Things to do in  San Francisco

A former federal prison that held notorious criminals Al Capone and George Kelly, Alcatraz is now a National Historic Landmark and one of the most sought-after attractions in the San Francisco Bay Area. Highlights include touring what’s left of the maximum-security facility, hearing stories from former inmates, and sailing past the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the craggy isle.

If one landmark embodies San Francisco’s breezy, graceful beauty, it’s the Golden Gate Bridge; you may have seen it on postcards, travel guides, screensavers, and social media, but nothing can prepare you for the real thing. This art deco structure spans the Golden Gate strait between the City and Marin County. Drive, bike, or walk across—and stop to look out onto the San Francisco Bay or as far as the Farallon Islands on a clear day.

A natural harbor spanned by the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the picturesque San Francisco Bay is the defining feature of California’s Bay Area. Get out on the chilly, choppy water—or just savor the views from the shoreline as the fog rolls in.

Spanning 1,000-plus acres (412 hectares) between Haight-Ashbury and Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park is one of the city’s largest and most popular green spaces. The park is home to museums, botanical gardens, hiking and biking paths, and more. From the attraction-laden east end to the wilder west side where bison roam, the park offers plenty of ways to relax, get a culture fix, exercise, or gather with friends.

Though the San Francisco Bay Bridge doesn't share the fame of the Golden Gate, the beauty of its recently reconstructed east span is beyond debate. Locals know it as the best way to cross between Oakland and San Francisco, while travelers enjoy its storied history, Yerba Buena Island connection, and stunning light displays.

Home to one of the world’s last remaining coastal redwood forests, Muir Woods National Monument allows travelers to hike, relax, or picnic among giant Northern California trees only minutes from San Francisco. This protected nature reserve is also part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, home to Fort Baker and Stinson Beach—the park’s only lifeguarded beach.

Visitors flock to Coit Tower to take in views of downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and other landmarks. With its perch in Pioneer Park atop Telegraph Hill, the 210-foot-high (64-meter-high) tower, built in 1933, offers some of the best panoramic photo ops in the city.

Despite its name, San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood does not border the water and has no sandy spots. But its position between Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the Embarcadero makes it one of the city’s most popular areas for visitors and locals, all of whom enjoy its Italian eateries, Beat history, quiet park, and nightlife scene.

Once the stomping grounds of Italian fishermen, Fisherman’s Wharf is now one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations. The bustling waterfront strip is filled with souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and a wealth of family-friendly attractions—most notably a colony of sea lions that sunbathes and poses for photos on Pier 39. It’s also the departure point for many San Francisco bus tours and other sightseeing excursions.

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a picture under the legendary Dragon Gate, but there’s so much more to Chinatown than a photo op. One of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in North America, the neighborhood is a treasure trove of historical and cultural attractions, from Buddhist temples and art galleries to souvenir shops and Cantonese restaurants. The combined effect transports you on a trip within your trip.

San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts dates to the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition. One of the only remaining buildings from the World’s Fair, the Greco-Roman–inspired ruin is a favorite Bay Area venue. Walk under the picturesque rotunda; wander the grounds; and visit lagoons that are home to ducks, swans, and geese. And don’t forget to bring a camera to capture views overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

Acting as both the waterfront and major road along the eastern edge of San Francisco, the Embarcadero stretches from Fisherman’s Wharf to South Beach, passing through some of the city’s most popular destinations. It attracts visitors and locals with its restaurants, bars, hotels, tourist attractions, event spaces, bay cruises and ferries, and a wide pathway for walkers and joggers.

Union Square is the city’s main dining, entertainment, and shopping district. Visitors can shop at department stores and designer boutiques; stop into various art galleries; grab a bite to eat at any of a number of restaurants; and see a live performance at a nearby theater.

Lombard Street runs more than 20 blocks across northern San Francisco, but only one block—between Hyde and Leavenworth streets—gives the thoroughfare its nickname, “the crookedest street in the world.” Lined with well-manicured flowers and trees and tidy million-dollar homes, the red-brick-paved road zigzags its way down Russian Hill.

One of San Francisco’s most famous landmarks, the Ferry Building is a port of entry and transit hub, marketplace, and farmers market. Food merchants, specialty shops, wine bars, and restaurants line the historic building’s hallways, making it a one-stop shop for experiencing the diverse culinary flavors and master retailers of San Francisco.