11 Things To Do In San Francisco

January 5, 2024

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San Francisco is home to dozens of well-known tourist locations; the list below has some of the must-see locations while visiting San Francisco and some of my favorites!

1. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. The 1-mile suspension bridge connects the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County and carries vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

There are many different locations and angles from which you can view the bridge; there isn’t a bad view. Hope that it isn’t covered in fog when you visit! If you are feeling adventurous, you can walk or bike across the windy bridge.

We took the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and then walked down the different paths to a few viewpoints. This seemed like the most convenient and quickest way to get a close view of the bridge!

Looking down the side of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco with some pink flowers in the foreground. The sky is foggy.

A brown haired girl in a color block sweater is sitting on a ledge looking towards the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

2. Walk around the lake at the Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is a great place to visit before or after the Golden Gate Bridge. The area has a few walking paths that take you around the lake and through the Greco-Roman Palace. It’s a pretty relaxing area to hang out and remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Palace of Fine Arts is also home to a theater which means you can enjoy a performing arts show here as well!

Looking across a lake at the Palace of Fine Arts, the Palace features brown and rust color roman style dome and columns

3. Take a tour of Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island is a location with a pretty complex history. It has been a fort, prison, and the location of Native American occupation during their fight for civil rights. I highly recommend a trip to the island, as it’s a very fascinating place to explore. Take advantage of the audio tour if you visit; it’s very interesting and in-depth.

Alcatraz Cruises offers day and night tours to the island; these tours include the audio tour. The cruises leave from Pier 33; make sure you arrive early if you want a good spot on the boat. The cruise and the island can also offer a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Looking towards a bay with an old lighthouse and an old building in the midground

Looking down an empty hall of Alcatraz, the walls are brick, there is a wood door open a third of the way down the hall

4. Visit Pier 39 and see the sea lions

Pier 39 is full of restaurants and attractions to enjoy outside of exploring the city; stop by for lunch and a great view of the bay!

Don’t skip visiting the Sea Lions as they are the highlight of the pier. If you see only one thing at Pier 39, make sure it’s the sea lions.

Blue and White flags blowing in the wind that say ""Pier 39"

Brown seals sitting on floating wood docks with "Pier 39" signed in the background

5. Take a stroll down Lombard Street

Lombard Street is the famous super steep hairpin turn road! This is a quick stop where you can walk up/down both sides of the road to get the best view of the hairpin turns. The street is gorgeous and photogenetic, with a ton of greenery. You also get to watch cars slowly make their way down the road.

If you feel extra adventurous you can rent a car and drive down the street.

Looking down a brick curved road that is lined with greenery and houses are in the far background

Looking at a brick curved road through leaves on a tree

6. Visit Ghiradelli Square and have a Sundae

Ghirardelli Square is another great place to stop for a meal and some shopping, as the area has abundant restaurants and shops. However, the main draw is the Ghirardelli buildings, including the original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop.

Visit this area after dark to see all of the beautiful lights and enjoy a sundae!

Old brick buildings with a scaffolding style sign on top that says "Ghirardelli"

TIP: Utilize the Muni bus and train system to get around to all of these locations while visiting San Francisco. It is super convenient and easy to use! You can get the MuniMobile app to buy tickets quickly.

7. Visit the Conservatory of Flowers

The Conservatory of Flowers is one of my favorite places in San Francisco. The conservatory itself isn’t too large, and you can definitely fit in a visit while exploring Golden Gate Park. The conservatory has thousands of stunning exotic plants, broken out into four main exhibit areas.

There is such an abundance of greenery in this conservatory it feels like you’ve stepped into a forest. It’s such a beautiful experience. Don’t miss out on the giant water lilies!

Visit when the conservatory opens for lower crowds and a more peaceful experience. Remember to pick up a Gardens of Golden Gate Park Pass if you expect to visit the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Glass window that says "Potted Plants" and an open white door that is looking into a conservatory room with a bunch of different plants and vines.

Giant water lily pads sitting on a small pond surrounded by a variety of green and orange plants

8. Drink tea at the Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is another personal highlight of Golden Gate Park. The garden is quite large, with many walking trails to explore and many classic Japanese garden features. Explore the koi pond and the drum bridge, or take in a view of the pagoda and the seasonal flowers and leaves.

If you want to spend additional time relaxing in the garden, consider visiting the tea house for refreshments!

The garden can get very busy, especially in the more photogenic areas, so expect a crowd unless you visit at opening.

Brown haired girl in a burnt orange sweater looking back towards the camera while standing on a pathway in a Japanese garden never to a pond

Japanese style red-orange pagoda in the background surrounded by a pond and trees.

9. Immerse yourself in San Francisco’s Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America and the largest outside of Asia. The area has a vibrant culture and so many shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to wander around in the afternoon or evening and get food. If you visit after dark, you can see many of the vintage neon signs that still light up the area!

Don’t miss visiting the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue at the edge of Chinatown!

Looking down a street in Chinatown that has brown and red brick buildings and colorful landers strung over the street

Looking up at an Asian style building with red lantern strung across the street to the building.

10. Climb Coit Tower

Coit Tower is an easily recognizable landmark in the San Francisco skyline for over 90 years. This concrete tower stands on top of Telegraph Hill, making it easy to see from all around the city. It’s a quick hike up to the tower’s base, where you can get a stunning 360-degree view of the city and bay.

The inside of the base of the tower houses some artwork and is free to walk through. If you wish to visit the top of the tower, there is a fee whether you take the stairs or elevator. The elevator was broken during out visit and we opted to not climb the stairs, but we talked to a few other visitors who said the view from the top is spectacular.

Looking up a white stone tower that has an American flag at it's base

Looking out over the neighborhoods of San Francisco from a viewpoint above the buildings. There is a white church in the mid-ground

11. Visit the Painted Ladies

San Francisco has a a dozen bucket list locations and the Painted Ladies are on most peoples must visit list. Many of us know these gorgeous houses due to “Full House.” These Victorian-style row houses can be found adjacent to Alamo Square Park. If you visit early in the day, perhaps before heading to Golden Gate Park, you can avoid crowds.

You can see different views of these houses within the park. If you stand up on the hill across the street, you can see the houses and the new skyline in the background.