Introduction
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it’s always been a destination for adventure-seekers. Whether you’re looking for food, wine, or just plain fun, San Francisco has something for everyone. Here are 14 things to do in San Francisco that will make your trip unforgettable:
1. Stroll Through The Sutro Baths
The Sutro Baths are a former public saltwater swimming pool complex in San Francisco, California. It was built in 1896 and closed in 1966. It is located at Point Lobos Avenue, just south of 7th Avenue in the Sutro neighborhood of San Francisco.
The baths were constructed on the site of a natural hot spring (Sutro Geyser) that flowed into the ocean where people used to swim for its supposed healing properties. The name “Sutro” comes from Adolph Sutro who owned vast property holdings all over the San Francisco Bay Area and who built this house as well as other mansions on top of land he had purchased from William Alexander Leidesdorff and John Adams Dixey at various points during their lifetimes between 1849-1854. (source: Wikipedia)
2. Eat At The Tonga Room And Hurricane Bar
If you’re looking for a place to eat and drink, The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar is the place to go. It has a tropical rainforest theme, live music, and even a dance floor! This bar/restaurant is located on the second floor of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. You can get drinks from their full bar or order food from their menu too. The atmosphere here makes you feel like you’re sitting in a tropical paradise!
3. Visit The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting San Francisco, California to Marin County. It was built between 1933 and 1937 and opened for pedestrians on May 27, 1937, followed by automobiles the following day. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and usually has very long traffic lines due to its popularity.
The bridge was painted orange-red (resembling rust) until it was repainted as International Orange in 1995 after years of debate regarding whether or not it should be painted black or white (the same colors used for many other bridges).
4. Spend Some Time In Chinatown
Chinatown is a great place to visit for amazing food, culture, and history. The best part is that it’s free to explore Chinatown! You can also visit the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum as well as other museums like Mission Dolores and the national park on Alcatraz Island.
The museum has exhibits about the history of Chinese immigrants who arrived in San Francisco during the 19th century. It will give you some insight into why many Chinese people came to live in California at this time.
5. Go To Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Located at the northern tip of San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf has everything from street performers to restaurants and shopping to amusement park rides and more.
There are many attractions within walking distance of Fisherman’s Wharf including:
- The Wax Museum (now open 24 hours a day)
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museums (now open 24 hours a day)
- Pier 39 with its sea lions and boat tours, Alcatraz tours, gondola rides on San Francisco Bay, museums like the Maritime Museum of San Diego Shipwreck Historium & Maritime Heritage Center which offers museum-quality shipwreck artifacts and exhibits that tell stories through photos, models, and artifacts along with interactive displays designed for adults as well as children so everyone can enjoy learning about these amazing history stories during their visit here too!
6. Take A Walk Across The Painted Ladies
Steep and narrow, Lombard Street is a famous street in San Francisco. It’s known as the “most crooked street in the world” for its steepness and sharp turns. The houses on the street are painted pastel colors, giving it an old-world feel that will make you want to grab an ice cream cone from Schwab’s Pharmacy (now a drug store but was once a soda fountain).
You can walk up this hill or take a cable car (which offers great views of all sides of San Francisco) but there are some nice steps if you’re feeling adventurous!
7. Explore Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is a popular tourist attraction located on San Francisco Bay. Getting to Alcatraz is easy; some ferries travel from Pier 33 in San Francisco to the island, and tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day of your visit.
The tour lasts about two hours and includes both indoor and outdoor portions, as well as house exhibits and audio guides for those who wish to learn more about Alcatraz’s history. It’s estimated that over 1 million people visit Alcatraz every year!
8. Cruise Down Lombard Street
You’re almost there! All that remains is to cruise down Lombard Street. With its famous serpentine shape and steep inclines, this street is a tourist attraction in itself. The fun way to take it all in is by driving or taking a shuttle bus up the hill and then parking your vehicle at the top before walking down (it’s free).
The best time to visit Lombard Street is during daylight hours because nighttime lighting makes the road look much more dramatic than it is. Don’t worry if you don’t have your car; we recommend taking advantage of San Francisco’s public transportation system and hopping on Muni Route 30 (which goes right past Lombard).
When you arrive at the top of this steep climb, it’s worth sticking around for a bit so that when you’re ready to come back down, later on, both sides will be open and ready for business!
9. Watch A Movie On The Beach at Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is one of the best places to watch a movie in San Francisco. On Saturday nights, you can watch free movies on the beach. The movies are shown by volunteers and there are usually food trucks and vendors selling snacks. You can bring your blanket or chair if you want but it’s not necessary because there are plenty of places to sit on the sand.
10. Visit Contemporary Jewish Museum
The Contemporary Jewish Museum is a must-visit for everyone in San Francisco, but especially for those who enjoy art. The museum hosts a variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year, making it an excellent place to learn about different cultures from around the world.
If you visit this museum on Tuesday through Friday between 10 AM and 6 PM, admission will cost only $12 per person; during other times or weekends, it will be $15 per person (children under 13 are free). For more information on hours of operation or to see what special events are happening at this museum, please visit its website [link]
San Francisco is a beautiful city with so much to do!
San Francisco is a beautiful city with so much to do! Whether you’re visiting or living in the area, there are countless things to see and do.
If you’re just visiting for the day, I’d recommend taking advantage of some of the free attractions. The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic landmark that’s worth checking out. You can also check out Alcatraz Island and get up close to see where criminals were kept before it closed down back in 1963.
If museums are more your thing then head over to The Exploratorium which has exhibits ranging from physics demonstrations to displays on climate change science. For nature lovers, there’s Muir Woods National Monument nearby where visitors can walk through redwood groves lined with majestic trees that are hundreds of years old!
If you’re going away for longer than just one day then consider staying overnight at one of San Francisco’s many hotels or hostels; they offer great rates during peak seasons too (easter weekend).
Conclusion
There are so many things to do in San Francisco, and it can be difficult to choose where to go first. Our top recommendation is the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a classic! But if you want something more local, try Chinatown or Fisherman’s Wharf. We hope that this list has given you some ideas of what else there is besides just eating out every day!
