Without a question, San Francisco is one of the world’s liveliest cities. Millions of people visit this city every year because it has a lot of different cultures, unique things to do in San Francisco, beautiful scenery, and busy city life. It can be hard to decide where to begin when there are so many things to see and do.
To help you choose, we have listed the best places to visit in San Francisco. If you are planning a trip to San Francisco, make sure you read our list of must-see tourist spots and get ready for an adventure you will never forget!
15 Popular Places to Visit in San Francisco
There is some beautiful scenery in San Francisco, California. There are miles of seashore, restaurants with food from around the world, and exciting nightlife scenes in San Francisco.
Luckily for adventure travelers, some of the popular places to visit in San Francisco are in or near nature. Here is our list of the best ones:
1. Legion of Honor
This is one of the most beautiful museums in San Francisco. It is a Neoclassical Beaux-Arts building in a beautiful setting.
Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, a famous socialite, philanthropist, and art lover, gave it to her. Her museum was a copy of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris, and it was a must-see sight in San Francisco for everyone.
Address: 94121 San Francisco, California, 100 34th Ave.
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Around $ 11.91
2. Twin Peaks
These unique hills are over 900 feet high and have a great city and bay view. No one lives on them. They have not developed yet, but they are easy to get to.
You can drive to the parking area at the north peak for great views and then hike up the north and south peaks on the trails that are there.
Location: San Francisco, 501 Twin Peaks Blvd.
Timingd: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM
3. Exploratorium
Many people love to visit San Francisco, and the Exploratorium is one of the most famous spots in San Francisco.
It is a fun science museum for kids and adults alike. There are a lot of displays here, some of which let you learn by doing. The experiments and tasks the kids do here are absolutely fantastic.
Location: San Francisco, California 94111, Pier 15 The Embarcadero
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
4. Alcatraz Island
One of the most famous jails in the United States is on this island. It was open for 30 years, until 1963.
In 1973, it was opened to the public as a tourist draw because of the famous people who were locked up there, like Al Capone and the Birdman. You can take a ferry to the island and walk around while listening to a great audio recording that shows what life is like in jail. It is a well-known tourist spot in San Francisco.
Location: 94133 San Francisco, CA
Timings: Available all-day
Entrance fee: $ 23.82 for children, $ 35.73 for adults
5. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Informally called the SFMOMA, it returned in the spring of 2016 and is now one of the best areas to explore in San Francisco.
It has 10 floors and 45,000 square feet of gallery area on the first floor. Anyone can go in for free.
Location: 151 Third Street, San Francisco, California 94103
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesdays closed
6. The Golden Gate Bridge
It is the world’s most photographed bridge, and its 746-foot-tall orange towers are what make it famous. You can view it well from Crissy Field, Fort Point, Baker Beach, or the Marin Headlands.
Bikes and cars can cross the bridge anytime, but walkers can only use the east path from 5:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Most trips to San Francisco start here and are also the busiest stop.
Location: San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge
Timings: Open all day.
Read also: Top 8 Nightclubs in California
7. Ferry Building Marketplace
This is where the city’s biggest farmer’s market happens every two weeks, and some of the most famous artists in the area have permanent homes.
Inside, you can find many shops, such as the Cowgirl Creamery, Dandelion Chocolate, and Fort Point Beer Company. This is one of the coolest things to do in San Francisco.
Location: One Ferry Building, San Francisco, California 94111.
Timings: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
8. Chinatown
It is well known that Chinatown in San Francisco offers a completely different experience than in other cities. It holds the title of being the oldest in North America and the largest one outside of Asia.
Due to its complete construction in the Chinese style and its many temples, theaters, workshops, small companies, stores, antique and souvenir shops, tea houses, and other establishments, it is considered one of the most exciting sites to visit in San Francisco.
Location: San Francisco’s Grant Avenue
9. Coit Tower
The impressive Coit Tower, which is on top of Telegraph Hill, is another top tourist destination in San Francisco with some of the city’s best views. Views of the bay, city, and landmarks like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge are unique from the top of the thin white tower.
Built in 1933, it has a beautiful Art Deco design, and colorful American Social Realism frescoes all over the inside. The 210-foot-tall tower in Pioneer Park is now a National Historic Landmark and a famous part of the city’s skyline, having been used in many movies and TV shows.
Address: 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd., 94133, USA, San Francisco, CA
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
10. Alamo Square
Along with its famous steep, rising hills, San Francisco has some beautiful buildings for tourists to enjoy. Because of these two things, Alamo Square is a good place to visit. Enjoy the green space of Alamo Square with a picnic basket full of treats, a blanket, and some yard games for kids who can not sit still. But this is not your typical place for lunch.
Now that your prized patch of grass is safe, take it easy and enjoy the view of the city. The famous Painted Ladies are at the top of this view. The homes in this group were built between 1890 and 1910 and have been painted in at least three different colors.
Location: San Francisco’s Alamo Square
11. Muir Woods National Monument
When people from San Francisco and tourists want to get away from the city for a while and enjoy some peace and quiet, Muir Woods is a great place to go.
Redwood trees cover the area, and some trails go for about 6 miles.
Location: Mill Valley, California, 94941, USA
Timings: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
12. Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the most popular places to visit in San Francisco. It starts at Pier 39 and ends at the Municipal Pier at the end of Aquatic Park. Its historic waterfront was the center of San Francisco’s fishing fleet for more than one hundred years, and it is still known for having some of the best seafood places in the city.
At the Wharf, there are also museums, gift shops, historical buildings, beautiful views of the Bay, and Pier 39, where you can see the famous sea lions.
Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco is busy from dawn until dusk and has a great mix of culture, food, and mood. Many delicious foods at Fisherman’s Wharf, from fresh fish and crab to treats from around the world, will make you happy and full while you are in Frisco.
Location: 505 Beach Street, Suite 126 SF, CA 94133
13. Ghirardelli Square
The best place to hang out after dark is Ghirardelli Square, which is right next to Fisherman’s Wharf.
There is a lot to do here, from 5-star hotels to shopping shops. You can spend most of your trip nights walking around this busy city center.
Address: 900 North Point St., Suite F301, San Francisco, California 94109, USA
Hours: 9:00 AM–10:30 PM
14. Walt Disney Family Museum
The wonderful Walt Disney Family Museum, which explores the life and work of the famous director, is another interesting thing to see in the Presidio. You can learn about Disney’s accomplishments and animations that changed the genre by looking at the fantastic souvenirs, film clips, and even awards.
Since it opened in 2009, the museum has grown to include three historic buildings in the middle of the park. Its collection of early drawings and designs, music clips, and models is very big. It is a must-see for anyone who loves Disney because it covers so much, from his early life and career to his famous works and the building of Disneyland.
Address: 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94129, USA
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
15. Fairmont San Francisco
Built in 1907, this famous hotel is in San Francisco. Some of the city’s most famous sights, like Chinatown, Union Square, the Wharf, and some well-known food areas, are close to the lodging.
Do not forget to go to the Laurel Court for afternoon tea, which feels like it is from the Victorian era.
Address: 950 Mason St., San Francisco, California 94108, USA
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, San Francisco is a city that has something for everyone, from famous landmarks and historical sites to cultural events and neighborhoods that are different from one another.
San Francisco is a great place to go on an adventure that you will never forget, whether you choose to see the beautiful views from the Golden Gate Bridge or check out the lively art and food scene in the Mission District. Have a great time in this fantastic city and see everything it offers.
San Francisco is an ideal destination for a family vacation or honeymoon, with rolling mountains, turquoise coastlines, tranquil surroundings, and gorgeous buildings. There are several attractions for people of all ages to have a fun-filled trip.
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most prominent tourist attraction in San Francisco. The bridge spans 1.7 miles and links San Francisco to Marin County, California. This landmark site is notable for having the world’s longest primary suspension bridge span.
Yes, San Francisco is now open to visitors from India. To guarantee safe travel, follow government rules, preserve the required social distancing, wear a mask in public, and sanitize your hands regularly.
The most significant time of year to visit San Francisco is between September and November. Fall provides some of the city’s hottest weather throughout the year and fewer tourists than summer. Spring is also fantastic due to the pleasant weather and lack of rain.
Here are some of the most lovely sites to see in San Francisco: 1. The Golden Gate Bridge. 2. Alcatraz Island. 3. The Legion of Honor 4. Twin Peaks 5. Exploratorium.
Here are some must-do activities in San Francisco: 1. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. 2. Ride a cable car. 3. Visit the Rock. 4. Observe the Sea Lions 5. Shop at Union Square. 6. Explore North Beach.
It takes at least 3-4 days to tour the lovely city of San Francisco and its appealing neighborhoods, such as Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, Japantown, and so on.
