If you have a layover in San Francisco or are just looking for a fun weekend getaway, there are lots of things to see and do in this vibrant city in a short amount of time. This is a wonderful place to simply wander around, people-watch, and stumble upon a local festival. But you can also squeeze in a few planned activities to get a taste of what SF is all about. Here are 10 recommendations to steer you in the right direction!
Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge
The most iconic site in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge, so seeing it is a must no matter how long you’re in town. This is an absolutely stunning landmark, and just seeing photos of it doesn’t do this bridge justice. The bridge spans about 1.7 miles and allows cars, pedestrians, and bikes to pass over it and be rewarded with views of the bay and city. There’s also the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point perched high on a hill that’s perfect for snapping photos. The ocean borders the park on the west end, so plan to take a long walk to check out the water and everything else along the way.
See a Show at the Palace of Fine Arts
Another very stunning site in San Francisco is the Palace of Fine Arts, which is on the U.S National Register of Historic Places. Check the events page of the venue before your trip to see what’s going on during your 24-48 hours in the city. You might get to see storytelling, a musical concert, or a dance series on stage when you’re here.
Tour Alcatraz Island
For something unique and iconic to this part of California, plan to take a tour of Alcatraz Island. This was a maximum-security prison that tells the haunting story of the city’s dark side. This is where Al Capone and other notorious felons stayed, and it was also the inspiration for the movie, The Rock. The site has about a million visitors per year and really is a don’t-miss attraction. Your audio tour is included in the price of your ferry ride. The basic tours last about 2.5 hours, so make sure you have enough time to do this before your next flight takes off. But if so, it’s totally worth it, and day tours cost $38 per adult.
Check Out Fisherman’s’ Wharf
Yes, Fisherman’s Wharf is touristy, but if you’ve never been to San Francisco, you should definitely squeeze it into your itinerary. This is the home of the Boudin Bakery, which is famous for sourdough bread, as well as amazing seafood restaurants and food trucks. Pier 39 is packed with shops and dining options, and you can often see sea lions just off the shore. Definitely try some fresh Dungeness crab when you’re here, even if you don’t have time to join a tour by boat or on foot.
Get Active in Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is huge and the equivalent of Central Park in New York City. There are trails, picnic areas, museums, gardens, and more in this park that is always popular with both locals and tourists. It’s nice to check out the Japanese Tea Garden here to see the bamboo pathways, cherry trees, and tea house.
Ride on a Cable Car
It might sound a bit cheesy, but there’s nothing quite like riding an authentic cable car in San Francisco. These are the cable cars you’ve seen in romantic movies an on postcards, and you can have your very own cable car experience in San Francisco when you visit. A popular place to take a cable car ride is from the Hyde Line at Powell and Market Streets because this passes by the famous Lombard Street. You can also catch a cable car at California and Market to ride to Van Ness Avenue. Single cable car rides cost $7 for adults and kids, and you can pay cash to the cable car conductor when you step onboard.
Visit the California Academy of Sciences
While you’re in Golden Gate Park, plan to make a stop at the California Academy of Sciences. This is an all-encompassing science museum that covers natural history and has a planetarium and aquarium too. Definitely bring your family here if you’re traveling with kids or just have a sense of curiosity yourself. Like many museums in the city, this one is a bit pricey, $39.95 per adult, but it’s also a great way to spend an afternoon and learn something new. You can save $4 per ticket if you buy online. The museum is open from 11am to 5pm on Sundays and from 9:30am to 5pm every other day.
Attend a Giants Game
It’s also fun to catch a San Francisco Giants game when you’re in town if it’s baseball season. Check the team’s website to see if there is game going on during your visit. If there’s not, consider taking a ballpark tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at where the team plays. You can join a tour any day (with a few exceptions) at 10:30am or 12:30pm, rain or shine. These tours last about 1.5 hours and cost $22 per adult.
Experience a Festival
As we mentioned at the beginning, San Francisco is an ideal place to be if you love local festivals. Some of the top annual events in the city are Oysterfest, the Union Street Festival, SF Jazz Festival, and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Outside Lands Festival and the annual Pride Parade and Festival are not to be missed either!
Get Wild at the San Francisco Zoo
A final fun thing to do if you have time in the city is to stop by the San Francisco Zoo to check out the animals and feel like a kid again. There are over 2,000 animals here to see and learn about in a beautiful space that prioritizes animal conservation and wellness. The zoo is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and the adult admission price is $23.
