San Francisco Attractions

Boredom doesn't exist in San Francisco. Endless activities indoors, outdoors, and across both bridges can make it overwhelming when trying to choose the best things to do. While the weather in Northern California is mild compared to most of the country, summers are foggy and cool here in the city, so no matter what you decide to do, always bring an extra layer. You've been warned!

A trip to San Francisco wouldn't be complete without such outdoor adventures as walking or cycling the Golden Gate Bridge or dabbling in the many attractions of Golden Gate Park. The park is home to beautiful gardens like those hosted at the Strybing Arboretum or the Conservatory of Flowers. Take a stroll through the Japanese Tea Garden before heading indoors and viewing the incredible art on display at the de Young Museum or California Academy of Sciences. Sports fans will not want to miss a Giants game at AT&T Park, one of the best ballparks in the country.

If you're traveling with kids or just the young at heart, you will not want to miss the hands-on science experiments at the incomparable Exploratorium located by the Presidio and Fisherman's Wharf. It's worth the ferry trip over to Alcatraz; the self-guided audio tour will interest any cynic, the place is absolutely creepy! Shoppers will love the chintzy treasures stocked in the bright and colorful Chinatown shops. Those with big pocketbooks or a love of window shopping will enjoy high-end shopping in Union Square, just a few blocks away.

San Francisco is home to numerous world-class museums. The MOMA, de Young, Contemporary Jewish Museum, and the Academy of Sciences are all stellar and demanding of an afternoon. For a different take, visit the museums during the one night they stay open late. Some actually turn into mild parties with live music and booze.

The sweeping views from Coit Tower are sublime, take the Filbert Street steps for a possible glimpse of the famous parrots of Telegraph Hill. On the opposite side of town, Baker Beach is the prettiest city beach with a stunning view of the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, and massive cargo ships entering and exiting the Bay. Dolphin-sightings possible. A stroll in the mural-filled, foodie-haven Mission district is a must to really experience the raw and true San Francisco.

Golden Gate Bridge

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Lincoln Blvd & Hwy 1
Hwy. 101 N

An architectural icon capping off the San Francisco Bay...
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Golden Gate Park

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Stanyan & Fulton Sts
(Great Highway at Fulton St)

1,000+ acres of green retreat in the heart of the city...
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Alcatraz Island

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Embarcadero and Powell St
(Pier 39)

Legendarily inescapable prison worth the tourist crowds...
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de Young Museum

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50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
(Golden Gate Park)

Cultural Destination...
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Mission District

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Mission Street

Interesting Neighborhood...
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Chinatown

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Bush St. and Kearny St.

North America's oldest...
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AT&T Park - Home of the Giants

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24 Willie Mays Plaza

Home of the Giants...
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Baker Beach

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Lincoln Blvd.
At Lincoln Boulevard

Presidio beach with views of the Golden Gate Bridge...
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Coit Tower

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1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard
Telegraph Hill

Towering view on top of Telegraph Hill...
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California Academy of Sciences

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55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park

Wonders of the natural world in an architectural marvel...
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Ocean Beach

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Great Highway

San Francisco's largest...
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Vesuvio

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255 Columbus Ave
At Jack Kerouac Alley

Where the Beats Meet...
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California Palace of the Legion of Honor

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Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street

Beautiful museum, grand location...
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Ferry Building Marketplace & Farmer's Market

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Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building

Waterfront Allure, foodie delight, transportation hub...
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The Exploratorium

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3601 Lyon Street
In the Palace of Fine Arts (at Marina Blvd.)

Amazing Science museum, fun for kids ages 4 to 84...
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City Lights Booksellers & Publishers

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261 Columbus Ave.
At Broadway

Beat-era reading...
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San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design

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550 Sutter St

The object of Craft + Design is Art...
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Beach Chalet

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1000 Great Highway@Ocean Beach

Golden Gate Park icon...
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Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

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701 Mission Street
At 3rd Street

Features new and established artists...
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Lombard Street

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Between Hyde & Leavenworth streets
Above Ghirardelli Square

World's crookedest street!...
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