Best Things to Do in San Francisco for First Timers

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Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic things to do in San Francisco and it is worth seeing from more than one angle. I would recommend going to the Roundhouse Café first and getting an Equator Coffee while you look out over the bridge and the surrounding bay. It’s a really simple stop but it gives you time to slow down and properly take in the scale of everything in front of you. The views from here are some of the best without needing to walk far at all. It’s also a good starting point before you continue on towards the bridge itself.

From the café you can walk down towards Fort Point, which takes around 20 minutes depending on your pace. Fort Point is a historic brick fort that was built in the mid1800s to protect San Francisco Bay during the Gold Rush era. It sits directly underneath the southern side of the Golden Gate Bridge which makes it one of the most interesting viewpoints in the city. You can actually look up and see the full structure of the bridge from underneath which gives you a completely different perspective compared to the usual viewing points

Another option is cycling across the bridge which is one of the most memorable things to do in San Francisco because the scale of it only really makes sense when you are on it. The weather changes quickly here so you can get completely different views within the same hour. I would also recommend cycling early in the morning when it is quieter and easier to navigate. Many people choose to cycle one way and take the ferry back from Sausalito which works really well. It turns the experience into a half day activity rather than something rushed and you also get incredible skyline views looking back at the city.

Price: free to visit Golden Gate Bridge, cycling starts from £15 and can be booked here

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is one of the most well known things to do in San Francisco and also one of the easiest places to overpay for if you are not careful. The key tip is to always book directly through Alcatraz City Cruises which is the official provider. Third party websites often resell the same tickets at a higher price or bundle them unnecessarily (which is how I bought my original ticket then cancelled them). The standard ticket includes your ferry, island access and the audio tour inside the prison. The audio tour is one of the strongest parts of the experience because it tells real stories from former inmates and guards, so I would definitely recommend you doing this.

The ferry ride across the bay is short (takes around 15 mins) but gives you some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline. Once you arrive on the island, you can explore at your own pace which makes it feel quite immersive. I would recommend booking in advance because Alcatraz tickets sell out quickly, especially in peak travel months. The experience usually takes a few hours in total including travel time, and is also one of the most historically interesting attractions in the city.

Price: from $47, you can buy tickets here

Cable Cars & Cable Car Museum

Riding the cable cars is one of the most classic things to do in San Francisco and it still feels like a real working piece of the city rather than a tourist attraction. The Powell Mason and Powell Hyde lines are the most popular routes and they take you through some of the steepest streets in San Francisco. Make sure you stand on the side of the cable car as it moves through the hills as it gives you a completely different perspective of the city.

The Cable Car Museum is also worth visiting because it explains how the system actually works beneath the streets. You can see the rotating wheels and machinery that power the cables across the entire city. It is free to enter which makes it one of the better value things to do in San Francisco. It also helps you understand what you have just experienced on the ride itself. I would recommend combining the cable car ride with a visit to the museum in the same area. I actually visited The Coffee Movement coffee shop straight after the museum as it’s only a 2 min walk away.

Price: free

Watching the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park

Watching a baseball game at Oracle Park is one of the most memorable things to do in San Francisco, even if you are not usually into sport. The stadium sits right on the waterfront which means you get incredible views across the bay while the game is going on, and the atmosphere feels really different from anything else in the city. If you are planning to go, I would recommend buying tickets directly on the MLB website first. You can get tickets for as little as $25 and I have seen some even cheaper depending on the game, which is what I paid during my trip in April.

Once you have booked, you will need to download the Ballpark app as this is where your tickets will be stored and scanned on entry. You can’t use screenshots, so make sure you are logged in with the same email address you used when purchasing the tickets otherwise they will not appear. In terms of getting there, Oracle Park is really easy to reach from central San Francisco. I was staying at Galleria Park Hotel in downtown and I just took the metro from Embarcadero Station to King Street and 2nd Street which takes around 6 minutes. From there it is only an one minute walk to the stadium. I would also recommend arriving early because you can walk around the second level of the stadium before the game starts, grab food and also get some of the best views looking out over the field and the bay before it gets busy.

Price: tickets start from $25 and can be bought here

Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the most distinctive things to do in San Francisco and feels completely different from the rest of the city. Stockton Street is the main area I would recommend walking through as it has a mix of bakeries, tea shops and local grocery stores. The atmosphere changes quite quickly once you enter and feels much more traditional compared to downtown. It’s also one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States which you can feel in the architecture and street layout.

One stop I would not skip is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. It’s tucked away down a small alley and easy to miss if you are not looking for it. Inside you can actually watch fortune cookies being made by hand which makes it feel quite different from the more commercial parts of the city. You can also buy fresh cookies straight from the factory which taste noticeably better than the packaged versions you find elsewhere.

Price: free

Downtown San Francisco & Salesforce Park

Downtown San Francisco is one of the most practical areas to stay in and explore when planning things to do in San Francisco. It connects easily to most major attractions and has strong public transport links throughout. One of the highlights here is Salesforce Park which sits above the transit centre and feels completely unexpected in the middle of the city. You can take the gondola style lift from street level directly up to the park, which is open from 8am to 7pm. From here you can also walk towards landmarks like the Transamerica Building which defines the Financial District skyline. The whole area is very walkable and works well as a starting point for your itinerary.

Price: free

Ferry Building

The Ferry Building sits right along the bay so you get constant views of ferries coming and going throughout the day. Inside there are a number of food stalls and independent vendors which make it a good lunch stop and I would recommend coming here mid morning or early afternoon when it is slightly quieter.

One of the stops I would recommend here is Gott’s Roadside. It is one of those places that always has a queue but it moves quickly and it is worth it. I had their Gruyère & Caramelised Onion Burger burger and it was genuinely one of the best I had during my time in San Francisco. It’s also a great place to walk along the waterfront and connect towards Pier 14. The views back across the city skyline are some of the best you will get from ground level and feels more local compared to Fisherman’s Wharf which is further north.

Price: free to enter, food prices vary

Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are two of the most visited things to do in San Francisco and are located right next to each other along the waterfront. Pier 39 is best known for the sea lions which gather on the floating docks throughout the year. The area also has a mix of casual restaurants, shops and street food options, and can feel busy during the day but it is still worth seeing at least once. Fisherman’s Wharf itself has more of a traditional waterfront feel with seafood stalls and boat tours leaving regularly, and I would suggest combining it with Ghirardelli Square or the Marina nearby.

Price: free

Ghirardelli Square

Ghirardelli Square is best known for its chocolate shop and desserts, especially the ice cream sundaes (which I actually had TWICE during my trip to San Francisco). The square itself is smaller compared to other attractions but has a historic feel and a good location near the waterfront. There’s also a few restaurants and cafés where you can sit and take a break and the views towards the water are also worth stopping for.

Price: free to enter, desserts at Ghirardelli start from $10

Lombard Street

Lombard Street is one of the most photographed things to do in San Francisco and is known for its steep, winding section. It’s a short stop but worth seeing at least once during your trip. The street is lined with flowers and tight hairpin bends which make it stand out compared to other roads in the city. You can even walk down or view it from the top depending on how much time you have. The surrounding Russian Hill area is also very steep and gives you a sense of how hilly the city really is.

Price: free

Coit Tower

Coit Tower is one of the best viewpoints and one of the more scenic things to do in San Francisco. It sits on top of Telegraph Hill and gives you panoramic views across the entire city and bay. You can either walk up or take transport depending on how much walking you want to do (the climb is very steep, so you have been warned). The viewing platform at the top even gives you a clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge on a good day. Inside the tower there are murals that reflect local history which adds a cultural layer to the visit. Ina Coolbrith Park is also nearby which is another quieter viewpoint that is often less busy and this area works well if you want a see a slower paced part of the city.

Price: tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at Coit Tower

Baker Beach

Baker Beach is one of the most scenic outdoor things to do in San Francisco and offers one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the sand. The beach is wide and open which makes it feel very different from the city centre. It’s often windy so I would recommend bringing layers even on sunny days, and the views here are amazing around sunset.You can easily combine it with a walk through the Presidio or nearby trails, and is one of the best free things to do in San Francisco if you want coastal views.

Price: free

Sutro Baths

Sutro Baths is sits right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and the ruins are all that remain of a large public bathhouse which makes the setting quite striking. You’ll see the waves crash through the structure which adds to the atmosphere, and is a really good spot to visit during sunset. The area feels very open and exposed to the coastline and I would recommend combining it with Lands End nearby.

Price: free

Lands End

Lands End is one of the best coastal walks and one of the most scenic things to do in San Francisco. The trail runs along the cliffs and offers views across the Pacific Ocean and towards the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s relatively easy to walk and well maintained throughout and there are multiple viewpoints along the way where you can stop and take photos. As mentioned above tt also connects easily to the Sutro Baths area. I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes as some parts are uneven and spending around half a day here.

Price: free

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is one of the largest green spaces in the city and one of the most varied things to do in San Francisco. It includes several gardens and museums which can easily take up half a day. The Japanese Tea Garden is one of the most peaceful areas and worth visiting if you want something quieter. The de Young Museum and Conservatory of Flowers are also located within the park.

The Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden and Shakespeare Garden are especially nice in spring and summer, and the Blue Heron Boathouse is another good stop if you want to sit by the water. It’s a very LARGE park so planning your route in advance helps. You can easily rent bikes to explore different sections or I would recommend using the free Golden Gate Park shuttle, which runs through the main parts of the park and makes it much easier to get between the different gardens and attractions without doing too much walking. It’s especially useful if you are trying to see multiple spots in a shorter amount of time or if you are visiting on a day when you do not want to cycle.

Price: free

Presidio Tunnel Tops

Presidio Tunnel Tops was one of my favourite places in San Francisco and sits above the Presidio tunnels, connecting different parts of the park with open green space and walking paths. The views towards the Golden Gate Bridge are some of the best in the city as it feels open, clean and very well designed.

I also stopped at Il Parco here which serves focaccia pizza and it was genuinely one of the best quick eats I had in San Francisco (make sure you get the bolognese pizza). The Disney Family Museum is also nearby which makes this area easy to spend a few hours exploring. I spent my last evening in San Francisco here which was definitely one of the best ways to end the trip and say farewell to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Price: free

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks is one of the best viewpoints in San Francisco and from here you get a full panoramic view of the entire city, including the bay and surrounding neighbourhoods. However one thing to note is that the drive or walk up is steep but worth it once you reach the top. Also it can get quite windy so I would recommend bringing a jacket, and the viewpoint is open and exposed which gives you a clear line of sight across the city grid. It’s one of the easiest ways to understand how San Francisco is laid out and worth visiting at sunset when the light changes across the skyline.

Price: free

Mission District

The Mission District is one of the most characterful neighbourhoods and is known for its murals which are spread across several streets. Mission Dolores Park is also one of the main highlights and offers incredible skyline views of the city. There are also lots of independent cafés and food spots throughout the area, and is a good place to spend a relaxed afternoon walking between streets. The mix of art, food and open space makes it very different from other parts of the city.

Price: free

Castro

The Castro is widely recognised as one of the most important LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods in the world, and has played a huge role in LGBTQ+ history and activism over the years. Walking through the area you can immediately see how much pride and identity the neighbourhood holds, from the rainbow flags lining the streets to the local businesses and community spaces throughout. It feels very open, welcoming and full of personality in a way that stands out from other parts of the city.

Price: free

Haight-Ashbury

Another iconic neighbourhood is Haight-Ashbury and is known for its history in the 1960s counterculture movement. Today it’s full of vintage shops, record stores and independent cafés. You can easily spend a couple of hours here without rushing and it also connects well with Golden Gate Park which is nearby. The neighbourhood still carries a strong identity which makes it worth visiting.

Price: free

North Beach

North Beach is one of my favourite neighbourhoods to include when thinking about things to do in San Francisco because it feels completely different from the rest of the city. It has a strong Italian influence with traditional cafés, bakeries and restaurants lining the streets.

If you are looking for food here, I would recommend Tony’s Pizza Napoletana which is well known locally for its pizza and has a constant queue for a reason. For something more casual, Mo’s Grill is a great option for burgers and classic American comfort food. And lastly a stop I wouldn’t skip is Z. Cioccolato where you can find fresh fudge and taffy which makes a good quick treat while walking through the area. North Beach is also close to Chinatown so it works well as part of a combined walking route.

Price: free, food depends on what you order

Alamo Square Park & the Painted Ladies

Alamo Square Park is one of the most photographed things to do in San Francisco and is best known for the Painted Ladies in front of the skyline. The row of Victorian houses with the modern city backdrop is one of the most iconic views in the city. The park itself is on a hill which gives you a wide open view across downtown San Francisco. I went at 9am and recommend visiting in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer, and the crowds are less busier.

Price: free

Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is a large open structure surrounded by a lagoon which makes it feel quite different from the rest of the city, and is one of the best free things to do in San Francisco. The architecture is inspired by classical Roman design which gives it a very grand but calm atmosphere. It’s a really nice area for walking around the water or sitting nearby for a break between sightseeing. It doesn’t take long to visit but it is worth including in your itinerary if you are nearby the Marina or Presidio.

Price: free

Waymo Self Driving Cars

Waymo is a fully self driving taxi service that operates across parts of the city. You book it through the app and the car arrives with no driver inside. It feels unusual at first but becomes normal very quickly, especially as you will see a Waymo probably every minute as you are walking across the streets. It’s a useful way to get between neighbourhoods when walking is not practical, and the experience itself is more about convenience than sightseeing.

Price: depends on distance

Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip

A day trip to Muir Woods and Sausalito is one of the best ways to leave the city while still staying close to San Francisco. Muir Woods is known for its redwood trees which are some of the tallest in the world, and walking through the forest feels completely different from the city. Sausalito is a small waterfront town with cafés and views back towards San Francisco.

The combination of forest and waterfront makes this one of the most popular day trips from the city. It’s a good break from busier things to do in San Francisco and would recommend this if you have a full day available.

Price: from £74 per person, book tickets here

GoCar San Francisco Tour

The GoCar tour involves driving a small GPS guided car around the city. It takes you through different neighbourhoods while giving commentary as you drive. It’s a really flexible way to see the city without following a group tour. It’s one of the more interactive things to do in San Francisco and I would recommend it if you want something different from walking or public transport. You do need an International Driving Permit to do this so make sure you get one before you arrive to San Francisco.

Price: from £74 per person, book tickets here

Yosemite Day Trip

If you have enough time in your itinerary, I honestly think a Yosemite day trip is one of the best add ons to include when planning things to do in San Francisco. It is a long day but completely worth it if you want to see a totally different side of California outside of the city. The landscapes here feel huge compared to San Francisco with giant granite cliffs, waterfalls, forests and open valleys that honestly do not feel real when you first see them in person. It’s one of those places where every stop along the route looks like a postcard.

If you are not planning to hire a car yourself, I would recommend booking a guided Yosemite day trip from San Francisco because it makes the logistics much easier, especially with the early start and long drive. One of the main benefits of doing a tour is that transport is all organised for you so you can actually enjoy the scenery instead of worrying about driving for hours. Most tours stop at key viewpoints including Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome, which are some of the park’s most famous landmarks. Depending on the season, you may also have free time to walk around parts of the valley floor yourself. I would only recommend this if you are comfortable with an early start and a full day out because it is definitely a long day, but it is one of the most memorable experiences you can do from San Francisco.

Price: from £179 per person, book tickets here

Stanford Day Trip

Visiting Stanford is one of the easiest day trips from San Francisco and a good addition if you want something outside the city. I took CalTrain using my Clipper Card which cost around $8.50 one way. The journey is straightforward and takes you directly into the Palo Alto area, and then you can take the free shuttle to Stanford University (which takes a couple of minutes). I also visited Hoover Tower which costs around $8 to enter and gives you panoramic views across the campus.

Stanford Shopping Centre is also nearby which makes it easy to combine both in the same trip. It’s a very different pace compared to central San Francisco and again recommend it if you have a half day available.

Price: CalTrain from San Francisco to Palo Alto costs $8.50 using your Clipper Card

Free Rooftop Spaces in San Francisco

San Francisco has a surprising number of rooftop spaces which are completely free and often overlooked when planning things to do in San Francisco. Crocker Galleria on top of Galleria Park Hotel is one of the easiest to access and sits right in the Financial District. One Kearny and 343 Sansome Rooftop Deck both offer elevated views over downtown. 72 Ellis Street and 543 Howard Street are smaller but still worth visiting if you are nearby.

Salesforce Park is one of the most impressive and includes gardens, walking paths and a gondola lift from street level. These spots are useful if you want a break from walking without leaving the city centre.

Price: free

I hope this guide on the best things to do in San Francisco was useful. I’ve also put together a free travel guide to San Francisco which you can view here, as well as my review of my stay at Galleria Park Hotel.