Must-See San Francisco Attractions: The 10 Bestand much more!

Discover the top spots to explore in SF with insider tips from a resident.

San Francisco is brimming with stunning and legendary sights. I’ve visited every location mentioned in this guide. Below is my curated selection of the top attractions to explore in San Francisco.

Some of them are definitely touristy—no doubt about it! Yet they’re incredibly enjoyable; their popularity as attractions is well-deserved!

Alcatraz: the haunting remnants of the former federal penitentiary.
The Golden Gate Bridge: a stunning emblem of the city.
Is Lombard Street truly the most winding street on the planet?
Fisherman’s Wharf: a hub for maritime vessels and fresh ocean cuisine.
Pier 39: San Francisco’s compact entertainment hub, home to playful sea lions.
Chinatown: a captivating blend of culture and rich historical heritage.
Golden Gate Park: home to museums, scenic lakes, a tranquil tea garden, and other attractions.
Twin Peaks: the ultimate 360-degree panorama of San Francisco.
The Painted Ladies: charming Victorian homes and the iconic backdrop of Full House.
Hold tight and ascend San Francisco’s iconic slopes aboard The Cable Cars!
San Francisco’s Beaches. The city boasts numerous stunning beaches offering spectacular scenery. Just remember to pack a jacket.

Along with several prominent attractions, as well as a few hidden gems…

Explore my curated selection of top-rated city tours, along with useful planning advice.

1. Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island stands out as San Francisco’s top tourist destination.

Every year, more than a million visitors travel to the island to discover Alcatraz’s prison and gardens. The experience includes walking through the historic cell block and viewing the quarters where Al Capone was held.

The ticket includes an audio tour that guides visitors through the prison, offering intriguing details about the inmates and their efforts to escape.

Exploring the various Alcatraz tour options and tips for securing tickets efficiently.
Planning your trip to Alcatraz.
How to secure tickets for Alcatraz when they are no longer available.

2. The Golden Gate Bridge stands as an iconic structure.

Few landmarks rival the Golden Gate Bridge in sheer iconic status. Experiencing it firsthand is just as breathtaking as the images suggest, if not more.

You can appreciate it from various spots around the city or stroll over it for the most stunning perspectives. Enjoy a boat tour directly beneath it or cycle across it to the picturesque town of Sausalito.

Everything you need to know about the Golden Gate Bridge: directions, walking tours, dining spots, souvenir shops, and more.
Top spots to see the bridge.
Top spots for parking near the bridge (including free options!).
The story behind the construction of the bridge.

3. Lombard Street

Is Lombard Street the most winding street globally? Not quite, but it’s certainly among the most picturesque! San Francisco boasts an even more serpentine road than Lombard.

Stroll along it, cruise down it, or take a bright yellow Go Car for a spin. Featured in a Hitchcock movie, a television show, and a spine-chilling ghost story.

4. Fisherman’s Wharf

Explore one of San Francisco’s most historic districts, where Italian fishermen have hauled in their daily catch for generations—and continue to do so today.

Savor fresh seafood and a charming waterfront atmosphere. Ride a cable car, stop by Madam Tussauds, and indulge in clam chowder from the Boudin Bakery. Discover historic vessels and a submarine from WWII. Take bay cruises or hop on a ferry to Sausalito, all departing from this spot.

Discover everything you can experience at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Explore the delicious chocolate and dining options available at Ghirardelli Square.
Experience vintage arcade games at Musée Mécanique.

5. Pier 39

Is Pier 39 worth a visit? While locals might skip it, the pier offers plenty of entertainment. You’ll find diverse dining options, arcade games, quirky mazes, an Italian carousel, souvenir stores, magic performances, musical steps, a great aquarium, bay tours, various rides, and more. Best of all are the sea lions—a personal highlight.

Make sure you don’t skip this, particularly if you’re visiting the city for the first time.

6. The district known as Chinatown

San Francisco boasts one of the world’s most historic and expansive Chinatowns. Stepping into it feels like traveling to another realm. It’s an ideal spot for enjoying dim sum, discovering unique goods, and immersing yourself in a vibrant cultural experience.

Discover the best sights and attractions in Chinatown.
Shopping advice for Chinatown.
Best places to dine in Chinatown.
Top-rated walking tours in Chinatown.
The intriguing and shadowy past of Chinatown.
Ring in the Lunar New Year festivities in Chinatown.

7. Golden Gate Park

San Francisco’s expansive urban park surpasses the size of New York City’s Central Park.

Nestled on the city’s western edge, this lush retreat features scenic lakes for boating, diverse museums, vibrant gardens, creative art studios, and numerous sports activities. Visitors can also spot a bison herd, enjoy playgrounds, ride a carousel, and explore countless other attractions. With so much to experience, fully discovering everything would easily span several days.

Explore my insider’s guide to Golden Gate Park: top attractions to visit and hidden gems beyond the usual paths, featuring:

The Japanese Tea Garden is a serene landscape featuring traditional elements like koi ponds, stone lanterns, and winding pathways. It offers a peaceful retreat with meticulously maintained plants and tranquil water features, embodying the essence of Japanese garden design. Visitors can enjoy the harmony of nature while experiencing the cultural significance of tea ceremonies held within the space.
The de Young museum of fine arts
The California Academy of Sciences museum
The Conservatory of Flowers
Arboretum: San Francisco’s Botanical Garden
Golden Gate Park’s Gardens
Boating at Stow Lake
Exploring the park on horseback
A disc golf layout
Archery practice at the park

8. Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks stands as the highest natural point in the city (second only to the Salesforce Tower). These two prominent hills, located centrally, offer an unparalleled 360-degree panorama of the entire urban landscape.

9. The iconic Painted Ladies

The iconic line of pastel-colored Victorian homes, frequently captured in photographs and featured on postcards and posters, is also recognized as the setting for the opening sequence of Full House.

Why these Victorians, among countless other picturesque women in the city? Perhaps it’s due to the urban skyline behind them.

Where have all the women gone?Locate them on the 700 block of Steiner Street near Alamo Square park. Use the GPS address 710 Steiner Street, or ride the Muni bus #21-Hayes and exit at the Hayes & Steiner stop. Check the #21 route map for details.

10. The Cable Cars

The cable cars in San Francisco are the oldest continuously operating amusement ride, though they serve as actual transit. It’s incredible how these massive vehicles are hauled up the city’s steep inclines by hidden underground cables. A must-try experience!

Discover my advice for riding the cable cars and the top routes to take.

And 11. The Coastal Shores of San Francisco

San Francisco boasts numerous stunning beaches. While not typically the first image that comes to mind when imagining the city, it’s hardly unexpected given its location on a peninsula.

The most remarkable features of our beaches are the breathtaking cityscapes and the stunning vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge that greet visitors. These shores, however, are not ideal for swimming or sunbathing like those in Southern California—expect chilly waters instead!

Ocean Beach. Spanning the entire western boundary of the city, it stands as the largest beach in the area. A top choice among surfers.
Baker Beach. The iconic vantage point offering the bridge’s most celebrated panoramic scene.
China Beach. A compact shoreline nestled within a private, upscale community.
Fort Funston. Located just beyond the southern edge of the city. A popular spot for hang-gliders and dog lovers alike.
Aquatic Park. Located near Fisherman’s Wharf. The sole beach in San Francisco where swimming is considered safe.
Chrissy Beach. A spacious shoreline stretching from Fisherman’s Wharf to the bridge. Offers an excellent vantage point of the bridge!
Marshall’s Beach. The nearest shoreline to the bridge and also a clothing-optional beach.
Mile Rock Beach. A small, pebbled shoreline located in Lands End. Offers stunning vistas.

Swimming at most beaches in San Francisco is considered unsafe.Due to powerful currents and dangerous rip currents. Check out my safety advice for preventing these issues.

Additional Points of Interest

The Embarcadero: the waterfront walkway lining San Francisco’s shoreline.
The interactive science museum.
The Ferry Building: hop on a boat or savor delicious bites.
Japantown: a vibrant district filled with Japanese stores and an authentic Japanese atmosphere.
The Haight Ashbury: a vibrant district known for its bohemian vibe and eclectic stores.
Lands End; pathways near the bay’s edge, offering breathtaking vistas of the bridge.
SF Zoo; lions, tigers, bears—oh my!
Muir Woods: breathtaking redwoods just a half-hour drive from the city.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk: classic, coastal amusement by the sea.
SF Hikes: Lands End, Mount Davidson, Tank Hill, Mount Sutro, Billy Goat Hill
The Lyon Street Steps: ascend the meticulously designed staircase along Billionaire’s Row in Pacific Heights, offering stunning vistas of the bay.
Finally, don’t miss the chance to experience the Seward Street slides!

Tired of dealing with the hassle of finding a parking spot?Discover my collection of 10+ attractions featuring spacious, complimentary parking areas. Yes, they’re real!

Discover the ideal parking locations near top tourist destinations.

Suggestions for organizing your journey

Navigating San Francisco and the Bay Area is easy with this guide. Learn about buses, trolleys, cable cars, and ferries, along with tips for purchasing tickets.
San Francisco’s climate. We adore our fog, but what’s the reality most days?
Is San Francisco secure for visitors? Examine the statistics in detail and discover the districts that residents steer clear of. Learn which areas are safe and how to prevent potential issues.
Where should you stay in San Francisco? Check out my suggestions for the most secure neighborhoods, ideal spots for newcomers and families, as well as lively districts.
Exploring the world without breaking the bank? Tips for cutting costs during your trip.
Master the art of parking like a true San Franciscan with insider tips from a local.

Exploring the City

SF City Tours via bus and van

Looking for a guided tour of the city? You’ll find plenty of options, but I’ve selected a fewtop-rated excursions for exploring the city.

This is an excellent choice for newcomers, particularly to gain a broad understanding of the main attractions, enabling deeper discovery at a later time.

Painted Ladies SF City Tour. Experience a unique way to explore the top sights in a VW bus, complete with a touch of white wine. Duration: 2 hours.
Explore the city in a luxury van with an intimate group. The comprehensive tour features sights like Twin Peaks and other highlights.
Discover San Francisco’s famous landmarks on an intimate small group tour, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge to wander among the towering redwoods of Muir Woods and stroll through the charming coastal town of Sausalito.

Hop On Hop Off bus tours provide a flexible way to explore a city, allowing passengers to disembark at any stop and rejoin the tour on a later bus. These tours typically follow set routes that cover major attractions, offering commentary about landmarks and points of interest. Travelers can enjoy the convenience of unlimited rides within a specified period, making it easy to visit multiple sites at their own pace. The buses often feature open-top decks for unobstructed views, enhancing the sightseeing experience. Hop On Hop Off tours are popular in many urban destinations, catering to tourists who want a hassle-free way to discover a city’s highlights.

Explore the city from a different perspective by riding a Hop On Hop Off bus.

They transport you across the city in a large loop, offering insights about the landmarks along the way, with the flexibility to hop off and explore each attraction at your own pace.

Explore Go Car tours for an unforgettable adventure, discovering sights and attractions in a fun, unique way. These compact, open-air vehicles let you navigate at your own pace while enjoying the freedom to stop whenever you desire. Perfect for sightseeing, Go Car tours provide an engaging experience with built-in GPS guides that share interesting facts and stories about the locations you visit. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, it’s a fantastic way to see the city from a fresh perspective.

We thoroughly enjoyed driving the small yellow Go Cars through the urban streets.

The experience is like having a GPS-led excursion as you drive. It provides directions and shares fascinating details about the landmarks and sights along your route.

Discover our Go Car adventures and learn from our errors (!), explore the maps, or reserve a Go Car.

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