20 Best Things to Do in San Francisco for First-Time Visitors
As Tony Bennett famously sang, “I left my heart in San Francisco…” And after one visit, you just might too.
This iconic West Coast city blends charm, history, and adventure, making it the perfect destination for first-time visitors to California. With its rolling hills, famous buildings, vibrant neighborhoods, and proximity to nature, it offers something for every type of traveler. Whether you’re into food, film history, outdoor adventures, or just soaking up that California vibe, there’s no shortage of amazing experiences to fill your time there.
If it’s your first time in San Francisco, this list will help you hit the highlights, from famous movie locations and historic landmarks to tasty bites and breathtaking views of the bay.
20 Things To See & Do in San Francisco
1. Explore Chinatown
Wander the oldest Chinatown in North America, stopping for delicious food and fun souvenirs along the way. And don’t miss the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, where you can watch the cookies being made and even customize your own.
2. Visit the Painted Ladies & Alamno Square
Everywhere you look… Say hello to one of San Francisco’s most iconic views! These colorful Victorian homes, known as the Painted Ladies, with the city skyline behind them might look familiar to any fellow millennials. Full House fans will recognize them instantly from the opening song (“you got it, dude!”). Find a spot across the street in Alamo Square and chill out for while you take in the nostalgia!
3. Stroll Through Japantown
One of only a few Japantowns left in the U.S., this peaceful neighborhood offers authentic Japanese food, cute shops, and a cultural plaza perfect for exploring.
4. Tour Alcatraz
A visit to the infamous former prison is both eerie and fascinating. You just have to book and pay for the ferry ride to the island, but once you’re there you can take a free self-guided audio tour to learn about its notorious inmates, daring escapes, and haunting past. Night tours and guided experiences (for a fee) are also offered!
5. Ride a Cable Car
No trip to San Francisco is complete without hopping on a historic cable car. It’s a fun way to see the city while giving your legs a break from the hills!
6. Visit the Cable Car Museum
Don’t just ride on one! Learn about the history and mechanics behind the city’s iconic transportation system at the Cable Car Museum. It’s free and surprisingly interesting.
7. Head to Pier 39
This bustling waterfront spot at Pier 39 is home to shops, restaurants, and the city’s most adorable residents: sea lions! Watch them lounge and bark right off the docks.
8. Tour the SS Jeremiah O’Brien
Step aboard this fully restored WWII Liberty Ship, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, docked at Fisherman’s Wharf, that is still taken out onto the water from time to time. It was used in filming Titanic!
9. Browse the Ferry Building Marketplace
Foodies, rejoice! This landmark is packed with local vendors, artisan treats, and gorgeous bay views. It’s also the location of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Be sure to come hungry!
10. Eat Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl
This quintessential San Francisco comfort food is best enjoyed at Fisherman’s Wharf. A number of restaurants serve them. Give Boudin Bakery or Pier Market Seafood Restaurant a try!
11. Marvel at the Palace of Fine Arts
Originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Expo, this Greco-Roman inspired beauty is the perfect place for a photo op or quiet stroll.
12. Snap a Pic at the Mrs. Doubtfire House
90s film fans will love this stop in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. The house from Mrs. Doubtfire still draws visitors and tributes to Robin Williams.
13. Walk Among Giants at Muir Woods
A short drive from the city, this serene redwood forest offers peaceful trails and towering trees that will leave you in absolute awe. Get there early to beat the crowds! Don’t have a car? No problem! Join a guided tour, which often includes an additional stop or two, like in Sausalito or at a scenic overlook of the Golden Gate Bridge.
14. Take a Day Trip to Sonoma or Napa
Wine lovers should carve out time to explore Northern California’s world-renowned wine country. Just an hour or so outside the city, both Sonoma and Napa offer top-tier wineries, many with tasting rooms and incredible views of rolling vineyards. Book a guided tour so you don’t have to worry about navigating or driving (which means more wine tastings!).
15. Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
Rent a bike on your own or with a tour group and cruise across one of the world’s most famous bridges, then grab lunch in the charming seaside town of Sausalito. Be warned: this is no bike ride for the faint of heart! There are a handful of challenging hills you’ll have to pedal up, and the bridge itself is 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) long. However, you can give your legs a break by taking the ferry back for a scenic return.
16. Catch a Game
Whether you’re a baseball, basketball, or football fan, attending a game in San Francisco is always a lively experience. Depending on the time of year, cheer on the Giants at Oracle Park or the Warriors at Chase Center!
17. Sip Local Wine
You don’t have to leave the city to enjoy California’s best wines. Many bars and restaurants feature locally sourced pours, and there are even some tasting rooms in the city.
18. Relax in the Japanese Tea Garden
Somewhat of a hidden gem and located in Golden Gate Park, this peaceful garden offers koi ponds, bonsai trees, and a variety of teas in a tranquil setting. Pro tip: Admission into the Garden is free if you enter before 10AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
19. Wander Golden Gate Park
Spanning over 1,000 acres, Golden Gate Park is a green oasis filled with gardens, museums, trails, and even a bison paddock.
20. Drive or Walk Down Lombard Street
Known as “the crookedest street in the world,” this famous zig-zagging stretch of brick road is a San Francisco icon. Whether you drive down or walk alongside it, the views and landscaping make it well worth a stop.
Bonus: Climb to the Top of Coit Tower or Twin Peaks
For sweeping, panoramic views of San Francisco, you can’t go wrong with either of these iconic spots. Coit Tower, located atop Telegraph Hill, offers a bird’s-eye view of the bay and features colorful 1930s murals inside. Twin Peaks, on the other hand, provides a 360-degree lookout that’s especially stunning at sunrise or sunset—just be sure to bundle up, as it can get windy!
Final Thoughts
From iconic movie film locations to jaw-dropping nature just outside of the city, San Francisco offers an unforgettable mix of urban charm and coastal beauty. This list barely scratches the surface, but it’s the perfect starting point for your first visit to the City by the Bay. Embrace any fog, pack layers, and prepare to fall in love with one of America’s most unique and picturesque cities.
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