12 Best Things to Do in San Francisco

The Golden Gate is an unmissable sight, and no trip to San Francisco is complete without getting a snap of this iconic, Art Deco suspension bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge spans the namesake mile-wide strait where the waters of San Francisco Bay meet the Pacific.

One of the best spots to admire and capture unforgettable pictures of the bridge is on top of high Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands. Another is Battery Spencer, on top of an old concrete artillery unit. The occasional fog at dusk or dawn makes it truly magical. Even at night, you’ll have spectacular views with the bridge illuminated against the city lights.

Macy’s, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, and Bulgari are just a few of the big luxury fashion names gracing San Francisco’s main commercial hub, Union Square. Most are housed in the many buildings that surround the square, along Post Street and Geary Street. Macy’s dominates most of the southern side of the square.

Your shopping walks here make for great urban sightseeing. Several buildings feature beautiful Victorian architecture and parades occasionally take place throughout the area. You'll need your camera, and you can't leave Union Square without purchasing an iconic San Francisco souvenir. 

Historical yet timelessly fun, the San Francisco cable car, or “trolley” system, takes you on a sightseeing ride through the city. The system offers 3 different routes to choose from, but the 2 most famous ones go from Union Square to the Fisherman’s Wharf. These are popular due to the series of steep uphill climbs which make for great city views along the way.

Seats on the San Francisco cable cars face outward on each side. If you’re looking for the best views, it’s best to pick a side that faces eastward to the San Francisco Bay.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the country’s oldest. You can find it on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street, with its southern entrance near Union Square. This entrance is known as the Dragon Gate, and is photo-worthy on its own.

Shops and restaurants bearing dragon lampposts and signs written in elegant calligraphy dominate the district’s urban landscape. On walks through the enclave’s streets and narrow alleys, you’ll see banks, seafood restaurants, herbalists, and bakeries huddled closely together, mostly topped with distinctive pagoda-like roofs. Don't leave without trying creamy, iced milk bubble tea and steamed pork dumplings, or visiting the world-famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

Pier 39 is one of San Francisco’s most popular waterfront shopping and dining destinations. After you’ve sampled the broiled seafood and the famous clam chowder offered by the wide variety of restaurants, it’s a great place to go souvenir hunting.

The pier has all sorts of specialty shops, with well over 50 spread across 2 levels. Head to the upper section to shop with fantastic views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, as well as Alcatraz Island. From sports gear to jewelry, with excellent gift ideas in between, you’re sure to find a perfect souvenir. Check out the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Houdini’s Magic Shop, and a shop just for left-handers known as Lefty’s San Francisco.

You'll find Little Italy just north of Chinatown. San Francisco’s neighborhood of North Beach offers a glimpse into San Francisco’s Italian heritage. In Little Italy, you can find everything from Ligurian family-owned delis and bakeries selling focaccia and pizzas, longstanding traditional cafes and trattorias with checkered-tablecloths, to retro bars filled with Italian memorabilia.

Some of the best bars are along Columbus Avenue or Little Italy’s portion of Grant Avenue. Climb up the steep Filbert Street towards Coit Tower for some beautiful cityscapes.

A place for seafood lovers, San Francisco’s northern waterfront, just north of Little Italy, is home to Fisherman’s Wharf. Various seafood stands line the streets that lead to several piers, where you can try shrimp salads, clam chowders, and seafood cocktails, or settle for a big family lunch with the views of the bay.

Many come to Fisherman's Wharf just for the views. In the distance, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge sit on the horizon, while historical naval vessels and old ships with towering masts moor in the bay. You can also find maritime museums and an aquarium nearby.

Segway rides can be a great way to cover most of San Francisco’s vast green oasis, the Golden Gate Park. Within the park, you’ll find the tranquil Japanese Tea Garden with its torii gate, pagodas, moon bridge, and teahouse. There’s the California Academy of Sciences inside, which features an aquarium, planetarium, and a natural history museum. The de Young Museum displays American art and history.

Take the kids, and they can have fun at America’s oldest public playground, the Koret Children’s Quarter, with its hillside slide and century-old carousel.

Also nicknamed "The Rock," Alcatraz is now a museum with many features to see. A 15-minute ferry ride from San Francisco takes you to this notorious prison island where well-known mob boss, Al “Scarface” Capone, did his time.

The walkways around the island can be steep, and some of the points are far and wide, therefore it’s unsuitable for those with mobility issues. Several stops around the island provide you with breathtaking views. Many different cruise operators service Alcatraz, and we recommend listening to an informative audio guide, most of which are available in 10 languages.

The Painted Ladies are Victorian and Edwardian rowhouses that date back to the 19th and 20th centuries. They were built along San Francisco’s Steiner and Hayes streets, near Alamo Square.

The area is now one of the most iconic and picture-postcard-pretty blocks in the city, frequently depicted in television, movies, and ads that require quaint neighborhood scenes. On your drive out of San Francisco or on your way to the Golden Gate Park, make a stop here for a walk in the park while taking in the beautiful views.

Washington Square is a lush city park in the North Beach neighborhood surrounded by sidewalk cafés and restaurants. It was built in 1847 and is one of San Francisco’s oldest parks. The large green lawn and trees offer respite from the buzzing San Francisco streets. You can pack some food and enjoy a relaxing picnic on the grass or head to one of the nearby restaurants.

You’ll find some of the best Italian restaurants around here, like the popular eateries Tony’s Pizza Napoletana and The Italian Homemade Company. Check online before you visit, because Washington Square also hosts festivals and free movie nights.

San Francisco’s Bay Area is peppered with hotspots for drinking and partying, ranging from brewer’s bars, pirate-themed Tiki bars, upscale cocktail lounges, and dance clubs. You can find some of the best spanning south of Chinatown and down to the Lower Haight area.

Top names include Smuggler’s Cove, a buccaneering-themed bar serving Tiki cocktails and boasting a selection of over 200 types of rum. Monarch, on 101 6th Street, features a cocktail bar and a hip basement dance club. For rave parties with a cool DJ line-up, live bands, and even drag shows through the wee hours, check out DNA Lounge, on 375 11th Street.