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United States of America
Things to do in San Francisco
426 attractions · United States of America
Photo: Brocken Inaglory, Public domain
California, United States of America · 37.767, -122.433
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.
Good to know
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The city is built on 43 hills, many of which were leveled or graded in the 19th century to accommodate urban growth.
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San Francisco maintains the only publicly operated cable car system remaining in the world, which is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
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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'.
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It was originally named Yerba Buena before being renamed in 1847 to honor St. Francis of Assisi.
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The city's street grid does not follow the cardinal points of the compass in many neighborhoods due to the dramatic topography.
Plan your visit to San Francisco
Best time to visit
September to November, when the city experiences its warmest weather and the summer fog typically dissipates.
How many days
3-4 days to balance exploring major landmarks with neighborhood walking tours.
Getting around
A combination of the BART metro system for cross-town travel, the MUNI bus and light rail network, and the historic cable cars.
Where to stay
Union Square is centrally located for first-time visitors, while Nob Hill or Pacific Heights offer quieter, more residential atmospheres.
Budget
Expensive; the city consistently ranks among the most costly destinations in the United States for dining and lodging.
Highlights of San Francisco
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
PIER 39
Observe the resident California sea lions basking on the docks while browsing local waterfront shops.
Alcatraz Island
Tour the former federal penitentiary located on an island isolated by the strong currents of the bay.
Union Square
Visit the city's central commercial and transit hub for access to major retail outlets and galleries.
The Painted Ladies
View the row of ornate, multi-colored Victorian houses set against the backdrop of the modern city skyline.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Experience expansive galleries dedicated to contemporary and modern visual arts in the SoMa district.
Coit Tower
Ascend the historic landmark for panoramic 360-degree views of the cityscape and the Bay Bridge.
Twin Peaks
Reach the city's highest natural points for an unobstructed view of the urban landscape.
Japanese Tea Garden
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 426 most popular places in San Francisco.
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61
Parks Popular
Lake Merced Park
Lake Merced Park is a freshwater lake system surrounded by a 4.5-mile paved trail loop in southwest San Francisco. The a...
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62
Venues Popular
Golden Gate Theatre
The Golden Gate Theatre is a historic 2,297-seat venue located at the intersection of Taylor and Market Streets in San F...
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63
Parks Popular
Glen Canyon Park
Glen Canyon Park is a 70-acre natural refuge featuring Islais Creek, one of the last remaining free-flowing creeks in Sa...
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64
Museums Popular
SS Jeremiah O'Brien
The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is one of only two remaining fully operational Liberty ships from the World War II fleet of 2,71...
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65
Parks Popular
Duboce Park
Duboce Park is a hillside urban park located in the Duboce Triangle neighborhood, known for its expansive grassy lawns a...
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66
Places of interest Popular
Powell St & Market St
The intersection of Powell St and Market St serves as the primary gateway to downtown San Francisco and the historic cab...
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67
Venues Popular
The Curran Theatre
The Curran Theatre is a historic venue in San Francisco’s Union Square district, originally opened in 1922. The facility...
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68
Beaches and ponds Popular
Crissy Field East Beach
Crissy Field East Beach is a restored tidal marsh and beach area situated within the Presidio of San Francisco, offering...
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69
Playgrounds Popular
Koret Children's Playground
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70
Temples Popular
St. Dominic's Catholic Church
St. Dominic's Catholic Church in San Francisco is a prominent Dominican priory church constructed in the English Gothic...
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71
Parks Popular
Grandview Park
Grandview Park, locally known as Turtle Hill, is a 3.9-acre natural area in the Sunset District featuring a summit eleva...
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72
Parks Popular
Main Parade Lawn
Main Parade Lawn is a seven-acre open green space located at the historic heart of the Presidio of San Francisco. It ser...
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73
Zoos Popular
Bison Paddock
The Bison Paddock is a dedicated habitat located within Golden Gate Park that serves as a permanent home for a small her...
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74
Venues Known locally
Beach Blanket Babylon
Beach Blanket Babylon was a long-running, over-the-top musical comedy revue famous for its massive, satirical hats and p...
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75
Parks Known locally
Precita Park
Precita Park is a linear, four-block neighborhood park in the Bernal Heights district of San Francisco. It features a de...
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76
Parks Known locally
Little Marina Green Picnic Area
Little Marina Green Picnic Area is a waterfront park located on the northern edge of San Francisco, offering direct view...
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77
Parks Known locally
Queen Wilhelmina Garden
The Queen Wilhelmina Garden is located at the western edge of Golden Gate Park, centered around the historic Dutch Windm...
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78
Places of interest Known locally
The Wave Organ
The Wave Organ is a wave-activated acoustic sculpture situated on a jetty in the San Francisco Bay. Built in 1986 by the...
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79
Places of interest Known locally
Hidden Garden Steps
The Hidden Garden Steps are a public art installation featuring 148 steps adorned with detailed mosaic tiles. Completed...
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80
Temples Known locally
St. Ignatius Parish
St. Ignatius Church is a prominent Jesuit parish church located on the campus of the University of San Francisco. Comple...
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81
Parks Known locally
Huntington Park
Huntington Park is a formally landscaped urban square situated at the crest of Nob Hill. Its centerpiece is the Florenti...
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82
Places of interest Known locally
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! in San Francisco is a long-standing gallery of oddities located in the heart of Fisherman's...
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83
Temples Known locally
Saints Peter and Paul Church
Saints Peter and Paul Church is a prominent Italian Romanesque Revival landmark located in San Francisco's North Beach n...
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84
Parks Known locally
San Bruno Mountain State Park
San Bruno Mountain State & County Park is a 2,800-acre open space reserve located on a prominent peak overlooking the Sa...
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85
Natural attractions Known locally
Lower Great Highway Trail
The Lower Great Highway Trail follows a stretch of San Francisco's western coastline, terminating near the historic Sutr...
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86
Places of interest Known locally
Balmy Alley
Balmy Alley is the oldest continuously curated mural site in San Francisco, located in the heart of the Mission District...
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87
Venues Known locally
San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center
The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center is one of the largest performing arts complexes in the United St...
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88
Parks Known locally
Tank Hill Park
Tank Hill Park is a compact 2.8-acre hilltop green space situated in the Corona Heights and Twin Peaks neighborhoods of...
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89
Historical places Known locally
Pier 35 (1914)
Pier 35 serves as one of San Francisco's primary cruise ship terminals, situated on the northeastern waterfront. The str...
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90
Parks Known locally
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is California's first urban state recreation area, situated on the western shore...
Around San Francisco
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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San Francisco on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in San Francisco?
Aventuro lists 426 curated attractions in and around San Francisco, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in San Francisco?
PIER 39 is the most popular place to visit in San Francisco right now.
What kind of attractions does San Francisco have?
The largest category is parks, with 125 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago.
Explore more of United States of America
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
