aventuro
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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181
Natural attractions Known locally
Philosopher's Way Trailhead
Philosopher's Way is a 2.7-mile loop trail located within John McLaren Park, San Francisco's second-largest park. The tr...
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182
Parks Known locally
George Christopher Playground Park
George Christopher Playground is a neighborhood park located in the Diamond Heights district of San Francisco. The site...
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183
Temples Known locally
St. Peter's Catholic Church
St. Peter's Catholic Church, located in the Mission District of San Francisco, serves as a cornerstone of the local Lati...
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184
Natural attractions Known locally
Interior Greenbelt
The Interior Greenbelt is a secluded urban forest managed by San Francisco Recreation and Parks, featuring a natural cre...
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185
Parks Known locally
Giants Promenade
The Giants Promenade is an elevated walkway wrapping around Oracle Park at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, offering panoramic view...
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186
Natural attractions Known locally
Hippie Hill
Hippie Hill is a celebrated counterculture landmark located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. It served as a major fo...
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187
Playgrounds Known locally
Larsen Playground
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188
Venues Known locally
BATS Improv Theatre
BATS Improv Theatre is a long-standing performance space located in Fort Mason Center, dedicated exclusively to unscript...
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189
Historical places Known locally
Russian Hill-Macondray Lane Historic District
The Russian Hill-Macondray Lane Historic District is a pedestrian-only, cobblestone alleyway in San Francisco that serve...
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190
Historical places Known locally
Battery Chamberlin
Battery Chamberlin is a historic coastal defense site located in the Presidio of San Francisco that features a rare 6-in...
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191
Historical places Known locally
Pier 1
Pier 1 is a historic maritime pier situated along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, California. Originally constructed t...
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192
Parks Known locally
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside Conservatory is a historic wood-framed, glass-walled structure originally constructed in 1898 and relocated to...
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193
Parks Known locally
Esmeralda Slide Park
Esmeralda Slide Park is a hidden neighborhood pocket park in San Francisco's Bernal Heights district featuring two paral...
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194
Historical places Known locally
Martin Luther King Memorial
The Martin Luther King Memorial in San Francisco, officially known as 'Waterfall', is located in the Yerba Buena Gardens...
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195
Parks Known locally
Crissy Field Marsh
Crissy Field Marsh is a restored 18-acre saltwater tidal marsh located within the Presidio of San Francisco. It serves a...
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196
Parks Known locally
Bayview Park
Bayview Park is a 32-acre natural open space located in the Bayview-Hunters Point district of San Francisco. The park is...
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197
Places of interest Hidden gem
Peace Pagoda
The Peace Pagoda in San Francisco is a five-tiered, 100-foot concrete monument designed by Japanese architect Yoshiro Ta...
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198
Historical places Hidden gem
Fort Miley
Fort Miley is a historic military reservation situated on the northern headlands of San Francisco within the Golden Gate...
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199
Venues Hidden gem
Exit Theatre
The Exit Theatre is a longtime San Francisco venue located at 277 Taylor Street in the Tenderloin district, known for ho...
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200
Temples Hidden gem
Eglise Notre Dame Des Victoires
Eglise Notre Dame Des Victoires is a historic Roman Catholic parish church located at 566 Bush Street in San Francisco's...
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201
Places of interest Hidden gem
Lotta's Fountain
Lotta's Fountain is San Francisco's oldest surviving monument, located at the intersection of Market, Kearny, and Geary...
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202
Venues Hidden gem
The Gateway Theatre
The Gateway Theatre is an intimate 150-seat performance venue located at 215 Jackson Street in San Francisco's Financial...
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203
Venues Hidden gem
Audium-Theatre of Sound
Audium is a unique theater designed specifically for sound movement, featuring a performance space equipped with 176 spe...
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204
Temples Hidden gem
Church of Epiphany SF
The Church of the Epiphany is a Roman Catholic parish located in the Excelsior district of San Francisco at 827 Vienna S...
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205
Temples Hidden gem
Tin How Temple
Established in 1852, Tin How Temple is the oldest surviving Taoist temple in California and one of the oldest Chinese te...
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206
Parks Hidden gem
Koshland Park
Koshland Park is a neighborhood green space in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley that functions as a center for environmental...
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207
Parks Hidden gem
Brooks Park
Brooks Park is a 1.25-acre neighborhood park located in the Merced Heights district of San Francisco. It is distinguishe...
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208
Parks Hidden gem
Jose Coronado Playground Park
Jose Coronado Playground is a compact urban recreational space located in San Francisco’s Mission District. The facility...
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209
Parks Hidden gem
Koret Quad
Koret Quad is a modern landscaped open space located in the Mission Bay campus of the University of California, San Fran...
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210
Parks Hidden gem
Mission Bay Commons Park
Mission Bay Commons Park is a landscaped urban green space acting as a central corridor within the Mission Bay neighborh...
Around San Francisco
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Jump straight to what you're into.
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.
