35 Best Things to do in San Francisco! (+ Secret Gems)

Don’t miss the very best parts of San Francisco, read these Best Things to do in San Francisco Bay Area before you go!

Then… finish planning your California adventure with these must-try Los Angeles Travel Tips and San Diego Travel Tips!

Best Things to do in San Francisco

So are you planning a trip to San Francisco – Home to the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and amazing Seafood?? 😉

I’ve put together a list of the Best Things to do in San Francisco Bay Area to help you plan your trip!

My family has visited San Francisco so many times and we always have such a fabulous time!  Nothing beats a sunny day down by the bay, or a seafood inspired lunch at one of the many iconic piers.

So sit back, relax, and have some fun reading about all of the fun things to do in San Francisco.

After all, it’s never too early to start planning or dreaming about your next adventure…

Related: How to Travel for Free or Cheap (21 Best Budget Travel Hacks)

Let’s start off with my top picks for the Best Things to do in San Francisco!

As a former Northern California resident, I’ve visited San Francisco several times.  And every visit I discover more hidden gems!

So here are my top picks for how to spend a day (or a few days) in this beautiful city…

Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge is always a fun experience, but did you know you can walk across it, too?

Just keep in mind that parking is limited by the bridge, so you may want to consider taking an Uber or Lyft and getting dropped off at one end.

Then get more great views of the bridge later from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Point and Torpedo Wharf.

Fort Point National Historic Site

You won’t want to miss Fort Point.  It’s a National Historic Site built in 1853, and is so fun to walk around and explore.

Plus, you’ll get stellar views of the Golden Gate Bridge, too!

Fort Point is practically located under the Golden Gate Bridge…

Drive the Crookedest Street in the World

No trip to San Francisco is complete without driving crooked Lombard Street hairpin turns.

Thank goodness for power steering!

Ride a Trolley Street Car

You can catch a vintage version along the north waterfront.

Visit The Painted Ladies

So what are the Painted Ladies?

Well, they’re a row of stunning homes with exquisite Queen Anne architectural design!

You might recognize them from several movies, or even the Full House tv show!

For the best view and photos, visit Alamo Square Park during golden hour (the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset).

Then be sure to check out more Victorian Homes in San Francisco!

Go For a Walk at the Palace of Fine Arts

Located at 3601 Lyon Street, in the Marina district, you’ll find the regal Palace of Fine Arts.

It is an iconic landmark, surrounded by a peaceful lagoon, and the perfect place for a relaxing walk.

Built in 1915, this breathtaking landmark shows off intricate beauty around every corner!

Watch the Sea Lions Relax at Pier 39

Make sure to swing by pier 39 to watch the silly, slippery, barking sea lions put on a free show!

Depending on the day, you may see a few… or you may see a few hundred!

Check out the infamous Alcatraz Island

If you can’t get a reservation for Alcatraz, try a harbor cruise instead.

Nothing beats getting out on the water!

Tour the USS Pampanito Submarine (FREE with National Park Pass)

Indulge in Fresh Baked Sourdough Bread

Try the sourdough bread at the Boudin Bakery at Fishermans Wharf… you won’t be disappointed!

Fill Up on Seafood at Fishermans Wharf & Pier 39

We loved the Fish Sandwich at Frankie’s Pier 43!  We also enjoyed a nice view of Alcatraz while enjoying our sandwich.

If you won’t be heading to Ghirardelli Square for dessert, try the beignets here, too!

Frankie’s Pier 43

Treat Yourself to Dessert at Ghiradelli Square

We shared the Brownie Sundae… yums!

Visit the Walt Disney Family Museum

It is conveniently located at the San Francisco Presidio, just blocks from the waterfront and close to the Golden Gate Bridge.

More San Francisco Things To Do

Then… be sure to also check out even more amazing things to do in San Francisco shared by your frugal friends…

Laura said: “Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, go to Alcatraz.”

Lisa said: “Lombard, Alcatraz, Painted Ladies, Golden Gate, and take the Open Bus Top tour of the city.”

Skye said: “Lombard Street, Pier 39, Alcatraz tour”

Jessica said: “Book tickets for Alcatraz at least 2-4 weeks prior. They sell out! (alcatraztickets.com)”

Adriana said: “Definitely take the Open Bus Top tour of the city! Then you’ll know what spots you really want to go back and see…. and you will at least see all spots briefly!”

San Francisco Bay from Fort Point

Tosha said: “Ghirardelli Square is a MUST. They have the most amazing chocolate!”

Sharien said: “Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory and of course get some wonderful clam chowder in a bread bowl by the wharf.
Just thinking about it makes me want to go back it’s so beautiful there.”

Tammy said: “Get the Go Card – there are several wine tasting and winery tours which are fabulous! Alcatraz is a must! Pier 39 is awesome – lots to do for adults and kids.  There is a great water aquarium there that you can walk through, and sharks swim over and under you.  Have fun!”

Carrie said: “The Stinkin Rose Restaurant, Coit Tower, a Boat Tour, and a Trolley Tour.”

Andrea said: “San Francisco Zoo, Steinhart Museum and Aquarium.  Both are in Golden Gate Park.  Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Sausalito.”

Janet said: “The Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park is also pretty cool. Lombard Street, Cable Car, the Wharf, the Presidio, Steiner Street.  But a MUST is the Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.”

Holly said: “Visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Fun!”

Jessica said: “Chinatown.”

Lori said: “Go up the trails around Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, there are some little waterfalls and beautiful views.  Coit Tower, Lombard, Hollywood Cafe for breakfast, Marin Headlands, and Muir Woods.”

Where to Eat in San Francisco

Sarah writes: “Getting Shrimp Louis on the Fisherman’s Wharf is delicious.”

Terrie writes: “Pinecrest Diner.  Sanraku has some great lunch specials, it has Japanese food, Sushi, and my favorite Sanraku Chicken.”

Tammy writes: “Stop and have lunch at one of the Pier 39 restaurants that overlooks the seals sunning themselves.”

Jim writes: “Look on Diners Drive-ins & Dives map for great spots to eat!”

With all the time spent outside down by the waterfront and exploring all over town… you just might be needing a caffeine fix!  There are so many Starbucks locations all around the San Francisco and the Bay Area, so check this out…

Starbucks Money Saving Hacks

Save BIG when you use my frugal Eat Out Cheap Ideas.  Making a trip to your favorite restaurant is about to get a whole lot more fun!

Things to Do Near San Francisco California

• Hike through Muir Woods
• Walk around the Floating Homes in Sausalito
• Ride the Roller Coasters at Six Flags Theme Park
• Take a Jelly Belly Factory Tour

How To Visit San Francisco On A Budget

So You’re Planning a Trip to San Francisco?  To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead.  One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your  ‘San Francisco Trip Fund’.

Need to increase your travel fund stash?  One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time!  Here are my favorite tricks for ramping up the vacation budget…

27 Side Hustles Ideas

How to Get Cheap Flights To San Francisco and Northern California

35 Southwest Airlines Hacks (What To Know BEFORE You Fly)

25 American Airlines Flight Hacks (Weird Tricks Everyone Should Know)

23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks (Savvy Travel Hacking Ideas)

Where to Stay in and around San Francisco

Wondering how to plan the perfect hotel stay for your next vacation?  It’s so much easier than you think!

Don’t book your next hotel without knowing these secrets shared by Hotel Staff and Frequent Travelers…

75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know

In addition to hotels, I also recommend staying at a VRBO when visiting San Francisco to save BIG on your trip.  VRBO has so many vacation rentals listed by owner, and they can be such a great way to find nice lodging that is way less expensive than the hotels.

I’ve personally stayed at multiple VRBO’s, and loved every one.

Not only were they often significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came fully stocked with convenient amenities that saved us SO much money!

Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO?  These little known hacks will save you SO much money!  Check this out…

How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO

More Budget San Francisco Vacation Tips

21 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars and Rideshare

How To Save On Gas (Genius Hacks)

Military Discounts for Travel

How to Travel for Free or Cheap (21 Brilliant Budget Travel Hacks)

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Dreaming of more California vacations?

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So… have YOU ever been to San Francisco before?

What are some of your favorite places to see, food to eat, and things to do, etc?

Leave a comment & share!