What is San Francisco famous for?

From iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge to its rich and diverse culture, there are lots of places and people that make San Francisco unique.

By Seren Morris
Published: July 18, 2024
San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the most well-known and recognizable cities in the world. But what is San Francisco famous for? If you’re planning on visiting the Bay Area, check out our list of what makes San Francisco famous, including...

  • The Golden Gate Bridge
  • Alcatraz
  • San Francisco Giants
  • Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Cable Car
  • Haight Ashbury
  • The Castro District
  • And more!
San Francisco skyline

Golden Gate Bridge

A trip to San Francisco would be incomplete without visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. It's over 80 years old and has long been one of the most famous sights in San Francisco. For a unique perspective on the bridge, take to the water on a sightseeing cruise.

This hour-long cruise takes you directly under the bridge, while your audio tour tells you everything you need to know about the sights. Or get up close and take a Golden Gate Bridge guided bike tour along the waterfront and across the bridge itself. This fully-guided, three-hour tour departs from Fisherman’s Wharf, takes you to Sausalito Bay, and brings you back to the city on a ferry. 

Getting in: 🎟️ Golden Gate Bridge Guided Bike Tour admission is available on the Go City® Explorer Pass.

🎟️ Golden Gate Bay Cruise admission is available on the Go City® All-Inclusive Pass.

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is an island in San Francisco Bay, known for being a prison that was home to notorious gangsters, including Al Capone. Escaping from Alcatraz was said to be impossible – but that didn’t stop its prisoners from trying. Learn all about the attempted escapes, as well as the prison’s history and its famous former inhabitants.

Take the Escape from the Rock cruise around the island, which gives you an insight into Alcatraz’s rich and complex history. Your narrated audio guide tells you everything you need to know as you take in a 360-view of the island.

Getting in: 🎟️ The Escape from the Rock cruise is included with the Go San Francisco All-Inclusive pass.

Alcatraz island

San Francisco Giants

Sports fans will know that San Francisco is famous for its baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. If you can, get tickets to see the Giants in action and make the most of the city's sports scene. Games take place all year round so check out the Giants website to see if there’s a game happening during your vacation.

Whether you’re a baseball fan or have been inspired by seeing a Giants game, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Oracle Park stadium. See everything from the press box to The Giant Vault.

Fisherman’s Wharf

One of the most popular areas of the city for visitors, Fisherman's Wharf is home to a plethora of attractions and sights including Ghirardelli Square, the seals on Pier 39, and more. Be sure to stop here for food – there are tons of classic San Francisco dishes to choose from, such as clam chowder bowls and crab.

Take a one-hour tour of Fisherman’s Wharf and learn all about San Francisco’s fascinating history. Remember to take your camera for amazing views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Plus, keep an eye out for the seals on Pier 39. 

Getting in: 🎟️ Admission to Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour is included on all Go City® San Francisco passes.

Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco Cable Cars

For a uniquely San Francisco experience, take a trip on the cable cars. Cable cars were invented in San Francisco nearly 150 years ago. However, they still take locals around the city (and up and down those steep San Francisco streets) to this day. Traveling by cable car is a great way to experience the city’s most important landmarks. If you feel inspired and want to learn more, why not visit the Cable Car Museum? 

Getting in: 🎟️ Admission to the Cable Car Museum is free, cable car tickets are purchased separately.

Haight Ashbury

Haight Ashbury is one of San Francisco’s most famous neighborhoods. It is considered the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement. Its hippie history can still be seen in the vintage clothing and music stores that line the colorful streets. Haight Ashbury was home to famous bands and singers of the 1960s, including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin.

The neighborhood reached its peak during the 1967 Summer of Love, but its cultural impact remains. Stroll through the eclectic streets, browse vintage clothes in the thrift stores, and pick up a vinyl record or two. 

Haight Ashbury

The Castro District

Another famous area of San Francisco is the Castro District, which is considered San Francisco’s LGBTQ neighborhood. The Castro is known as a symbol of LGBTQ activism. It was also home to Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay man voted to public office. Learn about The Castro District’s history at the GLBT Historical Society Museum and join the LGBTQ Castro District Walking Tour.

Then, visit the Human Rights Action store at the former location of Harvey Milk’s camera store. This neighborhood is full of interesting San Francisco history, so consider adding a visit here to your itinerary. 

Getting in: Admission to the GLBT Historical Society Museum tickets must be purchased separately. Entry to the Human Rights Action store is free.

Castro District

Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City®

With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your San Francisco must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off. Whichever San Francisco attraction pass you pick, you'll save while you sightsee!

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

Seren Morris
Go City Travel Expert

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The San Francisco cable car
Blog

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
Bird's eye view of the San Francisco's Lombard Street
Blog

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
San Francisco
Blog

San Francisco Labor Day Weekend – 10+ Fun Things to Do in September

If you're spending Labor Day weekend in San Francisco, you won't be short of things to do. From live music to festivals and bike rides to cruises, celebrate the unofficial last few days of summer in San Francisco. If you’re looking for San Francisco Labor Day weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in San Francisco in September, including... Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise Full Day Wine Country Tour Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Union Square Live And more! Union Square Live Shakespeare in the Park Take in a free performance of a classic play by the world-famous bard in the lovely McLaren Park. Put on by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, these performances are a summer favorite with locals, with previous performances such as Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It drawing throngs of crowds. Shakespeare in the park is a lovely way to spend time in the sun while soaking up San Francisco theater. Sausalito Art Festival Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Architecture and The City Throughout September Citywide Sponsored by AIA San Francisco, the largest architectural festival in the country hosts a number of great events on Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy professional architecture tours, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, and much more. Top tip: Select Architecture and The City events are free; for those events that do require tickets, please visit the event website. Millbrae Art & Wine Festival One of the biggest street festivals in the area, the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival is perfect for adults. This year they’re celebrating their 49th year with tons of great events, exhibits, performances, and more. This Mardi Gras-style celebration is an exciting mix of food, wine, art, and music – don’t miss out! Admission to the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival is free, although you do need to pay for select tastings. Go for a Bike Ride Relax Aboard a Cruise Indulge in a Wine Country Tour You can’t travel to San Francisco without paying a visit to their famed wine country. Hop aboard a bus pop down to Napa Valley and Sonoma and unleash your inner sommelier. Several wine tours even include transportation from main hubs like Fisherman’s Wharf. Bonus, you can enjoy as many wine samples as you’d like! Getting In: Weekday Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour tickets are an option on the Go San Francisco pass - Build Your Own. Visit a Theme Park See some Marine Life Save on Attraction Admission There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in San Francisco in September to help you plan your Labor Day weekend itinerary. Remember, some of these great attraction options are included on the San Francisco pass, where you can save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the Labor Day weekend events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with Go City®. We hope you consider visiting some of these attractions to help round out your summer vacation in style.
Katie Sagal

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