Written by Lana Law from PlanetWare
Set along the ocean, with rolling hills and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States and the jewel of Northern California. The city is full of history, great neighborhoods, parks, beaches, museums, and a whole host of entertainment options and things to do.
Some of the most famous attractions are Alcatraz Island and Fisherman’s Wharf, but the sightseeing possibilities here are extensive. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest of its kind in North America and definitely worth visiting. For an interesting experience, hop on one of the historic cable cars and tour the city.
Discover more things to do with our list of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco.
See also: Where to Stay in San Francisco
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a California icon gracing San Francisco Bay. It is the most photographed site in the city, with the orange structure backed by blue water, or in many cases, peaking through low lying cloud. At night, the flood-lit structure is equally striking.
Connecting San Francisco with Marin County and other districts further north, the Golden Gate Bridge was, at one time, designated the greatest man-made sight in the United States by the U.S. Travel Service. Opened on May 28th, 1937, the bridge took four years to build and at the time of its completion, was the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring approximately two miles in length.
If you want to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, the road is US Hwy 101, or SR 1, and walkways on either side of the bridge are open to pedestrians and cyclists. The walk begins at the start of the bridge (accessible from the Presidio shuttle) and ends with a viewpoint in Marin County.
Many locals enjoy biking across the bridge to the nearby waterfront town of Sausalito. Pedestrian access is on the East Sidewalk; bicycle access is on the East and West Sidewalks. The bridge is only open to pedestrians and cyclists during daylight hours.
For a great view of the bridge, or for anyone interested in photographing the bridge, there are a number of ideal vantage points. From the San Francisco side, Nob Hill, an area known for its posh old mansions, offers some beautiful views over the bridge.
On the opposite side of the bridge, in Marin County, Golden Gate National Recreation Area is another good place to visit. Also, if you are planning on taking a tour to Alcatraz, there are completely open views from the boat and island.
2. Alcatraz Island
The historic and notorious Alcatraz penitentiary, located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, is one of America’s most infamous prisons. It operated for almost thirty years, closing in 1963 and re-opening as a tourist attraction in 1973. Some of America’s most well-known criminals were inmates here, including Al Capone and the “Birdman,” who would later form the basis for the fictional movie The Birdman of Alcatraz.
You can take a ferry over to the island and tour the site while listening to an exceptional audio recording that offers a glimpse into life in the prison, rather than just a historical list of the facts. The narration is even voiced by former inmates and guards of Alcatraz.
In the course of its 30-year existence, the penitentiary received a total of 1,576 convicts. There were never more than 250 at any one time, even though there were 450 cells measuring about 10ft by 4ft. At times the number of guards and staff was greater than the number of convicts.
While most people come for the history or the novelty of seeing a former prison, the island is now a prominent area for nesting seabirds.
An easy, convenient, and time-saving way to see Alcatraz and some of the other highlights of San Francisco, like Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge, is to take a combined Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour. If you have only one day to explore the city, and Alcatraz is on your must-see list, this guided tour is the best option. Alcatraz regularly sells out, so booking in advance is strongly advised.
3. Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist areas. If this is your first visit to the city and you only have a day or two to see the sights, Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the best places to visit. This old section, once the Little Italy of San Francisco, is known for its shops, restaurants, and beautiful setting along the waterfront. The views from Pier 39 back towards the city are exceptional.
It’s a fun place to stroll around and get a taste for the city. From here, you can also take a sightseeing cruise for spectacular views of the city, or organize a fishing charter. The docks by pier 39 are some of the best areas in the city to see sea lions.
Some of the main attractions in the area are Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Musée Mécanique, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, and Ghirardelli Square. Restored 19th- and 20th-century ships line the waterfront at the Hyde Street Pier, which is now the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.
The USS Pampanito, a national historic landmark, is a WWII submarine and part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Pier 39, located in this general area, is home to more than 50 stores and unique places to eat.
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Pier 39
- Ghirardelli Square
- The Cannery
- Fort Mason
- National Maritme Museum
- Maritime State Historic Park
- USS Pampanito
- Art Institute
- Telegraph Hill
- Coit Memorial Tower
- St Peters and Paul
4. Ride the Cable Cars
Cable Cars were introduced in 1873 to help locals contend with the many hills the city is built on. Today, the few remaining cable cars offer tourists a great way to explore the city in historic fashion. Since 1964, these tram-like vehicles have had the unique distinction of being the only public transport system to be declared a historic monument.
The Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde are the most scenic routes. The cable cars will also get you to the major tourist attractions such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, the Ferry Building, Nob Hill, and Lombard Street. Tickets can be purchased onboard the cable car, or, if you are planning on more than a couple of rides or are going to be sightseeing for a few days, consider buying a pass.
Official site: http://www.sfcablecar.com/
5. Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park, home to gardens and museums, is a fabulous green space in the heart of San Francisco, often considered the “lungs” of the city. Before development began in 1871, this was an area of arid dunes.
Today, the park has a network of walking trails and cycling paths, more than 5,000 different kinds of plants and dozens of species of trees, several lakes, bridle paths, and a buffalo paddock. The main attractions include the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences Museum with Steinhart Aquarium, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Golden Gate Park is one of those places that can just as easily take up a couple of hours as a couple of days. Bike rentals are available, and this can be a good way to explore the park, rather than trying to do everything on foot. Alternatively, try an organized 2.5-hour Segway Tour with a local guide, and hit all the major highlights.
Official site: https://goldengatepark.com/
6. Chinatown
You may have been to Chinatown in other cities, but San Francisco’s Chinatown is a whole other realm. It is both the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest of its kind in North America. Almost completely destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, Chinatown was rebuilt entirely in the Chinese style and was soon even more attractive than before the disaster.
Now with its temples, theaters, workshops, small businesses, stores, antique and souvenir shops, teahouses, and traditional pharmacies, visiting Chinatown has become one of the top things to do in San Francisco.
If you are traveling through San Francisco during an important Chinese holiday or event, you can expect to see an elaborate celebration. Chinese New Year celebrations are often considered the best in North America. The main street in Chinatown for tourists is Grant Avenue, with the Chinatown Gateway at Grant Avenue and Bush Street.
If you don’t mind a little exercise, you can do your own walking tour beginning in Chinatown with the help of our San Francisco Walking Tour.
7. Legion of Honor
An impressive Neoclassical Beaux-Arts building in an amazing setting, the California Palace of the Legion of Honor is San Francisco’s most exquisite museum. The Legion of Honor was the gift of the socialite, philanthropist, and patron of the arts Alma de Bretteville Spreckels. Because of her love for all things Parisian, the museum was designed as a replica of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris.
The Legion of Honor museum has a superb collection of European decorative arts, sculpture, and paintings, along with antiquities from the Mediterranean and Near East. Admission to this museum also gives you same-day admission to the de Young Museum.
The museum is in Lincoln Park, a gorgeous green space with a golf course and coastal woodlands and a wonderful place for a leisurely walk. Just outside the museum, visitors may follow the path along Lincoln Highway, which boasts spectacular ocean vistas and perfect outlooks onto the Golden Gate Bridge.
Those seeking a more adventurous hike can head to the Land’s End Trail. This winding cliffside trail in a wild, rugged terrain offers sweeping Pacific Ocean views and panoramas of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Official site: https://legionofhonor.famsf.org
8. Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is the last remaining structure from the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this classical looking building is beautifully situated on a lagoon that reflects the mirror image on the surface of the calm water, while ducks and geese drift by.
The palace has been restored, along with the grounds, and today hosts art exhibitions and performances. The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre seats approximately 1,000 patrons.
Address: 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco
Official site: http://palaceoffinearts.org/
9. California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences, in Golden Gate Park, is an architectural marvel as well as a multifaceted museum. This state-of-the-art “green” building with a sustainable design has a 2.5-acre Living Roof, covered with native plants and even rolling hills to match the natural surroundings. The roof also has solar panels to generate electricity, and the soil acts as natural insulation. The walls are largely made of glass allowing for natural light.
Inside is an incredible natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, and more. The Steinhart Aquarium includes some 38,000 live specimens and a 25-feet-deep coral reef. The Osher Rainforest is four stories high and houses animals and amphibians in a fantastic layout.
You can descend in a glass elevator to the deepest depths and look up through an acrylic tunnel to see fish swimming overhead in the flooded forest. The Kimball Natural History Museum has skeletons of a T-Rex and blue whale, along with an array of interesting exhibits.
Address: 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Official site: http://www.calacademy.org/
10. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is one of the city’s top museums, with 170,000 square feet of exhibition space spread across 10 floors. The museum focuses on 20th-century art, in all forms, and the innovative and interesting exhibits are constantly changing. The permanent collection consists of 33,000 pieces, and one of the more interesting collections are contained within the Fisher Collection.
The museum is housed in a modern, architecturally stunning building that was extensively renovated and expanded in 2016. The light and airy building is a pleasure to wander about.
Should you work up an appetite, grab a bite at Café 5 in the museum’s Jean and James Douglas Family Sculpture Garden. For a more refined dining experience, try and secure a table at the Michelin-starred In Situ restaurant.
Address: 151 Third Street, San Francisco
Official site: https://www.sfmoma.org/
11. de Young Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco
In Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum is a fine arts museum, and one of the largest public art institutions in San Francisco. Exhibits cover a variety of time frames and geographical locations. While art and period interiors from North America feature strongly in the collection, many other exhibits from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East are of note. British art and folk art from Africa, America, and the Pacific Islands, are also well represented.
Admission to the de Young Museum includes free same-day admission to the Legion of Honor.
Official site: http://deyoung.famsf.org/
12. Twin Peaks
These two uninhabited hills, more than 900 feet high, have one of the finest views out over the city and bay. Access is easy – you can drive to the north peak parking area, park your car, and soak up the amazing vista.
For those looking for a bit of activity, take a hike along trails over the north and south peaks. This is some of the best hiking in San Francisco. While up here, you may be forgiven for thinking these are the highest of San Francisco’s 43 hills; however, that lofty distinction belongs to Mount Davidson, which is 33 feet higher.
The Twin Peaks are the only hills in San Francisco not to have been built over and remain in their original state. The Spaniards called them “Los pechos de la Chola” or the Breasts of the Indian Maiden. Even on warm days, strong, cool breezes blow in from the Pacific, especially in the late afternoon.
13. Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum is unquestionably one of the most important museums in San Francisco. The museum opened in 1966, with the basis of the collection coming from art collector Avery Brundage.
Brundage built up a private collection, which in 1959 he offered to the city of San Francisco “to bridge the gap between East and West.” The museum building was constructed, and on his death in 1975 at the age of 88, the museum also received the rest of his collection of works of art in the form of a legacy.
Building on this, the museum has continued to amass various pieces and now contains an extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, bronzes, ceramics, jade carvings, and architectural fragments from Japan, Korea, China, India, Iran, and other Asiatic cultures. The works span more than 6,000 years. Plans are afoot for a substantial expansion, with the creation of a new pavilion.
Address: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California
Official site: http://www.asianart.org/
14. Exploratorium
One of San Francisco’s top family attractions, the Exploratorium is an incredibly popular science museum, with exhibits for both children and adults to enjoy. A huge number of diverse exhibits, and many with hand-on learning experiences, cover various areas of interest, all of which are designed to educate and entertain.
Children tend to rate this museum very highly, with all kinds of experiments and fun things to do, and whether they have kids or not, most adults also rave about the Exploratorium.
Address: Pier 15, San Francisco, California
Official site: http://www.exploratorium.edu/
15. Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, not to be confused with Golden Gate Park, is a huge natural area located across the Golden Gate Bridge from downtown San Francisco. This 600-square-mile park in Marin County is a designated Biosphere Reserve and home to a myriad of attractions. It is also simply a beautiful place to enjoy nature and relax.
The park has walking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and beautiful beach areas. Some of the beaches have fabulous views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The park is also a place of history and home to the historic Fort Baker, a former US Army post from the early 20th century.
Official site: http://www.nps.gov/goga/index.htm
16. Oracle Park
Home of the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park is a fun place to take in a baseball game while visiting the city. If you want to gaze out over the ball park to the sublime view of the ocean, buy tickets along the 1st base or 3rd base lines or behind home plate.
If you aren’t able to see a game, consider taking a 90-minute ballpark tour for a behind-the-scenes look at places off limits to most people. You can learn about the historic moments that have taken place here and explore the architecture. Tours are scheduled around games and do not run every day so check the online calendar in advance.
Address: 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco
Official site: https://www.mlb.com/giants/ballpark
17. Day Trip to Napa Valley
Less than 1.5 hours from San Francisco, Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are the two best-known and largest grape-growing areas in California. Many people day trip to this area to enjoy the scenery and stop in at some of the sites along the way.
Situated at the southern end of the valley of the same name, some 52 miles from San Francisco, Napa is one of the largest Californian towns north of San Francisco. This is an incredibly scenic area with a drier climate than the coastal regions. It was founded in 1848 and bears the name of the long extinct Napa Indians. The western boundary is formed by the Napa Mountains. The Howell Mountains form the eastern boundary of Napa County and they also protect the valley from storms.
Accommodation: Top-Rated Resorts in Napa Valley, CA
18. Hike and Picnic on Angel Island State Park
If you are looking for a non-touristy thing to do in San Francisco, take a 25-minute ferry ride from Pier 41 to Angel Island State Park for a wonderful escape to nature. The largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island has astounding views of the surrounding bay.
You can enjoy the lovely scenery while hiking or biking on the well-groomed trails. It’s possible to hike up to the island’s summit, Mount Caroline Livermore, at 788 feet, where the views are sensational. The island also has five picnic areas, eleven campsites, and several sandy beaches that are pleasant for walking and sunbathing.
Well designed for visitors, the island has a café that is open all week long during most of the year (except winter) and a casual restaurant that’s open on the weekends from June to October and features live music performances.
Official site: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468
19. Ghirardelli Square
Located in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, Ghirardelli Square is in a restored factory area, surrounded by shops, galleries, and restaurants in renovated industrial buildings. The square was inaugurated in 1964 and was the first of a number of projects designed to give new life to abandoned factory complexes.
Ghirardelli’s old red-brick chocolate factory has been turned into a center for shoppers, art-lovers, and those in search of entertainment or a good meal. This is a great place for chocolate lovers who want to sample some treats. Its belfry (built in 1916) is modeled on that of the Château of Blois in France. Later additions are rose gardens decorated with fountains and terraces with fine views.
20. High Tea at a Historic Hotel
Enjoying high tea at a historic hotel gives tourists a sense of the city’s grandeur during the Victorian era and the turn of the century. The Fairmont San Francisco on Nob Hill, opened in 1907, is renowned for its opulent lobby and elegant ambience. The Fairmont’s Laurel Court offers afternoon tea service on Saturdays and Sundays.
Also on Nob Hill, The Ritz-Carlton is well-known for its fancy afternoon tea service in The Lounge, a sophisticated reception room with splendid city views.
One of the city’s grandest historic hotels, the Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel was built in 1875 in the downtown area near Market Street. The Palace Hotel awes visitors with its magnificent Garden Court reception area, where a traditional afternoon tea is served complete with fine china, sterling silver, and classic specialties like finger sandwiches and handmade scones.
21. Walt Disney Family Museum
The word’s most famous man when it comes to family fun has his own museum in San Francisco. Dedicated to chronicling his life, the museum’s 16 rooms provide a fascinating insight into the man, his family, and his worldwide business empire.
In addition to the life stories, the museum also showcases the animation technology, known as the Multiplane Camera, that Walt Disney invented. Also on display are the numerous awards he won over his career, along with priceless sketches of Mickey Mouse.
The museum is located in the interesting Presidio neighborhood, so a visit here can be combined with several other top attractions all within walking distance.
Official site: https://www.waltdisney.org/
22. Gaze Up at the Giant Redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument
For a bit of nature during your San Francisco visit, be sure to make the 45-minute drive out to see the ancient redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument. Quiet paths wind their way under huge trees, some of which are nearly 260 feet high. Until you visit, it’s hard to appreciate the incredible sight of these stoic sentinels that have been living quietly in the forest for nearly 1,200 years.
To get a deeper understanding and to make the most of your visit, be sure to swing by the visitors center, where you’ll find fascinating exhibits and displays along with park staff who are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Note that to visit the park, you will need to prebook your parking space. Plan to book well in advance to secure a spot in this busy park.
Official site: https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
23. Coit Tower
As you look up Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, you may notice the cylindrical tower that looks a little like the Leaning Tower of Pisa (without the lean). This is the Coit Tower. Completed in 1933, the tower stands 210 feet high and is one of the best places for panoramic views of the city. The sights that lie before you include Lombard Street, Pier 39, the downtown skyscrapers, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.
Inside the tower are wonderful murals painted in the early 1930s depicting views of daily life during the Depression. The tower is named after its benefactor, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who was a wealthy and somewhat eccentric lady.
Official site: https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290
Where to Stay in San Francisco for Sightseeing
If you’re planning to see the top tourist attractions in San Francisco, the best place to stay is near Union Square. You’ll find plenty of upscale shops, restaurants, galleries, theaters, and hotels here. San Francisco’s famous Chinatown lies within walking distance, and Union Square is a major transport hub, so it’s easy to venture further afield to other attractions via cable car, bus, BART, or taxi.
Fisherman’s Wharf is also a popular place to stay, with its fun holiday feel and misty bay – especially for families who might prefer a more peaceful mood in the evenings. Below are some of the best places to stay in San Francisco for sightseeing.
Luxury Hotels:
- A 12-minute stroll from Union Square, Four Season Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero, in the financial district, is one of the city’s top hotels, with beautiful views of San Francisco Bay and the city skyline. The chain has two locations in the city, the second Four Seasons Hotel is a short walk from Union Station and provides the service and amenities the company is famous for
- For a more historical take on accommodation, consider The Ritz-Carlton. Housed in a colonnaded historic building on exclusive Nob Hill it’s a feast for all your senses.
- With the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art located next door and the Museum of African Diaspora located inside, The St Regis is ideally located for those who crave culture.
Mid-Range Hotels:
- Chancellor Hotel on Union Square offers excellent value in the heart of all the Union Square. action. The hotel is historic but has made upgrades to now provide the comfort and amenities today’s traveler requires plus complementary fruit and cookies in the lobby. The cable car runs right past the front of the hotel.
- The boutique Cornell Hotel de France exudes Parisian style in a convenient location between Union Square and Nob Hill. The hotel dates from 1910 and is on the Register of Historic Places.
- In a salt-tinged setting by the water, Courtyard by Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf is a fantastic option – especially for families seeking accommodation in this popular tourist spot a short stroll from Ghirardelli Square.
Budget Hotels:
- If you’re on a budget, the Herbert Hotel in the heart of downtown offers excellent value a short walk from Union Square.
- For those who can’t choose between staying in Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square, the Castle Inn sits between both; you can walk to Fisherman’s Wharf in about 25 minutes and Union Square in 30 minutes.
Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to San Francisco
Several interesting tours in San Francisco make exploring the city easy and hassle-free. Since San Francisco is a large city built on hills, with many uphill climbs and stairs, tours are an especially good idea for anyone with mobility issues.
Tours are also ideal if you have only a couple of days and want to see as much of the city as possible without the challenges of driving or trying to find parking. The following tours are some excellent options for saving time, seeing the sights, and exploring some of the areas outside the city. These also guarantee the lowest prices.
See the Sights:
- The best option for the traditional, no fail, explore-at-your-own-pace sightseeing tour is the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. This double decker bus tour, with guided narration, allows you to get on and off at the major tourist spots and is a great way to get acquainted with the city while learning a little history and seeing the highlights.
- To add a splash of fun to your sightseeing and save your legs some extra walking, book a San Francisco Waterfront Segway Tour and cruise around Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, and other popular areas.
Cruise the Bay:
- To get out on the water and enjoy the city skyline in the evening, hop on a San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise. This 1.5-hour cruise sails past Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge while the sun sets and the city lights begin to glow.
Get Out of the City:
- San Francisco lies within easy striking distance of some fantastic scenery. To see some of the fabulous coastline, shop Monterey’s Cannery Row, see the charming seaside town of Carmel, and drive along the well-known 17 Mile Drive, try the Monterey, Carmel, 17 Mile Drive Day Trip from San Francisco.
- Another very popular trip, offering a chance to see one of America’s great national treasures, is a Tour to Yosemite National Park. This is a must for nature lovers who want to see the famous sites of El Capitan and Half Dome and walk among the Giant Sequoias of Mariposa Grove. This tour offers pickup and drop-off from some San Francisco hotels and offers free time inside the park.
- For a half-day tour that covers a little of everything, the Muir Woods, Giant Redwoods, and Sausalito Half-Day Trip is a good mix of nature, sightseeing, and shopping. This tour is available in the morning or afternoon and offers pickup and drop-off at hotels for the morning tour.
