![19 Things to do in San Francisco](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/things-to-do-in-San-Francisco.jpg)
19 Things to do in San Francisco
San Francisco might be a small walkable city, with a seven-mile by seven-mile footprint, but there’s still plenty to see and do inside the city as well as amazing places you can visit on day trips from the city.
From crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to seeing the sea lions of Fisherman’s Wharf, or finding the most Instagrammable Staircase to exist, here are 19 of the best things to do in San Francisco!
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19 Things to do in san Francisco
Take a trip down Lombard Street
Whether you drive or walk down, you must take a trip to Lombard Street.
Personally when I last visited San Fransico, I drove down and found a place to park up at the bottom, so I could take in the view from the bottom of the hill. However, there’s also a path so you can walk down it while staying off the main road.
I’d recommend visiting during the Spring and Summer seasons, as the flowers around the street are out and it looks a lot more beautiful!
![Lombard Street](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Lombard-Street-scaled.jpg)
Walk, Drive or Cycle down Golden Gate Bridge
You can’t visit the Golden State without going over the Golden Gate Bridge. At just under two miles long, the bride is easily walkable, although is quite fun to drive or cycle down as well!
Once you’re at the other side, stop at the Welcome Center by the Statue of Joseph Strauss (who designed the bridge), and grab your pictures in the famous photo spot.
While you’re there, don’t forget to read the plaques, explaining a bit about the history of the bridge!
![Golden Gate Bridge Picture](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Golden-Gate-Bridge-Picture-scaled.jpg)
![Driving down Golden Gate Brdige](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Driving-down-Golden-Gate-Brdige-scaled.jpg)
The Golden Gate Bay Cruise
For a different view of San Francisco, take the Golden Gate Bay Cruise.
A tour in a boat along San Francisco’s waterfront, pass through San Francisco Bay, head under the Golden Gate Bridge, around the famous Alcatraz Island, and then past Peir 39.
![Golden Gate Bridge Cruise](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Golden-Gate-Bridge-Cruise-scaled.jpg)
With an audio commentary available in 16 languages, this is a great way to learn more about the city. Check it out here*:
Explore Sausalito
Sausalito is a charming, picturesque city with bright buildings, located both within the hillside and shoreline.
Famous for its stunning views of the Bay Area, hiking and biking trails, and great sailing and kayaking spots around the San Francisco Bay.
Located just 4 miles (6 km) north of the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s a great place to visit from San Francisco.
![things to do in san francisco - sausalito](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/things-to-do-in-san-francisco-sausalito.jpg)
![Sausalito SF](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sausalito-SF-scaled.jpg)
Take a trip to Muir Woods
If you’re heading to Sausalito during your stay in San Francisco, why not take a trip to Muir Woods.
Muir Woods National Monument is in Marin County, home to over 380 different plants and animals.
Explore the giant Redwood trees, some of which are nearly 1,000 years old and reach heights of more than 250 feet.
Depending on how much hiking and exploring you want to do, you could spend anywhere between 1.5 to 5 hours in Muir Woods.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your experience in Muir Woods, why not consider a guided tour:
Find the Hearts of San Francisco
![Hearts of SF](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Hearts-of-SF-1-1-scaled.jpg)
The Hearts in San Francisco project debuted in 2004, which featured over 13 heart sculptures placed throughout San Francisco. The statues were created by local Bay Area artists, and later auctioned off to raise money for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
Each year, the tradition is carried on as new hearts are commissioned and auctioned off. The money raised from this goes towards accessible health care within San Francisco.
As well as the ‘heartworks’ being created for a great cause, it’s also super fun to try and visit as many as possible while you’re in San Franisco. Many of them are placed in common tourist areas, so you can’t fail to miss them!
Make sure you use the tag #HeartsinSanFrancisco when posting your pictures with the hearts!
Explore Pier 39
No visit to San Francisco is complete without a trip to Pier 39. Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll find two levels of restaurants, unique stores and entertainment located on top of the pier – there’s plenty to see and do at Pier 39.
From the pier, you can see views of Alcatraz Island, The Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown.
![Pier 39](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pier-39-scaled.jpg)
![Pier 39 SF](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pier-39-SF--scaled.jpg)
See the Sea Lions at Fisherman’s Wharf
Head to Pier 39’s K-Dock and you’ll find the home of hundreds of Californian sea lions, who enjoy lounging on the floating wooden docks at Fisherman’s Wharf.
The best time to see the sea lions is late-July until mid-May, with breading season typically occurring between June and July.
During breading season, the sea lions migrate south to the Channel Islands, but a small group stay year-round at PIER 39’s K-Dock – so regardless of when you’re visiting, you’ll still have a decent change to see some sea lions!
![Fishermans Wharf](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Fishermans-Wharf--scaled.jpg)
Cruise through the city on a cable car
![SF Cable Car](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SF-Cable-Car.jpg)
You’re in for one hell of a ride on San Francisco’s cable cars as the trams take the notoriously steep roads.
A fan way to get around, just make sure you hold onto the leather straps so you don’t slip down the seats!
If these cable car’s interest you, why not head to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, located at 1201 Mason Street.
Find the Most Instagrammable Staircase in San Francisco
In a city with steep hills comes a lot of staircases, but the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps in San Francisco is home to one of the most iconic staircases due to its impressive mosaics.
With over 163 tiled stairs, the artwork that spans this particular staircase looks like it begins in the sea, by the time you reach the top, you’re able to see the sunrise.
To find the Mosaic Steps, head to: 16th Avenue, Morga Street, between 15th and 16th Avenue.
![San Francisco Things to do - Mosaic Steps](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/San-Francisco-Things-to-do-Mosaic-Steps-.jpg)
![SF - Steps](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SF-Steps--scaled.jpg)
Shop in Union Square
Union Square is the place to be for shopaholics. The area features major department stores such as Macy’s, and big names including Vicotria’s Secret, Urban Outfitters, Tiffany & Co., and many more!
This area looks particularly good during Thanksgiving and Christmas, with department stores creating magical Christmas décor.
China Town
San Fransico’s China Town is one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in the US.
It’s worth a trip to explore China Town on foot, from the fascinating shops, temples, museums, restaurants, and food markets – there’s so much to see and do!
![China Town](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/China-Town-scaled.jpg)
Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies, also known as The Severn Sisters, are located along the Alamao Square in San Francisco.
These famous houses have been featured in many films and TV series including ‘The Woman in Red’, ‘Full House’, and many more!
These Victorian homes are colourful and stunning. You’ll find them on Steiner Street, near Alamo Square Park.
Definitely worth a visit to snap some pictures from the outside, but keep in mind you can’t simply walk into these buildings, as they are owned by people currently living in there.
However, as of 2021 the homeowner of the blue house, No. 712, has sometimes been offering guided tours, allowing visitors to see the top three floors of the house!
Explore the hippie town of Haight-Ashbury
Made famous by the hippie movement in the 1960’s
Neighbouring the Golden Gate Park, there’s plenty to see in the area, with a number of funky shops, restaurants, street art, and other cultural and historical activities.
The hippie vibe of Haight-Ashbury is still very much alive and thriving, with a much simpler vibe to the rest of San Francisco!
Ocean Beach
Perhaps San Fracisco isn’t the first Californian city you’d have in mind if you’re looking for beaches, but the 3.5-mile white sand Ocean Beach is still worth a visit!
Although it’s perhaps a bit colder than many beaches, there’s still often a lot going on, as it’s a popular spot for bonfires, flying kites, and windsurfing!
Ocean Beach is the perfect escape when you want a break from the busy city!
Alcatraz
If you don’t already know, Alcatraz (also known as ‘The Rock’), is a famous former prison located on an island which also happens to be called Alcatraz, in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
Some of the USA’s most notorious criminals were jailed there, and despite several attempts, no inmate ever made a successful escape from The Rock.
The Alcatraz prison was closed during the 1960s, but the stories from the prison keep it alive. Nowadays, you can visit the former prison, and it is fascinating!
When visiting, you have the opportunity to do a recorded cell-house tours, allowing you to explore the prison grounds while learning all about Alcatraz.
To take the tour, just get the Alcatraz Cruises ferry from Pier 33. It is recommended to book in advance as this is a really popular tourist activity.
If you aren’t interested in exploring the actual prison, and just want to see it close up from the outside, then you might want to opt for a cruise that goes around the Island.
![Alcatraz](https://www.gigsntravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Alcatraz.jpg)
Take a day trip to the Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the USA. It’s best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, there’s so much to see and do including The Half Dome Summit, El Capitan, the giant sequoia trees, and so much more!
Although some might feel that the 4-hour drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park is long, it is also one of the most scenic drives in the country, full of beautiful views of winding mountain roads and ancient redwoods.
If you’re heading to Yosemite for just one day, you won’t have enough time to see everything it has to offer, but a day trip will still offer you a great amount of time to see some of the beautiful sites that the national park has to offer. Make sure to get up early to maximise the time you have!
If you are planning to organise your own visit to Yosemite and drive yourself, keep in mind that sometimes a reservation is required to visit Yosemite on particular dates and times of the year. Driving through the park may also require a reservation. You can find more information on their website here.
Tour the City on the Big Bus Sightseeing Tour
The Big Bus tour can be an effective way to see the main sights of San Francisco if you’re short on time.
The Big Bus Tour is a hop-on-hop-off tour, on a red double-decker bus. Stopping at all the main sights, the big bus tour allows you to squeeze as many sights as possible into your San Fransisco trip. If you’re not hiring a car, this can be a great way to get around the city quickly.
They offer an audio-guided tour, available in multiple languages, but you can still hop on and off at any point you want!
The Big Bus Sightseeing Tour also offers the option for you to add on a group walking guided tour of China Town into your booking!
Hire a GoCar
A totally fun and unique way to explore San Fransico, why not jump in a GPS-guided GoCar as part of a full-day tour of the city! With guided directions form the GoCar, you will explore 49 miles through San Francisco’s most famous landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ocean Beach, and more!
The small yellow GoCar’s are easy and fun to drive! There’s no need to worry about navigating, as it’s GPS-guided, so if you’re not familiar with the layout of San Franscico, the GoCar will know where you are, even if you don’t!
While you’ll be the driver, GoCar will instruct you where to turn as it also tells you stories and facts about all the sites you’re seeing!
Note: to do this, you must be at least 21 years of age, with a credit card and a valid driver’s license.
San Francisco FAQ’s
What is San Francisco most known for?
San Francisco is known for its iconic landmarks and attractions such as Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, their Sea Lions and their Cable Cars.
What shouldn’t you miss in San Francisco?
You won’t want to miss a trip down Lombard Street or a drive across Golden Gate Bridge! You’ll want to spend some time at Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf spotting the sea lions, as well as taking the time to do a trip to Alcatraz and Muir Woods!
Is it expensive to visit San Francisco?
San Francisco is known for having a high cost of living, so it can be an expensive place to visit as a tourist. But there are things you can do to reduce the price of your trip such as making the most of public transport, spending time at free attractions and checking to see whether it’s worth purchasing a CityPASS to get reduced prices off transport and tickets for major attractions.