Sylvia KlimakiDiscover 5 unforgettable things to do in San Francisco
That makes it very easy to see and do a great many things in a short period of time. See iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and PIER 39, or tour one of our iconic neighborhoods such as the Mission District or Castro. The choice is yours.
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world, manages to impress even the most experienced travelers with its stunning 1.7-mile span, offering sweeping views of the Bay, Alcatraz Island and the city skyline. Approximately 120,000 automobiles drive across it every day. A pedestrian walkway also allows crossing on foot, and bikes are allowed on the western side.
Ride a San Francisco Cable Car
Cable cars have been transporting people around San Francisco since the late 19th century. The cars run on tracks and are moved by an underground cable along three routes. Their familiar bells can be heard ringing from blocks away. Each one-way trip ($9) will provide spectacular views of the city’s celebrated hills and an exhilarating ride.
Tour Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz, the notorious former prison, is located on the island of the same name in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Some of the United States’ most notorious criminals were incarcerated there. Though several tried, no inmate ever made a successful escape from “The Rock.”
The prison was closed in the 1960s and stories about Alcatraz are legendary. A visit to Alcatraz today is fascinating. Recorded cell-house tours are available, allowing visitors to learn about the prison as they explore the buildings and grounds.
To reach the island, take an Alcatraz Cruises ferry from Pier 33. Advance reservations are recommended. If you don’t feel like visiting and just wants to see if from the outside, you can take a cruise that goes around the Island.
Attend San Francisco Outdoor Festivals
Outdoor festivals are a popular San Francisco activity for people of all ages. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival takes place during the summer months, hosting dining, shopping and cultural activities for the whole family. The Stern Grove Festival, a San Francisco tradition since 1938, is a free outdoor music festival that has welcomed performers like The Doobie Brothers, Talib Kweli, and more.
Visit Golden Gate Park for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival, which happens every October, and Outside Lands Music Festival, which happens in August. If you’re looking to dance the night away, check out Portola Music Festival which occurs in September.
Folsom Street Fair and Carnaval are also great festivals to explore San Francisco culture.
Picnic in Golden Gate or Dolores Park
It’s always a great idea to picnic in the park before Karl the Fog rolls in. Dolores Park is the perfect place to enjoy sunny afternoons. With nearly 16 acres of grass, you can play, lounge, and people watch, all with a gorgeous view of the city. After your visit to the park, enjoy a walk around the surrounding Mission neighborhood.
You can also picnic in the iconic Golden Gate Park, where you’ll find scenic spots at the Conservatory of Flowers and outside the California Academy of Sciences. Here are some other best places to have a picnic in San Francisco.
Amandine Lhoste
Calin Van Paris
Alexis Parker
Marie Courtois