Romantic Things to Do in San Francisco

Here's how to spend Valentine's Day or a special romantic day in the Bay Area. From vineyard tours to museum dates, here's how to fall in love with San Francisco.

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
Romantic things to do in San Francisco

There are few places in the country as romantic as San Francisco. Sweeping ocean vistas, verdant wine country, and charming historic city streets lend themselves very nicely to date nights. If you’re looking for a few specific ideas to make your perfect romantic getaway – whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or any other special occasion – check out our favorite romantic things to do in San Francisco.

Visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

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This prestigious institution is practically unmatched when it comes to its outstanding collection of modern and contemporary art. The SFMOMA is, in fact, the largest museum of its kind in the country, offering three times as much gallery space in this new incarnation.

Some highlights of their collection include works by Alexander Calder, Paul Klee, Robert Rauschenberg, and many more. You're also likely to encounter dozens of new and up-and-coming artists, particularly from the Bay Area, so keep an eye out for their exciting work.

Explore the art world together

San Francisco has always been at the forefront of the artistic world, and the various art museums around the city are a perfect way to explore your artsy side. From animation to textiles and beyond, there’s something for everyone.

If you love classical sculpture and traditional painting, the de Young Museum is a perfect fine arts destination. The de Young is also a fantastic architectural marvel in itself, so a visit here is a great chance to explore the building, too.

Culture lovers will be fascinated by the unique offerings of the Asian Art Museum. They boast more than 17,000+ works of art that cover nearly 6,000 years of Asian history -- quite a collection. There's everything from sculpture and architecture to textiles and jewelry, so you're sure to see something that inspires you.

Indulge in a wine country tour

Wine in San Francisco

A tour of Northern California Wine Country is a unique spin on the “bottle of nice wine with dinner” component of Valentine’s Day. Instead of ordering on your waiter’s recommendation, why not take a tour of Napa and Sonoma Valley and become a wine aficionado yourself?

Sonoma and Napa are the premium wine-grape growing areas of North America, and there are dozens of high-profile and independent wineries to visit – not to mention the lush scenery perfect for that ideal couple's photo. Tours can be informative, fun, and a great way to get in the mood for love as you learn all about the most romantic beverage of all.

The California Academy of Sciences

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The California Academy of Sciences is renowned for its innovative exhibits, activities, and special events – and Valentine’s Day is no exception. Each year, Academy biologists distribute hand-made valentines (crafted by visitors like you!) to each of the members of the African Penguin colony. Although the penguins ultimately use the valentines as nesting material, the gift itself promotes bonding between penguin couples: an important emotional bond for a species that is known to mate for life.

Hop aboard a cruise

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This Valentine’s Day, venture out in the world with a beautiful San Francisco Bay Cruise. This one-hour tour sails directly under the Golden Gate Bridge, providing spectacular views of its unique architectural span. Then, you’ll pass back into the Bay past Angel Island State Park and Sausalito, continuing to Fisherman’s Wharf and past the SS Jeremiah O’Brien and USS Pampanito.

Perfect for photo opportunities of you and your loved one as a way to commemorate your special day. Of course, if you really want to up the romance game, there are specific Valentine's Day cruises available with various amenities and special extras. These are available through several different tour companies, and they all offer beautiful scenery.

Soak up the beauty of nature

Hiking by Golden Gate

As you might expect in a city that calls the lovely Golden Gate Park home, there are plenty of natural beauties in San Francisco to please nature-loving couples. At the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, you’ll be dazzled by the hundreds of plant specimens that call this specular “living museum” home.

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From rare and beautiful tropical plants, to aquatic plants and special exhibits of regional flora, the Conservatory’s collection is breathtaking. Another great natural option for exploring the creative varieties of nature in chilly February is the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. Spanning 34 acres and featuring more than an astonishing 12,000 different kinds of plants, this charming venue has much to offer for floral fans.

Take a romantic bike ride around the Bay area

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Looking for something fun and playful this Valentine's Day? And an idea that still lets you see a bit of the city? Then try a Wharf and Waterfront Segway Tour -- voted the #1 Tour in San Francisco on TripAdvisor. This two and a half hour tour will escort you throughout the city's most popular neighborhoods and past all the big landmarks like Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Little Italy in North Beach, and more. All on the delightfully charming segway!

Because this an adults-only tour, it's also a nice way to see the city without the kids (or even better, without other people's kids). Not quite sure about a Segway? How about a romantic bike ride around Golden Gate Park, with stunning views of the bridge.

Enjoy a romantic dinner

Dinner date San Francisco

Who doesn’t love a delicious dinner? It’s even better when it’s spent in the company of your loved one, perhaps with some nice champagne and a delicious chocolate dessert. Fortunately for you, San Fran has a fabulous dining scene, drawing from global cultures and locally sourced ingredients. You’ll find excellent meals ranging from elegant and high-end to laid-back all over the city, but some of our favorite areas to look for great restaurants include SoMA, the Mission District, and the Richmond.

Take in a show

Palace of fine arts

San Francisco has a fantastic theatre scene, from the grand and glamorous San Francisco Ballet to the funky indie theaters that populate areas like Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District. Remember to purchase tickets in advance, as going to a play or other performance is a popular Valentine’s Day tradition, whether you're going on February 14 or the weekends before and after.

Save on admission to top San Francisco attractions

We hope you’ve been inspired to try one – or a few! – of our favorite romantic things to do in San Francisco. Whether you love wine country or the city itself, high romance, or quirky fun, there’s something to please every couple. 

Want to save money on those romantic attractions? Check out passes from Go City and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect!  

☀️Compare San Francisco passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Flowers in bloom on a sunny day in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
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San Francisco in July

July sees San Francisco’s tourist season get into full swing, with schools on vacation planet-wide and the city’s fine weather and funky festivals drawing in the crowds from here, there and everywhere. It’s peak season and therefore the priciest time of year to visit, but a trip to San Francisco in July still has much to recommend it. Visiting San Francisco in July Average Temperature: 54–66°F • Average Rainfall: 0 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Umbrellaphobes, rejoice! July is one of San Francisco’s driest months with an average of, um, zero days’ rainfall, meaning the chances of being poked in the eye by an unruly golf umbrella or – worse still – looking on helplessly as the cable car pulls away with your precious bumbershoot still on board, are close to non-existent. What you can expect is mild weather with plenty of sunshine, tempered by occasional fresh sea winds and a healthy dose of the Bay area’s famous fogs. It’s why the locals often refer to this time of year as ‘no sky July’. But don’t let that put you off! Sure, San Francisco may not be the place to get that perfect California summer tan, but those all-enveloping mists have their own curious charm, and the city’s great parks and museums, abundance of July festivals and all-round party atmosphere more than make up for any minor weather-related downsides. Top tip: the Golden City is deep into tourist season in July, so make sure to book your hotels and Airbnb accommodation well in advance to secure the best rates possible. Things to do in July No trip to San Francisco at any time of year would be complete without setting foot on the world’s most photographed bridge. It’s worth doing this two ways in July. First: choose a clear day to take a walk the Golden Gate’s entire length, starting in the Presidio and finishing with lunch in downtown Sausalito. As you stroll across this rust-red icon (the bridge’s official color is actually ‘international orange’, fact fans) you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Bay and the rolling waves of the vast Pacific, meaning ace selfie opportunities galore. For a truly otherworldly experience, keep an eye on local forecasts and pay the bridge a second visit when it's shrouded in dense fog. You won’t be able to see much, but ghostly close-up snaps of the bridge’s soaring towers will make you the envy of all your friends. Pro-tip: you can also simulate this experience in the interactive Fog Bridge exhibit at the Exploratorium, a fantastic museum of arts and sciences on the Embarcadero. The bridge’s big green namesake, Golden Gate Park, lies a few miles south, sprawling west from the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood to the sands of Ocean Beach, itself a lovely spot for sunbathing (when not foggy) and surfing – professionals only though, please; the riptides here are notoriously dangerous. Back in the park, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied for an entire July day. Visit the Japanese Tea Garden for a gentle stroll along paths that meander past koi ponds, bonsai groves and impressive bronze statues. Look out for the impressive five-tiered pagoda and pause for a refreshing jasmine tea and a moment of zen in the pavilion. Golden Gate Park is also home to two of San Francisco’s finest museums. The vast California Academy of the Sciences is home to a huge natural history museum, an aquarium, a rainforest and a planetarium, while the de Young Museum showcases fine art from the US and beyond, all housed in a striking copper-clad building with a 144-foot observation tower boating 360-degree views of the park, as well as downtown San Francisco, the Bay and the Marin headlands. What’s on in July? Fourth of July Fireworks July is a great time to visit San Francisco if you’re into fireworks, great live music and... running. Sounds like a strange combination, but hear us out. First up, those fireworks. Fourth of July is cause for celebration across the States, and San Francisco is no exception. The city puts on two major displays in Fisherman’s Wharf, with the event at Pier 39 being the biggest and best. There’s live music along the waterfront until, at the appointed hour, the spectacular display commences, with hundreds of colorful fireworks set off from a series of barges in the Bay. This event is free, so don’t miss it! Fillmore Jazz Festival One of the biggest free jazz festivals on the west coast, the Fillmore Jazz Festival showcases local and international talent on two main outdoor stages. There’s great street food too, as well as smaller live music events in and around Fillmore’s legendary clubs and theaters. This part of town is synonymous with great jazz music – in its heyday it attracted acts of near-mythical status including John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker – so you just know the acts performing at this festival are going to be outstanding. And, like the best jazz, the shows are completely free. Catch a Baseball Game July is a great time to catch the San Francisco Giants in action at the Oracle Park stadium in SoMa, with the Major League Baseball season in full swing. Catch them against the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and, if you’re lucky, their arch rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers. And, if bats and balls don’t float your boat, perhaps a bit of opera will: the stadium also hosts live simulcasts of performances from the famous War Memorial Opera House, throughout summer. The San Francisco Marathon You’ll need to apply well in advance if you want to take part in this one but, if you’re a runner, it’s a great way to see many of the city’s attractions at sunrise while getting some extra miles in. The race starts and ends at the Embarcadero, taking in many of the city’s big attractions, including Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, the Presidio and the mural-filled Mission district. It even crosses the Golden Gate Bridge (hence the early start to allow the bridge to reopen to regular pedestrians by 9AM). You can also take it down a notch by entering the half marathon or 5 and 10k events, while braver souls limber up for the challenging ultra-marathon: double the distance at a thigh-numbing 52.4 miles. Phew! Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco
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San Francisco in May

With spring drawing to an end ready to usher in San Francisco’s busy summer season, May is a fine time to visit the Golden City, thanks to its mild climate and the kicking off in earnest of the city’s colorful festival season. If it’s pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and affordable accommodation you’re after, May in the Bay could well be for you. Visiting San Francisco in May Average Temperature: 51–64°F • Average Rainfall: 3 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Daytime temperatures in May reach average highs in the mid-60s, meaning it's still cool enough to explore the city on foot. So the chances of looking like you’ve just stepped off a treadmill in those essential hilltop selfies are vastly reduced. There’s also little or no need to remember to pack an umbrella. April showers having apparently purged the clouds of their cargo for the foreseeable future, you can expect a mere three days of rain on average in May. Better yet, hotel prices have yet to rise for peak season and it’s another month before the tourist hordes descend, meaning shorter queuing times at the big attractions. What more can we say to convince you to spend May in San Francisco? Read on... Things to do in May Of course no visit to the Golden City would be complete without seeing the bucket-list attractions. The Golden Gate Bridge will be at the top of most itineraries and May is as good a time as any to visit. Better, perhaps, as the summer fogs are yet to roll in and shroud it. Top tip: wrap up warm if you’re planning to stroll out to the middle of the bridge for those picture-perfect Bay views – it can be breezy and teeth-chatteringly chilly up here at the best of times, so stick on your thermals and a fleece. Or two. Bay cruises are another great way to get a different perspective on the famous San Francisco skyline, and May’s clear blue skies will make for some fine photo opportunities. Most cruises will take in the Pier 39 sea lion colony, the historic waterfront, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. You can also just get straight to the notorious island penitentiary, should you so desire, with a cruise and tour of the facility. Those rolling historic landmarks that are San Francisco’s painted wooden cable cars can get really busy, and we mean sardines-in-a-can busy, in summer. You’ll likely still find queues in May, but nothing like during peak season. It’s worth the short wait to travel in style, as the bell rings out and your carriage rattles over the San Francisco hills, affording splendid views of the Bay, loopy Lombard Street and the ultra-luxe hotels in swanky Nob Hill, depending which of the three lines you take. And if the weather gets a little too cool for your liking, duck into any number of world-class museums around the city. Art museums including SFMOMA in the heart of downtown and the striking, copper-clad de Young in Golden Gate Park are among the best in the country. Golden Gate Park is also where you’ll find the California Academy of the Sciences which contains – beneath its living rooftop – a planetarium, an aquarium, a rainforest dome and a huge natural history museum. Embarcadero icon the Exploratorium is the place for interactive art and science exhibits: step into a tornado, get lost in the fog and see the San Francisco skyline modeled from thousands of tiny toothpicks. What’s on in May? Memorial Weekend May sees San Francisco’s festival season crank up a gear as Mother’s Day and Memorial Weekend give locals all the excuse they need to celebrate. Memorial Weekend is the biggie, with a major ceremony at the National Cemetery in the Presidio to honor and remember America’s veterans. Expect a reflective but celebratory tone that includes music, parades, speeches and a 21-gun salute. Down in the trendy Mission district, it’s all kicking off as the two-day Carnaval Festival rolls into town. This riot of color and sound celebrates the arts and traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean through lively street performances, flamboyant costumes and some of the best street food this side of the Mexican border. Beer and cannabis gardens help you stay mellow and there is, of course, a grand parade through the streets. Cinco de Mayo Also held in The Mission (we’re sensing a pattern here), the Cinco de Mayo festival celebrates Mexican and Central American culture and is held annually on – as the name suggests – the 5th of May. Families bring picnics and deckchairs to immerse themselves in the action in and around Valencia Street, where food vendors hawk spicy treats and live bands get the party started with mariachi, salsa, merengue music and more. There are costumed dancers, artists, magicians and street performers galore, and even a petting zoo to keep the kids entertained. Bay to Breakers Bay to Breakers is a 12k fun run that usually takes place on the third Sunday of May. Weaving its way east to west from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach, it takes in nine of the city’s neighborhoods. Fun-loving San Franciscans have gamely established a tradition for donning fancy dress during the race, which means you can expect to see overgrown chickens, shambling pantomime horses and huge conga-lines in which teams of 13 or more runners tether themselves together for the duration of the race. In other words: it’s great fun. Get involved yourself: it includes many fun sections like Golden Gate Park, where you might even get to spot the resident buffalo. On the other hand, Hayes Street Hill is an absolute beast that rises over 200 feet above sea level and will challenge even the most seasoned runner. If all that sounds a bit much, you can always just find a nice spot on the sidelines and enjoy all of the fun with none of the exertion. Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Golden Gate Bridge viewed from the Bayside
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2 Days in San Francisco

One of the most popular cultural hotspots in the US, San Francisco has a little bit of something for everyone. With its globally-recognized landmarks, stunning waterfront landscape and wealth of charming activities and venues, the Bay Area is a fantastic destination for a short city break. Though two days in San Francisco is more than enough time to enjoy some of the city’s best sights and attractions, you’d be hard pushed to fit in absolutely everything. To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve outlined some of the most popular and worthwhile things to do, along with their average visit durations, to help you draw up your ideal two-day itinerary. Top Sights Golden Gate Bridge Recommended Visit: 10 minutes to see, 30 minutes each way to cross Considered the world’s most recognizable bridge, nothing is quite so quintessential to the Bay Area’s brand as the towering crimson beams of the Golden Gate Bridge. Often sporting an impressive scarf of thick fog, the mile-and-a-half-long titan is truly a sight to behold, particularly if you can catch it illuminated against a clear night sky. Alamo Square Park Recommended Visit: 15 - 30 minutes Aside from offering a pleasant space of open greenery on the edge of the city’s Western Addition, Alamo Square Park is most popular as the location of the iconic Painted Ladies. Standing vibrantly against the muted backdrop of the San Francisco skyline, this row of colorful Victorian- and Edwardian-style houses line the eastern side of the park and serve as one of the city’s most popular photo ops. Golden Gate Park Recommended Visit: 30 minutes - 2 hours Should you find yourself with a couple hours to spare and some particularly pleasant weather, the colossal Golden Gate Park to the east of the city serves as a fantastic spot for a leisurely stroll or a lunchtime picnic. Housed within the park grounds are also the gorgeous displays of the San Francisco Botanical Garden and the serene landscape of the Japanese Tea Garden. Alcatraz Island Recommended Visit: 2 - 3 hours History buffs visiting San Francisco will be no stranger to Alcatraz Island, home to the nation’s most infamous former high-security prison. Those with the stomach for it can take a boat tour out into the Bay to explore the hostile grounds and chilling cells that once held some of the most notorious criminals in history. Popular Neighborhoods Fisherman’s Wharf Recommended Visit: 1 - 3 hours Easily one of the most popular areas of San Francisco is the charming Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront complex. Regular haunt to a colony of playful, barking sea lions, you can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours exploring the various quaint stores, engaging activities and bayside eateries on offer here. Take some time to discover the various retailers and restaurants of Pier 39, and awe at the striking wax models housed within Madame Tussauds. Rediscover your inner child among the exhibitions at the Cartoon Art Museum, before playing with the 300-plus coin-operated arcade games and amusements housed within the Musée Mécanique penny arcade. Chinatown Recommended Visit: 1 - 2 hours Just beyond the iconic Dragon’s Gate at its entrance, Chinatown comprises a bustling maze of streets and alleys brimming with quirky stores and traditional Chinese eateries. Among the stunning ornate architecture, you’ll find everything from bakeries to souvenir shops to karaoke bars, alongside the famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory where you can catch one of the nation’s favorite after-dinner treats in the making. Japantown Recommended Visit: 30 minutes - 2 hours Also known as Nihonmachi, San Francisco’s Japantown is a compact historic enclave in much the same vein as Chinatown. Built up around a central courtyard plaza housing the striking 5-tiered Peace Pagoda, Japantown comprises various large complexes housing a number of charming Japanese-style stores, restaurants, karaoke bars and day spas. Galleries & Museums California Academy of Sciences Recommended Visit: 2 - 3 hours Found within Golden Gate Park, the multifaceted California Academy of Sciences is a true architectural and cultural marvel. The mighty 400,000-square-foot venue is home to a vast aquarium and a four-story indoor rainforest filled with all manner of exotic flora and fauna, not to mention the incredible natural history museum and digital planetarium to boot. Exploratorium Recommended Visit: 2 - 4 hours Both families and curious adults alike sing the praises of the Exploratorium, whose incredible array of interactive exhibits offer visitors a hands-on learning experience at the intersection of science and art. Dance with your own shadow, touch a tornado, capture a wave and even stop time as you explore the hundreds of wonderful installations spread throughout the museum. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Recommended Visit: 2 - 4 hours With a central focus on 20th and 21st century art in its various forms, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art comprises 10 floors of everchanging and innovative exhibits. Over 30,000 art pieces make up the museum’s permanent collection, covering everything from painting and photography to sculpture and architecture. Asian Art Museum Recommended Visit: 1 - 3 hours Opened in the mid-1960s, the Asian Art Museum is widely considered one of the most important museums in San Francisco. The museum’s extensive collection comprises sculptures, paintings, ceramics, carvings and architectural fragments from various major Asiatic cultures and spanning multiple historical eras, with some pieces dating back over 6,000 years. Walt Disney Family Museum Recommended Visit: 2 - 4 hours Whether you happen to be visiting with kids or not, the delightful exhibits of the Walt Disney Museum are sure to bring a smile to your face. Explore the life and work of history’s most famous cartoonist through over 40,000 square feet of engaging and interactive exhibitions detailing the evolution of the family-favorite media empire we know and love today. Getting Around Big Bus Tour With San Francisco as sprawling as it is and only two days to explore, you’ll likely want to find a comfortable and efficient way to get around. Operating a main route that passes by many of the city’s top sights, a Big Bus Tour offers passengers the chance to hop on and off more or less at their leisure, complemented by optional audio commentary in a number of major languages to boot. Cable Cars Originally introduced in the late 1800s to help locals combat the many challenging hills on which the city stands, San Francisco’s remaining cable cars serve as a great way to explore the city in historic fashion. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason routes offer the most scenic journeys and pass by a number of major attractions, with tickets available to buy on-board. Boat Tours If you’re looking for a great way to sit back while admiring the stunning San Francisco landscape, nothing quite compares to a Cruise on the Bay. Most tour operators will have you sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and alongside Alcatraz Island, with a fly-by of the area’s best waterfront sights and landmarks such as Angel Island and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Robert Heaney

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