15 Touristy Things To Do In San Francisco For Visitors

From delicious seafood eateries to iconic landmarks and unique attractions like Alcatraz Island, there are countless things to do in San Francisco. Whether you are an out-of-state visitor or a California local, San Francisco is one of those cities that you have to visit at least once in your life!

While usually, I stay away from the crowds and ‘tourist traps’, San Francisco is a big exception. You can’t really visit the city without seeing the ‘big ones’ like Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Lombard Street amongst many others.

Here are 15 of the top touristy things to do in San Francisco for first-time visitors!

1. Golden Gate Bridge

If it’s your first time visiting San Francisco, I recommend starting with the Golden Gate Bridge. This impressive 746-foot tall suspension bridge connects San Francisco with the rest of Northern California.

The Golden Gate Bridge is enormous and was painted in a bright ‘International Orange‘ color so it’s easy to spot it anywhere in town! There is a designated visitor center and a large grassy area where you can observe the bridge from a distance and truly take in the magnitude of it.

If you have extra time, you can also walk along the bridge. Keep in mind there will be loud cars passing you by at high speeds so it is not exactly a ‘relaxing walk’, but it does offer some incredible views of San Francisco Bay from up top.

For a different perspective of the bridge, book this Golden Gate Bay Cruise that passes under the Golden Gate Bridge and by Alcatraz Island.

2. Pier 39

Pier 39 is one of the most popular locations in San Francisco. Here you can find a combination of seafood restaurants, unique souvenir shops, and amusement rides.

For foodies, I recommend the Pier Market Seafood Restaurant and Fog Harbor Fish House – the clam chowder is a must!

After a filling meal, walk down to the Sea Lion Viewing Area where you can observe sea lions lounging on wooden docks in the marina. The best time to see sea lions here is from late summer to late spring when male sea lions begin migrating north.

If you have little kids, spend a few hours walking through the Aquarium of the Bay where you can see various marine animals and fish. From Pier 39 you can also take a whale tour within the San Francisco Bay.

Fun fact: Pier 39 is the first place where I dined at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. I enjoyed the fun atmosphere at this beloved seafood restaurant so much that I ended up working at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in High School!

3. Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island was the ultimate federal security prison during its heyday from 1934 to 1963. The island (also known as ‘The Rock’) is located 1.25 miles offshore and can only be reached by going on a boat ride.

To visit Alcatraz Island, I recommend booking an Alcatraz Day Tour. This tour also stops at Muir Woods and Sausalito so you can explore a few of San Francisco’s main attractions on the same day.

The tour includes a ferry ride and an audio tour. If you want to explore the prison itself, there is only one tour company Alcatraz City Cruises that is allowed to dock on the island.

4. Lombard Street

Lombard Street is one of the most recognizable destinations in all of San Francisco. This is a windy street that starts in a residential neighborhood and goes downhill with eight steep, narrow hairpin turns within one block. It is known as the ‘most crooked street’ in the world.

Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of San Francisco from the top or go for a walk down the steep staircases built on both sides of the street. You can also drive down Lombard Street yourself (if you dare!).

5. Cable Car Ride

Hopping on a historic cable car is one of the quintessential experiences to have in San Francisco! These cable cars have been operational since the 1800s and are one of the top touristy things to do in the city.

Three cable car lines run through the downtown area so there are plenty of places where you can hop on. You can see a live map of the cable cars on the SFMTA website here.

Sometimes there are long lines to board them but it’s well worth the wait. The cable cars are very charming and provide incredible views of the city from the hilly ride.

6. Muir Woods National Monument

If you’re looking for something a bit different to do on your visit to San Francisco, consider going on a day trip to Muir Woods. Muir Woods is located an hour from San Francisco and is one of the best places to see redwoods in the Bay Area.

Muir Woods is home to an old-growth forest with enormous redwood trees that are 600 to 1000 years old and up to 250 feet tall. Here you can hike along trails that travel through one of the last remaining coastal forests in California.

The easiest way to visit Muir Woods is by taking a guided tour. This is a very busy location with limited parking so driving there yourself can be a huge hassle.

If you don’t want to go on a guided tour, you will need to make parking or shuttle reservations in advance.

Book a San Francisco sightseeing tour with Muir Woods and Sausalito here!

7. Union Square

Located at the center of downtown San Francisco, Union Square is a must-see destination for first-time visitors. This is a city hub home to various restaurants, top-rated hotels, and luxury shops like Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and Tiffany & Co.

I love to visit Union Square in the winter when there is an outdoor ice skating rink and an enormous Christmas tree set up at the center of it. It has a very festive feeling with lots of twinkling lights and people roaming around sipping on hot holiday drinks.

When staying in San Francisco, I always try to book a hotel near Union Square. This is a very central location within walking distance to many of the top San Francisco attractions like Chinatown, Ferry Building, and the San Francisco Cable Car Museum.

8. Chinatown

Chinatown is one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore in San Francisco. Established in 1848, this neighborhood is bustling full of historic landmarks, markets, shops, restaurants, and unique stores.

As the largest Chinatown in the US, the San Francisco Chinatown covers over 24 city blocks. Plan to set aside a couple of hours to wander the lively streets, browse through the shops, and stop for a meal at one of the local restaurants.

Here you can try Peking Duck, dim sum, and other Chinese dishes that you can’t easily find in other cities. For dim sum, I recommend Begoni Bistro which features classic dishes along with more innovative plates like truffle-infused dumplings.  

Book a Chinatown walking tour with food & drink tastings here!

9. Ghirardelli Square

If you have a sweet tooth, head over to Ghirardelli Square to indulge in some treats! What started as a chocolate factory is now one of the most popular destinations in San Francisco.

Spanning one city block, this square is home to sweet shops, restaurants, galleries, and the San Francisco Brewing Co. From here, you can also enjoy some pretty great views of the San Francisco Bay.

During your visit be sure to stop by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience. At this shop, you can try a hot fudge Sundae or buy Ghirardelli chocolates with unique flavors you can’t typically find at grocery stores. Ghirardelli chocolates also make a great souvenir to bring back home for loved ones.