Things to do in San Francisco
- The city is built on 43 hills, many of which were leveled or graded in the 19th century to accommodate urban growth.
- San Francisco maintains the only publicly operated cable car system remaining in the world, which is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
- The city has a unique microclimate caused by the collision of cold Pacific air and warm inland temperatures, frequently resulting in dense fog known as 'Karl'.
- It was originally named Yerba Buena before being renamed in 1847 to honor St. Francis of Assisi.
- The city's street grid does not follow the cardinal points of the compass in many neighborhoods due to the dramatic topography.
About San Francisco
San Francisco is a major financial and cultural center located on a narrow peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. Renowned for its steep hills and iconic Victorian architecture, such as the colorful homes at [465] The Painted Ladies, the city serves as a global hub for technological innovation. Visitors can explore maritime history at [48] PIER 39 or delve into world-class art collections at the [31227] San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The city's geography offers elevated vistas of the surrounding bay area, most notably from the vantage points at [306] Twin Peaks.
Highlights of San Francisco
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Observe the resident California sea lions basking on the docks while browsing local waterfront shops.
Historical places
Tour the former federal penitentiary located on an island isolated by the strong currents of the bay.
Historical places
Visit the city's central commercial and transit hub for access to major retail outlets and galleries.
Historical places
View the row of ornate, multi-colored Victorian houses set against the backdrop of the modern city skyline.
Museums
Experience expansive galleries dedicated to contemporary and modern visual arts in the SoMa district.
Historical places
Ascend the historic landmark for panoramic 360-degree views of the cityscape and the Bay Bridge.
Parks
Reach the city's highest natural points for an unobstructed view of the urban landscape.
Parks
Walk through the oldest public Japanese-style garden in the United States, featuring koi ponds and pagodas.
Top things to do in San Francisco
The 348 highest-rated places in San Francisco, ranked by travellers.
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Places of interest
PIER 39 is a prominent 45-acre waterfront destination in San Francisco known for its resident California sea lion colony...
2
Historical places
Alcatraz Island is a former federal penitentiary located 1.25 miles off the coast of San Francisco, managed by the Natio...
3
Historical places
Union Square is the central retail and public plaza of San Francisco, bounded by Geary, Powell, Post, and Stockton Stree...
4
Historical places
The Painted Ladies are a row of seven Victorian and Edwardian houses located at 710–720 Steiner Street in San Francisco....
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Parks
Mission Dolores Park serves as a primary public gathering space in San Francisco, spanning approximately 16 acres across...
6
Museums
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is the first museum on the West Coast dedicated exclusively to modern an...
7
Historical places
Coit Tower is a 210-foot Art Deco fluted concrete column located at the summit of Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. Commi...
8
Parks
Twin Peaks serves as a high-altitude vantage point in San Francisco, offering a 360-degree panorama of the Bay Area from...
9
Parks
The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, originally created a...
10
Zoos
The San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre facility located on the southwestern edge of the city, bordering the Pacific Ocean....
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Museums
The de Young Museum is a premier fine-arts institution located within Golden Gate Park, housed in a distinctive copper-c...
12
Parks
The San Francisco Botanical Garden spans 55 acres within Golden Gate Park, housing over 8,000 distinct plant species fro...
13
Museums
The Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory located on Pier 15 along the San Francisco Embarcadero. It functions a...
14
Places of interest
Chinatown San Francisco is the oldest in North America and the largest outside of Asia. Established in 1848, it covers a...
15
Museums
The Cable Car Museum is located in the historic Washington-Mason powerhouse and carbarn, which serves as the active hub...
16
Parks
Crissy Field is a former military airfield transformed into a 100-acre waterfront park managed by the National Park Serv...
17
Venues
The Orpheum Theatre is a historic landmark in San Francisco's Civic Center, primarily known as a major venue for Broadwa...
18
Parks
Pioneer Park is situated atop Telegraph Hill in San Francisco and serves as the immediate grounds for the iconic Coit To...
19
Museums
The Legion of Honor is a fine arts museum situated in Lincoln Park, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific O...
20
Museums
The California Academy of Sciences is a multi-disciplinary research institution and museum housed under a 2.5-acre livin...
21
Beaches and ponds
Pacifica State Beach, also known as Linda Mar Beach, is a crescent-shaped coastline located in Pacifica, California. It...
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Historical places
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Parks
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Parks
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Museums
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Parks
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Museums
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Places of interest
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Places of interest
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Natural attractions
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San Francisco on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to San Francisco
September to November, when the city experiences its warmest weather and the summer fog typically dissipates.
3-4 days to balance exploring major landmarks with neighborhood walking tours.
A combination of the BART metro system for cross-town travel, the MUNI bus and light rail network, and the historic cable cars.
Union Square is centrally located for first-time visitors, while Nob Hill or Pacific Heights offer quieter, more residential atmospheres.
Expensive; the city consistently ranks among the most costly destinations in the United States for dining and lodging.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 348 curated attractions in and around San Francisco, ranked by traveller ratings.
PIER 39 is the highest-rated place to visit in San Francisco right now.
The largest category is parks, with 95 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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