50 Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco captivates with its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, rolling hills navigated by classic cable cars, and famously foggy summers giving way to sunny autumns. This vibrant city by the bay boasts diverse neighborhoods, a rich cultural tapestry, and stunning natural beauty, offering countless adventures, including many fantastic free things to do in San Francisco like walking across its famous bridge or exploring Golden Gate Park. Its unique blend of history, innovation, and scenic vistas makes it an unforgettable destination.

This guide presents fifty distinct ways to experience the best of San Francisco, covering legendary landmarks, world-class museums, charming neighborhoods, outdoor escapes, and essential culinary quests. Whether you’re seeking breathtaking views, cultural immersion, family fun, or simply want to soak up the unique NorCal vibe, prepare to discover the multifaceted heart of this beloved city. Let’s explore what makes San Francisco truly special.

Iconic Landmarks & Structures

Golden Gate Bridge: Walk or bike across this world-famous suspension bridge for incredible views of the city skyline, Alcatraz, and the Pacific Ocean. Visit the Welcome Center or various viewpoints like Battery Spencer for classic photos.

Alcatraz Island: Take a ferry to the infamous former federal prison, known as “The Rock,” and explore the cellhouse with an excellent audio tour. Book tickets well in advance as tours sell out quickly.

Ride a Cable Car: Hop aboard one of San Francisco’s historic manually operated cable cars for a ride up and down the city’s steep hills. It’s a quintessential SF experience offering unique views and nostalgic charm.

Coit Tower: Ascend this Art Deco tower atop Telegraph Hill for panoramic city and bay views. Inside, admire the remarkable collection of WPA-era murals depicting California life (check viewing deck access).

Lombard Street: Witness the “most crooked street in the world” with its eight hairpin turns winding down a steep hill in Russian Hill. Walk down the sidewalks or carefully drive the curves for a unique photo opportunity.

Palace of Fine Arts: Admire the stunning Greco-Roman rotunda and colonnades, originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, set around a peaceful lagoon. It’s a beautiful spot for photos and a relaxing stroll in the Marina District.

Transamerica Pyramid: While not open for observation, admire the distinctive pyramid shape of this iconic downtown skyscraper. Its unique architecture makes it a recognizable feature of the city skyline.

Ferry Building Marketplace: Explore the historic Ferry Building, now a bustling marketplace featuring local artisan food vendors, restaurants, and shops. Visit during the farmers market (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays) for fresh produce and treats.

World-Class Museums

de Young Museum: Discover American art from the 17th century to the present, plus art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, located in Golden Gate Park. Ascend the Hamon Observation Tower for fantastic park and city views (free access).

Legion of Honor: Explore European painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, including a significant Rodin collection, housed in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Its setting in Lincoln Park offers stunning coastal vistas.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA): Immerse yourself in modern and contemporary art across multiple floors of impressive gallery space downtown. Discover works by iconic artists and explore cutting-edge exhibitions.

California Academy of Sciences: Explore a natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium, and four-story living rainforest all under one living roof in Golden Gate Park. Don’t miss the adorable African penguin colony.

Exploratorium: Engage with hundreds of hands-on science, art, and human perception exhibits located on Pier 15. It’s an interactive museum encouraging curiosity and discovery for all ages.

Walt Disney Family Museum: Discover the life and legacy of Walt Disney through galleries featuring early drawings, animations, artifacts, and a model of Disneyland, located in the Presidio. It offers fascinating insights into the man behind the magic.

Cable Car Museum: Learn about the history and mechanics of San Francisco’s famous cable car system at this free museum housed in the actual powerhouse barn. See the massive cables pulling the cars and explore historic cable cars.

Asian Art Museum: Explore one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian art in the world, spanning diverse cultures and thousands of years, located near Civic Center. Admire sculptures, paintings, textiles, and ceremonial objects.

Parks, Beaches & Natural Escapes

Golden Gate Park: Explore this vast urban oasis larger than New York’s Central Park, home to gardens, museums, lakes, and trails. Rent a paddle boat on Stow Lake or visit the Japanese Tea Garden.

Presidio of San Francisco: Discover this former military post transformed into a national park site offering hiking trails, scenic overlooks (like Baker Beach), historic buildings, and cultural attractions. Enjoy stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Dolores Park: Relax and people-watch at this popular park in the Mission District, known for its sunny slopes and vibrant atmosphere. Enjoy sweeping city views from the upper southwest corner.

Baker Beach: Enjoy incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge from this sandy beach within the Presidio (note: north end is clothing-optional). It’s a stunning spot for photos, though swimming can be dangerous due to currents.

Ocean Beach: Walk along the wide expanse of this Pacific Ocean beach stretching along the western edge of the city. It’s great for bonfires (in designated pits), experienced surfing, and enjoying the vast ocean scenery.

Land’s End: Hike scenic coastal trails offering dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands, and shipwrecks below. Explore the ruins of the Sutro Baths for a glimpse into history.

Muir Woods National Monument (Day Trip): Take a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to walk amongst towering ancient coastal redwood trees. Reservations are required for both parking and shuttle access to this majestic forest.

Angel Island State Park: Take a ferry to the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay, offering hiking trails, historic sites (including a former immigration station), and stunning 360-degree bay views. Rent bikes to explore the island’s perimeter road.

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture: Explore this former military base now housing theaters, galleries, event spaces, and offering great bay views. Enjoy Off the Grid food truck gatherings (seasonal) or relax on the Great Meadow.

Exploring Diverse Neighborhoods

Chinatown: Wander through the oldest Chinatown in North America, exploring bustling streets filled with traditional architecture, unique shops, temples, and authentic restaurants. Enter through the iconic Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.

North Beach: Discover the historic Italian neighborhood known for its Beat Generation past (City Lights Booksellers), lively cafes, Washington Square Park, and Coit Tower looming above. Enjoy the bohemian atmosphere and great restaurants.

Haight-Ashbury: Explore the famous neighborhood synonymous with the 1960s counterculture movement, now filled with vintage clothing stores, head shops, record stores, and colorful Victorian houses. Soak in the hippie history and unique vibe.

Mission District: Immerse yourself in Latino culture, vibrant street art murals (especially in Clarion and Balmy Alleys), trendy boutiques, and some of the city’s best Mexican food. Explore the historic Mission Dolores.

The Castro: Visit one of the world’s most famous LGBTQ+ neighborhoods, known for its rainbow flags, historic Castro Theatre, unique shops, and lively bars. Experience the welcoming and vibrant community spirit.

Fisherman’s Wharf: Experience the bustling tourist hub featuring seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, and attractions like Pier 39. While touristy, seeing the resident sea lions at Pier 39 is a must.

Hayes Valley: Explore this chic neighborhood known for its independent boutiques, trendy restaurants, and Proxy, an outdoor space often featuring food trucks and events. Enjoy the sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.

Japantown: Discover one of only three remaining historic Japantowns in the U.S., featuring Japanese restaurants, shops selling unique goods, the Peace Pagoda, and cultural events. Experience Japanese culture right in the city.

Fillmore District: Explore this stylish neighborhood known for its historic jazz heritage (visit the Fillmore Auditorium), upscale boutiques, and diverse dining options. Enjoy live music or browse the unique shops.

Noe Valley: Wander the charming streets of this family-friendly neighborhood known for its Victorian architecture, independent shops along 24th Street, and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy the sunny microclimate often found here.

Culinary Quests

Eat Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl: Sample this classic San Francisco treat, especially popular at Fisherman’s Wharf. Enjoy creamy clam chowder served piping hot inside a hollowed-out loaf of tangy sourdough bread.

Try a Mission Burrito: Indulge in the massive, foil-wrapped burrito style originating in the Mission District, typically packed with rice, beans, meat, salsa, and guacamole. Find your favorite taqueria for this filling SF staple.

Dim Sum in Chinatown: Experience a traditional dim sum brunch, choosing from various small plates like dumplings, buns, and rolls served from rolling carts. It’s a fun and delicious way to explore Cantonese cuisine.

Ghirardelli Square: Visit the historic chocolate factory complex (now shops and restaurants) near Fisherman’s Wharf. Indulge in decadent ice cream sundaes drizzled with famous Ghirardelli chocolate.

Unique SF Experiences

Alamo Square & Painted Ladies: Admire the famous row of colorful Victorian houses known as the “Painted Ladies” (or “Postcard Row”) set against the backdrop of the downtown skyline from Alamo Square Park. It’s one of the most photographed scenes in the city.

Wave Organ: Listen to the subtle, water-activated acoustic sculpture located on a jetty near the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Sounds are created by waves crashing against pipes, offering a unique auditory experience (best at high tide).

City Lights Booksellers & Publishers: Browse the shelves of this legendary independent bookstore and publisher in North Beach, a historic landmark for Beat Generation literature. Soak in the literary history and find unique titles.

Street Art & Murals: Explore neighborhoods like the Mission District (Clarion Alley, Balmy Alley) and Haight-Ashbury to discover vibrant and often politically charged street art murals. It’s like an outdoor art gallery.

Filbert Street Steps / Greenwich Street Steps: Climb these steep garden-lined stairways leading up Telegraph Hill, offering beautiful views and glimpses of charming hidden homes. Look for the wild parrots often seen along the way for a quirky urban hike.

Attend a Giants Game at Oracle Park: Experience Major League Baseball at the beautiful ballpark located right on the waterfront, offering stunning bay views. Cheer on the San Francisco Giants in a fantastic stadium setting.

Take a Ferry to Sausalito: Enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the bay to the charming waterfront town of Sausalito. Explore art galleries, browse shops, enjoy lunch with bay views, and admire the Mediterranean-like atmosphere.