Cool Things to do in San Francisco

The Golden Gate Bridge, the iconic bridge that San Francisco is known for, is one of the first spots you’ll want to check off your list.

There are so many angles and photography spots that provide different perspectives of the bridge that before you know it, the bridge will be following you everywhere you go.

And because the the Golden Gate is such an iconic red, it’s hard not to capture the bridge at every possible angle.

Fun Fact: until 1964, the Golden Gate Bridge had the longest suspension bridge main span in the world.

Along the Embarcadero lies The Ferry Building Marketplace. This Marketplace is filled with sit-down restaurants, coffee shops and a ton of food vendors.

Getting to the Ferry Building is easy to get to since it’s a popular public transportation hub. Munis and the BART make traveling simple as they drop you right across the Ferry Building.

Adjacent to the Ferry Building is the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, one that attracts crowds looking for fresh, local foods.

Every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00PM, more than 100 vendors have an open market outside selling their goods and services. This market runs year round, rain or shine.

Located in the Marina District holds very historical artwork originally constructed to showcase the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition.

This event was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, an expression of where “Another Day, Another Dollar” comes from.

The Palace of the Fine Arts is one of the more iconic landmarks that will make you say “wow” when passing by. Walk and stroll around the Palace as you most likely will photobomb a handful of photoshoots throughout the day.

Recommendation: Visit the Palace of Fine Arts during the weekdays because of how crowded it gets during the weekends.

What’s located in the Haight-Ashbury district is one of the most infamous homes in San Francisco. These Victoria and Edwardian houses are most well known for are their appearances in TV show, Full House.

I’m sure that by the time you get to San Francisco, you can’t resist wanting to set foot into the Tanner House.

If you’re truly a fan, why not bring a projector and turn on an episode of Full House playing on Girard Street. Wouldn’t that be one of the more cool things to do in San Francisco?

Fun Fact: the Painted Ladies can be found in 6 other places in the United States. And out of the seven Painted Ladies, one of them has a tiny museum inside.

Trying to look for another cool thing to do in San Francisco? Swing by Pier 39 and land at Fisherman’s Wharf. Spend half the day here and you’ll have enough to do visiting restaurants, shops and cute sea lions. Stay long enough to watch these sea lions bath in the sun. And the waterfront, don’t forget to purchase souvenirs to bring back home.

Along Fisherman’s Wharf holds the Boudin Bakery flagship store. Thanks to the city of San Francisco making it possible, Boudin Bakery presents the home of the sour dough bread.

Choose to dine in at the restaurant or take a piece of sour bread to go. The atmosphere is very casual and is where you should end up after walking through Fisherman’s Wharf. I dined in during my visit to Boudin Bakery and turned out exactly how I had imagined it to be.

Schedule a 30 minute tour of the Boudin Bakery at the 40-foot museum. The tour costs $5 per person but if you wanted a self-guided tour, tour at your own leisure. Admission then will be free.

Fun Fact: there are 29 Boudin Bakeries in San Francisco

Walk a little further from Boudin Bakery and arrive at Ghirardelli Square. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the huge ‘Ghirardelli’ sign in bright lights.

Your world will be rocked once you step into a Ghirardelli Chocolate store and order a chocolate milkshake. The shake is rich beyond words.

Visiting the square is beautiful at night because all the outdoor lights start to appear. There are also a lot of shops within the square, so don’t forget to purchase a souvenir to bring back home.

List of stores located in Ghirardelli Square: Gigi + Rose, Vom Fass, Helpers Bazaar, Mashka Jewelry, Yap, Lola of North Beach, Jackson & Polk and elizabethW.

Swing by one of the busiest parts of San Francisco and land in a district with a bunch of department stores and shops.

Perhaps you enjoy shopping and want to swing by the Westfield Mall. Or, wait on the long lines of Supreme to get a hold of the new kicks you’ve been eyeing.

And when you’re done shopping around, explore the area by eating at the number of restaurants. As a matter of fact, swing by the infamous boba shop, Black Sugar.

Check out Cable Car Turnaround that travels all the way up to California Street and wave at the locals fighting their way walking up the steep hills.

Remember when I asked if you liked shopping or not? You don’t even need to dedicate a bunch of hours to walk around the Westfield Mall, but it’s a pit stop if you’re tired of walking around the city. In the middle of the mall, the escalators go round and round as you’ll probably find yourself at the very top.

Stepping into a department store in the middle of the busy streets is pretty serene. Plus, if you’re visiting San Francisco in the winter, escape the breeze in the Westfield Mall.

Find your favorite stores and newest shops to stay on top with fashion, beauty, lifestyle and fresh food.

Do you ever go eye shopping because you don’t want to blow money upfront? Well, if that’s the case, then you’re at the right store.

As someone who doesn’t know a lot about tech, one of the cool things to do in San Francisco is to visit a b8ta Store. I was walking in Hayes Valley when I came across a store that reminded me of an Apple Store lookalike.

What’s great about the b8ta Store is that you’re not forced to purchase anything. The workers will not push you to buy products because the concept of the Store is designed for technological discovery. These brick and mortar stores create a hands on experience with tech gadgets before purchasing.

Speaking of visiting Hayes Valley, the friendliness of the crowd will get you to come over and over again. It’s a young, casual district full of some of the cutest coffee shops, restaurants and stores, such as Away.

Hayes Valley is beautiful and peaceful at night, as I do admit is one of the cool things to do in San Francisco. Why? During the day, you can catch up with your friends at the outdoor seating area. Or, I recommend going bar hopping throughout Hayes Street.

Is Hayes Valley San Francisco Safe?

Yes, Hayes Valley is very safe. Unlike other neighborhoods in the Bay, Hayes Valley is a young, centrally located neighborhood. It’s a 10-15 minute walk from the Castro, the Haight and Mission.

Stroll down Golden Gate Park and explore one of the many cool things to do in San Francisco. Similar to Central Park in New York City, Golden Gate Park is a whole 1,017 acres of public grounds. Swing by the park to have a beautiful picnic outside with one of your dates, or play fetch with your dog. The Golden Gate Park is a relaxing place to catch sunrise, or a nice area to just relax on a warm sunny day.

Does it cost to go to Golden Gate Park?

Visiting Golden Gate Park is free during the day. However, there are a few museum fees including the Japanese Tea Garden and Conservatory of Flowers.

Capture San Francisco at the second highest point that overlooks the city. The Twin Peaks is made up of two prominent hills with an elevation of 925 feet (282 m). The North and South Twin Peaks are known as “Eureka” and “Noe” and are about 660 feet (200 m) apart.

I’d advise to not visit Twin Peaks after sunset because it can get a bit sketchy on top. But, the views are incredible no matter what time of day you visit.

One cool thing about San Francisco is viewing the city from the very top. Given the ability to see Market Street from Twin Peaks gives perspective on the Bay. This also just shows you how hilly it is out there.

Is Twin Peaks San Francisco Free?

Yes, visiting Twin Peaks is free.

This zig zaggy road will make you wonder who on Earth decided to place logs symmetrical to each other underneath tall trees. In my opinion, one of the extremely cool things to do in San Francisco is to walk through Lovers Lane. Pictures don’t portray this spot justice, but is one of unique experience.

I recommend visiting Lovers Lane early in the morning in order to avoid a crowd. This is a very popular photography spot and if you can spot even one person at the end of Lovers Lane, your shot will be photobombed.

Even if you’re visiting midday and don’t really care about getting the perfect shot, Lovers Lane is a must go to spot to visit.

Lovers Lane Address: Lover’s Ln, San Francisco, CA 94129

Located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco is home to the San Francisco Giants. This ballpark holds one of the first Major League Baseball Fields that holds up to 42,000 seats. It’s a walk from the Embarcadero but is worth it if you’re a fan of baseball. Swing by to watch a game of ball and don’t forget to bring a mitt along with you in hopes that you catch the winning home run ball.

How to get to Oracle Park in San Francisco?

To get to Oracle Park, take the BART and get off at Embarcadero station. Then, walk upstairs and hop on a Muni and jump on the T-Third that will take you directly to the park.

If you have a car, Mount Tamalpais is easily one of the cool things to do in San Francisco. Without traffic, the drive takes around 1.5-hours north of downtown. And by the time you get to the top, the massive mountains will have your jaws dropping at the views.

Mount Tamalpais is beautiful to check out any time of year. But the best time to visit is during the summer when Karl decides to show up. Karl is the infamous fog that mysteriously hovers over the city. Sometimes Karl will show up out of no where, but there are enough resources that give you information on when he’ll wake up from his nap.

Outlined by Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean encompasses symmetrical waves that hit the shoreline for miles and miles. The patterns of the waves hitting the shoreline makes Point Reyes so unique that if you’re running out and looking for cool things to do in San Francisco, it is hands down worth visiting.

How far is Point Reyes from San Francisco?

Point Reyes is about an hour drive from San Francisco. Driving nonstop from the northwest direction, the drive is about 30 miles long. Coming from CA 1 route, the drive is about 39 miles long.

Is Point Reyes worth visiting?

Hands down, yes. Recorded as the cleanest seashore in all of California, the endless, amazing views of Point Reyes is worth visiting.

To all you nature lovers, visiting Cypress Tree Tunnel is a no brainer. I mean, come on. How many tree tunnels align the way these branches do?

Luckily, if you’re on your way to Point Reyes, Cypress Tree Tunnel is along the way. Bang out two destination spots in one day and remember to come in the morning to catch the morning light rays shine through the branches.

Cypress Tree Tunnel Address: Inverness, CA 94937

Fun Fact: at the end of the tree tunnel, you will find the historical RCA/Maroni Station. This station was once a wireless telegraph station where operators tapped out Morse code messages to those out in sea.

Located north across the Golden Gate Bridge is a peninsula along the end of Marin County. The Marin Headlands will give you one of the best views of the bridge and if you go early enough, will will see the built up traffic that runs directly into San Francisco.

If you time your visit to San Francisco correctly, you can see Karl the fog hovering the bridge. The summer seems to be the best time to visit the Bay as the breeze coming up from the Pacific Ocean creates clear and warm periods over the cloudy skies.

How to get to Marin Headlands?

Every weekend through September, there’s a free shuttle that operates every 30 minutes.

Hours of operation start from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The shuttle runs along Bunker Road, Field Road and Fort Baker, giving you infamous views of the Bay.

What connects the city of San Francisco and Oakland together is the infamous Bay Bridge. No matter where you are along the Embarcadero, you’ll have a view of the Bay Bridge.

The iconic views of the bridge are seen best during sunrise as you will come across a handful of people walking their dogs before heading to work.

How much does it cost to cross the Bay Bridge in San Francisco?

Weekdays from 5 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 7 PM: $7

Weekday off-peak hours from 12 midnight to 5 AM; 10 AM to 3PM and 7PM to midnight: $5

Saturdays and Sundays: $6

Get off Highway 101 in Sausalito and swing by one of the hundreds of spots to capture views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Parking is free up to 4 hours, but I doubt you’ll need that much time during your visit. Make sure to arrive before or after rush hour because of all the traffic. This image also shows how awesome the view is to take light trail shots of the morning traffic.

What hotels are near Vista Point?

• The Inn Above Tide (1.62 miles)
• Lodge at the Presidio (2.43 miles)
• Waters Edge Hotel (3.09 miles)
• Cavallo Point (0.37 miles)
• The Lodge at Tiburon (3.18 miles)

Curious to see what the Golden Gate Bridge looks like on ground level? Swing by Fort Point and walk around the brick masonry underneath the bridge. Fort Point is so iconic because during and after World War II, it protected San Francisco’s harbor from foreign attacks.

One of the cool things to do in San Francisco is to visit the rustic viewpoints that overlook the Golden Gate Bridge. But during some times of the year, these parts are blocked off from the public.

Is Fort Point free?

Yes, visiting Fort Point is free. There is limited parking, but spots tend to open up pretty frequently.

When is Fort Point National Historic Site open?

Friday – Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM

Want to discover a hidden beach in San Francisco? Marshalls Beach is one of them, portraying spectacular views of the Bay. This beach is also one of the closest beaches to the Golden Gate Bridge.

If you’re up for the hike up and down a swirly staircase, swing by Marshalls Beach. You’ll come across lines of photographers capturing the bridge from Marshalls Beach so come early enough to secure your spot.

Where do you park at Marshall Beach?

If you’re driving, park in the free Langdon Court Lot. It’s right off Lincoln Blvd and usually has a ton of open spots.

Note: No pets allowed at Marshalls Beach.

All the way on the west side of the Bay area has gorgeous views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s easy to get to and is not as crowded as the more well-known beaches. Lands End guards the ocean channel leading to the Golden Gate Bridge, bordered by cliffs that run 200 feet to the sea level.

Is Lands End hike hard?

No, not necessarily. The trail is 3.4 miles long and is open to both walkers and runners throughout the year.

How long does it take to hike Lands End?

If you take the trail straight from Presidio or Baker Beach, the hike can take up to 1-2 hours. Range is provided since there are a ton of scenic spots to explore and see along the way.

Not only beautiful, but also one of the many cool things to do in San Francisco. Come over to Sutro Baths and you’ll feel like you’re not even in the Bay. One of my favorite spots to catch sunset in the Bay is at Sutro Baths. There is something about the waves hitting along the horizon that keeps you breathless. Or, I just find so much joy walking along the concrete that overlooks the ocean.

Backstory: Adolph Sutro‘s dream was to construct a massive public bathhouse in order to provide inexpensive, recreational swimming facilities for San Franciscans. The baths can accommodate up to 10,000 people at a time and offers 20,000 bathing suits and 40,000 towels to rent from. Unfortunately, the Baths became less popular due to the Great Depression. And after Adolph’s death, the new owners tried to bring the popularity back by making the baths into an ice rink.

Located in Golden Gate Park has native plants that are over 75 years old. And these assortment of flowers live within the Botanical Garden that derive from all around the world. Some of these countries include Central America, South America and Southeast Asia. The Botanical Garden holds some of the most beautifully smelling fragrances ranging from rosemary, chamomile and lavender.

How much does Botanical Garden cost?

Admission for the Botanical Garden:

• $12 for adults
• $10 for seniors (65+)
• $6 for children (ages 6-15).
• Free for children from the ages of 5 and younger.

Located inside one of the oldest Japanese gardens is an open-air tea room that attracts visitors all year round. The Japanese tea garden is full of ponds with koi fish, maple and bamboo trees and waterfalls that overlook the south pond. Some of the teas that can be found in the tea garden are jasmine and matcha that are served together with red bean pastries and cakes.

How much is the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco?

Admission for the Tea Garden:

• $9 for non-resident adults
• $6 for non-residential seniors and youths (ages 12-17)
• $3 for non-residential children (ages 5-11)
• Free for children from the ages of 4 and younger

I promise there will never be enough photos of Battery Spencer in the world. This also might be a pun. But I don’t think there are enough days to catch sunrise at Battery Spencer. It’s free to enter the park but parking can be limited. So if you’re visiting on a weekend, go to this popular spot early enough to capture the Golden Gate Bridge.

There are also secret photography shots past the gated area. Just make sure you’re aware of your surroundings because cops can come and ticket you for trespassing. But, if you’re lucky enough, you’ll get an amazing headshot of the bridge. And as much as I’ve visited Battery Spencer, I can confidently say that this is one of the cool things to do in San Francisco.

One of the cool things to do in San Francisco can be found within SoMa (South of Market). This iconic building, also known as the City Hall of San Francisco radiates sporadic colored domes throughout the day. This two year effort is made up of beautiful steel, granite and white marble floors that maintains the history of the city.

Back in 1906, the previous City Hall was destroyed in the Great Earthquake and Fire. So the building you see now is a representation of its resilience.

City Hall is beautiful when driving past at night as the top of the dome sticks out like a sore thumb with flashing colors.

Built in 1922, the Castro Theatre was built and till this day is still known as one of the oldest theaters in the nation. Thanks to Timothy L. Pflueger, the Castro Theatre is listed as one of the cool things to do in San Francisco. The theater holds an extremely rare ‘leatherette’ ceilings that might be the only remaining ceiling of its kind in the United States. Swing by a show at the theatre when visiting San Francisco and experience amazing performing artists perfect their craft.

Does Castro Theater sell alcohol?

You’re in luck. Yes, the Castro Theater does sell alcohol along with other drinks and snacks, such as soda and popcorn. Mind you that there is no ATM inside and that tickets, concessions, food and drinks are cash only.

Want to capture the most photographic spots out in the bay? Well, you’re in luck because the Bay will give you more photographic spots than you can imagine.

California Street, most known for the infamous Bay Bridge shot, is a steep walk from Union Square. And by the time you get to the top, you’ll be gasping for air from the strenuous hike up the street.

In the Bay, popular trends and some of the many cool things to do in San Francisco requires you to go chasing after photographic spots during good weather conditions. From steep hills to countless bridge views, the number of photographic spots are out of this world.

Just as you’re in regret walking up California Street from Union Square, you’re probably asking why San Francisco is so hilly?

Agree with me or not, Lombard Street is hands down one of the top cool things to do in San Francisco. Infamous for its steep, zig zaggy road is located on the east-west street in San Francisco. To put into context, Lombard Street, the “crookedest street in the road”, is visited by over two million people per year.

I’d recommend starting at the top of the hill to capture the street from top bottom. Head down the street but remember not to walk on the actual street itself. Why? Because you’ll get yelled at the locals like I have.

And once you get to the bottom, you’ll get a better view of Lombard. Just cross your fingers that you visit Lombard Street when the bushes aren’t fully grown or else your view of the crooked parts of the street might get blocked.

One of the more serene beaches in San Francisco lies within the coast line along the west part of the Bay. As long as the clouds are present, experience stunning sunsets.

Ocean Beach is the perfect place if you’re trying to get away from the busy city and need time away from large crowd.

How far is Ocean Beach from San Francisco?

Ocean Beach is 3.5 miles away from San Francisco. At the Embarcadero Station, the L-Train will take you directly to Ocean Beach. The ride is an easy long shot that will take you about 45 minutes.

Kite Hill, one of the more underrated areas in San Francisco, will leave you speechless. Located in upper Eureka Park is one of the safer neighborhoods out in the Bay.

It’s a small, quiet hill that has the best views of the stacked houses around the neighborhood. You will see a bunch of people walking their dogs overlooking breathless views.

Walk a flight of stairs to the top of the hill and you will have one of the most serene views of the city.

Where is Kite Hill located?

Kite Hill is located at the north end of Corwin Street and underneath Sutro Tower. You can also access Kite Hill from Yukon and 19th Street.

Known as the pointy, triangular building is the infamous Transamerica Pyramid. Located in the financial district is a 48-story building, also known as the second tallest skyscraper visible in San Francisco’s skyline.

Where is the Transamerica Pyramid located?

Transamerica Pyramid is located at 600 Montgomery Street between Clay and Washington Street.

Can you go up the Transameria building?

Unfortunately, after the 9/11 attack in NYC, the Transamerica has now been closed off to the public. However, in the visitor center, you can check out the views of the 48th-floor through a live camera feed. No, the experience is not the same but rather stay safe than sorry.

What’s also known as East Beach is Crissy Field Park. The park is located in the old Presidio Area that’s now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Crissy Field Park is commonly busy with dog walkers strolling with the best backdrop views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Can you swim at Crissy Field?

Yes, of course. You are free to swim and windsurf at Crissy Beach. You can even walk or cycle along the sidewalk that will leads you over to the Palace of Fine Arts.

What to do at Crissy Field?

Crissy Field is known for one of the best places to kite surf. There’s also a lot of space to set up and enjoy a picnic right along the shoreline.

One of my favorite and cool things to do in San Francisco is hopping on Cable Cars. They run throughout the Bay and will provide unforgettable, toured experiences. Cable Cars have become great symbolism of the city and is definitely something to look forward to during your visit.

Choose to ride a Cable Car from one of these three options:

1. Powell/Hyde Cable Car
2. Powell/Mason Cable Car
3. California Cable Car

Buying Cable Car Tickets

You must purchase your Cable Car ticket in advance. These tickets can be purchased everyday from 8 AM to 5PM.

Located near the northeastern end of San Francisco’s peninsula is the historical Yerba Buena.

There are tons of activities to explore from at Yerba Buena ranging from visiting art galleries to trying ethical restaurants. Feel free to visit the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens and embrace the beauty of such attractions.

Can you live on Yerba Buena Island?

Yes, you can live in Yerba Buena and join the other 1,800 residents on this island. However, if you’re looking to purchase property, you are out of luck.

All housing on the island is up for rental only as there are no current homeowner opportunities at this time.

Mussel Rock Park Beach, also known as a rock formation, lies on the coast of San Mateo County. Offshore from Daly City and close to Highway 1, the beach can be found at the north end of the park, located at the end of West line Drive.

If you’re looking to relax on a beach, follow the trails up north above the rocks until you reach a sign at the very end. The sign says “Do Not enter – Eroding Cliff”, but many choose to break the rules anyway.

During your visit, you’ll find people hang gliding during good weather conditions. And because Mussel Beach isn’t visited often, likely will you find the beach to yourself for hours and miles long.

What are some activities at Mussel Rock Park Beach?

Some activities at Mussel Rock include: paragliding, hang gliding, hiking and walking

Located on the Embarcadero is known as one of the 38 scenic piers of the Bay. Pier 7 is where you’ll run into a bunch of people going on walks or jogs with spectacular views of the Bay Bridge. Come stroll through Pier 7 along the waterfront.

Don’t be surprised if you catch people fishing along this spot as there are benches lined up with fisherman patiently waiting for something to bite their grub.

At night, you might even have the chance of catching perch and sharks. Plus, you can enjoy watching the mood of the city shift as the lights of the pier start to appear, aligning directly with the Transamerica Pyramid.

From all the piers visited, Pier 7 was definitely one of my favorite piers to visit during my time out in the Bay.

Out of all Chinatowns in every major city in the United States, Chinatown in San Francisco is by far the biggest one yet. Not only does Chinatown have amazing noodles and dumplings, but it also has a number of influence and history attached to it. And till this day, many immigrants reside in Chinatown as culture is familiar with affordable housing.

What street is Chinatown on in San Francisco?

Chinatown is located in the center of Grant Avenue and Stockton Street.

What time does Chinatown open in San Francisco?

Most stores in Chinatown open around 10:00 AM and closes late around 9-10 PM. Almost all stores and restaurants are open 7 days a week as there are endless things to do during open hours.