Things to do · San Francisco, California, US
Things to Do in San Francisco
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- Getting there
- San Francisco is served by San Francisco International Airport, about 18 km south of downtown, and Oakland International Airport, a similar distance across the bay; San Jose International is farther out at roughly 63 km. Most visitors arrive on domestic flights from hubs like LAX, Denver or Chicago, and many take BART or rideshares from the terminals to the city center. A handful of travelers also come by Amtrak or the Bay Bridge highway routes, especially from nearby Bay Area cities.
- Who goes
- The city welcomes roughly 25 million tourists each year, drawing a mix of first‑time sightseers, tech‑industry visitors and culture‑focused travelers. Summer months, especially June through August, see the highest crowds, while the cooler winter period from December to February tends to be quieter, offering more space at popular sites. Families, solo adventurers and business guests all find something to love in the city's neighborhoods.
- Budgeting
- A careful traveler can expect to spend around $70–$100 USD per day (roughly ¥5,500–¥8,000 CNY), while a comfortable stay might run about $150–$250 USD (≈ ¥12,000–¥20,000 CNY). Accommodation and dining typically make up the biggest chunk of the budget, with public transit being the cheapest way to get around. To stretch your dollars, consider staying in neighborhoods like the Sunset or Richmond districts and using a Clipper card for discounted bus and train fares. Estimate →
Alcatraz Island
attraction · 4.7 rating
A former federal prison on an island in San Francisco Bay, now a national park site with tours of the cellhouse and grounds. Travelers visit for its notorious history and bay views.
Golden Gate Bridge
attraction · 4.7 rating
The world-famous suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait, a defining symbol of San Francisco. Travelers come to walk, photograph, and take in views of the bridge and bay.
PIER 39
attraction · 4.2 rating
A bustling waterfront marketplace on San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf featuring shops, restaurants, sea lions, and bay views, one of the city's top tourist attractions.
Fisherman's Wharf
attraction · 4.1 rating
A famous waterfront tourist district known for seafood, sea lions, and bay attractions. Travelers go for the lively atmosphere, dining, and views.
Lombard Street
attraction · 4.3 rating
A famous San Francisco street known for its steep, one-block section with eight sharp hairpin turns lined with landscaped gardens. Travelers visit to see and photograph the crooked, winding roadway and the views from atop the hill.
Golden Gate Park
park · 4.6 rating
A large urban park featuring gardens, museums, lakes, and open green space stretching across western San Francisco. Travelers come to stroll, picnic, and visit the many attractions within its grounds.
Ferry Building
market · 4.5 rating
A landmark marketplace and transit hub on the Embarcadero, filled with artisan food vendors and a farmers market. Travelers go for gourmet food shopping and waterfront views.
Chinatown San Francisco
attraction · 3.9 rating
The oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, filled with markets, temples, restaurants, and shops along its historic streets. Travelers come to explore its dense cultural atmosphere, food, and architecture.
Twin Peaks
attraction · 4.6 rating
Twin hilltops offering sweeping panoramic views of San Francisco and the Bay from one of the city's highest points. A must-visit viewpoint reached by car or a short walk.
California Academy of Sciences
museum · 4.5 rating · $49
A large natural history museum and science center in Golden Gate Park featuring an aquarium, planetarium, and living rainforest under one roof. Travelers visit for immersive exhibits spanning biology, space, and ecology.
Coit Tower
attraction · 4.2 rating · $11
An iconic Art Deco tower atop Telegraph Hill known for its Depression-era murals and panoramic views of San Francisco and the bay. Travelers go for the interior frescoes and the observation deck.
Palace of Fine Arts
attraction · 4.6 rating
A monumental Beaux-Arts rotunda and colonnade set beside a lagoon, originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. Travelers come to admire the grand architecture, stroll the grounds, and take photos.
Cable Car Museum
attraction · 4.5 rating
A museum housed in the working cable car powerhouse, displaying the machinery, historic cars, and history of San Francisco's iconic cable car system. Travelers come to learn about the city's transit heritage.
Ghirardelli Square
attraction · 4.1 rating
A historic former chocolate factory transformed into a waterfront shopping and dining complex near Fisherman's Wharf. Travelers visit for chocolate shops, restaurants, and bay views.
Exploratorium
museum · 4.6 rating · $39.95
A renowned interactive science and perception museum on Pier 15. Travelers go for hands-on exhibits appealing to all ages.
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