Preparation a journey to the city on the bay? San Francisco relatively uses it all. From misty early morning wanders at the waterfront to historical tours, there are lots of fun things to do in San Francisco.
You might understand this city as the home of the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge in the 1930s. However with a history extending back to 1776, SF is a city of much more surprising firsts and bests. I have actually compiled some must-do activities in San Francisco to be familiar with the heart and soul of this exciting city.
Wanting to add more US destinations to your travel list? Explore my U.S.A. pail list to sustain your wanderlust.
What to Do in San Francisco
Get active, curious and delighted with these top things to do in San Francisco.
Check Out San Francisco on Wheels
< img alt="San Francisco bike trip with Blazing Saddle"src ="https://i0.wp.com/thecuriouspixie.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/blazing_saddles_bike_tour-1440x1920.webp?ssl=1"/ > A bike tour is the perfect eco-friendly way to catch some sunshine and get an introduction of all the city needs to offer. I scheduled a three-hour e-bike tour with Blazing Saddles and pedalled past some of the most iconic San Francisco landmarks. We passed gems like the Palace of Arts and Golden Gate Park before crossing the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge.
After the tour, you can choose to keep the bike for the rest of the day. San Francisco is among the most bike-friendly cities in the United States. So you can securely explore more of the city at your own rate.
Idea: Check out more methods to take a trip sustainably with my essential suggestions for environmentally friendly trips.
Ride the Powell-Hyde Cable Car Line
Did you know that San Francisco was the birth place of the cable television vehicle? Invented by Andrew Smith Hallidie in 1873, the cable cars and truck ended up being a crucial mode of transport in SF. Of the 23 cable television automobile lines that operated
in its prime time, only three stay. The Powell-Hyde cable cars and truck line is probably the most popular of the three lines. This line travels through downtown SF, passes Union Square, ascends Nob Hill and descends to Angler’s Wharf. It’s an exceptionally scenic and exhilarating trip full of photo ops and stunning sights.
Hop on at the Powell Street Cable television Automobile turnaround at the San Francisco Centre shopping mall. A single-trip ticket expenses only $8 and can be bought through the MuniMobile app.
Idea: Hop off in between Jackson and Bush streets to check out the earliest Chinatown in North America. Sign up with a food tour, do some shopping, and visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
Check out The Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio is a 1,491-acre national forest neglecting the bay. This spectacular stretch is the historical area of the Yelamu tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone individuals. It was converted into a Spanish fort in 1776 and served as a military post for centuries. In 1994, the Presidio became part of the national forest system as part of the Golden Gate National Entertainment Area.
Today, the Presidio is home to over 3,000 citizens and numerous species of threatened plants and animals. The park offers numerous recreational activities and attractions, making it perfect for a family day out.
- Check Out the Letterman Digital Arts Center, the home of Lucasfilm, to appreciate the life-size Yoda water fountain and other iconic Star Wars statues. The school likewise features a 17-acre public lawn offering beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of Fine Arts.
- Walk, trek and bike along the Presidio’s various routes on a self-guided experience. Ask For a Presidio Adventure Passport, an explorer backpack or an experience map at the Presidio Field Station and check out the location. Keep an eye out for art work by Andy Goldsworthy on your adventure.
- Grab a bite at the Presidio Social Club, Colibri Mexican Bistro or Dailida. Or explore what street food goodies are on offer at the food trucks.
- Camp overnight at Presidio’s highest point, Rob Hill Camping Area, between April and October.
- Stop by the Visitor Centre for resources, maps, mementoes or a bathroom break.
- Plop down for a picnic at Baker Beach, the Rob Hill Camping Site or the Presidio Tunnel Tops. The Tunnel Tops is a brand-new advancement with a fun play ground, picnic areas and dreamy views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Go To the Walt Disney Household Museum to find out more about the life of Walt Disney. See the first-ever illustration of Mickey Mouse, check out short-term exhibitions, and appreciate a model of Walt’s dream Disneyland.
Suggestion: Get on the free Presidio GO Shuttle Bus from downtown San Francisco to the Presidio Transit Centre.
Wander About at Angler’s Wharf
Take the cable cars and truck down to Angler’s Wharf to welcome the sea lions at Pier 39 and explore the buzzing waterside. Here, you can go out on whale-watching trips and bay cruises to see the city from a brand-new angle.
When appetite calls, sample the day’s catch at one of the lots of seafood restaurants while absorbing bay views. Anglers bring in fresh scallops, halibut and Dungeness crab around the bay.
If you’re captivated by vintage game video games, get nostalgic at the Musée Mécanique. This museum is home to over 300 coin-operated mechanical makers and musical instruments, and is complimentary to go into.
Watch the Giants at Oracle Park
Catch a baseball game at Oracle Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants considering that 2000. I enjoyed the San Francisco Giants win versus the Cincinnati Reds, and the energy in the stadium was unbelievable. Paired with life-altering garlic fries and an energetic Hey there Kitty mascot, it was such a memorable time.
Visiting with the kids? They can anticipate sliding down the Coca-Cola bottle slide or admiring the world’s biggest baseball glove up close. There’s likewise a 50-by-50-foot reproduction of Oracle Park for aspiring baseballers to run the bases. If you’re a big baseball fan, you can likewise book a behind-the-scenes tour of Oracle Park.
Secret Places to Visit in San Francisco
Get your camera and prepare to be awe-struck by these unmissable locations to see in San Francisco.
The Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most photogenic things to see in San Francisco. This architectural gem was integrated in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The majority of the buildings developed for this exposition were taken apart. However, the Palace of Arts, with its Greco-Roman rotunda and pillars ignoring a lagoon, was too beautiful to destroy.
The Palace of Arts was completely brought back in 1959 and gained a theatre in 1970. Today, it is a popular wedding event and event location and the perfect place to plop down for a picnic. You’ll likewise capture sensational views of the Golden Gate Bridge from here, so make certain to bring your cam!
Lombard Street
Lombard Street is among the quirkiest San Francisco destinations. Referred to as the”Crookedest Street in the World,” this downhill lane includes 8 barrette turns. The turns were carried out in the 1920s to make the downhill descent safer for drivers and pedestrians.
From the top of the hill, you’ll take pleasure in remarkable views of San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. From the bottom, you’ll get postcard-worthy views of the winding street surrounded by manicured gardens and Russian Hill homes.
The best time to go to is throughout the late early morning and early afternoon, when residents aren’t going out to work. While appreciating the street, be sure to respect the homeowners by staying on the sidewalks and off the yards.
Tip: While Lombard Street has its fair share of crookedness, Vermont Street is technically the curviest street in San Francisco. Discover it in the Potrero Hill district between 20th and 22nd streets.
Club Fugazi
The legendary Club Fugazi has actually been a cultural gem for over 100 years. Originally built in 1913, it has actually set the phase for creatives, political leaders and everyone in between. This is the area where jazz icon Thelonious Monk tape-recorded his album Thelonious Alone in San Francisco (1959 ). It’s where Beat poets like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac felt comfortable.
You may understand Club Fugazi best as the home of Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon, the world’s longest-running musical review. The production ran for 45 years, drawing over 6 million visitors.
I watched Club Fugazi’s latest local production, “Dear San Francisco.” This daring, acrobatic love letter to the city pays homage to all the characters, charm and history that make it so unique. The impressive acts are sure to have you awe-struck and on the edge of your seat.
Alcatraz Island
< img alt ="Alcatraz Island, San Francisco "src="https://i0.wp.com/thecuriouspixie.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/alcatraz_island-1440x1920.webp?ssl=1"/ > Alcatraz Island is one of the eeriest places to check out in the San Francisco Bay Area. Located about 2 km offshore, it was initially home to a seabird nest before the building and construction of a military fort and jail in the 1800s.
Between 1934 and 1963, the structure acted as a federal jail, housing a few of the most dangerous detainees. These consisted of George Kelly and Al Capone. While there were about 14 escape efforts throughout this time, it is said that nobody has ever gotten away the island alive.
I took a self-guided tour to read more about this island’s history and really felt the spooky energy of this prison. The tour provides an informative look into some of the most infamous detainees and provides peeks into the past.
The Painted Ladies
These aren’t real girls! Rather, the Painted Ladies are 7 beautifully maintained Victorian houses. The term” painted girls” is typically used to refer to any set of Victorian and Edwardian houses that have been repainted in various colours.
Nestled in the heart of Alamo Square on Steiner Street, these picture-perfect houses were built in the late 19th century. They’re one of the most popular things to see in San Francisco, and are particularly striking against a backdrop of modern-day skyscrapers. Stop by at sunset to record some unforgettable shots. You can likewise relax at Alamo Square Park throughout the roadway.
Concluding: Top Things to Do in SF
Whether you’re on a family trip or striking San Fran solo, this city has something for everyone. Its cultural diversity, abundant history and sensational natural landscapes offer media event and adventures galore.
While you’re in the Western United States, why not check out Nevada off the beaten path? There are likewise lots of fun things to do in Las Vegas.