The 13 Best Things to Do in San Francisco + 3 Things I Would Skip in 2026

I’ve been to San Francisco multiple times now, and it still is my all time favorite city to visit in California, and it’s not even close!

Sure, San Diego and LA have nice beaches and better weather, but who cares? I always have so much fun in San Francisco because there’s just soooo much to do. Especially from a sightseeing point of view, I think San Francisco has the most going on for first-time visitors. From Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge to the famous cable cars, I could go on and on.

So, to show you guys my favorite things to do in San Francisco and help you plan your own trip, I’ve put together this guide. I’ll cover my favorite activities, but also 3 things I would skip because I didn’t think they were worth it or found them a little overrated.

What Are The Best Things to Do in San Francisco? My Quick Answer

I’ve been to San Francisco a few times now, and every time I’ve visited, I’ve been with different friends or people who wanted to see and do different things. So by now, I’ve actually done quite a few of the major attractions and some of the less touristy activities multiple times. I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what’s worth doing in San Francisco!

First things first, there are a few of the classic touristy things that I always make sure to do, especially when I’m visiting with someone who’s here for the first time. And that means seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting Alcatraz, watching the sea lions at Pier 39, and, of course, riding or at least seeing the famous cable cars. 

I know all those things are suuuuper touristy, but there’s a reason they’re so iconic. They’re fun, they’re part of what makes San Francisco San Francisco, and I wouldn’t skip them just because everyone else does them too.

After that, I usually get a little more into the things that feel less touristy and more local. I love having a mix of both! I aaaaalways make sure to explore the Mission District because I love the street art, the overall vibe and, honestly, they have some of the best burritos in San Francisco. 

I also really enjoy visiting the city’s museums. SFMOMA is a must for me, and I actually love the San Francisco Botanical Garden too, which I can highly recommend if you want to spend a little time outside.

Quick Tips for Visiting San Francisco

Where to Stay in San Francisco

When it comes to booking accommodation in San Francisco, I always recommend paying close attention to the location. I know you’ll find loads of hotels on Booking.com around Union Square, but personally, I wouldn’t make that my first choice.

I’d much rather stay in areas like the Marina District, North Beach or somewhere closer to Fisherman’s Wharf. They’re great for exploring the city, and you’ll have plenty of restaurants, cafes and attractions within walking distance. My favorite hotels are Argonaut Hotel and Samesun San Francisco which is more budget friendly.

How Many Days in San Francisco Do You Need?

Whenever someone asks me how long they should spend in San Francisco, I pretty much give them the same answer: two full days is the absolute minimum. Anything less would feel way too rushed.

If you can make it work, though, I’d recommend three to four full days. That gives you enough time to see the major attractions, but also check out some of the cooler neighborhoods and actually get to know the city a little.

Best Time to Visit San Francisco

I can tell you this from experience: late summer and early fall are by far my favorite times to visit San Francisco if you’re hoping for clear skies, sunshine and better weather.

San Francisco has so much going on outdoors so good weather definitely makes your experience a lot better. On our last visit, we got hit pretty hard by Karl the Fog which is a weather phenomenon that causes a lot of fog and overcast. There were days when the Golden Gate Bridge was so completely covered in fog that we couldn’t even see it!

How to Stay Safe in San Francisco

I know some of you might have safety concerns when traveling to a bigger city like San Francisco, but I can tell you that I’ve always felt pretty safe here overall.

Personally, I’d avoid walking through the Tenderloin and certain parts of Union Square, especially at night. I’d also be very careful about leaving anything visible inside your rental car. And I mean anything! Don’t leave a backpack, jacket, shopping bag or even a phone charger sitting on the seat. Car break-ins are something you really want to avoid dealing with while traveling.

My Favorite Things to Do in San Francisco

1. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge

Obviously, one of the absolute must-dos in San Francisco is visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s such an iconic landmark, and it 100% lives up to the hype!

We spent quite a bit of time exploring the area around the bridge, going for walks, checking out the different viewpoints and taking way too many pictures. And on our way out of San Francisco, we even got to drive across it, which was pretty cool too!

A couple of tips for visiting: we started at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, which is an easy place to get dropped off by Uber. From there, we walked down the East Battery Trail toward Torpedo Wharf. There are loads of great photo opportunities and viewpoints along the way, so I’d definitely recommend taking your time rather than just going straight to the bridge and back.

Alternatively, if the weather is good, I’d also recommend hiking down to Marshall’s Beach, on the west side of the bridge. You get a really cool and slightly different view of the Golden Gate Bridge from there. Just be prepared for a bit of a walk to get down to the beach! (I will link here the google maps location for where the trail starts!)

2. See the Sea Lions at Pier 39

I’ll be honest, Fisherman’s Wharf itself isn’t my favorite part of San Francisco. It feels very touristy, a little cheesy and, at times, almost a bit over the top. It’s not somewhere I’d necessarily want to spend hours hanging out.

However, I still think anyone visiting San Francisco for the first time should come to Pier 39 to see the sea lions. They’re so loud, there are loads of them, and watching them hang out on the floating docks is just just so fun to watch.

To find them, walk all the way toward the end of Pier 39 and then head around to the outer side, away from the main restaurant and shopping area. That’s where you’ll find the sea lions hanging out.

3. Visit Alcatraz Island (I Highly Recommend It!)

Another absolute must-do on my list is visiting Alcatraz.

Whenever I travel, I really enjoy learning about the history and culture of the places I visit, and Alcatraz is one of the most fascinating historical sites in San Francisco. You get to learn about the prison’s history, some of its most infamous inmates, including Al Capone, and the occupation of the island by Indigenous activists in 1969.

Even the ferry ride itself is worth it, in my opinion. We got some really cool views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge from the water.I thought the whole experience of wandering around the prison was awesome, and it was definitely one of the highlights of our time in San Francisco.

4. Ride the Cable Cars in San Francisco

San Francisco is also famous for its iconic cable cars, which run along several routes through the city. And of course, riding one is something you absolutely have to do at least once when you’re here!

They’re pretty much everywhere around the main tourist areas, so you’ll probably come across them even if you aren’t specifically looking for them.

One thing I found really cool was watching how they turn the cable cars around. I had no idea they did this manually! At the end of certain routes, the operator moves the car onto a circular turntable, which is then physically rotated to point the cable car in the opposite direction.

The famous Powell & Market turnaround is a great place to see this happening. It’s actually pretty cool to watch!

And here’s a little money-saving tip: if you’re planning on using public transport as well, look into the 1-Day Visitor Passport. It includes unlimited rides on Muni buses, trains and cable cars. We paid $15 for ours, which I thought was great value considering a single cable car ride normally costs around $9. (Click here for the link to the 1-Day Visitor Passport)

5. Take a Day Trip from San Francisco

There are actually a ton of cool day trips you can do from San Francisco, including Napa Valley and even Yosemite National Park.

Since I’m a huge wine lover, Napa Valley would probably be my first choice. You can spend the day visiting vineyards, doing wine tastings and enjoying some of the beautiful wine country just north of San Francisco.

If you’re more into hiking and outdoor adventures, though, Yosemite is another option to consider. Just keep in mind that it’s a much longer drive, so I’d only try to fit it into your trip if you have at least four days in San Francisco or are happy to dedicate an entire day to it.

6. Try What Might Be the Best Burrito in California

I know, I know. Don’t come at me telling me what the best burrito in San Francisco or California is. There are obviously SO many different opinions on this.

Luckily, this is my blog, so I’m going to tell you where I had my favorite burrito in all of California: Taqueria El Farolito in the Mission District.

And oh my god, it was absolutely delicious. It was juicy, massive and straight up one of the best burritos I’ve ever had.

7. Explore the Mission District (Amazing Street Art)

One thing I literally always do after checking off the major tourist attractions in San Francisco is head down to the Mission District.

It’s probably my favorite neighborhood in the city because it’s so diverse, so colorful and has such a cool, lively vibe and hands down some of the best food in San Francisco is here too!

But one of the main reasons I love coming here is the street art. There are so many incredible murals throughout the neighborhood, and some of the streets are basically one giant outdoor art gallery.

8. Join a Bay Cruise in San Francisco

Another really cool way to experience San Francisco is from the water. I didn’t actually do a dedicated San Francisco Bay Cruise myself because we visited Alcatraz, and the ferry ride out there already gave us some pretty awesome views of the city.

But I’ve heard great things about the bay cruises, and I can definitely see why they’re so popular. You get a completely different perspective of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge.

If you’re not planning on visiting Alcatraz but still want to get out on the water and see the city from a different angle, I’d definitely look into booking a bay cruise. Especially if you get a nice sunny day, I imagine it’s a pretty fantastic experience!

Check out prices & availability: San Francisco Bay Cruise

9. Check Out the Museums (SFMOMA)

San Francisco has some awesome museums, but my favorite one that I visited is definitely SFMOMA, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

I’m not usually the biggest art person. I can appreciate a good museum, but I don’t necessarily go out of my way to visit art museums whenever I’m traveling. SFMOMA was different, though. It’s absolutely massive, with several floors full of modern and contemporary art, and I genuinely enjoyed wandering around and seeing all the different exhibitions.

A little tip for your visit: the museum’s first floor has around 45,000 square feet of free public space. Regular admission is around $30, so this is a great way to experience at least part of the museum without paying for a ticket.

I’d also recommend checking the official website before your visit, as they occasionally offer free admission days and other opportunities to visit without paying the regular entrance fee.

10. Explore Chinatown

I love Chinese food, so obviously, I had to visit Chinatown while I was in San Francisco.

It’s such a fun neighborhood to explore, with loads of Chinese restaurants, little shops, bakeries, cafes and beautiful lanterns hanging above the streets. There are also some really cool murals and plenty of little corners where you can stop and take pictures.

Even if you’re not particularly interested in shopping or having Chinese food, I’d still recommend spending some time wandering around here.

We actually stopped for lunch at House of Xian Dumpling, and wow, the portions were HUGE! The food was delicious, felt really authentic, and I can definitely recommend coming here hungry. Make sure you try their pork dumplings!

11. Visit the Painted Ladies

Because I grew up watching Full House on TV, I obviously had to visit the famous Painted Ladies in San Francisco.

In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, the Painted Ladies are the iconic row of colorful Victorian houses right next to Alamo Square Park. They’re often associated with the opening scenes of Full House, so of course, I had to come here and get my picture!

We visited in the afternoon and spent some time hanging out in the park across the street. It’s actually a really nice spot to take a break from exploring the city, especially if you’ve been walking around all day.

We even grabbed a coffee from one of the little coffee carts nearby, found a spot on the grass and just enjoyed the view.

12. Visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden & Conservatory of Flowers (+ Haight-Ashbury)

A little more underrated and definitely less touristy, but still worth visiting, is the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. I particularly liked the Conservatory of Flowers, which is this beautiful white Victorian-style greenhouse

I probably wouldn’t make a special trip just to visit the botanical garden, though. What I’d actually recommend is combining it with a visit to Haight-Ashbury, which is another one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco. Haight-Ashbury has such a cool hippie vibe, with quirky little shops, vintage stores and awesome cafes.

And here’s a little tip: the San Francisco Botanical Garden offers free admission every morning from 7 AM to 9:30 AM. So if you’re happy to get up a little earlier, you check it out for free!

13. Enjoy the Weather at Mission Dolores Park

And lastly, we have Mission Dolores Park, which is probably one of the parks with the best vibes in San Francisco.

I usually come here after exploring the Mission District, because it’s so easy to walk over. You can even stop by Dog Eared Books, my favorite little bookstore in the neighborhood, on the way.

The park itself sits on a hill and has some of the coolest views over San Francisco. But what I really loved was the atmosphere. We visited on a sunny weekend, and the place was absolutely packed with people hanging out on the grass, playing music, having drinks and it almost felt like a little day party!

3 Things I Did Not Like in San Francisco (Would Skip)

As much as I love San Francisco, there were a few things I didn’t enjoy quite as much. Whether I found them overrated, underwhelming or simply not worth the time, these are three things I’d probably skip on my next visit because I think there are better ways to spend your time in the city.

Visit Union Square

The first thing I’d mention is Union Square, which I’d personally avoid, both for exploring and when choosing a hotel.

When I first visited San Francisco, in 2018, Union Square was actually pretty cool. It had loads of great shops, a busy atmosphere and felt like the city’s main shopping district. But that has changed quite a bit since then.

During my more recent visit, I found parts of the area really unpleasant, with a lot of visible homelessness and open drug use. Honestly, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit here, and I’d also think twice before booking a hotel in the immediate area.

Fisherman’s Wharf

For me, Fisherman’s Wharf is a bit of a love-hate relationship.

The whole waterfront just always feels so incredibly touristy and, at times, almost a little cheesy. There are all the souvenir shops, people selling things on the street and restaurants that aren’t necessarily somewhere I’d go out of my way to eat.

However, I do love seeing the sea lions at Pier 39, so I still ended up coming here. And from a location point of view, Fisherman’s Wharf is actually pretty convenient for visiting many of San Francisco’s main attractions.

I’d definitely stop by to see the sea lions, but otherwise, I wouldn’t plan on spending too much time here.

Lombard Street

And lastly, there’s Lombard Street. Don’t get me wrong, it’s iconic and looks incredibly cool in pictures, especially when you see it from above.

But that’s kind of my point: I think Lombard Street looks much more impressive from a drone shot or an elevated viewpoint than it does when you’re actually standing on the street.

We walked down it, and I found the experience a little underwhelming. The famous winding road is obviously still cool to see, but it didn’t quite have the same effect in person as it does in pictures.

FAQs About What to Do in San Francisco California

Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! San Francisco is my favorite city to visit in all of California, thanks to its fun activities, amazing culture and delicious food. There’s just so much going on here, and I genuinely think it’s one of the most interesting cities to explore in the state.

What Is There to Do in San Francisco?

San Francisco has a ton to do, from visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to seeing the sea lions at Pier 39 and trying what might be the best burrito in California.

Is San Francisco Expensive to Visit?

All in all, I’d say yes, mainly because we’re still in California. But there are definitely ways to keep your costs down, and you can find some decent budget-friendly accommodation options, like Samesun San Francisco.

How Many Days in San Francisco Do I Need?

I always give people the same answer when they ask me this: two full days minimum, just to make the trip worthwhile. But ideally, if you can make it work, I’d aim for three to four days. That gives you enough time to see the main attractions and explore some of the city’s different neighborhoods without rushing around.

What Is the Best Burrito in San Francisco?

Personally, I think the best burrito I’ve had in San Francisco was at Taqueria El Farolito in the Mission District. It was absolutely delicious! But I know plenty of people swear by La Taqueria, just around the corner, too. Both are fantastic, so you really can’t go wrong with either.

Final Thoughts on What Are the Best Activities in San Francisco

All in all, I really think San Francisco has the most to offer of all the major cities in California, at least when it comes to sightseeing and activities. No hate to San Diego or Los Angeles, but San Francisco is definitely my number one choice for a first-time visit.

From museums and exploring different neighborhoods to visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, touring Alcatraz and taking a bay cruise, there’s just so much going on. You can easily fill three to four days here without running out of things to do.

I hope this guide to my favorite things to do in San Francisco gave you a good idea of what’s worth seeing and what to expect on your next visit!

Check Out My Other San Francisco Guides

Is San Francisco Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

How Many Days in San Francisco? My Itinerary Planner

When is the Best Time to Visit San Francisco? My Season Guide

Is San Francisco Safe to Visit? My Honest Review

Is San Francisco Expensive to Visit? My Budget Breakdown

San Francisco Without a Car: How I Get Around in SF

How I Spend 3 Days in San Francisco: My Perfect Itinerary

Mission District San Francisco: My Full Neighborhood Guide

Is Alcatraz Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion

Best Things to Do in San Francisco: My Favorite Activities & Sights

Solo Travel San Francisco: My Tips For Solo Trips & Backpackers

Best Cafes in San Francisco: My Top Coffee Shops in SF

San Francisco Food Guide: My Favorite Restaurants & Eateries

Where to Stay in San Francisco: The Best Hotels & Areas