12 Best Things To Do In San Francisco
- Logan & Audri
- Jan 25
- 11 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
San Francisco has a reputation, and I’ll admit I wasn’t sure how we’d feel about it. I’d heard about the fog and the fact that summer is a loose concept here. But after a few days of walking more than planned, eating very well, and constantly finding things to do, it became clear that skipping San Francisco would have been a mistake.
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What To Do During A First Time Visit to San Francisco, California
San Francisco was not the destination I pictured when we first started daydreaming about a California trip. I imagined palm trees and warm nights and maybe a beach we could actually swim at without freezing to death. Then I saw a post about San Francisco and suddenly I was deep in photos of cable cars, pastel Victorians, and of course the Golden Gate Bridge.
San Francisco ends up feeling pretty cozy once you’re actually there. It’s only seven miles by seven miles, but there’s an almost ridiculous number of neighborhoods, viewpoints, and food stops packed into that space. You can go from a park to a seafood stand to Chinatown in a single afternoon without leaving the city limits. The hills will humble you though, so I recommend building in extra time for… commuting by incline.
San Francisco is also a gateway city, not just for flying in and out of the Bay Area, but for some of the best roadtrips in the country. If you’re planning to drive the coast, this is the perfect starting point for our 6-day Pacific Coast Highway itinerary. If your California plans swing inland, make sure to take a look at our Death Valley National Park guide and Joshua Tree National Park guide.
In this post, we're sharing the best things to do during a first-time visit to San Francisco, with a mix of obvious classics and a few “how did I never know about this” spots. Let’s dive in and find out what San Francisco is all about!
12 Best Things To Do In San Francisco
1) Visit Alcatraz Island
Take a swim to Alcatraz! Just kidding. Although, technically, people have done it. Most visitors opt for the ferry, which is far more pleasant and comes with some of the best skyline views you’ll get of San Francisco before you even step foot on the island.
Alcatraz is one of San Francisco’s most well-known attractions and sits on a small island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Ferries depart from the waterfront and are the only way to access the island. The island most famously operated as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963.
The most common way to experience Alcatraz is through a self-guided visit, centered around an included audio tour that walks you through the prison’s main areas. You move through cell blocks, common spaces, and outdoor areas while listening to commentary from former inmates and guards. For something a little different, there’s also a behind-the-scenes tour led by a National Park Service ranger that takes you into areas closed to the general public and shares more in-depth stories about the island’s history.
This is one activity you’ll want to plan ahead for since tickets sell out regularly!
2) Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge
No first visit to San Francisco is complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge up close. While you can spot it from plenty of viewpoints around the city, walking across it gives you a better sense of just how massive it is. The bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County and offers beautiful views of the bay the entire way, even if you only walk part of the distance.
Fog is common, especially earlier in the day, and it can roll in fast. The bridge is almost always windy, so layers are a good idea no matter the season. Pedestrian access is free, and you can turn back whenever you’re ready, but walking the entire bridge typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Biking across the bridge is another popular option!
3) Ride a Cable Car
Riding a cable car is one of the most classic San Francisco experiences, and it’s not just for tourists. San Francisco is home to the world’s last manually operated cable car system, and the cars are still used to navigate the city’s famously steep hills.
You can purchase tickets at several locations around the city, and a single ride costs $9 per person. If you’re planning to hop on more than once in a day, it’s worth getting the Visitor Passport, which offers unlimited rides for the day and costs $15 per person. It’s an easy way to move between neighborhoods while also checking off a must-do experience!
If you’re choosing a route, the Powell–Hyde and Powell–Mason lines are the most scenic. Both pass through busy areas of the city and offer amazing views along the way, making them a great choice even if you’re only riding once. Standing on the outside platform of the car is definitely a part of the fun.
4) Drive Lombard Street
Lombard Street is often referred to as the “crookedest street in the world,” and while that title is technically debatable, it’s still worth seeing in person. The short stretch between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets features eight sharp switchbacks and is lined with flower beds.
You can stop at the top or bottom of the street to watch cars make their way down and take photos. If you’re on foot, you can also walk down the sidewalk alongside the road. Lombard Street is located between Russian Hill and North Beach, so it’s very easy to combine this stop with exploring nearby neighborhoods.
5) Get Lost in Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in the United States and the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, how cool is that?! The neighborhood spans 24 blocks and is packed with shops, bakeries, markets, temples, and restaurants.
Grant Avenue is the main area and where you’ll find the famous Dragon Gate, souvenir shops, and busier spots. If you wander just a block or two off the main street, things get quieter and more local, with produce markets, herbal shops, and bakeries selling fresh buns and pastries. It’s also known for its secret alleyways!
One of the neighborhood’s most important landmarks is Tin How Temple, considered the oldest active Chinese temple in the United States. Temples like this are tucked above street level and easy to miss unless you know to look for them, which is part of what makes wandering through Chinatown so interesting.
6) Visit the Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies are a row of colorful Victorian houses located across from Alamo Square Park and are one of San Francisco’s most photographed sights. They’re best known for their appearance in over 70 TV shows and movies, most famously Full House, but their significance goes well beyond pop culture.
These homes were built in the late 1800s during San Francisco’s post–Gold Rush boom, when Victorian architecture dominated the city. While many similar houses were lost to earthquakes, fires, and redevelopment, the Painted Ladies survived and are now considered an important example of the city’s architectural history.
Today, the Painted Ladies are most often viewed from Alamo Square Park, where the contrast between the historic homes and the modern city skyline behind them is especially beautiful.
7) Wander Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most visited areas, and yes, it’s touristy. That said, it’s still a classic part of a first visit and worth seeing at least once. The waterfront stretch is lined with shops, seafood stands, street performers, and views out toward the bay.
If you're an animal lover, you're in luck because Pier 39 sits right along the wharf and is best known for its sea lions, which have made the docks their permanent hangout. You’ll also find restaurants, small attractions, and plenty of places to grab clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. It’s busy most of the day, but that’s part of the experience.
Fisherman’s Wharf is also a good starting point for other nearby stops, including ferry rides, waterfront walks, and views toward Alcatraz. Even if you don’t linger long, walking through gives you a good sense of the city’s waterfront culture.
8) Take in the Views From Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is made up of two prominent hills and offers some of the most expansive views of San Francisco. From the top, you can see downtown, the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and on clear days, even beyond the city limits!
The viewpoint sits within Twin Peaks Natural Area and is accessible by car, making it an easy stop even if you’re short on time. There are also walking trails in the surrounding area if you want to explore a bit more, but many visitors simply drive up, take in the view, and move on. Windy conditions are common, so bringing a jacket is a good idea year-round.
Because of its elevation, Twin Peaks is often above the fog or completely socked in by it, depending on the day. Checking conditions before heading up can make a big difference, but even a quick stop here is worthwhile if the weather cooperates.
9) Explore Golden Gate Park
Did you know Golden Gate Park is actually larger than Central Park in New York City?! It stretches more than three miles from the city’s western neighborhoods all the way to the Pacific Ocean and is packed with gardens, museums, lakes, and walking paths.
Golden Gate Park isn’t something you “do" all at once. We'd recommend picking a few areas to explore, whether that’s the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, or one of the quieter trails tucked farther into the park. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and it’s easy to spend as much or as little time here as you want.
Because of its size, the park feels very different depending on where you are. Some areas are busy and landscaped, while others feel surprisingly calm and residential. It’s one of the best places in the city to take a break from neighborhoods and sightseeing without ever leaving San Francisco.
10) Eat Your Way Through the Mission District
The Mission District is one of the best neighborhoods in San Francisco for food, especially if you’re interested in casual spots and long-standing local favorites. The area has deep roots in Latino culture, which shows up everywhere from taquerias and bakeries to murals and markets.
Valencia Street and Mission Street are the main areas to focus on, with an almost overwhelming number of places to eat packed into just a few blocks. This is where you’ll find some of the city’s most talked-about burritos, along with coffee shops, ice cream counters, and bakeries that make it easy to stop more than once.
Beyond the food, the Mission is also known for its street art, particularly the murals scattered throughout the neighborhood. It’s an area that rewards wandering a bit between meals, especially if you’re already nearby or planning a relaxed afternoon.
11) Go to a Local Brewery or Winery
You don’t have to leave San Francisco to enjoy great wine or beer. While Napa and Sonoma get most of the attention, the city itself has a strong local brewery and urban winery scene that’s easy to work into your itinerary.
San Francisco’s breweries range from well-known favorites to smaller neighborhood spots, many of which focus on relaxed taproom experiences rather than full tours. It’s an easy way to take a break between sightseeing without committing to a full afternoon. Several areas of the city, including SoMa and Dogpatch, have multiple breweries within walking distance of each other.
There are also a handful of urban wineries in San Francisco, where grapes are sourced from nearby regions and produced right in the city. These spots offer a more casual alternative to a day trip north and are especially appealing if you want to sample local wine without leaving town.
12) Visit Baker Beach
Baker Beach is one of the best places in San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge from a completely different angle. The beach sits just west of the bridge and offers incredible views of the water, the cliffs, and the skyline beyond.
It’s a popular spot for walking, taking photos, and watching the sunset rather than swimming. The water is cold year-round, and most visitors come for the views instead of the waves.
One thing to note: Baker Beach is partially clothing-optional. If that catches you off guard, sticking closer to the main entrance usually avoids surprises. Either way, it’s a very San Francisco stop and a nice way to wrap up your time in the city!
How to Get Around San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the easiest major cities in the United States to get around without a car. Between public transportation, walkable neighborhoods, and compact distances, it’s very possible to see most of the city without ever driving.
The city’s public transportation system is made up of buses, light rail, streetcars, cable cars, and commuter trains, and while it can look confusing at first, it’s fairly straightforward once you get the hang of it. Traffic and parking can be frustrating, so relying on public transit often ends up being faster than driving.
San Francisco’s neighborhoods are also surprisingly walkable, though the hills can make distances feel longer than they look on a map. Here are the best ways to get from point A to point B while exploring the city:
Public Transit (MUNI & BART)
San Francisco’s main transit system is MUNI, which operates buses, streetcars, and light rail throughout the city. BART is a separate regional train system that’s especially useful for airport transfers and trips to the East Bay.
Using a reloadable Clipper Card or mobile wallet makes riding transit simple. Most major attractions are accessible via MUNI, and trains and buses run frequently throughout the day.
Cable Cars
While cable cars are technically part of the public transportation system, they function more like a moving landmark than a practical way to get around. They’re fun to ride at least once and connect areas like Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Nob Hill, but lines can be long and rides are slow.
Walking
Walking is one of the best ways to explore San Francisco, especially within individual neighborhoods. Many of the city’s most interesting areas are close together, and it’s easy to stumble into great food, shops, and viewpoints along the way. Just be prepared for hills and wear comfortable shoes!
Rideshare
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are widely available and useful for late nights, longer distances, or hill-heavy routes you’d rather not walk. They’re generally more convenient than renting a car, especially if you’re staying centrally.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
San Francisco has no shortage of hotels, and where you stay can really shape how your trip feels. Neighborhoods vary a lot, so it’s worth choosing a location that matches how you plan to explore the city rather than just picking the first hotel that fits your budget.
If it’s your first visit, staying somewhere central makes getting around much easier. Areas like Union Square, Nob Hill, and North Beach put you within walking distance of restaurants, public transportation, and many of the city’s main attractions. You’ll spend less time commuting and more time actually seeing San Francisco.
Here are a few well-located hotels to consider:
If you’re open to staying outside the most central areas, neighborhoods like the Mission District or near Golden Gate Park can offer a quieter experience while still being well connected by public transportation. These areas are great if you prefer local neighborhoods over dense tourist hubs.
Making the Most of Your Time in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of those cities where you don’t have to go far to fill your days. Everything is fairly close together, and it’s easy to move between neighborhoods that feel completely different from one another.
Some cities feel like you need a checklist to get the most out of them. San Francisco isn’t really like that. You can hit a few well-known spots, wander into a neighborhood you hadn’t planned on, stop for food when something looks good, and still feel like you’ve seen a lot by the end of the day.
Whether you’re here for the landmarks, the food, or just to walk around and take it all in, San Francisco has a way of rewarding a flexible plan. Hopefully these things to do gives you a solid starting point and leaves you room to find some hidden gems on your own!
As always, feel free to message us on Instagram if there’s any way we can help you create a memorable and beautiful San Francisco visit.
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