San Francisco offers a lot of attractions, but they are quite spread out and often require significant travel time, due to the limited subway system and heavy traffic.
We’ve gathered some key things to do in San Francisco to help you plan ahead and make the most of your time so you can see as much of this beautiful city as possible!
The Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most well-known landmarks in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge, which you can walk across to get to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This waterfront promenade offers excellent views of the bridge and a Walt Disney museum. There is limited parking near the bridge, so public buses which run regularly from the city are recommended.
Crissy Field
From the Golden Gate Bridge you can head to Crissy Field, which features a beautiful beach, restaurants, parks, and some amazing views of the harbor.
The Palace of Fine Arts
The outdoor rotunda and lagoon at The Palace of Fine Arts are some of San Francisco’s most photographed areas. This is a great spot to enjoy a picnic, and you can also play giant Jenga, ping pong, and more here.
Alcatraz
Highly recommended is a visit to the island of Alcatraz, formerly the home of some of the worst criminals in America. Book the ferry to the island and take part in one of the guided walking tours of the jail, while enjoying views of the city. Just look out for cockroaches!
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf runs along the waterfront and is one of the most popular things to do for tourists. The wharf has loads of street performers, shops and restaurants, however they are very expensive, so keep that in mind. The best eats are back in the city, especially the vegan Mexican burritos – they will blow your mind!
Cable Cars
More for the experience as opposed to a form of transport, you have to ride the iconic cable cars while you tour around the city and neighborhoods of San Francisco. They are also a handy way to get up and down those steep hills. A ticket will set you back around $7USD, but the City Pass public transport cards does include the cable cars.
Planning ahead with your transport is key to getting as much out of your trip to San Francisco as possible, so be sure to do a lot of research before you travel.