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

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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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San Francisco City Hall illuminated in festive colors
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Christmas in San Francisco

If you’re looking for a festive city break brimming with holiday spirit, it’s hard to beat Christmas in San Francisco. From delightful winter displays to enchanting traditional performances and a host of unique seasonal events, it’s hard to beat the festive wonder of the Bay Area at the holidays. Festive Displays Union Square No area is quite so quintessential to Christmas in San Francisco as Union Square. This teeming commercial hub transforms throughout the holiday season into the beating heart of all things Christmas in the Bay Area. The San Francisco holiday season kicks off with the lighting of the Macy’s Christmas Tree in late November, traditionally taking place on the first Friday after Thanksgiving. Hundreds of locals and visitors alike come out to watch the event and embrace the festive spirit, as Union Square becomes a veritable winter wonderland brimming with seasonal spirit. Running in parallel to the early Christmas festivities, Union Square is also host each year to the Bill Graham Menorah in celebration of Hanukkah. Each night of the Jewish festival of lights is marked by the lighting of a candle atop the giant candelabra, accompanied by a hearty gathering filled with live music and a great deal of merriment. You’ll find all manner of ways to get into the holiday spirit around Union Square, whether it’s taking the kids to Macy’s to visit Santa Claus and awe at the frolicking, adoptable animals in the SPCA’s Holiday Window or showing off your moves on the Union Square Ice Skating Rink before grabbing some holiday deals at Westfield Shopping Center. Fisherman’s Wharf One of the Bay Area’s top attractions becomes ever more exciting throughout the holidays, hosting a number of festive events throughout the season. Rivaling the main display on Union Square, Pier 39 goes a step further by lighting its Christmas tree multiple times an evening from late November to early January, synchronized to a fanfare of holiday music. In much the same way, the Pier also celebrates Hanukkah with its own giant menorah at the Entrance Plaza, lit up each night of the Jewish festival. At the opposite end of Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square hosts its own diverse program of holiday celebrations, complete with the obligatory Christmas Tree display and Hanukkah festivities. In years past, the square has also been known to put on an outdoor cinema showcasing a number of popular holiday movies throughout the season. Always a popular sight on the waterfront is the Fisherman’s Wharf Decorated Boat Parade, held each year in partnership with the St. Francis Yacht Club. Usually falling in mid-December, the parade sees local boats of all shapes and sizes adorned in festive lights and decor as they sail along the bay. Those who are particularly keen can pay to watch from the official starting line while enjoying a special holiday buffet. Fairmont Hotel If magical holiday displays and an exuberant seasonal atmosphere are what you’re looking for, be sure to visit the Fairmont Hotel at the top of Nob Hill. Each year, this luxury hotel goes all out on its holiday display, erecting a life-sized gingerbread house right in its main lobby. Large enough for adults to walk through, the charming display is made all the more enchanting by the miniature railway encircling the house. Seasonal Events SantaCon You’d better watch out, as Santa Claus is coming to town in his masses! For a day each December, Union Square and its surrounding streets, bars and venues get overtaken by a colossal procession of Christmas characters, most of which end up in quite the drunken state as the day rolls on. This Santa-themed celebration comes complete with caroling, costume contests and stockingfuls of merriment. Though entirely free to enter, SantaCon asks that visitors bring unwrapped toy donations of any size and value to help local charity drives aimed at disadvantaged families across the city. And, of course, festive fancy dress is highly encouraged! The Great Dickens Fair For a series of weekends throughout the holiday season, the city hosts The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, complete with festive market stalls among an impressive replica of Victorian London. Visitors can enjoy various Victorian-themed events and pick up some treasures while exploring the world which so inspired the famous nineteenth-century writer. New Year’s Eve Seeing out the holiday season, the Bay Area is considered to be among the top five destinations in the United States to spend New Year’s Eve, and that certainly isn’t without merit. Like many cities, San Fran veritably lights up with activity for the twilight hours of the year, with many of its top restaurants, bars and venues filled to the brim with jovial revelers. Throughout the night, the city hosts a number of popular live events and concerts to beckon in the turn of the new year. As the night reaches its peak, many flock to the waterside to watch as barges 1,000 feet out in the bay set off a magnificent firework display, illuminating their surroundings in a blaze of vibrant color. The most popular site to catch the show is typically just south of the Ferry Building near Pier 14. Holiday Performances Known for its incredible entertainment scene, it should come as no surprise that San Francisco also hosts a variety of limited-time performances throughout the holiday season, many of which have become a staple of local holiday tradition. Tickets to any of these performances typically sell out fast, so you’ll want to keep a keen eye out when they become available. Nutcracker Ballet Step into the magical wonderland of toy soldiers in this classic ballet performance of the Nutcracker, performed by a kaleidoscope of over 150 dancers as they battle the King of Mice and dance through the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Accompanied by a fantastic live orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, this is a truly enchanting performance to catch during the holiday season. A Christmas Carol Perhaps one of the most popular Bay Area holiday traditions is to bag a ticket to a theater performance of Charles Dickens’ festive classic, A Christmas Carol. Each year, the American Conservatory Theater puts on their own delightful adaptation of the classic tale, with a bubbly cast, vibrant costumes and a host of spooky ghosts.
Robert Heaney

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