Last Updated: 7/12/21 | July 12th, 2021
I like San Francisco. It’s a city home to hippies, techies, artists, immigrants, students, and everyone in between. There’s extraordinary music, tasty food for all budgets, a few of the very best Asian food in the country, parks galore, and an remarkable bohemian vibe.
With so lots of diverse influences, it’s no surprise that San Francisco has progressed into a world-class city that has a ton of remarkable things to see and do.
Personally, I like checking out San Francisco for the food. It’s home to a few of the very best Asian and Mexican food in the country (as well as some extraordinary cafes).
But there is also much a lot more to see here too. It’s a terrific city for a weekend getaway.
But just because it’s an expensive place to live doesn’t indicate a go to has to break the bank.
To help you plan your trip, here are the very best 30 things to see and perform in San Francisco
1. Take a complimentary walking Tour
The first thing I do whenever I arrive in a new destination is take a walking tour. It’s the very best method to get the lay of the land, see the highlights, and ask your concerns to an expert local guide. complimentary SF excursions runs daily complimentary walking excursions that can show you the main sights of the city. You’ll not only get to learn about the city but you’ll have access to an expert local guide who can answer all your concerns and give you individualized suggestions. just be sure to idea at the end!
For a lot more thorough paid tours, inspect out Take Walks. They are my favorite paid excursion company in the city.
2. walk the golden gate Bridge
There is no question that the famous golden gate Bridge is one of San Francisco’s a lot of popular landmarks. opened in 1937, it’s probably the most-photographed bridge in the world. At its inception, it was both the longest and the tallest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 4,200 feet (1,280m) long and standing 746 feet (227m) tall.
You can walk across the bridge (which I recommended) or just gaze at it from every angle and snap your own famous photos. If you have time, make your method to the golden gate national entertainment Area. It has a waterfront promenade, sweeping views of the bridge, and a few easy hiking trails.
3. go to Crissy Field
This park is found near the bridge and makes for a great follow-up. It has a beach, some restaurants, piers where you can see locals fishing, and lots of green area to relax. It uses some sweeping views of the harbor, making it a laid-back place to find in the summertime to have a picnic, lounge in the sun, and enjoy life go by.
4. See The palace of fine Arts
The palace of fine Arts is a Roman-style remnant of the 1915 Panama-Pacific international Exposition (a world’s fair held in San Francisco). The outside rotunda and its lagoon are another one of the city’s a lot of photographed sights. It’s also a fun social destination where you can bring buddies to play gigantic Jenga, cornhole, ping pong, and other games. The city often has events here as well so inspect the web site to see what’s on during your visit.
601 Lyon Street, +1 415-608-2220, palaceoffinearts.com. open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Admission is complimentary (some events charge admission).
5. roam Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
The wharf was originally dominated by Italian immigrants who assisted popularize the city’s fish market. To this day, you can enjoy fishermen at work in Fish alley (the main street where the fishermen work). If you want to try a few of the mouthwatering seafood that San Francisco is popular for, I sugged Waterbar and the anchor Oyster Bar.
Pier 39 is touristy but it’s also a fun method to spend an hour. There are buskers, tacky souvenir shops, arcades, an aquarium, and tons of overpriced restaurants (so avoid eating here).
6. explore Alcatraz
Alcatraz is probably the most popular (or infamous) prison in America. From 1934-1963, it housed the country’s a lot of notorious criminals (criminals like Al Capone). In its 29 year history, not a single prisoner effectively escaped (or so they say). After its closure, it ended up being a national landmark. visitors can explore the island, learn about the prison and what life was like as an inmate, and excursion the interior. It gets extremely busy in the summertime so be sure to book ahead.
+1 415-981-7625, alcatrazcruises.com. excursions run daily year-round and cost $41 USD which includes an audio tour.
7. Take a Day trip to Berkeley
Located just 20 minutes across the bay by car, Berkeley is home to music, hippies, students, and the university of California – Berkeley (30% of the city’s population go to institution here). here you’ll find even a lot more vegan and vegetarian restaurants, street performers, and eclectic shops (including booths selling fashion jewelry and other products on the streets). Don’t miss the university of California Botanical Garden, which has over 10,000 plants!
8. Hang out in the Mission
For an remarkable view of the city, head to Dolores Park in the mission District. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Misión San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores). established in 1776, it’s the oldest surviving structure in the city and home to the only cemetery within city limits. It’s the building that provides this part of town its name.
The mission district is also a fun place to spend a night out. The district has tons of Mexican restaurants in addition to vibrant bars and clubs. get hold of a burrito at Taqueria Cancún or Papolete, or go to one of the mixed drink bars on 16th (Dalva is good).
9. See Lombard Street
This is the world’s windiest street. surrounded by gardens and flowers, it’s made up of eight outrageous hairpin turns. during the 1920s, people in San Francisco were beginning to drive around in automobiles. However, lots of of the city’s popular hills were as well steep to navigate. The idea of utilizing a rounded street to help automobiles step downhill was embraced and the hill’s slope went from 27% to 16%. now you can enjoy the vehicles and cyclists navigate the sharp turns as tourists gawk at them.
10. go to Coit Tower
Perched atop Telegraph Hill, this art deco tower was developed in 1933. Standing 180-feet tall (55m), it’s home to over 25 murals and uses a panoramic view of the city. The murals here were painted in 1934 by local artists and illustrate life in San Francisco during the Depression. The tower ended up being a San Francisco Designated Landmark in 1984 and was added to the national Register of historic locations in 2008.
1 Telegraph hill Blvd, +1 315-249-0995,sfrecpark.org/destination/telegraph-hill-pioneer-park/coit-tower. open daily from 10am-5pm. Admission is $7 USD for city residents and $9 USD for visitors.
11. eat in Chinatown
This is the greatest Chinatown in the united states (and it’s the second a lot of famous, after new York City. Chinese immigrants first pertained to the West coast in the 1850s and set up shop in San Francisco. because of racial segregation, this neighborhood ended up being predominantly Chinese and stayed so even after segregation ended.
It’s one of the very best locations in the city to eat. There are lots of teahouses, restaurants, bars, souvenir stalls, and fortune cookie makers here. You have to find here at least once and eat.
To really learn about the area, its history, and its people, take a walking excursion with Take Walks. They’re my go-to walking excursion company because they utilize expert local guides and their excursions are always fun and educational. They have a walk particularly focused on Chinatown.
12. ride the cord Cars
No go to to San Francisco is complete without riding on a cord car. The cord car system in San Francisco is the last manually operated system in the entire world. Of the 22 lines that were originally produced in the 19th century, only three are still in operation. considering that there is limited seating (and considering that they are one of the greatest vacationer attractions in the city) waits can be long. Make sure you plan ahead (try to go during a weekday when there are fewer visitors). Tickets are $8 USD.
13. go on a Harbor Tour
For a completely different look at the city, take an afternoon cruise of San Francisco Bay. You’ll get to see some wildlife, snap some great photos, and learn about the bay and its place in San Francisco’s history. around 40% of California, drains into the bay and the area is home to all type of snakes, rays, otters, sharks, whales, sea lions, and more. Red and White Fleet has hour-long excursions starting at $38 USD. If you’re on a budget, a cheap method to see the bay is to take the public ferries for $7.30 USD.
14. Hang out in the Castro
San Fransico has been the de facto gay capital of the us considering that the 60s and 70s. The gay hub in the city is the Castro, San Francisco’s popular gay neighborhood (Harvey Milk, the first freely gay elected official in California, had his office here). The neighborhood has a number of ethnic and modern restaurants in addition to a bunch that serve locally sourced organic food. On top of that, there are a plethora of wild and fun clubs that deal with both gay and directly crowds. If you’re trying to find a fun nightlife, this is the neighborhood for you.
15. explore Haight-Ashbury
The birthplace of America’s counterculture, the Haight was ground zero during the summertime of 1967, a.k.a. The summertime of Love. Hippies utilized to live here but, eventually, all the vibrant Victorian houses were gotten up by a lot more well-off residents as the area gentrified. It’s now home to high-end boutiques, hip cafes, and stylish restaurants. That said, you can still find some record stores, dive bars, and vintage clothing stores here.
If you really want to learn a lot more about the area’s hippy past, takeFlower Power Walking Tour. Se on vain 20 dollaria ja kävelee sinut naapuruston vilkkaalla ja eklektisellä menneisyydellä.
16. RollSkate kirkossa
8 pyörän kirkko on entinen kirkko, joka on muunnettu vanhan koulun vuoristoreenaksi. Heillä on DJ: t ja elävää musiikkia, joten se on olennaisesti puolue pyörillä. Pääsy on $ 15 USD ja voit vuokrata luistimet $ 5 USD. Joten se on halpa (ja ainutlaatuinen) menetelmä hauskaa ja tavata ihmisiä. Sekä nuorille että aikuisille on aikoja ja jopa järjestää kokemuksia ihmisille, jotka eivät ole koskaan rullattuja ennen.
554 Fillmore St., +1 415-752-1967, cheksof8wheels.com. Avoinna tiistaisin, perjantai-sunnuntaina. Tarkasta verkkosivusto aikoina, koska sekä koko ajan että aikuisten ainoat tapahtumat ovat. Pääsy on 15 dollaria USD ja vuokrat ovat $ 5 USD.
17. Katso Muir Woods
Nimetty kuuluisan Naturalist John Muirin jälkeen tämä upea metsä sijaitsee vain 16 kilometrin päässä keskustasta, joten se on helppo paikka vierailla. Se on yli 240 hehtaarin kohottavia vanhoja kasvupuut puita. Vaikka puut eivät ole yhtä suuria kuin Sequoiapuut lähellä Sequoia National Parkissa, se on kuitenkin potkiminen takaisin vierailulle. On paljon kävelykappaleita ja se on perhe / lapsiystävällinen. Pääsy on $ 15 USD.
Jotkut ehdotetut kappaleet ovat MUIR Woods -reittiä (1,3 mailia, helppoa), bootjack silmukkatie (6,2 mailia, kohtalainen) ja muihin päätie (1,5 mailia, helppoa).
18. Mene Beat-museoon
Omistettu Beat Generation (1950-luvun vasta-kulttuuri), Täältä löydät alkuperäisiä käsikirjoituksia, harvinaisia kirjoja, kirjeitä ja paljon muuta tekijöistä, kuten Jack Kerouacista ja Allen Ginsbergistä (Kerouac’s on tiellä on yksi suosikki matkakirjoistani ).). Perustettu vuonna 2003, museossa on yli 1000 Memorabiliaa, mukaan lukien Ginsbergin kirjoituskone ja ensimmäinen painos Kerouacin romaanista kaupunki ja kaupunki. Heillä on myös säännöllisiä tapahtumia (ja kävelyretkiä), joten tarkasta verkkosivusto nähdäksesi, onko jotain tapahtumassa vierailun aikana.
540 Broadway, +1 800-537-6822, Kerouac.com. Avoinna torstai-maanantaina klo 10-17. Pääsy on $ 8 USD.
19. Opi Exploratorissa
Tämä quirky Interactive Science Museum on kaikenlainen näyttely, joka kattaa biologia, painovoima, valo, animaatio, bakteerit ja bakteerit, villieläimet ja paljon muuta. Se on erittäin osallistava ja käytännöllinen, joten se on paras pysäkki kaikille nuorilla matkustaville (vaikkakin myös aikuisten erityisiä näyttelyitä). Heidän 18+ sen jälkeen, kun tummat tapahtumat torstaisin, voit tutustua erilaisiin gallerioihin, joissa on juoma.
Pier 15, +1 415-528-4444, Exploratorium.edu. Avoinna keskiviikko-lauantaina klo 10-15. 18+ Tapahtumaa pidetään torstaina kello 18-10. Pääsy on 29,95 dollaria.
20. Hengitä Golden Gate Parkissa
Tämä massiivinen puisto kattaa yli 1000 hehtaarin, mikä tekee siitä 20% suuremmaksi kuin Keski-puisto NYC: ssä. Sisällä löydät japanilaisen puutarhan, arboretumin, museon ja paljon vaellus- ja kävelyreittejä. Kävely lopusta päättyy paremman puolen päivän. Kesällä se on suosittu alue piknikille, valitse kävely ja imeä aurinko. Vaikka se näkee vuosittain yli 24 miljoonaa kävijää, se ei ole koskaan vaikeaa löytää syrjäinen alue itsellesi.
21. Ota peli
San Franciscon paikalliset kuin urheilujoukkueet, erityisesti jättiläiset (niiden baseball-joukkue). Jos olet kaupungissa pelin aikana, muista päästä Oracle Arenalle ja ota spektaakkeli – se ei saa paljon enemmän amerikkalaista kuin tämä! Joukkue on yksi pisimmistä ja paljon menestyksekästä liigassa ja voit saada lippuja noin 20 dollarin USD: lle.
22. Mene Cord Car Museum
Kun vuonna 1873 käyttöön otetut johtoryhmät olivat erittäin suosittuja ja muuttivat kaupankäyntiä. Opi paljon enemmän ja katso kaikenlaisia kuvia ja riideleitä, mukaan lukien muutamia alkuperäisiä autoja, päätä tähän museoon (ainoa eloonjäänyt Cord-auto ensimmäisestä johtoryhmästä on täällä). Voit myös peerata Cord Car Powerhouse nähdä, mikä valtaa autoja. Museo ei ole valtava, mutta se on hauskaa ja oivaltavaa.
1201 Mason Street, +1 415-474-1887, CableCarmuseum.org. Avaa päivittäin klo 10-17 (5pm perjantai-sunnuntai). Pääsy on ilmainen.
23. Ota ilo näkymässä Twin Peaksista
Toinen panoraamanäkymä kaupunkiin, ajaa tai vaelluksi yhtä paljon kuin Twin Peaksin yläosa. Pysyvä 925 metriä korkea, saat lakaistaan 360 asteen näkymä kaupunkiin. Koota