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5. Lombard Street

Points of Interest & Landmarks

San Francisco's most famous winding street showcases eight sharp switchbacks and stretches down a steep slope from the Presidio East to The Embarcadero.

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6. Golden Gate Park

Parks

The third most visited park in the United States, this green urban space has plenty of gardens, wildlife, museums, and art to enjoy.

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7. Oracle Park

Arenas & Stadiums

Home of the San Francisco Giants Major League baseball team, this waterfront stadium has splendid views of San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge.

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8. Exploratorium

Speciality Museums

Admission tickets from C$56

The Exploratorium is more than an iconic San Francisco museum perched by the Bay—it’s an all-ages gateway to joyful exploration of science, art, and human perception. Let your curiosity roam free through hundreds of exhibits in six spacious indoor and outdoor galleries. Watch, listen, notice, experiment, and play with wondrous phenomena from the world around you: from living cells to cosmic rays, from bubbles to human behavior, from optical illusions to electricity, from playful machines to rainbows, and much more. Plus observe the Exploratorium’s open shop, where our exhibits are designed, built, and tinkered with. You’ll find thoughtful safety protocols for visitors and staff, our unique museum store, excellent dining, and beautiful San Francisco Bay views. Located in the historic Pier 15 along San Francisco's Embarcadero, between Pier 39 and the Ferry Building, the Exploratorium is easy to get to by public transportation, and there's ample parking nearby.

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9. Fisherman's Wharf

Neighbourhoods

Admission tickets from C$38

The historic Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s must-visit spots. Even getting there is an experience in itself—you can hop on a classic cable car from downtown. Dine at a scenic waterfront restaurant (try the famous sourdough bread bowl), explore the area’s shops and art galleries, check out the street performances and don’t miss the historic WWII submarine—the USS Pampanito. You can catch all these highlights on a walking, bike or big bus tour. Stay for the magnificent sunset views and if you’re lucky, you might even spot the mischievous sea lions at Pier 39. – Tripadvisor

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10. Twin Peaks

Lookouts

Standing over 900 feet above the city, these two hills offer hikers sweeping views of San Francisco's main sights (we recommend going at sunset).

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11. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

Theatres

Designed to look like a Greco-Roman ruin, this structure was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. It's now a prime events venue.

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12. Ferry Building Marketplace

Points of Interest & Landmarks

A city landmark transformed into a gourmet food emporium and farmers market.

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Nature and Wildlife Tours

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Day Trips

From quick jaunts to full-day outings.

Cultural & Theme Tours

Wine Tastings

Sightseeing Tickets & Passes

Walking & Biking Tours