£50 off your first booking on select hotels. T&Cs apply.
HotHotels
Fairmont San Francisco, San Francisco

Things to do guide

The best things to do in San Francisco

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: Fairmont San Francisco

San Francisco is compact, hilly and impossible to mistake for anywhere else. An orange bridge disappears into the fog, clanging cable cars crawl up steep streets, and painted Victorian houses stare down at the skyline. It's small enough to cover on foot and by tram in a long weekend, with enough neighbourhoods, markets and food stops to fill a week.

Dress in layers, whatever the forecast: the fog can roll in at any time, even in summer, and you'll be climbing hills as well as admiring them. Then use the city's other superpower, its location. Redwoods, wine country and a pretty harbour town are all within a short drive.

Don't miss

  1. 1The Golden Gate Bridge
  2. 2Alcatraz
  3. 3The cable cars
  4. 4The Painted Ladies
  5. 5Muir Woods

The icons

The sights everyone comes for, and they live up to it.

  1. The Golden Gate Bridge

    Landmark

    The Golden Gate Bridge seen from Marshall's Beach
    Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The vermilion suspension bridge across the mouth of the bay is one of the world's most photographed structures. Walk or cycle across for views of the city, the bay and Alcatraz, or take photos from Crissy Field or the Marin Headlands viewpoint across the water.

    Tip: Go early, before the fog and the crowds, and wrap up warm because it is windy.

  2. Alcatraz

    Landmark

    Alcatraz Island rising from San Francisco Bay
    Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The notorious island prison sits in the bay, reached by a short ferry ride from Pier 33. The audio tour, narrated by former guards and inmates, is gripping, and the views of the city skyline from the island are superb.

    Tip: Tickets sell out well ahead, so book as early as you can.

  3. The cable cars

    Activity

    The Powell-Mason cable car turnaround in San Francisco
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The world's last manually operated cable car system rumbles up and down the city's steepest hills. Hop on at the Powell Street turntable and hang on the side for the full experience. It's a transport system and a ride in one.

  4. Lombard Street

    Landmark

    Lombard Street in San Francisco
    Photo: Infrogmation, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A steep, brick-paved block of hairpin bends lined with flower beds, often called the crookedest street in the world. Walk down the steps alongside and watch the cars crawl past.

  5. The Painted Ladies

    Landmark

    The Painted Ladies Victorian houses at Alamo Square
    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A row of colourful Victorian houses facing Alamo Square, with the skyline rising behind them. It's one of San Francisco's most famous views, and the lawn of the park is a lovely place to sit and take it in.

Neighbourhoods and parks

  1. Chinatown

    Neighbourhood

    The Dragon Gate at the entrance to Chinatown
    Photo: Ilkka Simomaa, CC BY 4.0

    Entered through the Dragon Gate, this is one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in North America. Wander its alleys of herbalists, bakeries and temples, and pick up a custard tart or a bag of fortune cookies.

  2. The Mission District

    Neighbourhood

    The city's Latin American heart, with colourful murals in Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley, taquerias, and Dolores Park on a sunny day. It's lively, creative and a good place to eat well.

  3. Golden Gate Park

    Nature

    The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park
    Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A huge green park stretching from the city to the Pacific, larger than New York's Central Park. Visit the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers and the California Academy of Sciences, or simply picnic by a lake.

  4. Fisherman's Wharf

    Neighbourhood

    The old waterfront is touristy, but it's fun, with sea lions barking on the docks at Pier 39, crab stalls and views over the bay. Take a stroll, grab a bowl of chowder and then catch a boat or tram onward.

Days out

San Francisco sits at the edge of some of California’s best scenery.

  1. Muir Woods

    Day trip

    Coast redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument
    Photo: Gzzz, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A grove of ancient coast redwoods just north of the Golden Gate, with boardwalk trails among trees that are hundreds of years old. It's a cool, hushed contrast to the city.

    Tip: Parking and entry need booking in advance, so plan ahead.

  2. Sausalito

    Day trip

    The Sausalito waterfront with the San Francisco skyline behind
    Photo: AsaQuathern, CC BY 4.0

    A pretty harbour town on the north side of the bay, with a waterfront of cafés, boutiques and houseboats. Take the ferry from the Ferry Building, so you get the best views of the skyline on the way.

  3. Napa and Sonoma

    Day trip

    California's best-known wine country is about an hour or so north of the city, with rolling vineyards, tasting rooms and long lunches. Book a tour if you're planning to sample the wine.

Eat and drink

  1. Ferry Building Marketplace

    Market

    The clock tower of the San Francisco Ferry Building
    Photo: JaGa, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A handsome waterfront building with a clock tower, housing food stalls selling oysters, cheese, coffee and bread. There's a farmers' market outside on certain days, and it's a lovely place for a lunch with a view of the bay.

  2. Sourdough and clam chowder

    Food

    Clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl at Pier 39
    Photo: Tobias Kleinlercher / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

    San Francisco's classic bowl: creamy clam chowder in a hollowed-out sourdough loaf. The city's tangy sourdough bread has been baked here since the Gold Rush, and you can find it at bakeries around the Wharf.

  3. A Mission burrito

    Food

    A Mission burrito with tortilla chips at El Farolito
    Photo: BaduFerreira, CC0

    The giant, foil-wrapped burrito, packed with rice, beans, meat and salsa, was born in the Mission. Pick a busy taqueria and order a carne asada or carnitas.

Where to stay in San Francisco

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in San Francisco →

Getting around

Much of the city is walkable but very hilly. Cable cars, historic trams on Market Street, buses and the Muni and BART networks fill the gaps, and ride-hailing is easy. You don't need a car in the city, but you'll want one for Muir Woods and wine country.

When to go

Late summer and autumn are often the clearest and warmest, while the famous summer fog can leave mornings grey and cool. Pack layers in any season, as the temperature can swing in the course of a day.

Questions about visiting San Francisco

What is San Francisco best known for?
The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars, steep hills, painted Victorian houses and its food scene.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
Three days covers the main sights and neighbourhoods. Add a day for Muir Woods and Sausalito and another for wine country.
What is there to do in San Francisco with kids?
Cable car rides, the ferry to Alcatraz, the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park and the sea lions at Pier 39 all go down well.
Do you need a car in San Francisco?
Not in the city, where public transport, taxis and walking cover most visitors. A car is useful for Muir Woods and the wine country.

More guides