Fun Things to Do in San Francisco - The Ultimate Tourist Guide for Your Trip

By Casey Makovich

It’s hard to argue San Francisco’s reputation as one of the happiest city in America. The City by the Bay has lots of fun outdoor activities, unique landscape, iconic architecture, a world-class museum culture, and more. Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a romantic getaway, meeting up with friends, or going solo, our travel guides have all the information you need, right here in one place. Things to do in San Francisco when you’re not taking pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge:

What are some popular attractions to visit?

These are just a few. Want more fun ideas for things to do in San Francisco? Head over here for more San Francisco attractions to see during your trip.

How long are you visiting?

Whether you're visiting San Francisco for 24-hours or an entire week, we've put together sample itineraries with some of the most popular things to do in the city. From an all-around-town-tour and top attractions, to iconic landmarks in the city, these itineraries give you the best San Francisco experience based on the time you have.

Who are you visiting with?

No matter who you're traveling with, there are a ton of fun things to do in San Francisco, particularly for families. We've put together a list of top attractions and activities geared towards young kids and teens to help you plan your trip.

What type of activities interest you?

Whether you're envisioning yourself checking off all the top museums or sampling some of the state's best wines, our San Francisco insiders have put together a few 'best of' lists to help you streamline your itinerary.

What parts of San Francisco are you visiting?

Explore San Francisco by neighborhood to maximize your time sightseeing. We've highlighted a handful of top attractions and places to see by neighborhood in the city so you can make the most of your time and check off everything on your list.

When are you visiting?

San Francisco offers a different experience with each season and type of weather. Check out our lists of things to do in the city throughout the year to make the most of your itinerary and experience unique, calendar-based events.

What's the best way to get around?

San Francisco is large and spread out and has lots of easy options for getting around. Depending on how far out of the city you plan to go, you might want to consider renting a car. Hop-on, hop-off tours: A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour (an included attraction option) is a great way to get acquainted with the city and visit popular attractions. Tours follow a specific route and time schedule, so plan accordingly if you have timed tickets or reservations. Car: if you plan to get around to attractions by car, be sure to leave time to find parking downtown. Public transportation: San Francisco’s Muni Transit consists of Muni buses, historic streetcars, the Muni Metro light rail, and cable cars which are easy to use and service popular destinations throughout the city. Beyond San Francisco, the Amtrak California services points of interest north and south of San Francisco and BART connects the SF Peninsula with Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Dublin/Pleasanton, and other cities in the East Bay. Tip: download the MuniMobile app to purchase and save and for point-to-point trip planning. Taxis: taxis are typically available at most hotels and shared ride services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available and easy to use. Looking for more info? Check out our post on getting around San Francisco for tourists.

Where should you stay?

There are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Below are a handful of hotel suggestions located near popular tourist attractions and fun things to do.

  • Pier 2620 Hotel Fisherman's Wharf
  • The Washington Square Inn
  • Hotel Boheme
  • Omni San Francisco Hotel
  • Loews Regency San Francisco

Where should you shop?

In between sightseeing, try and find time to pick up some souvenirs. Here are a few popular areas to get some shopping in.

  • Gift Center and Jewelry Mart
  • Bloomingdale's
  • Petaluma Village Premium Outlets
  • Napa Premium Outlets
  • Union Square

Make sure to check out all of the extra discounts and savings available on the Go San Francisco Card.

Where to Eat?

Go on a tour of San Francisco’ foodie scene with our top picks for family-friendly places to eat in San Francisco. We’ve included top picks for every appetite and attractions nearby so you can sightsee while you taste your way through San Francisco’s culinary destinations. No judgement.

Fun Info from a Local

  • San Francisco was part of Mexico until the end of the Mexican-American war in 1848.
  • The California grizzly on California’s state flag was modeled after Monarch, a former resident of Golden Gate Park.
  • You can’t see the Golden Gate Bridge from Golden Gate Park. For the best views, head to Crissy Field, Battery Spencer, or Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point.
  • San Francisco’s cable cars hold the title of a National Historical Monument – and they’re the only one that can move.
  • The official name of the paint used on the Golden Gate Bridge is “International Orange.”

Share your adventure with us!

Tag us when you upload photos from your trip to Instagram: @GoCity or #GoCityCard.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Best Beaches in San Francisco
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Best Beaches in San Francisco

Heading to San Fran this year, or call the city home? Why not hit the beach? Below, we'll answer all your most burning questions about San Fran's beaches, as well as our recommendations for the best beaches in the city! So break out the sunscreen and oversized sun hats; we're going to town! Including: Does San Francisco have good beaches? Can you swim at the beaches in San Francisco? How clean are San Francisco beaches? The best beaches in San Francisco Does San Francisco have good beaches? It would be a pretty short blog if this weren't the case, but yes, you can rest easy. Not only does San Francisco have good beaches, it has some of the best beaches in the country. They're not all pearly white beaches with lashings of sun, but they provide some of the best views around that almost demand a round of clicks from your camera. Can you swim at the beaches in San Francisco? Technically yes, but most authorities (and, by extension, us) recommend that you do not. San Francisco's beaches are often surrounded by water with dangerous rip currents, causing many people to drown throughout the year. While some extreme sports fanatics see this as the perfect time to hop on a board and ride some waves, for the casual swimmer, we'd recommend staying out of the water for the most part. How clean are San Francisco beaches? Every beach in America receives a grade based not only on the cleanliness of the beach itself, but also the water around it. Like school, these grades go from A+ all the way to F. The good news is that 88% of the beaches around the San Francisco and Bay Area received an A or B grade, and some, like the first beach on our list, received an A+. Ocean Beach An A+ beach, if ever there was one, Ocean Beach is the highest-rated beach on our list for cleanliness. Right by the Golden Gate Bridge, this 3-and-a-half-mile stretch of bright white sand gives loungers the perfect views for their sunbathing antics. Running from Cliff House south to Sloat Boulevard, Ocean Beach is also a great place for walks, and those willing to burn even more calories can continue up to Golden Gate Park - you could even hire some skates when you get there and explore the park on wheels. Ocean Beach is also a frequent evening haunt, with bonfires and parties occurring on the regular. During the day, extreme sports enjoyers do partake in windsurfing, but as we mentioned before, the rip currents should keep casual enthusiasts out of the water. If you want to hit the waves, why not do it on a cruise ship instead? Baker Beach This mile-long sandy shoreline is an area in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, stretching underneath sheer cliffs. Don't worry; they're safe. They're also beautiful, a beauty matched by views of the Golden Gate Bridge across the water. Just bear in mind that the north part of Baker Beach is also nudist-friendly, so if you're planning a beach break with the kids, maybe stay away. After all, with all the new...bits and bobs...they're likely to see, you'll only have to deal with a near-endless stream of awkward questions. Crissy Field East Beach Named after the famous Crissy Field, a world-renowned sand castle designer who won multiple awards for her creations, Crissy Field Beach is one of the best beaches in San Francisco. Okay, so one of those statements is utterly false, but you have to have a little fun with it, don't you? Crissy Field East Beach is actually one of the most popular beaches in the Bay Area, with tons of locals hitting the shore every summer to relax, exercise, picnic, and even birdwatch. It's also safe for casual swimmers looking to cool off from the summer sun - just don't head too far out. Pescadero State Beach If you're looking for more from your beach-going experience, how about a nice injection of natural beauty? The sandy coves, rocky cliffs, and tide pools that call Pescadero State Beach home make it a must-visit for nature lovers. Even relaxation seekers are in for a treat, as there's plenty of sandy beach to explore and set up a towel. However, when you get bored of ray-soaking, go exploring. Hikers love the trails that snake through the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, so why not join them and burn some cals? Aquatic Park Cove Aquatic Park Cove is a magical place, and easily one of the best beaches in San Francisco. Nestled in San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park - try and say that name fast three times - it's a protected cove that also happens to be the safest place to swim in the city. The cove naturally protects the water from the surging currents beyond, leading to calm waters you won't find anywhere else. So, while it's also a magnet for swim enthusiasts, it's also a prime location for less extreme water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and rowing. Muir Beach Okay, we might be cheating a bit with our final entry, but Muir Beach is so good it earns its place on this list of the best beaches in San Francisco. Yes, it's a 10-mile drive from the city, but the US is a car-centric country, so you'll likely have a set of wheels able to close the gap in a matter of minutes. Muir Beach is basically a beach from your favorite movie - at least one that has a beach. Volleyball, sunbathing, swimming, and more beach-based activities are there to enjoy. You can also say hi to a whole host of little critters, including hermit crabs and starfish, and even see whales off the coast if you're lucky enough. Then there's Muir Woods right next door if you fancy hiking among great redwoods. It really is the beach that does it all. And those were our picks of the best beaches in San Francisco! If you're heading to the Golden Gate City and want some extra activities to fill your vacation itinerary, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of San Fran's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley
Things to do in San Francisco for a Birthday
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Things to do in San Francisco for a Birthday

If you're looking for the best things to do in San Francisco for a birthday, you've come to the right place. From white-knuckle rides to spooky tours, we've picked the very best birthday entertainment for you and yours. So, without further ado, let's get into it. Including: Six Flags California's Great America GoCar San Francisco Escape from the Rock and more! If you, or the birthday person, are a thrill-seeker, these white-knuckle attractions will surely make it one to remember! Image courtesy of Cassiohabib/Shutterstock Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Six Flags is a national treasure, so it hardly needs an introduction. Arguably the second most popular set of theme parks behind the House of Mouse, Six Flags offers thrill-seekers plenty of bendy, windy, heart-pumping rides to test their mettle. And San Fran's Discovery Kingdom is no different. Visitors will find it full of exciting rides, animal attractions, and live entertainment that's suitable for little ones and us oldies too. But let's be honest; if you're heading to Six Flags, you're going for the rollercoasters. And Discovery Kingdom doesn't disappoint. The park's signature coaster is the Joker, a hybrid coaster with multiple inversions, twists, and turns, which is themed around Batman's arch nemesis - the dastardly maniac. Other popular coasters include the Medusa, a floorless coaster with a 150-foot drop, and the Superman Ultimate Flight, which takes riders on a flying experience through loops and twists alongside the Man of Steel himself. Delightful. Image courtesy of Sundry Photography/Shutterstock California's Great America For a unique theme park experience you won't find anywhere else, head to California's Great America. Sure, it's not in San Fran per se, but it's only an hour's drive away in Santa Clara. And, for a theme park this fantastic, it's worth the miles. Like any park worth its salt, you'll find plenty of thrilling rollercoasters to ride, including Gold Striker, a rollercoaster ranked in the top ten wooden coasters in the world! Not bad. Other popular coasters are Flight Deck, a suspended coaster that takes riders on a high-speed flurry of twists and turns, and Rail Blazer, which throws riders around a rocky course of rocks. It's like a minecart ride but without the fear of death. And for the little ones who won't make the height requirement, there's the Planet Snoopy Construction Zone, a park-within-a-park that's dedicated to everyone's favorite 2D beagle. With kid-friendly rides, interactive play areas, and opportunities to meet and take photos with Snoopy and his friends, it's ideal for little ones who don't need all that coaster stress. Now, for all you seekers of the strange and satisfying, we've collated some unconventional means of seeing San Francisco! Image courtesy of meunierd/Shutterstock GoCar San Francisco Why not see the city in style with GoCar San Francisco. But what is GoCar? Well, it's a compact, three-wheeled, two-seater, GPS-guided car. So, a mini-car, then. The benefits of traveling around in such a small vehicle are plenty. Firstly, it's easy to drive, which is a godsend for anyone unfamiliar with San Fran's peaks and troughs. Secondly, its compact size means it's easy enough to navigate through the city's many smaller streets. And, like Kit from Knightrider, the GoCar even talks to you as you drive. It will tell you where to go while also providing color commentary for each landmark and area you pass. But you aren't just sent off into the great unknown. In fact, you book specific tours before heading off. The most popular tour is the Golden Gate Bridge and Back Tour , which takes visitors on a scenic route across the Golden Gate Bridge and through the Presidio, with stops at popular landmarks like Lombard Street, Fisherman's Wharf, and Coit Tower. If you're in a small group, GoCar could be one of the best things to do in San Francisco for a birthday! Escape from the Rock Ever watched The Rock? Ever wondered if you have the steel to escape from a floating prison? Well, wonder no more, because Escape from the Rock is here to give that very experience. And, if you want to do something entirely unique for a birthday, it's easily one of the best things to do in San Francisco. This tour/prison break starts with a ferry ride from Pier 39 to Alcatraz Island, where you'll be greeted by a park ranger. They'll fill you in on the island's history as America's once-most secure prison. Then, you'll head into the prison itself to take a tour of the facilities. You'll visit cell blocks, the exercise yard, and other areas of the prison that are off-limits to regular visitors. Because you're special; never forget that. You'll learn all about the many famous inmates that once called it home, including Al Capone, as well as Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, who escaped the prison a year before its closure in 1963. Looking for a birthday fright-fest? Check out these spooky birthday adventures! Ghost Hunt of Chinatown Why not try a spooky exploration of San Fran's Chinatown? There are plenty of paranormal legends to discover and haunted sites to visit, and you get a tour of the area to boot! Your spooky guide will fill you in on all the supposed ghostly goings-on. They'll take you through the oldest parts of the district built during the Gold Rush era, and share stories of every apparition and haunting that is said to remain today. Expect to see and learn about phenomena reported at the old Chinese Phone Exchange building, a former opium den, and the Hang Ah Tea Room, one of the oldest tea houses in the city. They also do some delicious dim sum if you need a bite. A haunted bite? Maybe. Winchester Mystery House The Winchester name is famous in the US for the lever-action repeating rifles popularized during the Wild West. You may also know the story of Sarah Winchester, the inventor's wife. Once widowed, she was overwhelmed with guilt. After all, her husband's rifles had taken untold lives. In response, she started remodeling her house in bizarre ways. Some say it's because she feared the ghosts of those who fell to her husband's weapons were after her. But the truth of the matter has never been revealed. That didn't stop Hollywood from completely embellishing the story a century after Sarah's death. However, you can now make up your own mind by visiting the house! On your tour, you'll find stairs that lead to ceilings, brick walls behind doors, and rooms hidden behind secret panels. Then, when you're done, visit the on-site museum, or sit in the garden and contemplate the bizarre structure you just explored. It's all in a hard birthday's work! And those were our picks of the best things to do in San Francisco for a birthday! If you're not keen on some of the above, or just want some more ideas to fill out your birthday weekend bonanza, check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of San Fran's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley
The San Francisco cable car
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Things to do in San Francisco in the Morning

San Francisco’s cool and often foggy mornings are manna for budding photographers in search of magnificently moody Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge shots. But there are plenty more things you can do in San Francisco in the morning, from munching breakfast burritos in The Mission to hitting top attractions like Pier 39 and the Exploratorium before the tourist hordes get there. Read on for our faves.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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