What are the best things to do in San Francisco, California?
Planning on visiting San Francisco? Located in Northern California, this hilly city is a popular destination for visitors. San Francisco offers many cultural and historical tours. Whether you're visiting the city alone, with a friend or with your family you'll find plenty of things to do in San Francisco. We've rounded up the best activities to do in the city, from the most famous landmarks (the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park) to the most popular museums. Don't forget to check out the most popular restaurants in San Francisco! Let's see why San Francisco is so famous for visitors!
The 6 most famous places to visit in San Francisco
San Francisco offers many popular and historic tours. In fact, San Francisco is a city full of famous places to visit during the day. Let's have a look at the list of the must-sees during your time in San Francisco.
1. San Francisco's popular Golden Gate Bridge
The world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, easily recognized by its international orange color, spans the Golden Gate Strait from the Presidio of San Francisco to the Marin Headlands. Once called "the bridge that couldn't be built", the Golden Gate Bridge is now famous all around the world.
The bridge is 1.7 miles long and is anchored by towers that rise 746 feet. The towers were once the tallest buildings in San Francisco! This historic bridge is a great place to walk or bike with great views of the city and its surroundings. And it's budget-friendly because it's free!
2. Visit Alcatraz, San Francisco's famous island
Alcatraz was the site of the first lighthouse in the western United States. From 1934 to 1963, it became a federal penitentiary, housing some notorious convicts such as Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. This prison island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the Bay Area.
Alcatraz is located just one mile from Fisherman's Wharf. The island is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The only way to get to Alcatraz is by a ferry, which Alcatraz City Cruises operate.
You can take a tour of the island and visit the Cell House, where you can see how the prisoners lived. The main prison block with its 9-by-5 foot cells, library and "dark holes" is still structurally intact. This island is a great way to learn about the history of San Francisco.
3. San Francisco's popular neighborhood: the Painted Ladies
Located on the east side of Alamo Square Park, the Painted Ladies are one of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks. Visit the pastel-colored houses that stand side by side on the gentle slope of Steiner Street. These Victorian homes are still occupied by locals and are a beautiful reminder of San Francisco's history. Spend your day strolling through San Francisco's famous neighborhood. And this visit is free!
4. San Francisco's best park: Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is one of the largest parks in the United States. It is also one of the most visited parks in the country. It's one of the must-see places in San Francisco. The park has a museum, a beautiful flower conservatory and a famous little Japanese garden. The Young Museum houses treasures of art, objects, and fabrics from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The Observation Tower in the park offers a 360° view of the city.
The Flower Conservatory is a beautiful Victorian-inspired building. The emblem of this park boasts over 2,000 species of plants. The park is home to the oldest Japanese Tea Garden that offers a place of beauty and delicacy. Hurry to visit the Golden Gate Park.
5. Twin Peaks, for the best view of San Francisco
Located in San Francisco, Twin Peaks is a residential neighborhood. The two hills rise above the city and offer a panoramic view of the city. You can visit the hills for free and take your time to admire the view. To visit Twin Peaks, it's better to have a car. The hills are completely off the city's transportation network. Why not rent a car from a local in San Francisco?
6. San Francisco's most famous neighborhood: Chinatown
Chinatown in San Francisco is a neighborhood of great cultural interest. Over the years, Chinatown has become very attractive to many visitors who come to San Francisco. If you want to immerse yourself in Asian culture during your trip to San Francisco, Chinatown is for you.
While you're in Chinatown, you can visit the Tin Hau Temple, which is dedicated to the Taoist faith. It is one of the oldest religious buildings in Chinatown. If you want to learn all about how the Chinese have lived and embraced the American dream, visit the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum in Chinatown.
Visit the top 5 museums in San Francisco
Whether you're visiting the city alone, with friends, or with kids, there are plenty of things to do in San Francisco! As mentioned above, San Francisco is also known for its museums.
1. Aquarium of the Bay
If you like marine life, the Aquarium of the Bay is for you! Located at Pier 39, the Aquarium of the Bay is a must-see. It offers visitors an unforgettable encounter with marine life. Explore 300 feet of clear acrylic tunnels containing 700,000 gallons of Bay water. You can purchase tickets directly from the Aquarium of the Bay website. Opening hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2. Asian Art Museum
While in San Francisco, be sure to visit the Asian Art Museum. Located in the Civic Center neighborhood, it is one of the most diverse museums in the world, with collections of art and artifacts from across the Asian continent. Spend the day learning about 6,000 years of human history.
3. Children's Creativity Museum
If you're looking for things to do in San Francisco with your kids, visit the Children's Creativity Museum. The Museum is full with interactive exhibits that each kids about animation, digital media and music. Spend the best day with your children!
4. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, SF MOMA, was the first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It offers more than 33,000 works of art and has an entire floor dedicated to photography. It is recommended that you purchase your tickets online.
5. The Walt Disney Family Museum
If you're looking for things to do in San Francisco with your family, the Walt Disney Family Museum is the place to visit! The museum is dedicated to the life of Walt Disney. It offers contemporary interactive galleries narrated by the voice of Walt Disney!
As you can see, there are many things to do in San Francisco. The city also offers a popular food experience. There are many restaurants in San Francisco offering food from all over the world. Looking for a car to visit the city? With Getaround you can easily rent a car in San Francisco.
