Top 15 Attractions And Things To Do In San Francisco

Share
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California

San Francisco is one of California’s principal cities, the focus of the Bay Area. The city is recognized for its liberal viewpoint, social diversity, scenic hills and stunning landmarks.

While San Francisco offers a multitude of sights, the city is a compact location on the end of a peninsula flanked by the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific shoreline. The city is divided into neighbourhoods or districts which offer travellers insight into its history and culture.

City view of San Francisco, California

City view of San Francisco, California

The historical centre is near the waterfront and Market Street and has cable cars that reach Nob Hill. The Western Additions withstood the San Francisco earthquake and encompasses the remaining Victorian homes.

San Francisco, California skyline

San Francisco, California skyline

Getting to San Francisco, California

Travelers can fly into three airports in the San Francisco area. San Francisco International, or SFO, 10 miles south, is the main international airport with many passenger services including cafes, shops, a medical clinic, and aid for travellers and military. It is the hub for United and Virgin America and offers direct service to Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Aerial view of San Francisco, California, USA

Aerial view of San Francisco, California, USA

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International, OAK, is located in Silicon Valley, a one hour trip from San Francisco.

Volaris, Alaska Airlines and Nippon Airlines fly internationally from this airport. Oakland International, OAK, is situated on the East Bay. This airport has flights to stops in the United States as well as Scandinavia and Mexico. It is Southwest Airline’s Hub.

San Francisco, CA, USA

San Francisco, CA, USA

Getting Around Francisco, California

San Francisco is easily navigated by various means of transportation. The city has one of the most inclusive transportation systems in the country with three major transportation systems with interchanges. Tickets are not transferrable between the three systems.

San Francisco tram car

San Francisco tram car

The three main transportation systems are the Muni, which provide subway, buses, street cars, cable cars and trolley buses inside San Francisco. BART, which is the district subway service within the Bay area, and Caltrain that offers the commuter rail to San Jose.

Downtown San Francisco, California

Downtown San Francisco, California

Travelling by taxi in the city is expensive. They are readily available in the area around Union Station. If planning to traverse by taxi to the airport, it is wise to call in advance to schedule the trip. It is very easy to pre-arrange your car rental pickup at the airport before you travel.

Skyscrapers in San Francisco, California

Skyscrapers in San Francisco, California

Where to Stay in Francisco, California

San Francisco’s accommodations vary from hostels to upscale hotels in the centre of the city. Many of the hotels are in the northeastern part of the city near Chinatown, Downtown and Fisherman’s Wharf as well as the districts.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, California

You can easily find hotels close to the San Francisco International Airport in nearby locations such as Burlingame, Brisbane, Millbrae and San Bruno.

Pier 14, San Francisco, California

Pier 14, San Francisco, California

You can easily find the best hotel deals in San Francisco by using our hotel comparison tool, which allows you to compare on stars, location, ratings and much more.

San Francisco, California at night

San Francisco, California at night

Attractions and Things to Do in Francisco, California

Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco has an array of unique attractions and things to do. The most identifiable one is the Golden Gate Bridge, which traverses the Golden Gate. It rises over the Presidio, an earlier military fort and picturesque park.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

The Palace of Fine Arts, constructed for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, is inside the Presidio.

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, California

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, California

Fisherman’s Wharf

Visitors can ride the cable cars on the hills between Fisherman’s Wharf and Market Street. The Santa Clara Stadium is host to the San Francisco 49ers home games.

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California

Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California

Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

San Francisco cable car system

San Francisco cable car system

San Francisco cable car system

Coit Tower

Two renowned towers dominate the landscape. The first is the Coit Tower, built to recognize firefighters, stands on Telegraph Hill.

Lillian Coit Memorial Tower (Coit Tower, San Francisco, California

Lillian Coit Memorial Tower (Coit Tower, San Francisco, California

Transamerica Pyramid

The second tower is the Transamerica Pyramid, which is San Francisco’s tallest building, which rises among the skyscrapers in the Financial District.

Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, California, USA

Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, California, USA

Alamo Square Park

The city’s skyline is prominently viewed from Alamo Square Park.

Lombard Street

The most crooked street in America is Lombard Street on Russian Hill.

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay

Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay

Visitors to San Francisco will find numerous activities. Taking a Boat tour is the primary way to view San Francisco including the bridges, the bay, the shoreline and the island of Alcatraz.

Sailing ships in San Francisco Bay

Sailing ships in San Francisco Bay

San Francisco’s Theatre and Arts

San Francisco’s theatre and arts diverse offerings are listed in the San Francisco Classical Voice, the Friends of Chamber Music and Music Examiner.

The varieties of performances include the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, concerts by the Lyric Opera and musicals from Los Angeles and Broadway at the Orpheum and Golden Gate Theater. Folk, jazz and rock music are presented at the Fillmore Auditorium and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

Museums

Legion of Honor (museum), San Francisco, California

Legion of Honor (museum), San Francisco, California

The San Francisco zoo

Another of San Francisco’s main attraction is its zoo. The San Francisco Zoo gets approximately 3,000,000 visitors yearly. This is the largest zoo in northern California with its location along the Pacific Ocean offering a spectacular view.

Restaurants

San Francisco has a wide variety of restaurants with a widespread price range. Popular choices are vegetarians and vegans. Other favourite cuisines are Sushi and Asian cuisine including Thai, Korean, Indian, Japanese, and Chinese.

The biggest Chinatown in North America has many excellent restaurants that serve up dim sum and other Chinese specialties.

Panorama view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge

Panorama view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge

City centre, San Francisco, California

City centre, San Francisco, California

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California

Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California

Festivals

San Francisco hosts a multiplicity of events and festivals. Cultural events include the Cherry Blossom Festival in April, the Fringe Festival of theatrical presentations after Labor Day, the Haight Ashbury Street Fair in June, the LovEvolution, an electronic music festival in October, the San Francisco Blues Festival in September, TET Festival in January and February and the Union Street Art Festival in June.

Union Square in San Francisco, California

Union Square in San Francisco, California

For fun, excitement, a multitude of things to do and lifetime memories, the unique San Francisco visit is a must!

Aerial view of San Francisco, California

Aerial view of San Francisco, California

San Francisco City Hall

San Francisco City Hall

Share

  • Trending
  • Shopping
  • Under $30
  • Best Sellers
  • Newest
  • Travel
  • Choose category
  • All categories
  • Best Sellers
  • Buying Guides
  • Deals
  • Featured
  • Funny
  • Gifts
  • Lifestyle
  • Photography
  • Reviews
  • Seasonal Gifts
  • Sponsored
  • Stories
  • Technology
  • Travel

Top 10 Wonders of The Ancient World

Stonehenge, England

Stonehenge in England Traditionally, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World included the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of ...

Top 10 Most Populated Cities in the World

Sunset, Shanghai, China

Shanghai, China skyline The world's population is growing more and more each year. Sometimes it feels like you can't get away from society. With social media, television, and smartphones, we ...

Bring Me Wine Fuzzy Pink Socks

why settle for a boring gift, when you can give them a fun pair of socks that they will appreciate for years to come. These “Bring Me Wine” socks are sure to be a huge hit at the next birthday ...

$9.99 $12.99 Check It Out
Show next

Widest
Widest

Widest.com provides the widest selection of travel and lifestyle tips, featuring gift ideas, deals and cool tech gadgets. If you have an article you'll like us to publish, you can submit a post to us. If you got a product, experience or service you'll like to promote, you can partner with us. This post/page may contain affiliate links and we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Share
Widest
Logo