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Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly
San Francisco, ‘The Golden City’ or simply SF, is a popular destination for tourists, students and workers alike. In this article, we’ll list the unmissable experiences SF offers in the area so you don’t have to stress about missing out on visiting iconic locations during your stay.
San Francisco is located in Northern California and is the 14th most populated city in the USA. The San Francisco Bay area is an economic, artistic, and scientific centre.
Are you looking for the top things to do in San Francisco? Well, look no further. Below, we have listed our favourite locations and tips to help you prepare for your exciting adventure!
How to get around San Francisco
San Francisco is considered a relatively small city, so much so that it is pretty walkable. Most locations can be visited on foot; however, a few locations listed are just outside the city and may require additional transport!
Below, we have listed all of the top attractions featured in this article. Why not click on a section to jump ahead?
San Francisco Things To Do:
- The Golden Gate Bridge
- Alcatraz
- The Napa Valley – Wine Country
- Yosemite National Park
- Cable Car Ride
- Palace of Fine Arts
- San Francisco Stairs
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Chinatown
- Oracle Park
- San Francisco Swings
We also have some travel tips when visiting SF at the end of this article with advice on important things to prepare for, such as:
- The Weather
- Appropriate Clothing
- Transport
- SF Timezone
- Airport Location
The Golden Gate Bridge
A must-see for any tourist in SF, the Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic part of the city’s skyline and a symbol of the city. It is one of the most famous landmarks in North America and is quite possibly one of the main reasons you have chosen to visit San Francisco!
The city is quite dense, so you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from many notable locations on our list, such as Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf. However, Karl the Fog may obstruct your view.
History of the Bridge
Opened to the public in 1937 after four years of construction, the Golden Gate Bridge offered steady (but treacherous) work during the Great Depression. The San Francisco Bridge is an impressive architectural and historical feat. In 1906, the San Francisco Earthquake caused immense damage, and fears arose that the bridge would not withstand the strong winds, let alone another earthquake of this magnitude. Yet the bridge stands tall today, nearly a century later.
Did you know?
- If the US Navy had wanted, the Golden Gate Bridge could have been painted black with yellow stripes for increased visibility. It’s hard to imagine the Orange Bridge looking so different!
- The bridge’s colour is ‘International Orange’; its name refers to the Golden Gate Strait, which connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.
- The Golden Gate Bridge is continuously painted! Painting the bridge is considered the primary form of maintenance to prevent corrosion or rust from the high salt content in the air.
Karl the Fog
San Francisco is a very foggy area. Hot climatic conditions combined with plenty of exposure to the cold sea air create the mist, and it is considered one of the foggiest places on earth!
It may be disappointing if the fog shows up on a day you visit and obscures your view of famous landmarks, but it is part of the city’s charm and can create fantastic photo opportunities. An anonymous Twitter account called ‘Karl the Fog’ was created in 2010 as a parody of SF weather.
Locals lovingly adopted Karl the Fog into the zeitgeist, and the Twitter account has over 350 thousand followers at the time of writing. How many of them are genuine San Franciscans remains to be seen.
So, if the fog has obstructed your photo opportunity of the Golden Gate Bridge upon your arrival in SF, you can find some solace in knowing that you are one of many visitors who have encountered the fog. However, if you want to avoid Karl, the Summer months are incredibly foggy.
Why you should visit the Golden Gate Bridge: This is one of the most accessible landmarks, as you can see it from many other tourist locations. So, even if you don’t want to walk or drive across the bridge, you can still enjoy the spectacular view from multiple locations.
Alcatraz
A Brief History
One of the most famous prisons of all time is found in the SF area. Alcatraz operated as a high-security prison from 1934-1969. The historic prison was the first maximum security minimum privilege jail in the United States. It was home to some of the most notorious criminals of the time, including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and James ‘Whitey’ Bulger.
A rocky island surrounded by freezing waters, Alcatraz is famous for being inescapable. While 36 men attempted to leave the island, no one is believed to have reached the mainland and successfully escaped. This and speculation that sharks circled the prison and Golden Gate Bridge created a unique, almost fictional depiction of Alcatraz.
Another thing that differentiated Alcatraz from other prisons was that prison showers were supplied with hot water. However, hot water was not provided for inmate comfort. It was provided to ensure prisoners would not accumulate in the freezing bay waters, making an escape easier.
Alcatraz was the place where non-conforming prisoners from around the country were sent. If they proved they could follow the rules after 5 years, they would be sent back to a mainland prison.
Did you Know: During the operation of Alcatraz as a federal prison, almost 300 civilians lived on the island. This number was mainly comprised of women and children who were the families of prison guards. It is hard to believe that such a notorious prison island also housed a community of many families.
Booking info
Opening times and ferries to Alcatraz vary season by season. Regardless of when you visit the island, booking your ferry in advance is strongly encouraged, as they frequently sell out. Avoid waiting until you are on your trip to attempt to book a ferry, as you may be disappointed.
Price: Alcatraz has no entrance fee, and the ferry tickets are all-inclusive. They will set you back anywhere from $40 to $150 per adult, ranging from the standard deal to night tours and behind-the-scenes packages.
Why you should visit Alcatraz: Alcatraz Island has a rich and fascinating history. It is more than just an abandoned prison. Yes, it housed some of the most dangerous men in America of its time, but it was also a community, a military fort, and a lighthouse. History combined with beautiful scenery and a boat ride over means this trip has something for everyone to enjoy.
Napa Valley – Wine Country
Many tourists in San Francisco may take a day trip out of the city to Napa, also known as Wine Country, which is about 50 miles or an hour north of the city.
Napa Valley is one of California’s most famous wine regions, with over 400 wineries. Food lovers will enjoy the laid-back experience of strolling through vineyards, tasting wine, and admiring the views the valley offers.
There are many different packages to choose from in Napa Valley, from luxurious weekends away to cheaper mid-week deals, day trips, and tastings at individual or a combination of wineries.
The Napa Valley is naturally quite expensive, but with a bit of planning, it doesn’t have to consume all of your budget. Doing your research is very important if you want to save money. It is also important to realise that the Valley is not for everyone. If you don’t appreciate fine dining, wine tasting or touring vineyards, you may be much happier skipping this day trip to do something else on this list. Your wallet will thank you!
Why you should visit Napa Valley: If you want to slow down a hectic trip and relax with good food, high-quality wine and a breathtaking landscape, then Napa Valley is the perfect place to be.
Yosemite National Park
Of the 63 National Parks in the USA, Yosemite is one of the oldest and most visited annually. While each offers unique natural attractions, Yosemite has an exciting itinerary and is a literal breath of fresh air.
About 170 miles or a 4-hour drive from San Francisco, Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking experience for any nature lover. Throughout the national park, you will see waterfalls, towering granite monoliths, deep valleys and canyons, and interesting and unique flora and fauna, including ancient giant sequoia trees.
Did you know that Sequoia trees are the most prominent living things on the planet and can live for up to 3000 years?
You may spot many exciting animals at the park, such as the Black Bear, Coyote, Bobcat and Mule Deer. Hiking in Yosemite will afford you the best chance of spotting a wild animal. The bighorn sheep found in Yosemite is on the endangered species list and is rare worldwide.
Cost
The park charges an Entrance Fee of $35/vehicle, valid for 7 days. However, there are usually 6 free admission days a year, and some categories, such as children under 16 and senior citizens, receive free admission.
Nature lovers who plan to live in SF for a long time may wish to buy the $70 Yosemite Pass for unlimited access for a year. Alternatively, the $80 America the Beautiful National Park Pass offers access to all national parks, national forests, and national monuments, perfect for someone who wishes to travel around America and explore everything the country offers.
Things to do between San Francisco and Yosemite: The City of Modesto is roughly halfway between the two locations and is the perfect place to take a break, get some food, and recharge before finishing your journey.
Why you should visit Yosemite National Park: Hikers, nature lovers, and explorers will enjoy spotting wild animals, bird watching, and taking in the breathtaking scenery, from mountains and waterfalls to canyons and giant sequoias.
Cable Cars
If you want a uniquely San Franciscan experience, ride on the iconic cable cars, a city symbol.
Operating for nearly 150 years, navigating through SF’s steep hills and busy streets by cable car offers an exciting way to explore the city.
History of the Cable Car
Invented in 1873 by Andrew Smith Hallidie, the San Francisco cable car would survive earthquakes, devastating fires, two world wars, and even a few political attempts to remove it.
Cost
A cable car ride costs $8 per person for a single journey.
Did you know
- San Francisco’s cable or trolley cars are the only national historic landmark that can move.
- While people often say cable cars are unsafe (especially when standing outside the car), they are considered one of the safest modes of transport.
Why you should ride a cable car: The cable car is as San Franciscan as the Golden Gate Bridge and, while an enjoyable novelty for tourists, represents a symbol of San Francisco’s identity.
Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts grounds in SF is free to visit. Originally constructed as an art gallery for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International art exhibition, it was a temporary structure inspired by Roman architecture. In 1964, the structure was rebuilt as a permanent feature of San Francisco and is currently used as a venue for various public and private events.
Why you should visit the Palace of Fine Arts: Over a century old, the building’s aesthetic qualities will appeal to lovers of architecture and fine art.
San Francisco Stairs
When wandering through San Francisco, you will discover many beautiful mosaic staircases. Inspired by a staircase in Rio de Janeiro, an SF resident asked artists to come together to create a beautiful design. With more than 600 public stairways around the city—more and more beautifully designed—there is so much art to discover around the city, hidden in plain sight.
What started as a single citizen’s effort to decorate a staircase near their home has become a community effort to take pride in the way their city looks. The colourful designs help to discourage littering and graffiti and improve both the public and ground-level opinion of the city. Showcasing their designs for a potential staircase mosaic also allows local artists to gain experience and exposure. Would you like to see more cities adopt these colourful steps?
Why you should visit the various San Franciscan stairs: Even if you are not an art lover, searching for different mosaics on stairs is a unique and enjoyable way to explore The City.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is a family-oriented neighbourhood frequented by tourists and locals alike. It is a great way to spend a day by the coast, with indoor and outdoor dining, shopping, museums, arcades, and plenty of water activities. There’s also great seafood to enjoy!
Originally, Fisherman’s Wharf was the place where Italian fishermen sold their daily catch on the waterfront. To this day, you can still enjoy fresh seafood, including clam chowder, oysters, crab legs and steamed mussels, to name a few delicious items! If you want a truly authentic meal, why not try Cioppino, a tomato seafood stew dish created in San Francisco? Initially, fishermen would combine the catch of the day’s leftovers with their Italian-inspired tomato stew. It must be delicious, as the dish has stood the test of time!
There is so much to do in Fisherman’s Wharf after enjoying your fresh seafood, from shopping and museums to cruises and old ships, an aquarium, street entertainers, and even resident sea lions! It’s no wonder that this city area is so popular with tourists.
Pier 39
Part of Fisherman’s Wharf and one of SF’s busiest tourist areas, Pier 39 is well worth a visit. The last pier of the area doubles as a shopping centre with great food and is considered a highlight of any trip to SF, mainly because of its local guests… the resident sea lions waiting outside the fisherman’s stall! Customers often buy them some fish to enjoy, and the experience is truly unique to the pier.
You can even get a cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf, simultaneously ticking two suggestions off our list!
Magowan’s Mirror Maze
Located on Pier 39, Magowan’s Mirror Maze is an exciting and vibrant activity while you’re on the pier! Would you like to try to navigate through this colourful maze?
Why you should visit Fisherman’s Wharf: This is SF’s most popular tourist area. You will be guaranteed fresh seafood, plenty of shops, and hungry sea lions.
Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the most significant outside of Asia and the oldest Chinatown in North America. It is a vital historical and cultural location for Chinese immigrants in North America.
Chinatown in San Francisco is a major tourist attraction, drawing more visitors annually than the Golden Gate Bridge!
Why visit Chinatown, San Francisco: Thanks to the many shops and authentic Asian food in the area, it’s easy to spend a day there without running out of things to do.
Oracle Park
If a game is on during your stay in San Francisco, why not watch the SF Giants at Oracle Park, the iconic seaside stadium? The Home of the famous baseball team stands along the San Francisco Bay. We’d recommend checking out what’s on in Oracle Park during your stay. If you’re lucky, you may even watch the Giants play in their home stadium, one of the best things to do in the San Francisco Bay area!
Baseball fans will know that many famous athletes played for the San Francisco Giants, including Willie Mayes, Willie McCovey, Barry Bonds, and Juan Marichal.
The bay area beyond the right field of the Oracle wall is known unofficially but affectionately as McCovey Cove after famed Giants first baseman William McCove.
If you are more of an American football fan, you may choose to support the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, in the Bay Area.
Why you should visit Oracle Park: Sports fans will enjoy the lively atmosphere when attending a game here, accompanied by a few beers and iconic ballpark foods such as hotdogs and corndogs. On the other hand, if you aren’t too interested in the game, pick a spot along the first base side of the upper deck so you can enjoy a perfect ocean view!
San Francisco Swings
Like the colourful steps around the city, there are many spots around the edge of San Francisco with swings for visitors to take in the spectacular views of the West Coast (and get the perfect Instagram photo).
There are many different swings around the city; where will you get the perfect photo?
Cost
While taking a photo at the swings is free, visitors should know that they are quite popular and can be busy at times!
Why you should visit one of the San Francisco swings: If you’re looking for the perfect ‘candid’ photo, the swings are the ideal spot. You may have to hike to many locations, which can be an enjoyable experience.
Some Tips for Visiting San Francisco
The San Francisco Weather
When we think of California, constant sunshine naturally comes to mind. However, due to its unique location and exposure to the Pacific Ocean’s calm winds and the Central Valley’s hot climate, SF is typically colder than other parts of California, such as LA or San Diego.
Bearing this in mind, the best time of year to visit San Francisco (weather-wise) is actually from September to November. On average, Autumn or Fall offers the highest temperatures year-round. It is also quieter as more tourists flood the city during the summer months despite the chance of increased cool weather.
The winter months are intuitively the cheapest months to travel, but from November onwards, be prepared for chilly weather.
Fog is common year-round. On average, there are 160 sunny days during the year, though! Although fog can occur sporadically year-round, it mainly blankets the coastal Bay Area in the summer when hot inland temperatures create a low-pressure zone over Northern California’s Central Valley. The Fog may obscure the San Francisco city skyline, but it is undoubtedly part of its charm.
What to wear
As you now know, warm temperatures are not guaranteed in San Francisco. More accurately, the weather can change quite drastically quite frequently. So pack plenty of layers to ensure you are ready for whatever the city throws at you!
Regardless of when you visit, you should wear sunscreen daily, as the breezy weather may be deceiving.
San Francisco Timezone
The San Francisco local time zone is PDT or Pacific Daylight Time, and GMT / Greenwich Mean Time (or UTC / Coordinated Universal Time as it is now known) is 7 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time.
Transport
Did you know that both Lyft and Uber have their headquarters in SF? These companies are easy alternatives to public transport and also offer some budget-friendly options.
If you choose to use the cable cars, streetcars, buses, or subway system, day passes/visitor passports are available that allow unlimited use for 1-7 days. Depending on how much you plan to use these services, they can be quite the cost-effective option.
Considering the city’s relatively small size, biking or walking can be a viable option from point A to point B!
San Francisco Airport
The exact location of the main airport in San Francisco is San Francisco, CA 94128, USA.
Located about 13 miles south of downtown SF, visitors can reach the city from the San Francisco International Airport through various transport options, including the BART train, taxis, and Ubers. Check prices and times from official websites in advance before making your decision!
Our San Francisco Things to Do article is almost finished. Is there anything you would like to add to this blog? If so, do not hesitate to leave a comment!
Have you enjoyed our travel guide for the best things to do in San Francisco? We hope you find it helpful. Enjoy your vacation, weekend break, or extended stay in San Francisco! Why not check out other USA guides on our site, such as:
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Or why not travel the rest of the world? We have detailed travel guides for Ireland, the UK, Europe, and many other countries!
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