San Francisco, California Attractions & Things To Do

Historic Cable Cars.

Since 1873, the historic San Francisco Cable Cars have shuttled tourists and locals throughout the city - from Nob Hill to Fisherman’s Wharf. Ride to your favorite attractions and neighborhoods on one of the most famous landmarks of San Francisco. Hop on the Historic Cable Car and experience all the sights, sounds and attractions that make San Francisco such an unforgettable destination. Purchase a one-day ($9), three-day ($15), or seven-day ($20) Passport so you can ride the cable cars, streetcars, and buses and explore.

Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco’s majestic landmark and one of the most breathtaking sights on the planet, the Golden Gate Bridge is the gateway where the Pacific Ocean meets the Bay, linking San Francisco to the Marin Headlands. Driving, cycling or walking under the massive orange towers of the 4,200-foot bridge offers inspiring views of the San Francisco Bay Area. Unparalleled vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge are found at the beach at Crissy Field, a beautiful area for joggers, roller bladders, and bird watchers. Walk the mile-long beach and tide pool past volleyball courts and windsurfers until you are right under the bridge. With amazing views of the water, Crissy Field is one of the world's top beaches for windsurfing.

Fisherman's Wharf.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a festive waterfront marketplace with striking Bay views. This historic coastal attraction is lined with unique attractions, shopping, souvenir stores, restaurants, street performers, live music and a fishing pier. Marketplaces include The Anchorage, The Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and PIER 39, a popular marketplace with 110 shops, restaurants, cruises, and the Aquarium of the Bay. A historic San Francisco shopping and dining destination, Ghirardelli Square features 70 stores with eclectic art, gifts, clothes, souvenirs and chocolate, waterfront restaurants, beautiful landscaped gardens, breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay, and historic walking tours. Bay cruises and ferries depart from Piers 39 and 41. Visit www.fishermanswharf.org. [Top]

Pier 39.

Enjoy a fun day of shopping and dining at Pier 39, a festival marketplace on San Francisco Bay. After a look at splashy sea lions, stop in more than 110 shops and 14 bay view restaurants, and experience a variety of family attractions, street performers, and nightly music and entertainment under the stars. San Francisco’s number one attraction is a colorful playground for the entire family. Departing from Pier 39, the Blue & Gold Fleet offers spectacular one-hour cruises along the waterfront, under the Golden Gate Bridge, by Sausalito, past Angel Island and around Alcatraz. Visit www.pier39.com.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

One of the world's largest urban national parks, Golden Gate National Recreation Area follows the coastline for 60 miles in San Francisco. The backyard of San Francisco, Golden Gate NRA is a popular recreational destination for windsurfing, walking, running, sightseeing, and exploring nature and history. With stunning natural beauty, the national park attracts joggers, polo players, roller-skaters, cyclists and tourists, and offers tranquil spots with incredible ocean vistas. Explore popular park sites, such as Ocean Beach, Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, Marin Headlands, The Presidio and Alcatraz. Golden Gate NRA protects hundreds of acres of coastal wetlands, and some of the most beautiful beaches and hiking trails in California.

Mike Hartnett, Sales Manager, loves visiting Golden Gate Park for the magnificent birds nesting throughout the park. He says “The nests are huge and it is something to watch the parent birds taking care of their young. You can’t miss seeing them as there are so many nests everywhere.”

Ocean Beach.

The most beloved and largest beach in San Francisco, Ocean Beach offers 3.5 miles of sand and surf along San Francisco's western shore, from the Cliff House to Fort Funston. Part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Ocean Beach is a pleasant retreat from the bustling city that lets you enjoy the wonder of nature and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. This peaceful, unpopulated beach is an idyllic spot to meditate, surf, walk your dog, fly a kite and imagine. [Top]

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

A striking arts and entertainment complex on San Francisco’s Mission Street, Yerba Buena Center presents a spectrum of visual art exhibitions, performances and film screenings, as well as community arts and education activities for San Francisco. With excellent performing arts, visual art and film/video exhibits that showcase the Bay Area’s artistic diversity, Yerba Buena Center offers bold perspectives on art and the world we live. Visit www.ybca.org.

San Francisco Zoo.

Northern California's largest zoological park, San Francisco Zoo features 1,000 exotic and endangered animals. Set against the Pacific Ocean, this naturalistic habitat for over 250 animal species offers delighting wildlife exhibits, activities and events. Explore African Savanna and Grizzy Gulch, home to two large grizzly bears. Meet the animals of the Children's Zoo and New Zoo, dedicated to the preservation of wild places and wildlife. Your family will enjoy exhibits, such as Gorilla Preserve, Penguin Island, Koala Crossing, and Australian WalkAbout. Hop on the Little Puffer miniature steam train and the historic Dentzel Carousel. Visit www.sfzoo.org.

Aquarium of the Bay.

A cool family attraction on Pier 39, Aquarium of the Bay is a unique entertainment and educational experience and helps you discover, see, touch and learn about the diverse aquatic life and ecosystems of San Francisco Bay. Get close to 20,000 amazing marine animals as you walk through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels. See the sevengill sharks, the Bay’s largest predator, or touch leopard sharks, skates, rays, and sea stars. The four elements to your underwater journey - Discover the Bay, Under the Bay, Touch the Bay and Save the Bay - create magical experiences that show us the conservation of San Francisco Bay. Visit www.aquariumofthebay.org. [Top]

Union Square.

Downtown San Francisco’s landmark park and shopping destination, Union Square features fashionable shopping, dining and a vibrant theater district. Union Square is home to fabulous shopping malls, department stores, specialty shops, boutiques and restaurants. Surrounding the park square, you’ll find trendy boutiques and superstores like Nordstrom, Macy's, Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Emporium. Browse fine art galleries, theatres and enjoy the city’s trendy restaurants. The beautiful piazza has a monument of Victory, granite plazas, a terraced stage, light sculptures, cafés, and grand palm-bordered entrances. The plaza hosts events, art and fashion shows, and parties. Hop on the Union Square Cable Cars or join a walking tour.

Metreon - A Sony Entertainment Center.

The Metreon is a cutting-edge entertainment and technology marketplace in downtown San Francisco. The 350,000 square-foot complex features a cool mix of the Bay Area's incredible restaurants and shopping venues, interactive attractions, 15 theatres, family events and entertainment venue, including the West Coast's largest IMAX theatre. The 15-screen Loews Metreon is San Francisco’s largest movie complex with views of the Frisco skyline. Visit www.metreon.com.

Candlestick Park.

Candlestick Park has a rich history as home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49’ers. The championship San Francisco 49ers have won five Super Bowls in this world-famous stadium, and sign reads “Home of the Super Bowl Champions.” Located in southeast San Francisco, Candlestick Park is the windiest and foggiest ball park in the country. Don’t miss an exciting San Francisco 49ers game or a blockbuster concert at this historic field. Visit www.sf49ers.com/stadium or call the Ticket Office: (415) 656-4900. [Top]

The Presidio.

The Presidio is a national park that preserves cultural and natural heritage sites within its 1,480 acres south of the Golden Gate Bridge. Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio is a recreational oasis with beaches, coastal bluffs, a saltwater marsh, forests, plant habitats, beautiful views, and miles of winding hiking and biking trails, and historic and architectural treasures. Enjoy scenic hikes, walking tours, picnics, and exhibits. Enjoy the history of 500 historic buildings, coastal defense fortifications, a national cemetery, and an historic airfield. Visit www.presidio.gov.

Chinatown.

Historic Chinatown is a colorful neighborhood where unique restaurants, shops, and markets offer a real Oriental culture. Walk through the dragon-crested gate into the largest Chinese community on the West Coast. Walk 24-square blocks of colorful stores, open markets and facades resembling shopping in China. Stroll lively streets to attractions such as the Chinese Presbyterian Church, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Bank of Canton Building, Sing Chong Building-rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, and Old St. Mary’s, California's first cathedral. Take a walking tour through alleys and alcoves to authentic food markets and cafés. See artisans make authentic crafts and pottery, and find antiques, musical instruments, cookware, and exotic herbs. Explore the neighborhood’s sculpture and architecture, and enjoy Chinese Dim Sum at one of the oldest bakeries. Visit http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/

Alcatraz Island.

Ride the ferry through the rough waters of San Francisco Bay to the remote, rocky Island of Alcatraz, San Francisco’s most notorious attraction. America's most famous maximum-security prison, Alcatraz once held the country’s most dangerous criminals including Al Capone. See “the rock” on one of the day or evening Alcatraz Tours departing from Pier 41. Experience a one-hour, self-guided tour of the mysterious abandoned prison and cell blocks with audio commentary and spend a minute in a darkened cell. You can also explore early military fortifications, gardens, tide pools, bird colonies and the West Coast's oldest lighthouse. Visit http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ [Top]