Things to do in San Francisco

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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

Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages

Official Alcatraz Inside Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages

￥13,978
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Official Alcatraz Inside Prison Tour with Free App Audio Packages
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

￥8,940
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
San Francisco City Lights Cruise

California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)

￥9,427
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)
Bridge 2 Bridge Tour: Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge

San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

￥7,802
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)
San Francisco SkyStar Wheel - Private Gondolas

San Francisco SkyStar Wheel - Private Gondolas

￥3,088
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
San Francisco SkyStar Wheel - Private Gondolas
de Young Museum General Admission Ticket

de Young Museum General Admission Ticket

￥3,251
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
de Young Museum General Admission Ticket
San Francisco RocketBoat High-Speed Bay Adventure

San Francisco RocketBoat High-Speed Bay Adventure

￥5,851
per adult
San Francisco RocketBoat High-Speed Bay Adventure
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Most popular activities in San Francisco

Tours & day trips

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Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus

Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus

Activity duration is 1 day
8.6 out of 10 with 1515 reviews
Free cancellation available
The previous price was ￥9,191 and current price is ￥8,272 per adult
Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top BusOpens in new tab

History & culture

See all 162 activities
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

Activity duration is 23 hours and 59 minutes
8.6 out of 10 with 134 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥9,011 per adult
California Academy of Sciences Daytime AdmissionOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 122 activities
Redwoods & Wine Country Escape to Sonoma & Napa with Optional Gourmet Lunch

Redwoods & Wine Country Escape to Sonoma & Napa with Optional Gourmet Lunch

Activity duration is 10 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 281 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥31,783 per adult
Redwoods & Wine Country Escape to Sonoma & Napa with Optional Gourmet LunchOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 69 activities
PIER 39 Thrill Explorer: Flyer, 7D, Laser Maze & VR

PIER 39 Thrill Explorer: Flyer, 7D, Laser Maze & VR

8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥5,161 per adult
PIER 39 Thrill Explorer: Flyer, 7D, Laser Maze & VROpens in new tab

Cruises & boat tours

See all 45 activities
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)

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

Activity duration is 1 hour
9.6 out of 10 with 621 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥6,389 per adult
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)Opens in new tab

What to do in San Francisco

Stay near popular San Francisco attractions

The Golden Gate Bridge with its distinctive towers and suspension cables, set against a backdrop of hills and the San Francisco Bay.

Golden Gate Bridge

9.4/10 (27,256 reviews)
This iconic orange suspension bridge spans the Golden Gate Strait with engineering brilliance and unmatched views. Walk it for panoramic vistas of San Francisco's skyline, Alcatraz Island, and the Pacific Ocean.
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Where to stay in San Francisco

Find the best San Francisco areas and neighborhoods 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

Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay are top sights in Fisherman's Wharf, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop to see more sights in the area.

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

Nob Hill

Travelers love Nob Hill for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Washington St & Leavenworth St Stop or Washington St & Jones St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like SF Masonic Auditorium and Cable Car Museum.

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

Mission District is a destination travelers like for its bars, and you might hop aboard the metro at 16th Street Mission Station or 24th Street Mission Station to explore sights like San Francisco Public Library.

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

South of Market

Oracle Park and San Francisco Bay are top sights in South of Market, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Yerba Buena-Moscone Station or Fourth-Brannan Station to see more sights in the area.

Popular day trips from San Francisco

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

Oakland

A cityscape with dense residential areas, green spaces, and distant city skyline.

Atherton

A cityscape with a prominent bridge in the distance, surrounded by hills and a dense urban area.

San Bruno

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

A white building with a dome and arched windows, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.

Belmont

A suspension bridge at sunset with city lights in the distance.

Burlingame

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 travelers 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 neighborhoods, Downtown San Francisco is 0.32 kilometers away from downtown, while Union Square is 0.16 kilometers away from the city center 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 traveling 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 neighborhoods, 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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