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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Side-on view of the Golden Gate Bridge spanning The Bay
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San Francisco in March

San Francisco in March marks the coming of spring with a month of generally mild and often sunny – if not windy – weather, making for the first of many periods ideal for exploring the unique nooks and crannies of this oh-so-photogenic city. If you’re looking to beat the crowds and don’t mind battling with the windchill and rain, March is the time to visit! Visiting San Francisco in March Average Temperature: 48 - 61°F • Average Rainfall: 10 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day With spring on the way, the Golden City prepares to usher in its first shoulder season of the year, with somewhat of an upcurve in tourists expected throughout the season. Though you may find the city slightly busier than during the winter months, you should have no trouble still finding some great off-peak hotel deals throughout the month, as long as you book sufficiently in advance. The transition from winter to spring may not be so evident in San Francisco’s weather in March. Throughout the month, temperatures remain somewhere between cool and pleasantly mild, with just enough regular sunshine to grab those ideal photo ops. Just be sure to wrap up against the inevitable windchill and pack an umbrella for the likelihood of at least two days of rainfall per week. Things to do in March Few trips to San Francisco would be complete without touring some of the city’s top landmarks. Topping the list are, of course, the crimson beams of the Golden Gate Bridge, followed swiftly behind by the Victorian Painted Ladies stationed along the eastern side of Alamo Square Park. With the Golden City as sprawling as it is, you’ll likely want to find a way to explore without wearing out your feet too quickly. The iconic San Francisco Cable Cars can certainly see you some of the way, but nothing beats a Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour for getting you around the city’s top attractions comfortably and conveniently, with optional audio commentary in a selection of languages to boot. History buffs visiting San Francisco in March will be no stranger to Alcatraz, famously the former site of many of America’s most notorious criminals, and now open for visitors to explore its chilling halls and the surrounding hostile landscape. If you’re looking for something a little on the tamer side, though, then the California Historical Society and the Contemporary Jewish Museum each offer valuable insights into the local cultures and history of both San Francisco and California as a whole. If you’re looking for somewhere exciting to sink a few hours, then Fisherman’s Wharf should be just the ticket. Among this waterfront complex you’ll find the classic Musée Méchanique penny arcade and the popular Pier 39 shopping center, alongside a variety of charming restaurants, stores and cultural hotspots. Come at the right time and you may even come across the famous colony of playful, barking sea lions catching some rays in a huddle on the corner of the pier. With the weather turning generally milder throughout March, you may be keen to spend a few hours exploring some of San Francisco’s serene green spaces. The lakes, gardens and trails of Golden Gate Park are undoubtedly the most popular, while Mission Dolores Park serves as a fantastic picnic spot with idyllic views over the city skyline. Be sure to explore the nearby Conservatory of Flowers and the Botanical Garden, too, to see what March has in bloom. The Golden City’s undulating landscape, impressive skyline and stunning Bay make for some incredible photo ops, but never more so than when you can capture them all together. For some truly exquisite viewpoints, 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 sit beneath the stars for an evening. Both families and the curious traveler alike are bound to enjoy the likes of the California Academy of Sciences, impressively housing a planetarium, aquarium, natural history museum and indoor rainforest under one massive roof. If that doesn’t quite scratch that itch, then the interactive science exhibits of the Exploratorium should do the trick – just be sure to visit later in the day if you’d prefer to miss the regular school groups. What’s On in March Berlin & Beyond Film Festival Somewhat of a more niche offering for film buffs visiting San Francisco in March, Berlin & Beyond serves as a gateway for the public to see and experience the German-speaking world of cinema. For roughly a week in March, the festival organizes an extensive program of screenings from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond. Exploring the history, art, cultures and progress of these German-speaking regions, screenings take the form of everything from independent short films to impressive feature films and documentaries. The festival celebrates prominent filmmakers and screen talents from across the German-speaking world, sharing their work with an annual audience of over 7,000 keen film-goers. Saint Patrick’s Day Though few Irishmen would care to admit it, the USA is largely credited with pioneering St. Patrick’s Day celebrations as we know them today, with records as far back as the early 1600s placing St. Augustine in Florida as the potential birthplace of the modern Ireland-centered drinking party. And the nation has only doubled down on the festivities ever since! San Francisco is no stranger to its fair share of hearty Irish fun, making it one of the prime places to be as March 17 rolls around. You’ll find no shortage of parties, pub crawls, cultural festivals and family-friendly activities throughout the city as thousands of locals and visitors go green for St. Patty’s. The city also hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and block party the weekend beforehand, often giving the keenest of revelers the chance to party all over again! Red Cross Gala If you plan on being in San Francisco in March and enjoy any excuse to dress up, you’ll want to grab yourself a ticket to the annual American Red Cross Gala. Held each year to recognize and honor those in the Bay Area that have made a positive impact to help the American Red Cross, this popular fundraising event takes place in San Francisco’s impressive City Hall. Accompanied by the subsequent After Party, the gala promises an evening of cocktails, refreshments, live music, dancing and a general air of merriment.
Robert Heaney
Lanterns over the street in Chinatown, San Francisco
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Things to do in Chinatown San Francisco

San Francisco’s sprawling Chinatown covers no less than 24 square blocks, measuring around a half mile north to south and a quarter mile east to west and forming part of the busy Downtown neighborhood. It’s also the oldest Chinatown in North America, established here way back in 1848 when it blew Western minds with that first life-changing taste of aromatic Chinese dumplings. There’s more than enough to see and do within this historic enclave’s storied streets and alleyways to fill an entire day, allowing you time to soak up the unique atmosphere and experience a slice of San Francisco as it used to be. So what are you waiting for? Pass through the Dragon Gate and join us on our stroll through the best things to do in Chinatown San Francisco. Enter the Dragon There are two distinct sides to Chinatown: the touristy and the non-touristy. You’re a tourist though, right? So that seems like the logical place to start. Of the two major thoroughfares running north to south through Chinatown, Grant Street is the one you’re looking for – specifically the much-photographed Dragon Gate – the imposing southern entrance with its three gates in traditional pailou style and its duo of fearsome Chinese lions. Wait your turn for the essential Chinatown selfie before stepping through to begin your Chinese adventure proper. Immediately you'll find yourself transported to a different world, a world where red and gold paper lanterns sway overhead, ornate street lamps line the sidewalks, and the intoxicating scents of sizzling Szechuan shrimp and hoisin roast duck (more about the food later, snack fans!) fill the air. Soak it up as you wander along Grant Avenue, camera in hand, to the intersection of Grant and California. Here, to the clang and clatter of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars, is where you’ll find Chinatown’s other most-photographed structures: Sing Chong and Sing Fat, a pair of towering pagoda-style buildings facing off across the street, and Old St Mary’s Church which bears an ominous ALL CAPS warning beneath its grand clock: "SON, OBSERVE THE TIME AND FLY FROM EVIL" Avenues and Alleyways But the real magic happens when you get off the main drag and begin to explore the other side of Chinatown. Even the second major thoroughfare, Stockton Street, has a more authentic feel. So once you’ve bagged your souvenirs – waving lucky cat, paper lantern, bamboo backscratcher – from the gift shops on Grant, head over to the colorful markets on Stockton for a real taste of China. And we mean that literally: the produce markets here hawk everything edible, from dried fruit to live crabs and great bundles of bok choy. Wander into the side streets and back alleys and you’ll discover a whole world of Chinese culture. Think tiny mah jong parlors, laundry strewn window to window on makeshift washing lines above the street, bakeries crammed with egg custard tarts and Chinese donuts, and cute old-fashioned shops selling all manner of snacks, trinkets and esoteric Chinoiserie. Me Want Cooooookies! Discover what your future holds at the tiny Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross Alley. Here, you can watch the crack cookie team in action as they assemble thousands of the crunchy fortune-telling treats by hand every single day. Photos are permitted for a small fee, and you can buy bags of cookies in a variety of flavors to take away. Go green tea for maximum authenticity, or chocolate-coated for the ultimate cookie indulgence. But be warned: there may well be an expanding waistline in your future. Nearby Waverly Place was once home to two notorious brothels. Now the most colorful thing here is the buildings, rows of Insta-perfect shops and dwellings painted in a rainbow of garish greens, baby pinks and turmeric yellows, complete with elaborate balconies. It’s also where you’ll find the Tin How Temple. Founded way back in 1852, it’s the oldest Taoist temple in the United States. Intrepid explorers can visit by locating number 125 Waverly Place and climbing the steps to the third floor. Inside, incense burns, candles flicker in the gloom, paper lanterns hover overhead and dozens of small statues of Chinese deities crowd the space. Worshippers pray silently and leave offerings of fruit and bread at Tin How’s shrine. Next, head round the corner for a snap in front of the Old Chinese Telephone Exchange, a beautifully overstated red, green and gold pagoda-style building on Washington Street, now staffed by bank employees who gaze on with bemusement at the constant flow of selfie-takers on their doorstep. Then onwards to Portsmouth Square: this rather nondescript place is nevertheless the heart of Chinatown, and it’s here you can pause to watch the world go by and see elderly locals indulge in good old-fashioned pursuits like t’ai chi and Chinese chess. Food, glorious food! Confucius say: he who comes to Chinatown and does not eat the food did not really come to Chinatown. Ok ok, so we made that quote up, but it’s a truth universally acknowledged that the best dim sum in the States is to be found in the narrow lanes of this thriving San Francisco neighborhood. Our advice? Dive in! There are a number of hole-in-the-wall takeaway joints as well as (usually) tiny, cramped premises for those who want the full authentic Chinatown experience. These are the places for life-altering culinary experiences, where you can gorge on delicate shrimp and chive gyoza, fluffy BBQ pork dumplings and crispy sesame balls to your heart’s content. The food is so good and the prices so cheap that there’s every chance you’ll stick around for seconds. And probably thirds. Just don’t expect the ‘have a nice day’ level of attention you'll be used to from elsewhere in San Francisco. Service here often feels brusque and impatient, but lean into it at eateries like the City View Restaurant and Chinatown stalwart the Hang Ah Tea Room and you’ll soon discover it's all part of the charm, and easily one of the most fun things to do in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Save on things to do in Chinatown 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
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10+ Things to Do for Halloween in San Francisco

Thinking about spending this Halloween in San Francisco? Check out a few of these festive attractions to get you in the holiday spirit. From tours and parties to special family-friendly events, there’s something for everyone on this list. Keep in mind that some events may require reservations; research the attractions you are interested in. You may need to purchase tickets before you go. All of these attractions are great for families with kids, but exercise caution when it comes to spooky stuff and small children. The San Francisco Dungeon If you want to see something truly spooky and horrible this October, head to the San Francisco Dungeon, where the weird and wild of San Francisco's history come out to play in force. Wander through several lively exhibits with costumed actors, enjoy amazing recreated historic sites, and be more than a little scared by some of the horrific things going on in these recreations. Getting In: San Francisco Dungeon tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® pass. SuperNatural Halloween at California Academy of Sciences This festive family event sees the California Academy of Sciences transformed into a spooky scientific dreamland. From traditional activities like pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating to extra surprises like face painting and magic shows, this event has everything that makes Halloween special. Scientists will also be on hand to demonstrate the “spooky” scientific phenomenon and to encourage the educational element of the event. It’s bound to be a great time for the whole family! Getting In: Admission to SuperNatural Halloween is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Francisco pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website. General admission to the California Academy of Sciences is included with the Go San Francisco pass. The Great Pumpkin Fest at California's Great America This is one for the younger kids at California's Great America. See Planet Snoopy transformed into the gentle Planet Spooky, where kids 12 and under can trick-or-treat with the whole PEANUTs gang in costume. Various activities include a fun hay maze, creative pumpkin decorating, a play-in-able pumpkin patch, and the chance to watch talented pumpkin-carvers practice their craft. A daytime event, this is great for really little ones who aren't ready for after dark scares. Planet Snoopy is transformed into Planet Spooky where kids 12 & under can show off their costumes as they trick-or-treat along with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the PEANUTS friends. Getting In: Admission to The Great Pumpkin Fest is only $26 for Go San Francisco pass customers. Monster Bash & Haunted Hornet Halloween Hoopla Children’s Creativity Museum The 15th annual Halloween Hoopla at the Children’s Creativity Museum, this popular family event is ideal for kids 10 and under. Filled with interactive performances, festive displays, and seasonal crafts, the Hoopla is a great way to spend an educational and fun afternoon in the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens. Everyone will enjoy dancing, funny clowns, palm readings, and even more festive activities. Kids can even design their own trick-or-treat bags! Getting In: Admission to the Halloween Hoopla is free. Ghost Tours Spooktacular Halloween Party Japantown Peace Plaza This free, kid-centric event takes place in one of San Francisco’s most charming public squares. Kids will be able to enjoy trick-or-treating, festive crafts, and seasonal games, in addition to Halloween décor and artistic displays. The carnival-like atmosphere continues with additional offerings like a bouncy house, temporary tattoos, and even seasonal face painting. Come in costume! Getting In: Admission to the Spooktacular Halloween Party is free. Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch 1620 7th Ave. Are you a local looking for a convenient place to pick a few pumpkins, or a visitor trying to celebrate the holiday in a new town? Either way, Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch should be your go-to stop for all things pumpkin related. Choose from a wide variety of pumpkins – including some rare varieties not found elsewhere. Go on a hayride through San Francisco, or explore a hay maze. You can even score some gourds, Indian corn, and apple cider. Getting In: Admission to Clancy's Pumpkin Patch is free. Let's Recap So there you have it. Our list of some festive and spooky things to do for Halloween in San Francisco this year. Remember, a number of these options are available on the Go San Francisco pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the Halloween events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Francisco pass. Consider adding a few of these fun options to your mid-fall getaway itinerary.
Katie Sagal

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