Things to do in San Francisco

Activities, attractions and tours

The Golden Gate Bridge with a clear view of the towers and cables, spanning across the water.
A row of colorful Victorian houses with a city skyline in the background.
A large neoclassical building with a prominent dome and columns, surrounded by trees and flags.
A landscaped garden with manicured bushes and hydrangea flowers.
A coastal marina with boats, a pier, and a distant ship.

Things to do

Golden Gate Bay Cruise Service: sail around Alcatraz!

Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)

HK$306
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions

HK$854
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

HK$384
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoia Tour

San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour

HK$1,615
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour
San Francisco City Lights Cruise

California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

HK$455
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)
de Young Museum General Admission Ticket

de Young Museum General Admission Ticket

HK$157
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
de Young Museum General Admission Ticket
San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

HK$839
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour
Bridge 2 Bridge Tour: Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge

San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

HK$376
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)
Dining at Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco

Dining at Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco

HK$313
per traveller
Dining at Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco
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Top places to visit

1. Oracle Park

Visit Oracle Park for more than simply watching a San Francisco Giants game. Tour this privately financed ballpark, known for its breathtaking views, charm and character. This is the city’s replacement for notoriously windy Candlestick Park.
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A pedestrian bridge over a river with a stadium and a boat dock in the background.

2. Golden Gate Bridge

Although shrouded in mist for a lot of the time, one of the most photographed bridges in the world is still a stunning sight and something of an event to cross. It inspires awe and fires up the imagination with its size, scale and beauty. This icon of American architecture stretches 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) across the "Golden Gate", the opening of San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.
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The Golden Gate Bridge with its distinctive towers and suspension cables, set against a backdrop of hills and the San Francisco Bay.

3. Pier 39

Belching, barking and back scratching are hardly the stuff that tourist dreams are made of, unless you’re talking about the colonies of sea lions that bask in the sun and play on their floating docks at Pier 39.
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A flag with 'PIERS 59' on a flagpole by a body of water with a building on a hill in the background.

4. Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Park is over three miles (five kilometers) long and about half a mile (800 meters) wide. It was designed in 1871 by park commissioner William Hall, who incorporated winding walking trails that wind through more than 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of beautifully landscaped gardens, woods, and lakes. Golden Gate Park is a lush and laidback refuge from the bustle of San Francisco, stretching all the way from the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood to the Pacific coast.
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A large white greenhouse with a dome roof, surrounded by a garden with colorful flowers and palm trees.

5. Alcatraz Island

For decades (between 1934 and 1963) the name Alcatraz uttered in a courtroom brought up fear, terror and visions of being sent to this austere island fortress. Even from the mainland the rocky island, now a National Park, still evokes powerful images of bleak isolation. It is a foreboding place that once held some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, including Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis.
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A coastal cityscape with a prominent island fortress, a bridge, and a hilly backdrop.

6. Presidio of San Francisco

The Spanish set up camp here in 1776, and following a brief stint by the Mexicans, the Americans upheld the picture perfect outpost until 1994. This makes it the longest running military base in U.S. history. Today, it is designated a National Historical Landmark District.
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The Golden Gate Bridge with its distinctive red towers and suspension cables, spanning the entrance to San Francisco Bay.

7. Lombard Street

A one-block section of Lombard Street shows the steepness of San Francisco’s hills in a unique way. The redbrick road makes eight hairpin turns as it goes downhill from Hyde Street to Leavenworth Street. See this famous spot, one of the beloved quirks of the City by the Bay.
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A scenic view of a city with a prominent bridge in the distance, lush greenery, and a variety of buildings.

What to do in San Francisco

Stay near popular San Francisco attractions

A cityscape with tall buildings, a fountain, and a modern building with a circular design.

Moscone Convention Center

8.2/5 (2,926 reviews)
San Francisco's largest convention complex hosts major international conferences and cultural gatherings in a modern, spacious environment. Explore nearby Yerba Buena Gardens or admire the center's art installations.
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Where to stay in San Francisco

Find the best San Francisco areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about San Francisco
Learn more about San Francisco
A street with shops, including a crystal shop and a crepes cafe.

Fisherman's Wharf

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

A street lined with historic buildings, parked cars, and a clear blue sky.

Nob Hill

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A cityscape with tall buildings, a central plaza with palm trees, and a flag on one of the buildings.

Union Square

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

A vibrant mural on a building, depicting a large figure with a heart-shaped halo, surrounded by various characters in colorful attire.

Mission District

You might enjoy the bars while in Mission District. Southern Exposure is a notable sight, and you can get around town at 16th Street Mission Station or 24th Street Mission Station to see more of the city.

A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a central park with pathways, and a few people walking.

South of Market

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to Chase Center – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A serene lake with a gazebo, a tall tree, and a church tower.

Oakland

A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, rocky cliffs, and the ocean.

San Mateo

A suspension bridge with illuminated cables, a calm body of water, and a distant city skyline at dusk.

Daly City

An aerial view of San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge, hills, and the ocean.

South San Francisco

An aerial view of a city with a mix of residential and commercial buildings, a prominent curved road, and a large green park area.

Menlo Park

A waterfront pier with a restaurant and a building with a tower.

Sausalito

The Golden Gate Bridge spanning the San Francisco Bay with a cityscape in the background.

Millbrae

An aerial view of a coastal town with a marina, boats, and a bridge connecting to an island.

Foster City

Frequently asked questions

Is San Francisco worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in San Francisco is explore Pier 39. Tick this leading attraction off your agenda, then discover more of this area's views and dining.
How do I spend a day in San Francisco?
After you've visited major attractions like Pier 39 and Union Square, spend some time experiencing San Francisco's retail and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in San Francisco?
Pier 39 is one of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco and deserves a place on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in San Francisco?
You can easily tour leading attractions like Pier 39, Union Square and Ocean Beach with a three-day trip to San Francisco. On average, most travellers plan three days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a while longer and head to Oakland.
Is San Francisco a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you plan to see and do in San Francisco. Several attractions, including Pier 39 and Union Square, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of San Francisco's best neighbourhoods, Downtown San Francisco is 0.32 kilometres away from downtown, while Union Square is 0.16 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in San Francisco with kids?
Deciding what to do in San Francisco with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're travelling with little ones or teenagers, there's a range of family-friendly sights to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in San Francisco for adults?
Winery Collective and Van Ness Avenue are just a couple of the things to do in San Francisco. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in San Francisco?
One of the simplest ways to find free things to do in San Francisco is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can enjoy without reaching into your pocket. Pier 39 is one spot that doesn't have an entrance fee.

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