Planning a trip to San Francisco, California?

Everything you need to have the best time in the City By the Bay including the top things to do, great food to eat, and the best places to stay in San Francisco! 

Don’t miss the fun and beautiful self-guided walking tour!

As one of the most beautiful cities in the world, San Francisco is a bucket list destination. It is also a top worldwide travel destination with good reason.  It is a beautiful city with so much culture.

There are so many fun things to do in San Francisco.  This list of top things to do in San Francisco is great if you are traveling solo, with friends, as a couple, or with your kids.

You can spend hours walking and seeing the sites of the bay and its surroundings.  It’s a city full of hills and views, character and culture, interesting things to do, and some of the best food in the world.

My favorite day in San Francisco includes lots of walking AND eating.  I lived there for four years, working in the travel industry (including a 5-star hotel.) It still feels like home, and a wonderful getaway at the same time.  My kids, now adults, have enjoyed these San Francisco activities at all ages.

For a perfect day in San Francisco, take a 2.5-mile self-guided walking tour along the Bay, which can start at either end.  This depends on what time you want to be at the Ferry Building to eat some of the best food in San Francisco.  There are three big San Francisco attractions on this walk that will take 2-3 hours each, so plan your time around this, or come back to them at another time.

Using this San Francisco travel guide, you will enjoy some popular, and some unique things to do, and fantastic places to eat in San Francisco (don’t miss my favorite bakery ever, see below.)

Note:

For things to do in San Francisco on a rainy day (not uncommon) you can take this tour, just wear your raincoats and bring your umbrellas, then visit some of the indoor attractions.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting San Francisco on a warm and sunny day, spend some time at one of the beaches in San Francisco.

Looking for the best place to stay in San Francisco? Find the best prices at top-rated hotels here

• Ritz Carlton San Francisco (5 star)- Luxury hotel on Nob Hill near downtown  Click here for the latest prices
• St. Regis Hotel (5 star)- Luxury hotel near downtown and the best area for shopping  Click here for the latest prices
• Scarlett Huntington Hotel (4 star)- Historic Hotel with a top-rated spa my favorite!) on the top of Nob Hill. Go for a room with a Bay view  Click here for the latest prices
• Fairmont San Francisco– Famous historic hotel on top of Nob Hill   Click here for the latest prices
• Omni San Francisco (4 star)- Top rated hotel on Trip Advisor, located downtown   Click here for the latest prices
• Argonaut Hotel (4 star)- Nice boutique hotel in the Fisherman’s Wharf area   Click here for the latest prices
• Hotel Vitale– Contemporary and hip hotel with Bay views and a great spa, located across from the Ferry Building Marketplace  Click here for the latest prices

Click here to read reviews and see prices on  Booking.com or Agoda.com

Click here to search for an apartment in San Francisco

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Get the top things to do in this best of San Francisco guide

Find the best prices on flights to San Francisco here

Fun things to do in San Francisco (with kids or without)

Take a Self Guided Walking Tour in San Francisco to Many of the Points of Interest

Aquatic Park– Start at this nice park which is next to Fort Mason.  There is a small beach area and some dare to swim in the ocean here.  I don’t. I would rather appreciate the resident sea lions from afar.

Ghirardelli Square– Stop into the Historic chocolate shop for a sample and see the historic machines work.  Have an overpriced cup of  hot cocoa (or maybe just one cup for the kids to share!)

Fishermans Wharf:  Fisherman’s Wharf is full of tourists, crab, chowder, souvenir shops and some of the best views in the city.  Look out to the bay and see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Museum Mechanique– Interested in unusual things to do in San Francisco?  Check out this Historical and fun museum, which is full of antique mechanical games and toys.  It is free to get in and games cost from 1 cent to 1 dollar. Open 365 days a year 10 am to 8 pm.

Next, watch the bakers work through the windows at Boudin Bakery.

Look at or tour the USS Pampanito.  This United States Navy ship is a WWII submarine that went out on six war patrols in 1944-1945.

The Alcatraz Ferry is here.  It is beautiful on Alcatraz and the history of the old federal prison is intriguing.  If you go, make sure to buy your tickets from the official Alcatraz Cruises website or at the actual ticket booth.   The round trip ferry ride and a great audio tour is included.  The 8:45 Early Bird boat is the best – it gets you there before everyone else.

Pier 39:  Another big tourist attraction and a fun place to visit in San Francisco.  There are lots of shops and restaurants, and often times there are street performers and living statues in the area.  Don’t be surprised if one comes to life and jumps out at you!

Check out the sea lions on K Dock. They came in droves in 1990.  They won and took over the docks, which many still call home.

Play a game at 7D Experience (for kids to tweens).  Whether you are a gamer or not, this is entertaining and brings along a lot of laughs.

The Aquarium By the Bay is here.  It is home to over 20,000 marine animals found in the Bay Area.  Open 10-6 daily.

The Exploratorium is next on the walk.  This beautiful science museum can be fascinating for all ages.  Visit depending on your time and interest. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10-5.

Ferry Building Marketplace:

This is a food lover’s dream located inside a beautiful historic landmark.   Some of the best of the artisan food, from communities in and around San Francisco, have storefronts here.  You can see some of San Francisco’s best-known chefs, and most famous farmers, at the outstanding weekly farmers’ market on Saturdays 8am -2pm. There is so much incredible food that you won’t know where to start! After lunch (or breakfast, if you start here), then get a coffee at Blue Bottle and sit outside on a bench and enjoy the view.

For a fun thing to do in San Francisco in December, go to the ice skating rink across the street in Justin Herman Plaza.

Catch the Railway (in the middle of the Embarcadero) back to Aquatic Park

More fun things to do in San Francisco and unique things to do in San Francisco

If you are interested in taking a bike ride, you can rent bikes back near Aquatic Park at San Francisco Bicycle Rentals. Take off in the opposite direction through Fort Mason.  Then ride on through the Marina Green and stay along the Bay. When you see the yacht club, take a right to ride out on the peninsula to see the Wave Organ (another one of the unusual things to do in San Francisco.) Get back on the path and you can ride along the water, all the way to the base of the Magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.  Most of this is on a designated biking and walking path. At the end of the road, check out Fort Point, built in 1853 as part of San Francisco’s defense system. Now head back the way you came with a stop at the Warming Hut for a hot drink.

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Fun things to do in San Francisco in the Presidio 

This former military post is a 1500 acre park and an outdoor enthusiast’s playground.  There are miles of trails and stunning lookout points.  In addition to great hiking and biking, there are fun things to do in this area of San Francisco.

Disney Museum–  This wonderful museum displays Walt Disney’s story, work, and innovations.  Open 10-6 daily. (Indoor things to do in San Francisco rainy day)

Lucas Film–  Near Disney in the Presidio, the beautiful Lucas Film headquarters is a quick stop that is fun for any age.  Out front, you will see the Yoda Fountain, and inside of the lobby, you can see lifesize Star Wars Characters as well as props used in the movies such as Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber. The lobby is open on weekdays only. 

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Fun things to do in San Francisco in Golden Gate Park

This is San Francisco’s largest urban park and has some fun things to do:

Academy of Sciences– An awesome science museum with a mission of exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth.  They have a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum. Don’t miss seeing the living roof up close.  Open Monday-Saturday 9:30-5:00, Sundays 11-5. (indoor things to do in San Francisco rainy day.)

DeYoung Museum–  If your kids love art, you may want to visit this museum.  Check before you go to see if there is a special exhibit- my kids enjoyed the King Tut exhibition as well as the French impressionism.  The 360-degree view from the 9th floor is breathtaking.

See the Buffalo roaming and the Dutch Windmill near the beach.

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Other Fun San Francisco Attractions

Bike or walk Across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Pack a picnic and go play or relax at Chrissy Field Beach, looking out to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Walk up the stairs to Coit Tower for a 360-degree view of San Francisco.  Look for the parrots of Telegraph Hill on your way up.  It’s a workout to get up there, so if you are not up for it drive and park at the top.  You can also see Coit Tower on the walking tour above by taking a detour between Pier 39 and the Ferry Building (skipping some of the sights in between.)  Get ready for a workout, walking up the hills (or take the scenic Telegraph Hill stairs on Filbert Street).

Drive or walk down the famous Lombard Street, a winding long block with 8 hairpin turns.

Ride on a Cable Car.  Invented in San Francisco 150 years ago, this is an unforgettable experience.  The Powell-Hyde car (green) has some of the best views in the city.  Just make sure to start at Union Square turnaround (also has fewer people waiting to get on)!

Catch a San Francisco Giants baseball game at AT&T Park.

Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown.  Watch the cookies being made, then eat some.  

Check out the incredible view from the Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins Hotel.  Opens at 4:30 daily

See Beach Blanket Babylon in North Beach.  This show is edgy to say the least!  It’s the world’s longest-running musical revue (since 1974) and is extremely entertaining.  Kids, 5 and older, are welcome for the Sunday matinees at 2:00 and 5:00 (rated PG-13)

Go jump at the House of Air Trampoline Park, Chrissy Field.

Do the Fort Miley Adventure Course (1st Sunday of the month)  You will need to make reservations in advance.  A ropes course, up in the trees, with a zipline.  This is on my San Francisco to do list.

Click here to book a good tour, activity or get tickets now

Where to eat in San Francisco (with your kids) while enjoying these San Francisco Attractions

Quick Eats

Following are some of my favorite quick CASUAL Eats that are high quality.  Most are located in or near the areas above.  When you get to the Ferry Building, go with what looks best to you, because it’s all good!

The best bakery in San Francisco: Arsicault Bakery in Presidio Heights

Be prepared to wait in line.

Choose from a plain croissant, chocolate croissant (my favorite), almond croissant, chocolate almond croissant, ham & cheese croissant, kouign-amann, morning bun, and a scone and cookie du jour.

Another Great Bakery:  B Patisserie in Pacific Heights

Italian with Homemade Pasta: Italian Homemade Company in North Beach or the Marina

Grass-Fed Burgers:  Roam in Cow Hollow or Pacific Heights

Deli: Molinari in North Beach or Lucca in the Marina (takeout only- good for a picnic)

Salads:  Blue Barn in the Marina (Steiner Street has more tables, Chestnut Street is smaller and better for takeout)

Mexican:  Tacolicious in North Beach

Coffee: Blue Bottle, various locations

Cakes, Cupcakes and Whoopie Pies:  Suzie Cakes in the Marina

Enjoy these San Francisco attractions and the yummy food!

Click here to join a dining experience, take a cooking class or go on a food tour with locals