I am one of those people who love San Francisco. From catching a cable car to watching a basketball game, San Francisco has many exciting things and great places to explore. So here in this article are my twenty things to tick off your bucket list in San Francisco.[updated 2026]
Table of Contents
If you want to explore places outside of San Francisco, then check out the article “Best day trips from San Francisco“.
Weather
With the rainy season running from December to February and the driest months from May to September, San Francisco can be more refreshing than other places along the California coast.
Hotel recommendation in San Francisco
Hilton Union Square
You can not fault Hilton Union Square for its location, right downtown, within walking distance of catching the cable car, and many other significant points of interest. However, although the hotel was clean, the lobby was huge, making it noisy all day and night.
Hyatt Centric Fisherman Wharf
The Hyatt Centric Fisherman Wharf is an ideal location for this part of San Francisco. The hotel is lovely and spacious, has a sensational view, and is within walking distance of the Alcatraz Departure point.
There are many attractions in and around this area, making it excellent for families who require plenty of activities.
Palace Hotel
Who doesn’t love old-world romance? The Palace Hotel is the oldest in San Francisco, so you feel as if you have stepped back in time with its luxurious interior, large indoor pool, and an extensive list of famous guests; this hotel is excellent for a little splurge.
Still not sure where to stay? Check out the article “Where to stay in San Francisco“
Things to do in San Francisco
Ride the cable car
You can not go to San Francisco without riding the iconic cable cars. Catching it from Union Square down to Fisherman’s wharf or vice versa is all you need to get that cable car fixed. However, if you are like me and love the energy and entertainment of the conductor, then you will find yourself riding it again and again.
Whether you hang off the side or sit inside, the experience is worth the ride from all angles. But be warned that the lines are long if you go during peak hour (especially coming from Union Square in the morning).
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
Whether you drive across it, walk, or bike, you must get to the other side of this incredible bridge. Hiring a bike is easy; head to one of the many bike rental stores in and around Fisherman’s Wharf and hire a bike for a few hours.
Remember to take a jacket because crossing the bridge (even in Summer) can be windy. So check the weather report before you go!
💵 Fare: $9 per single ride (current) · Rising to $12 from January 2027
🎟 Best value: $18 “Cable Car Plus” pass (from Jan 2027) — unlimited cable car rides + all Muni buses and streetcars for one adult + 2 children free
📱 Buy tickets: MuniMobile app, Clipper card, contactless credit/debit card, or exact cash on board
🚉 Main route for tourists: Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason lines — catch from Powell St near Union Square down to Fisherman’s Wharf
⏰ Runs daily from approximately 6:30 am to midnight
⚠️ Queues at Powell Street in the morning can be 30–45 minutes. Walk one or two blocks further along the line to join mid-route with a shorter wait.
Explore Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is buzzing with entertainment, local buskers, music playing, and many people in and around this area. Check out the local Sea Lions usually spotted along Pier 39. These gorgeous animals are sunning themselves on the rocks around this area.
💵 Walking / cycling across: FREE — open 24 hours to pedestrians and cyclists
🚗 Driving toll: $9.75 southbound only (electronic toll, no cash booths)
🚴 Bike rental: Available from multiple shops near Fisherman’s Wharf from ~$35–$45 for 3 hours
🌁 Best viewpoint without crossing: Battery Spencer on the Marin side (short hike, stunning angle)
🧥 Essential tip: Bring a jacket even in summer — the bridge sits in a wind corridor and temperatures drop significantly mid-span. Fog most common in June–August, clearest views in September–November.
⏱ Walk time: About 30–40 minutes one way (2.7 km / 1.7 miles)
Watch the Golden Gate Warriors play.
Whether you are a basketball fan or not, the atmosphere and entertainment are worth the experience. With the Chase Centre now their new home, there is no excuse.
The tickets can be expensive, but if you are like me and don’t mind sitting in the nosebleed section, you will enjoy every minute.
Try Clam chowder in San Francisco.
For me, a trip isn’t a trip without trying the cuisine! So, although you could probably find better places to eat this dish, we chose the iconic Tarantino restaurant (now closed), which has served customers since it opened in 1946. But don’t worry. Many other places at Fisherman’s Wharf offer the famous clam chowder.
Have lunch at the Barrel House Tavern in Sausalito.
This little town has jumped straight out of a movie screen. Or perhaps making a song like “(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay“. Sausalito is a quaint town full of boutique shops and gorgeous-looking waterfront restaurants.
So after wandering through these charming streets and checking out the fantastic view. Head to Barrel House Tavern for a delicious lunch with a great idea. Or go for a bike tour around this fantastic little seaside village.
Have a glass of bubbly at the top of the Marriott Marquis
Why not stop by for a drink and enjoy a fantastic view in the meantime? The view lounge (rightly named, by the way) offers a 360-degree view of San Francisco’s incredible skyline.
You will find the San Francisco Marriott Marquis at 780 Mission Street. You will not be disappointed with the view!
Go Op shopping in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco.
Some call them thrift shops, but for this post, let’s go vintage shopping! Haight-Ashbury is known for its hippyish feel, and they are not wrong.
From bell-bottom pants and long shoulder-length hair to the odd whiff of marijuana, you could be mistaken by thinking you have been teleported back to the ’70s. Nevertheless, it is a fabulous place and worth a visit.
Be inspired by Mario Puzo and write your own (Godfather) novel.
Sit and have lunch at the Caffe Trieste, where you can drink plenty of coffee. The Caffee Trieste was the first espresso cafe on the West Coast and remains busy.
So sip on your cappuccino and be inspired by the many photos around the wall. You may recognise this Caffee Trieste from its many appearances in movies, TV shows and magazines, so sit back, relax and enjoy the hustle and bustle this cafe offers.
Dip your feet in the ocean at Ocean Beach
Yes! It is true; the water is like ice. Due to the fog caused by icy Pacific water reaching warmer air, this area often causes a chilly ocean breeze.
Dipping your feet is all I recommend, because the water at Ocean Beach is freezing and has strong currents, so swimming is dangerous. You will find Ocean Beach, adjacent to the Golden Gate Bridge, a short distance away in Richmond.
Take a trip to Alcatraz during the day or night.
For me, Alcatraz during the day was creepy enough, but when the sun goes down, I would imagine it would be an entirely different level of eeriness. But if you are up for the challenge, book your evening tour online well in advance, as bookings fill up faster than you might imagine.
Likewise, I would highly recommend booking early for the day tour unless you want to book a tour that includes Alcatraz and costs you a small fortune (Yes, a rookie mistake, I know).
Note: book your Alcatraz ticket here – easiest way to get your ferry ticket, entrance and self guided tour.
📍 Departure point: Pier 33, Embarcadero, San Francisco
⏰ Ferry departures: From 9:00 am daily (check cityexperiences.com for full schedule)
💵 Day tour: $47.95 adults · $45.15 seniors (62+) · $29.15 children (5–11) · FREE under 5
🎟 Book at: cityexperiences.com or by phone 415-981-7625
⏱ Time needed: Allow 3–4 hours including the ferry crossing (15–20 min each way)
⚠️ BOOK EARLY: Tickets sell out 2–3 months in advance in summer. Book as soon as you have flights. Walk-up availability is extremely rare in peak season.
🌙 Night tours: Available Tuesday–Saturday, more atmospheric (hospital wing access, smaller groups) — book even further ahead.
Visit the world’s most crooked street.
Lombard Street is famous for just that, being crooked. You can walk beside it, drive down it or admire it from the top or bottom; you can experience this weird and wonderful street any way you like. There have always been many tourists taking photos of this street whenever I have visited, and once you are there, you can see why.
Walk the self-guided famous house route.
We all love TV sitcoms, especially such shows as “Full House”! So why not walk (or drive) past the many famous houses featured in movies such as “Mrs Doubtfire” and “Pacific Heights”? Or perhaps wander along and view the homes that celebrities, past and present, have owned. Check out the tour here if you don’t want to do it alone.
Visit the oldest Chinatown in America.
First established back in 1853, and later named Chinatown by the press. Chinatown has everything you could imagine, from trinkets to restaurants, fresh local produce, and massage shops.
It is a mini (and somewhat westernised) version of what you would find in the streets of China. Want to know more? Check out the walking tour here.
Visit Muir Woods and measure yourself against the Redwood trees.
The Redwood trees are native to California and can be found far from San Francisco in Muir Woods. There is an impressive display of the different types of Redwood trees here. The Redwood trees are enormous, with the tallest one reaching 258 feet (79 m).
Try an In-N-Out Burger in San Francisco.
You can try an In-N-Out burger almost anywhere in the US; however, if you haven’t already, why not start here? The lines are long; however, are they worth it? Well, I will let you be the verdict on this one.
Order a “Joe’s special” at “The Original Joe’s.”
Although the area of North Beach is informally known as Little Italy, this can be somewhat confusing. Why? Because North Beach was once a fishing village with many Italian immigrants, today, the shoreline has extended, so this area has no beach in sight; what it still has, though, is an Italian feel.
So why not try one of the many Italian cafes, restaurants or delicatessens? While you are here, book into “The original Joe’s” and order a “Joe’s special”; while you are there, try the lasagne. You won’t regret it.
Take a trip down memory lane and visit Joe DiMaggio’s beloved San Francisco.
St. Peter’s and Paul’s Church is where he married his first wife, took photos in front of the church with his second wife (Marilyn Monroe) and later had his funeral. Go inside this beautiful church and enjoy its serenity.
The DiMaggio family lived within walking distance at 2047 Taylor St in a small unit. The North Beach playground (renamed the Joe DiMaggio playground) is where he and his brothers spent hours playing baseball as kids.
Be inspired by Google.
Take a tour of Silicon Valley, where you can see the Google campus (and yes, it is impressive), take a photo of the iconic “Facebook” logo, and tour downtown Palo Alto, where you can bring out your inner techy! Visit b8ta, where you can try out the latest inventions from start-up companies.
Purchasing their products is an excellent start to getting their gadgets on the market, a cool concept with great incentives. This tour would not be complete without a stop at the Computer History Museum, where technology began, and where it is now.
Take a ride on the “hop-on, hop-off” bus.
Taking the hop-on, hop-off bus in any city is a great way to get your bearings. It helps you understand where all the locations you eventually want to explore are. It also gives you the highlighted version of places you might not want to visit, but want to drive past.
If you only have three days to explore, read my “3-day itinerary” to help you plan your trip.
https://trulyexpattravel.com/san-francisco-3-day-itinerary/
Frequently Asked Questions
I could have written a million other locations and things to do, and I found it hard to concentrate on just 20 because San Francisco is an exciting city with so many places to explore!
Thanks for taking the time to read the blog. I hope this post has given you the necessary information you need. If you have any recommendations, tips or travel advice, I would love for you to share them in the comment section below!
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I have decided to take day trips from san francisco. I have visited the Golden Gate Park. It is a beautiful park and enjoyed the best time spent there. My best experience there.