10+ Things to Do in San Francisco in Spring 2020

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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Bird's eye view of the San Francisco's Lombard Street
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San Francisco in October

Few US cities thrive quite like San Francisco in October. While many other popular destinations begin to simmer down from their summertime peak, the Bay Area continues to enjoy an idyllic fall climate and a plethora of exciting cultural events taking place throughout the month. If you’re looking for a great destination this fall, San Francisco is hard to beat. Visiting San Francisco in October Average Temperature: 54 - 68°F • Average Rainfall: 4 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day Though fall may technically count as San Francisco’s second shoulder season of the year, following the larger waves of tourists throughout summer, that certainly doesn’t mean it’s quiet in October. In fact, fall is easily the city’s second busiest season, maintaining much of its summertime buzz and bustle. With that, you'll want to be sure to book hotels, activities and venues in advance if you want to avoid any potential disappointments. Unlike many similar destinations which thrive on the summertime climate, San Francisco gets some of its best weather during fall. Temperatures typically range between mild and fairly warm throughout October, with some fairly regular sunshine adding to the idyllic conditions for exploring the city streets. Things to do in October Chances are that if you’re visiting San Francisco, you’ll want to explore some of the Bay Area’s most lauded sights. Take a stroll beneath the crimson beams of the Golden Gate Bridge, and snap some classy photos of the Victorian Painted Ladies lining Alamo Square Park. Though you can certainly explore much of the city on foot, one of the best ways to get around San Francisco is atop a Hop-On, Hop Off Bus Tour. Operating a central route passing by many of the city’s top sights, the tour offers visitors a convenient way to explore the Bay Area, accompanied by optional audio commentary in a selection of major languages. Another popular destination is Fisherman’s Wharf, an impressive waterfront complex popular for its brimming selection of unique activities, intriguing stores and delicious eateries. Explore the outlets of the Pier 39 shopping center, admire the impressive celebrity wax figures at Madame Tussauds, and snap some photos of the playful colony of barking sea lions that frequent the area. History buffs visiting the Golden City will be no stranger to Alcatraz Prison, whose chilling cells, once home to some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, now sit open for the public to explore. For a slice of something a little more tame, the California Historical Society and the Contemporary Jewish Museum offer some truly valuable insights into various aspects of San Francisco’s history. If you’re keen to make the most of the often more idyllic weather throughout fall, why not take the chance to take a stroll through the wide-open green space and gardens of Golden Gate Park, or settle down for a picnic with a view over the city skyline at Mission Dolores Park? Be sure to check out the beautiful displays of the Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers, too. For a truly exquisite view over San Francisco’s gorgeous skyline, head to the beautiful art-deco Coit Tower for unobstructed panoramic views right down into the Bay. Alternatively, the Twin Peaks summit makes for a brilliant romantic spot to catch the sunset and spend an evening beneath the stars. What’s On in October Fleet Week Thousands of onlookers flock to Fisherman’s Wharf each October to catch the hotly-anticipated Fleet Week Air Show. Featuring the US Navy Blue Angels alongside a host of other iconic aircraft, both military and commercial, the air show takes place several days throughout the week as the procession of aircraft takes over the skies over the Bay. Accompanying the show are a variety of similar events and activities, including a particularly popular program of special ship tours along the Bay. Visitors can set themselves up on the waterfront to enjoy the Parade of Ships or hop on a cruise to watch the Blue Angels perform up close. Film Festivals The Bay Area is no stranger to its fair share of film festivals held throughout the year, and October is no exception. For a little over a week, the United Nations Association Film Festival takes place across a variety of venues throughout San Francisco, screening a huge program of documentaries covering some of the most pressing issues from around the world, typically centered around an annual theme. Among the most powerful and profound genres of film are short movies, capable of exploring often complex themes in depth within very short time constraints. The SF International Festival of Short Films aims to celebrate exactly that. Over the course of a weekend, this film festival features a variety of screenings from across the world and across a host of different themes. Those with a keen interest in Japanese culture should make their way to Japantown where, for a little over a week in October, visitors can catch the Japan Film Festival of San Francisco. The event offers a great opportunity to explore Japanese culture and features a variety of cultural events, activities and panels highlighting various aspects of modern Japanese pop culture. Litquake Held over several weeks in October, San Francisco’s longest-running literary festival brings great reads and underrated authors to the limelight in celebration of the world of literature. Litquake comprises a vast program of events, workshops, panels and readings held throughout a variety of venues, from bookstores to bars, allowing avid readers to engage with authors and fellow literary nerds alike. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass For a weekend in October, Golden Gate Park transforms into the grounds of the huge and uniquely free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival. Hosting some of the biggest names in the Bluegrass genre, the event draws in thousands of cult followers and new visitors alike, many attracted by the largely untamed and independent character afforded by its entirely non-commercial nature. Urban Art Market The Urban Art Market stands as America’s largest outdoor design festival, with various branching events taking place across the country. Each event centers around sustainable design, community building and supporting local and independent artists. Head to San Francisco’s market in October if you’re keen to explore some responsible fashion, home decor and various other types of independent art products. Halloween You’d be hard-pushed to find a destination in the US that doesn’t go all out for Halloween, and San Francisco certainly won’t be the first to break that trend. Throughout October, the city becomes adorned with all manner of spooky decor, and various venues host their own Halloween parties, activities and events on or around October 31. Keep an eye out for party cruises along the Bay for that true San Francisco Halloween experience!
Robert Heaney
Fireworks over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
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New Year's Eve in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the USA's finest party towns, with neighborhoods that are characterized by their lively nightlife scenes. We’re talking the Castro’s uber-hip LGBTQ+ clubs, high-end dining in Nob Hill, laidback speakeasies in North Beach and chilled-out arty bars in The Mission. In other words: great for seeing in the New Year with a bang. But it’s not all Cable Car cocktails and morning-after Alka-Seltzers. There are loads of ways to spend New Year’s Eve in San Francisco, and we’ve put together a selection of the best, to be enjoyed with or without a drink in your hand. Read on for art and Alcatraz, ballet and burritos, skating and sightseeing, and much more... In the Daytime... Ride the Cable Car The squeal of the cables, the rattle of the wheels, the great clang of the bell: San Francisco’s colorful MUNI tram cars are a great way to while away a New Year’s Eve hour or two. These painted wooden icons promise a fun-filled rollercoaster ride through the famously hilly city, with photo ops galore along the way. Bag the best snaps by claiming a spot on the narrow external platforms either side of the car – you’ll get the most spectacular views of landmarks like Alcatraz and Lombard Street riding the Powell-Hyde line from Downtown to Fisherman’s Wharf. Spot a San Francisco Icon With so many world-famous landmarks around town, San Francisco souvenir makers must be coining it in. Indeed, you don’t have to look very hard to find a Golden Gate Bridge keychain, MUNI cable car model, Alcatraz ornament, or mug adorned with the colorful Painted Ladies. Heck, you can even get fog globes (like snow globes but with fog, in honor of the city’s famous pea-soupers). Sure, bag the souvenir, but nothing beats the real thing, so make sure to drop by one or two of these veritable SF icons on New year’s Eve. And don’t neglect to say hey to the sea lions at Pier 39 while you’re at it. Bag a Bargain If, once again, Father Christmas failed to find space in your stocking for the designer handbag or brand-new iPhone you so desperately wanted, now’s your chance to take the matter into your own hands. Post-Christmas sales run from 26 December right into the New Year, so this is prime time to pick up a bargain. Hit up the big department stores and malls – Saks, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nieman’s, Westfield – for some of the best. Take a Hike Sure, it’s a bit hilly, but just think of all the good it will do your calves and glutes! There are loads of great walks in San Francisco, from short sightseeing tours of the Castro’s celebrated LGBTQ+ landmarks, to longer walks that take in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood’s boho vibe and Instagram eye candy of the Painted Ladies. But if you really want to get the blood pumping, try the Filbert Street Steps challenge, a steep climb up 500-or-so steps that takes in sweeping views of Treasure Island and the San Francisco Bay Bridge and promises encounters with talkative Telegraph Hill parrots, quaint cottages and cute formal gardens on the way to Coit Tower at its summit. Get Your Culture Fix San Francisco is home to some of California’s finest museums and galleries so where better to while away a few hours while you wait for the New Year festivities to kick off? Experience one of the planet’s largest collections of modern and contemporary art at SFMOMA, starring Hopper, Kahlo, Klee, Matisse, O’Keeffe, Richter and Warhol, to name but a few, and unleash your inner Einstein at the super-cool Exploratorium on Pier 39, where you can summon up your own sandstorms, get lost in the fog and dance with... yourself. Kids young and old will thrill to the vast range of playable vintage arcades and pinball machines at the Musée Mécanique in Fisherman’s Wharf. Chill Out in The Mission Hands-down one of San Francisco’s hippest ‘hoods, The Mission is a great place to chill and take in the sights on New Year’s Eve. Check out the eye-popping painted murals on Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley, and window-shop the cool indie stores on Valencia Street, where vintage fashions, pre-loved vinyl records and, um, pirate supplies are the order of the day. For lunch, seek out a legendary ‘Mission Burrito’ in one of the district's many authentic taquerias. These edible monsters are famed for their super-soft tortillas, farm-fresh ingredients and medley of Mexican flavors. Heave yours up to Dolores Park and find a spot to tuck in accompanied by panoramic views of the hazy Downtown skyline. In the Evening... Take in a Show Kick off your celebrations in earnest with one of San Francisco’s fab New Year shows. Check out listings for some of the city’s top venues – The Fillmore, The Warfield, The Independent – to find the perfect performance to suit your mood. Or go full glad-rags-and-monocles mode behind the stately colonnaded facade of the War Memorial Opera House, where you can catch world-class performances from the vaunted San Francisco Ballet, Opera and Symphony ensembles. Have a Nice Dinner Book early if you want to secure a New Year’s Eve spot for dinner in any of the city’s top restaurants. We’re talking dinner with a view in upscale Nob Hill – check out the Fairmont’s Laurel Court or Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins. Or hit up Zingari on Union Square for high-end Italian food and live jazz. Looking for something a little less formal? Chinatown is your friend. Generally considered one of the best enclaves for Chinese food in the US, here’s where you can dine like an emperor on fluffy BBQ pork dumplings, delicate shrimp and chive gyoza, crispy sesame balls and all manner of other umami Chinese treats. Find yourself a tiny, cramped restaurant for a fully authentic experience. Go on a New Year’s Eve Cruise A favorite way to spend New Year’s Eve in San Francisco is aboard a cruise on the Bay. It’s a fine (and unusual) way to ring in the New Year, complete with picture-perfect night-time views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and, of course, the city’s spectacular midnight firework display. Cruise options range from high-end dining experiences to booze-fueled party boats that are strictly for revelers aged 21 and over. Note that at least one of these options has the potential to leave you feeling a little, shall we say, seasick the morning after. Skate into the New Year The Embarcadero Holiday Ice Rink is the city’s largest and offers glittering views of San Francisco Bay, the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge as you glide and swoop, graceful as a drunk swan, across the ice. The rink stays open until 11.30PM on New Year’s Eve, meaning you can skate until late before huddling with the crowds to enjoy the midnight pyrotechnics. The views of the firework display from here – as with just about anywhere along the eastern waterfront – are among the very best in town. Save on things to do in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
San Francisco skyline captured through the suspension cables of the Golden Gate Bridge
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San Francisco in November

With the final curtain call of fall lying just around the corner, San Francisco in November remains ever popular, owing to its still rather pleasant climate and the wealth of exciting cultural events taking place throughout the month. If you’re looking for a great time to explore the Bay Area ahead of the coming holiday season, November is tough to beat. Visiting San Francisco in November Average Temperature: 50 - 63°F • Average Rainfall: 7 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day Though still maintaining its fall popularity, November marks a moment of respite for San Francisco. Between the summertime and holiday season peaks, many consider this to be one of the best periods to experience everything the Bay Area has to offer. Just be sure to book your preferred hotels, activities and venues in advance to avoid any potential disappointment. With winter on the horizon, San Francisco weather begins to taper off throughout November to a cooler climate, with average temperatures landing somewhere between cool and pleasantly mild. Though you can expect at least one day of rainfall per week, some fairly regular sunshine added to those warmer days makes for some fantastic city exploration conditions. Things to do in November Any visit to San Francisco would be incomplete without the obligatory tour of some of its most popular sights. Take a walk beneath the crimson beams of the Golden Gate Bridge – considered the most recognizable bridge in the world – and snap some creative photos of the classic Painted Ladies lining the eastern side of Alamo Square Park, a perfect spot to rest your feet after the challenging hill climb to get there. One of the most popular areas of San Francisco is Fisherman’s Wharf, a delightful waterfront complex housing a wide range of pleasant activities and venues. Explore the various independent retailers within the Pier 39 shopping center and stop by the classic Musée Mécanique penny arcade. Keep an eye out for the local colony of playful, barking sea lions, too! While much of the city is fairly easily accessible on foot, a Hop-On, Hop Off Bus Tour offers a much more comfortable and convenient way to get around. Passing by many of the Bay Area’s top attractions and landmarks, the tour allows passholders to hop on and off at their leisure, offering optional audio commentary in a handful of major languages to boot. Those with any interest in East Asian cultures should explore the likes of Chinatown and Japantown where, among a great deal of fascinating traditional architecture, you can find a variety of charming stores and restaurants serving all manner of cultural cuisine. Stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory to see one of the nation’s favorite after-dinner treats in the making! History buffs visiting San Francisco in November 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. To make the most of the final few pleasant days of the season, take a stroll through the likes of the Golden Gate Park and its stunning Botanical Garden and Japanese Tea Garden, or the somewhat quieter Mission Dolores Park and its remarkable Conservatory of Flowers. If you find yourself with a warmer evening to spare, you can’t beat a romantic sunset atop the Twin Peaks summit, with its stellar views over the iconic San Francisco skyline. If you’re keen to explore San Francisco’s renowned theater culture, grab yourself a ticket to one of the city’s top Broadway shows. Particularly popular in November is the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, which typically begins performing just after Thanksgiving. Be sure to book in early, as this one sells out mighty fast! What’s On in November Día de los Muertos Just across the Bay, as many as 100,000 visitors flock to the city of Oakland each November for a major festival held in honor of the Día de los Muertos. Hosted on either November 1 or 2, visitors can expect to enjoy a day of live music, games, fairground rides, great food and cultural activities alongside a variety of creative exhibitions in celebration of the traditional Mexican holiday. SF Coffee Festival The Bay Area’s love affair with a good cup of joe is abundantly evident from the many specialty coffee shops spread throughout San Francisco, and never more so than during the SF Coffee Festival. Over several days in November specially curated exhibitors alongside some of the Bay Area’s top coffee roasters come together to share in their craft of the nation’s favorite caffeinated beverage. Throughout the festival, visitors can sample a virtually endless selection of specialty coffees from around the country, accompanied by a live soundtrack provided by some of the best local bands and entertainment. And if you’re keen to learn more about the process that goes into your morning brew, chat to the many master roasters at their booths and join some of the expert-led panels exploring various aspects of the industry as a whole. Renegade Craft Fair Gathering each November in the airy Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, the Renegade Craft Fair is a veritable paradise for artists and design aficionados alike. Upwards of 300 artists and retailers set up shop each year to exhibit their creations and handmade goods, while a hearty selection of food and drink stands offer a great opportunity to socialize with your fellow creatives. November Film Festivals Continuing San Francisco’s cinema-centric trend, November is host to a plethora of cultural film festivals, including the Arab Film Festival, South Asian Film Festival and American Indian Film Festival. Those with an interest in social and environmental issues may also be keen to catch the Transgender Film Festival and the Save the Waves Film Festival. San Francisco International Auto Show Auto enthusiasts visiting San Francisco in November as in for a real treat in the shape of the San Francisco International Auto Show. For over half a century now, the Bay Area has been host each year to an incredible display of some of the world’s most impressive vehicles, from classic favorites to exotic sports cars and some of the newest tech in the game.
Robert Heaney

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