THE 15 BEST Things to Do in San Francisco - 2024 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

California (CA)

Things to Do in San Francisco

Things to Do in San Francisco, CA - San Francisco Attractions

Things to Do in San Francisco

Expect to get your steps in (or hop on a cable car), while spotting iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge or taking a day trip to Alcatraz.

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See what other travelers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.

Ways to tour San Francisco

Book these experiences for a close-up look at San Francisco.

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco
1,325
Full-day Tours
from
$224
per adult
Reserve
Small-Group Tour: SF, Muir Woods, Sausalito w/ Optional Alcatraz
385
Historical Tours
from
$129
per adult
Reserve
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
843
Spring Break
from
~~$160~~
$150
per adult
Reserve
Big Bus San Francisco: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
2,503
Audio Guides
from
$63
per adult
Reserve
San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
398
Food & Drink
from
$89
per adult (price varies by group size)
Reserve
Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise
21
Historical Tours
from
~~$148~~
$133
per adult
Reserve
Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)
1,105
Bus Tours
from
$96
per adult
Reserve
Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive: Full Day Tour from SF
368
Full-day Tours
from
$127
per adult
Reserve
San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoia Day Tour
822
Full-day Tours
from
$209
per adult
Reserve
Chinatown and North Beach Walking Tour
332
Food & Drink
from
$85
per adult
Reserve

Day Trips

From quick jaunts to full-day outings.

Top Attractions in San Francisco

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

1. Alcatraz Island

Historic Sites

Alcatraz Island was once the most secure federal prison in the U.S., and held notorious inmates like Al Capone. After being decommissioned in 1963, the prison is now a museum, welcoming millions of curious travelers every year. Catch the ferry on Pier 33 to Alcatraz and explore the island at your own pace as you soak up the views of San Francisco and the bay. You can take a guided tour with a park ranger to learn more about the intriguing anecdotes about the facility’s fascinating history. But book your spots early—tickets sell out fast. – Tripadvisor

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2. Golden Gate Bridge

Historic Sites

Stretching 4,200 feet and towering as high as a 65-story building, this well-known bridge is the gateway to San Francisco.

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Trams

Since 1873, cable cars have run up and down the hilly city, though after the 1950s, these cars have been kept in operation more out of historic nostalgia. Seventeen miles of track remain and have been deemed a historical landmark.

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Points of Interest & Landmarks

From amazing views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread bowls and California wines, your visit to San Francisco starts at PIER 39. Kick off your visit by exploring two levels of dining, entertainment, shopping and attractions, all surrounded by unbeatable views of the city and the bay. Take it from the world famous sea lions: a visit to San Francisco starts at The PIER.

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Arenas & Stadiums

Home of the San Francisco Giants Major League baseball team, this waterfront stadium has splendid views of San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge.

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6. Lombard Street

Points of Interest & Landmarks

San Francisco's most famous winding street showcases eight sharp switchbacks and stretches down a steep slope from the Presidio East to The Embarcadero.

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7. Golden Gate Park

Parks

The third most visited park in the United States, this green urban space has plenty of gardens, wildlife, museums, and art to enjoy.

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8. Exploratorium

Speciality Museums

Admission tickets from $40

The Exploratorium is more than an iconic San Francisco museum perched by the Bay—it’s an all-ages gateway to joyful exploration of science, art, and human perception. Let your curiosity roam free through hundreds of exhibits in six spacious indoor and outdoor galleries. Watch, listen, notice, experiment, and play with wondrous phenomena from the world around you: from living cells to cosmic rays, from bubbles to human behavior, from optical illusions to electricity, from playful machines to rainbows, and much more. Plus observe the Exploratorium’s open shop, where our exhibits are designed, built, and tinkered with. You’ll find thoughtful safety protocols for visitors and staff, our unique museum store, excellent dining, and beautiful San Francisco Bay views. Located in the historic Pier 15 along San Francisco's Embarcadero, between Pier 39 and the Ferry Building, the Exploratorium is easy to get to by public transportation, and there's ample parking nearby.

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9. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

Theaters

Designed to look like a Greco-Roman ruin, this structure was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. It's now a prime events venue.

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10. Fisherman's Wharf

Neighborhoods

The historic Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s must-visit spots. Even getting there is an experience in itself—you can hop on a classic cable car from downtown. Dine at a scenic waterfront restaurant (try the famous sourdough bread bowl), explore the area’s shops and art galleries, check out the street performances and don’t miss the historic WWII submarine—the USS Pampanito. You can catch all these highlights on a walking, bike or big bus tour. Stay for the magnificent sunset views and if you’re lucky, you might even spot the mischievous sea lions at Pier 39. – Tripadvisor

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Lookouts

Standing over 900 feet above the city, these two hills offer hikers sweeping views of San Francisco's main sights (we recommend going at sunset).

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12. Walt Disney Family Museum

Speciality Museums

Admission tickets from $25

Pre-purchased, timed tickets are required for entry. Located in the scenic Presidio of San Francisco, The Walt Disney Family Museum is one of the Bay Area’s most inspirational venues, welcoming visitors to an historic building that reveals 40,000 square feet of imagination. Find animation, innovation, inspiration and immerse yourself in the remarkable life story of Walt Disney—the man who raised animation to an art, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a distinctly American legacy, transforming the entertainment world! The museum presents contemporary interactive galleries and state-of-the-art exhibits which are narrated in Walt’s own voice, and features early drawings, cartoons, movies, music, listening stations, more than 200 video screens, and a spectacular model of Disneyland. Come experience the life story of the man behind the magic.

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Other Top Attractions around San Francisco

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City Tours

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Wine Tastings

Half-day Tours

Hop on Hop Off Buses

Day Cruises

Private and Luxury