The 10 Best Things to Do in San Francisco

If you’re checking out this post, then you undoubtedly must enjoy traveling. If you travel a lot then you know that one of the most challenging and often frustrating aspects of traveling is knowing how to best spend your time… What sites should you see? Where should you grab dinner? How do you make the best of your time? In this post, I lay out some of our favorite places to visit, eat, and grab a drink while in San Francisco for the day.

Union Square District. This district contains hundreds of department stores, luxury boutiques, art galleries, salons, fine food establishments, countless bars and cocktail lounges, and so much more. The Square itself is also a historical site so if you are more of a history buff than this is a great place to explore as well. The Square gets its name from the fact that the space was used as a rallying post for the Union during the American Civil War. It now sits at the center of one of the most popular areas of the city!

Fishermans Wharf. From indoor and outdoor dining spots, unique shopping experiences, bay cruises, and many different family friendly attractions as well as museums, the Wharf has something for everyone! Don’t forget to save some time to venture over to see the Sea Lions at Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square home to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, historic ships including the USS Pampanito at the Hyde Street Pier, and the Cannery which is a massive indoor shopping mall! And Budin's Bakery is a definite must stop for a one of a kind breakfast sandwich or a variety of lunch options. Fishermans Wharf is also home to a few San Francisco Museums which you can check out more about here at "The 10 Best Museums in San Francisco."

Alcatraz Island. A short ferry ride over from Pier 33 at Fishermans Wharf. The ride itself is a wonderful experience. The rooftop deck allows for some spectacular views of the bay, the city skyline, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges! It gets a little cooler on the water so be sure to be prepared and dress accordingly. Once on Alcatraz Island you can walk around the property at your own pace or take a guided tour. There's plenty to see while on the island including the cell house, inmate quarters, solitary confinement, and dinning hall. On the outskirts of the property you can wander past the guard tower, flower gardens, and the inmate recreation area. You can also take some extra time to enjoy the native bird species which now make the island home. You can expect at least 2 hours on the Island. You can spend more or less time depending on your interest in the Islands history. I would highly recommend the guided ”phone” tour as it was very well done and helped us learn a lot more about the Island and the inmates who called it home

Golden Gate Bridge: Undoubtedly one of the biggest celebrities in the city, the bridge is the centerpiece of Golden Gate Park which sits on the northern edge of the city. The Golden Gate Observation Deck and Golden Gate View Point, each on Conzelman Rd. provide great viewing and photo opportunities. Both can easily be reached from just off the second exit after driving across the bridge heading north over the bay.

The Bay Bridge: Formally known as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, it acts as the main connector between San Francisco and Oakland. This double decked bridge is one of the longest spans in the United States.

The Cable Car: Probably nothing more uniquely San Francisco than the infamous city cable cars. The most popular route is undoubtedly the Powell-Hyde line as it passes by many of the city’s most popular sites, but honestly any route will be worth the few bucks to enjoy this uniquely San Francisco experience! Check out our related post about the many museums within the city including the Cable Car Museum where you can learn more about the history of this unique mode of transportation and San Francisco icon.

Twin Peaks: Part of an overall 64-acre park, you can hike all the way up to the top or drive if hiking is not your thing! These two prominent hills arise nearly 1000 ft above sea level offering unmatched panoramic views of San Francisco!

Coit Tower: Built in the 1930’s, this 210-foot tower is the centerpiece of the city’s Pioneer Park located in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood. The tower offers some of the best panoramic views of the city and the bay.

Walking Tours: The city boasts dozens of different guided tours either by foot or by bike which allow you to learn more about the city and it’s diverse neighborhoods, from nightly ghost tours, a tour of the Giants home ballpark Oracle Park, to a variety of ”tastes of the city” which guide you through the culinary and cultural differences within the cities neighborhoods. To find out more about some of the city's unique neighborhoods, check out "The 10 Best Neighborhoods in San Francisco."

San Francisco's Many Museums: San Francisco is also home to many world-class museums including everything from history, art, and maritime to science and the abnormal! Here’s a list of the top museums found throughout the city. For more details regarding each specific museum check out our post, “The 10 Best Museums in San Francisco”!

• Aquarium of the Bay

• Cable Car Museum

• California Academy of Sciences

• Children’s Creativity Museum

• Exploratorium

• Madame Tussauds

• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum

• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

• The Walt Disney Family Museum

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