10+ Things to Do in San Francisco in Spring 2020

Shake off the winter blues with a trip to lovely San Francisco this spring. The cherry trees are blossoming, the city streets are re-awakening, and there are loads of fun and exciting special events going on. If you’re thinking about heading to the City by the Bay this season but are stuck on ideas, check out our list of the best things to do in San Francisco this spring for some inspiration, including...

  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Napa + Sonoma Wine Country Tour
  • AT&T Park Tour
  • and more!

Save on Springtime Activities in San Francisco

Regular admission to a number of these attractions is available on the Go San Francisco pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all available San Francisco attractions, passes, and prices. Please note, some of these special spring events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go San Francisco pass.

Explore the SFMOMA

skyscrapers-san-francisco-night-SFMOMA

Explore the SFMOMA

There's no time like springtime to rediscover what inspires you. So pay a visit for an hour or three to the newly renovated San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), where you'll find yourself entranced by their impressive collections. With a particular focus on modern and contemporary art, SFMOMA is actually the largest museum of its kind - with one heck of an exterior, too! Getting In: Admission to the SFMOMA is included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Visit the de Young Museum

de-young-museum-building-exterior

Visit the de Young Museum

Another one of the city's most popular art museums, the beautiful de Young features expertly curated collections of art and artifacts from across time and around the world. Some strengths of the collection include American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, as well as work from Africa and Oceana. Plus, this is another architectural marvel in the city -- much of the structure is inspired by the nature around it, as you can see (above). Getting In: Admission to the de Young Museum is included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Explore the California Academy of Sciences

academy-sciences-golden-gate-park-aerial

Explore the California Academy of Sciences

If you’re in the market for a delightful educational experience for the whole family, the California Academy of Sciences is your must-see destination in San Francisco this spring. In addition to their amazing collection of permanent exhibitions, they also host a number of special offerings each season, including "Expedition Reef," an amazing new planetarium show, and "Gems and Minerals Unearthed," a striking exhibit of truly fascinating and beautiful gemstones. Getting In: Admission to the California Academy of Sciences is included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Napa + Sonoma Wine Country Tours

panorama-vineyards-napa-valley-california

Napa + Sonoma Wine Country Tours

Now that the weather is finally mild enough to spend some time outdoors, it's time for you to venture to one of the most beautiful places in northern California -- wine country! Take a guided tour that allows you to forgo the hassle of driving and focus instead on the fun of sampling top-notch vino. You won't forget this amazing experience, especially as the sun is shining and the fields are blooming. Getting In: Weekday Napa + Sonoma Wine Country Tour tickets are available on the Build Your Own Pass.

Take in a Baseball Game

baseball-field-california-mountains-on-white

Take in a Baseball Game

One of America’s most beloved pastimes is a good old-fashioned baseball game, so why not mark the start of this year’s Major League Baseball season with a visit to Oracle Park and the pennant-winning San Francisco Giants? Their home season opens on April 3 (against Seattle), and you can regularly find tickets available for the remainder of the spring and summer. Want to get a more in-depth look at the park? Try an Oracle Park tour. Getting In: Oracle Park Tour tickets are included with the Go San Francisco pass; baseball tickets are separately priced and are not included with the pass.

Go for a Bike Ride

golden-gate-bridge-biking-couple-sightseeing

Go for a Bike Ride

Exploring San Francisco via bike may be a little daunting (those hills!) but it’s a refreshing and really quite delightful way to explore this marvelous city. You can stick to city streets for a thorough overview of the urban spaces, or stay along the waterfront and in the parks for an easier route. Golden Gate Park and Fisherman’s Wharf are among the most popular biking spots. So rent a bike and get out there! Getting In: San Francisco bike rentals are included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Enjoy the Beauty of Nature

san-franciscos-rose-garden-golden-gate

Enjoy the Beauty of Nature

If riding a bike sounds like too much work, or if you prefer your natural explorations to be a little bit more sedate, a hike or nature walk might be a better option for you and your family. Explore some of the city’s most beautiful green spaces like Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, and even the lovely University of California Botanical Gardens. You also might want to consider the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens, located in Golden Gate Park. It features multiple animal exhibits (including our beloved "Bear Country") as well as botanical gardens featuring native plants. Getting In: Admission to many San Francisco green spaces is free; admission to the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens and the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens is included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Local EventsSFUSD Arts Festival

Asian Art Museum March 21 - 29, 2020

curious-young-asian-chinese-woman-tourist

Asian Art Museum March 21 - 29, 2020

In coordination with the San Francisco Unified School District, the Asian Art Museum presents a showcase of visual and performance art by thousands of students across over 200 different schools. It’s a fun local event, and the best way to get a glimpse of what to see from San Francisco's most artistically talented youth. You can always visit the Asian Art Museum on another day, as well, for a full appreciation of their collections and many varied galleries. Getting In: Admission to the SFUSD Arts Festival is free; other times, admission to the Asian Art Museum is included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Bay Area Craft Beer Festival

Martinez Waterfront April 18, 2020, 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm

This is one for the beer lovers. The Bay Area Craft Beer Festival is back and it’s better than ever. With dozens of international and domestic beers for sampling, plus the city’s best food trucks offering up their wares, you’ll have an amazing afternoon of food and drink to look forward to. Breweries include big names like Ballast Point, Founders, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, Firestone Walker, and more. You'll also find smaller local breweries that are sure to wow with flavor. Getting In: Admission to the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Civic Center & Japantown April 11-12 & 18-19, 2020 (weekends)

background-spring-cherry-blossoms-tree

Civic Center & Japantown April 11-12 & 18-19, 2020 (weekends)

With San Francisco’s notable Japanese population, it’s no surprise that the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the state’s most important celebrations of Asian traditions and culture. This super popular event has been delighting locals and tourists alike since 1967, and this year promises to be more beautiful and enchanting than ever. Enjoy two weekends of Asian and Asian-inspired dance and martial arts performances, crafts, food, and exhibits. You'll also get to enjoy multiple parades, a taiko festival, a film festival, and so much more. A truly wonderful cultural experience for the whole family. Getting In: Admission to the Cherry Blossom Festival is free.

Remember to Save on Admission

Did we miss anything? A few things to do in San Francisco in the spring, including some special events, other seasonal activities in March - June. Please note, the spring events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not available with the Go San Francisco pass. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your spring vacation itinerary.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Skyline Header
Blog

San Francisco Family Vacation Ideas - Attractions, Activities & Things to Do for Summer Vacation

Summertime is one of the best times to visit San Francisco. The weather is at its best, nature is thriving, and the best attractions are open and ready for business. If you’re planning a family trip to San Francisco but aren’t sure which attractions are right for you, check out this list of our favorite family-friendly attractions. Curated by industry experts, they’re the best activities, tours, and museums for family vacations in San Francisco. The top San Francisco summer family vacation ideas include: Big Bus San Francisco Sightseeing Tour California Academy of Sciences SFMOMA Fisherman’s Wharf Madame Tussauds San Francisco Bike Rentals Exploratorium Aquarium of the Bay Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Golden Gate Park Muir Woods Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Tour   One of the best ways to introduce the family to San Francisco is with a guided bus tour of the city. A hop-on hop-off option is both fun and flexible, allowing you to get off when something intrigues you, and get back on when the kids get tired. See the sights from the top deck and then simply hop off to explore the streets. This tour from Big Bus includes more than 20 different stops in all the city’s hot spots, plus a selection of free, guided walking tours that begin at selected stops. Madame Tussauds San Francisco   Speaking of Fisherman’s Wharf... Located in an area of the city we’re sure you’re already exploring, Madame Tussauds is a fun attraction for families. It’s the only place outside of Hollywood where you’ll see so many celebrities. Take a selfie with your favorite A-list celebs – nobody will know the difference! A visit here is a good opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of San Francisco, too. Their Spirit of San Francisco exhibit highlights famous figures from art, music, and literature. The San Francisco Dungeon Learn all about San Francisco's shadier side of history, brought to life in a fun and campy way at this attraction that's part thrill ride, part theatrical experience. You'll see a number of live theatrical performances that re-enact true, local history and take you back in time to the dark days of San Francisco. This is one of the more creepy things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf. But if your kids are interested in history, it's a fun and entertaining way to learn about it! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom A theme park is a great summer idea for families, so why not take a quick drive a bit north of the city to reach the delightful Six Flags Discovery Kingdom? This popular park combines all your favorite amusement park rides – like roller coasters, bumper cars, water rides, and much more – with the educational fun of animal exhibits. Visit the animal inhabitants of Discovery Kingdom all throughout the park, like the playful creatures of Dolphin Harbor, Seal Cove, and the Butterfly Habitat. You also have the opportunity to upgrade to a number of animal encounters to make the day a truly special one. Muir Woods For those families looking to explore the expansive natural world around San Francisco, a trip up to Muir Woods is non-negotiable. Home to the majestic redwood trees, Muir Woods National Park is a wondrous place to explore. You’ll immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of this ancient forest, and get to see an incredible diversity of plant and wildlife all throughout the park. Remember to bring a camera to Muir Woods for pictures – you’ll get no cell reception and this may drain your phone’s battery. Remember to Save on Family Friendly Admission There you go. A few suggestions for attractions and activities for your upcoming San Francisco family vacation. Regular admission to a number of these family friendly attractions are available with a pass by Go City. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your family vacation itinerary. Learn more about our San Francisco passes, attractions and prices.
Katie Sagal
Downtown views from Dolores Park in The Mission, San Francisco
Blog

Things to do in The Mission San Francisco

Located just south of Downtown, San Francisco’s Mission district – or just plain Mission for short – is a colorful and eclectic neighborhood that’s brimful of vibrant murals, fantastic Mexican-inspired cuisine and epic party zones like Valencia Street, with its buzzing bars and clubs. It also happens to be home to the oldest surviving structure in town, the beautiful 18th-century Misión San Francisco de Asís, aka Mission Dolores. Join us as we take a journey through the best things to do in the Mission San Francisco. Check Out the Mission Murals One of the very first things you’ll notice on a visit to the Mission is the colorful street art that adorns nearly every available surface. Some of the best and most Instagrammable examples can be found in Clarion Alley, a narrow lane with countless murals by local artists, many with political themes, as well as fine tributes to the likes of Prince (Rest in Purple). You’ll find other thought-provoking and often controversial pieces in Balmy Alley, where homages to Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe are among the 40-odd pieces. Visit San Francisco’s Oldest Building Some might consider the survival of Mission Dolores for well over 200 years to be the act of some higher power. It has, after all, remained standing relatively unscathed through the devastating earthquakes of 1906 and 1989. Next to the adobe mission – a small sugar-white church with a colonnaded facade that has remained largely unchanged since the late 1700s – stands the comparatively youthful Mission Dolores Basilica. It’s an elaborate confection, built in 1918 in the California Churrigueresque style and cuts a striking figure next to its diminutive sibling. Catch Some Rays in Dolores Park A couple of blocks south of Mission Dolores, its namesake park is a lush oasis on a typically steep San Francisco gradient that makes for quite excellent views over Downtown and the bay. It’s a lovely place for picnics and people-watching that’s often one of the sunniest spots in town, thanks to the Mission’s unique microclimate. There are tennis courts and soccer fields should you be that way inclined, as well as a kids’ playground to keep the little uns entertained. Go Shopping on Valencia Street Valencia Street’s eclectic medley of (mostly) independent stores makes for a fun wallet workout. Here, thrift stores toting one-off vintage fashions rub shoulders with high-end designer boutiques, and you can pick up a bargain used Kerouac or Ginsberg at Dog Eared Books or find that elusive vinyl LP from legendary local bands like Faith No More and Sly and the Family Stone in Stranded Records. It truly is a street that caters for all needs, as evidenced by the Pirate Supply Store, a non-profit organization that furnishes Jack Sparrow types with eye patches, scurvy medication, whale feed and a dazzling array of seafaring apparel. Get Stuck into a Mission Burrito Thanks to its large Mexican community, the Mission is your number one destination in SF for the best tacos and tortillas in town. The Mission Burrito is renowned California-wide for its farm-fresh ingredients and steamed flour tortilla – a method of baking that give the wraps greater flexibility to contain their frankly obscene amounts of filling. Crammed to bursting point with beans, rice, meat, salsa, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and shredded lettuce, this belly-busting beast would stop King Kong in his tracks. Get yours from legendary local Mexican restaurants including Taqueria La Cumbre and Taqueria El Faro, both of which claim to have invented the monster snack back in the 1960s. I Scream, You Scream... Whaddya mean you’re still hungry? Well, we guess even after devouring a burrito the size of Dwayne Johnson’s bicep there’s always room for ice cream... For the coldest, sweetest treat in the neighborhood, make for the Bi-Rite Creamery on 18th, right next to Dolores Park. This cute little cafe was founded by a pair of pro-bakers so you can be sure your handmade, small-batch ice-cream will contain the squishiest snickerdoodles and crunchiest peanut brittle, as well as using seasonal local fruits and honey. Signature flavors include Japanese black sesame with Bay Area Bee Company honey and a dairy-free pina colada rum with caramelized pineapple pieces. Yum. Catch a Show at The Chapel It’s not difficult to see why California Home+Design named The Chapel as one of its 10 most beautiful music venues in the entire state. This century-old former funeral home boasts soaring vaulted ceilings with original beams and a chapel-like interior that looks every bit as good as the acoustics sound. It’s a smallish place with a capacity of around 750, so expect up-and-coming local bands as well as touring indie outfits and jazz and bluegrass collectives. Previous big-name acts to grace this heavenly stage include Kate Nash, Public Image Ltd. and local-boy-done-good Mike Patton. Get the Party Started Party animal? You’ve come to the right place. The Mission is one of San Francisco’s hottest spots for entertainment after dark. The area around Valencia Street in particular is cocktail central, with upscale joints serving up a vast range of expertly mixed drinks. Put some pep in your step with a spicy La Botana cocktail at ABV, lay a fruity Hungry Ghost to rest at Trick Dog and savor a rye whisky and chocolate stout-laced Friend of the Devil at quirky Dalva. Dive bars also proliferate throughout the neighborhood. The Knockout with its eclectic mix of karaoke, DJ parties and live bands is a highlight. Or mosey over to Shotwell’s for a traditional saloon bar complete with (real) bullet holes and fab craft beers. Go to a Festival Every Memorial Day weekend, the neighborhood bursts into life as the Carnaval Festival and Parade rolls into town. This riot of color and sound celebrates the arts and traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean meaning you can expect flamboyant costumes, lively street performances, unique crafts and some of the best street food this side of the Mexican border: it’s truly one of the most enjoyable things to do in the Mission. San Francisco also honors its substantial Mexican community with colorful Day of the Dead processions and celebrations in the Mission’s Garfield Park on November 2. Save on things to do in The Mission 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

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon