Today I want to share my San Francisco highlights guide with you. There’s no shortage of things to do in the city. As someone who was born and raised in the Bay Area, I’ve spent my whole life finding the best of them. From sightseeing to activities, restaurants, and bridges, this place offers an abundance of options for visitors and locals alike. Read on for my top picks.
San Francisco Highlights
My list includes a mix of perennial favorites and first-time visitor musts. Whether you’ve traveled to San Francisco a million times or you need inspiration to plan your initial trip, I hope it will give you a good overview of what the City by the Bay has to offer.
1. Golden Gate Bridge
If there’s one thing you have to do when you visit San Francisco, it’s see the Golden Gate Bridge. This iconic landmark is the highlight of any trip, and thanks to the city’s ever-changing weather, it looks different every time.
My favorite way to see the bridge is to walk along Crissy Field to view it from the waterfront. The Presidio has great vantage points, too, as do places like Baker Beach and the Marin Headlands. Wherever you look at it from, I’m sure it will be as magical for you as it is for me.
If you want to, you can even rent a bike and cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a fun way to see the sights and get some exercise at the same time. You can ride all the way to Sausalito and take the ferry back. It’s a great day trip from San Francisco.
2. Union Square
Another highlight of San Francisco is walking around Union Square. This place lies at the heart of the city’s downtown shopping scene, and it buzzes with energy throughout the year. Whether you go during the summer to catch a live performance or in winter when the ice skating rink is up, there’s always something to entertain you.
I love visiting Union Square when I go downtown to shop. The Dewey Monument with its tall column topped with the Goddess of Victory is a sight to see, and the surrounding buildings have eye-catching heritage details to admire.
3. Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market
From Union Square it’s a short walk to the Ferry Building. After getting my shopping fix, one of my favorite things to do in San Francisco is go to the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market.
It’s open several days a week, but the main event is the Saturday market. From 8am to 2pm the Ferry Building and its environs come alive with local produce from around California. I love grazing my way through crisp pears, pineapple guavas, and other seasonal specialties.
The prepared foods are amazing, too. I can’t leave without having coffee from Blue Bottle, chilaquiles from Primavera, and a cupcake from Miette, all of which go down a treat.
4. Cable Cars
Next on my list of San Francisco highlights is the iconic cable cars. No trip to the city would be complete without riding one, and it’s a great way to see the city.
These historic trolleys go up and down San Francisco’s legendary hills, offering great views and lots of fun as they go. From Lombard Street to California Street, they’ll take you to some of the most famous places in the city.
There are multiple routes you can take, and each one offers a unique perspective on the city’s landscape. It’s worth trying one or two while you’re in town.
5. Alcatraz
Alcatraz is another of the most iconic places in San Francisco. This island in the middle of the bay is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Formerly a fort, a military prison, and a maximum security federal penitentiary, it has a long and storied past.
I’ve toured Alcatraz many times, and I love the audio guide that tells the stories of former prisoners on the island. Seeing the cells and learning about daily inmate life and daring escapes is fascinating.
Add to that the panoramic views of the city and the fact that the ferry ride is a sightseeing highlight in itself, and this place is worth a trip.
6. Coit Tower
Coit Tower is another highlight of visiting San Francisco. Walking up to it is worth the trek, especially when it’s via the secret stairways that ascend from near the waterfront. They’re local secrets, and they offer a glimpse into San Francisco’s eclectic culture. You can also drive, but walking is truly rewarding.
When you reach Coit Tower you’ll be standing in front of a 210-foot column in Pioneer Park on Telegraph Hill. The tower was completed in 1933, and if you take the elevator to the top, you’ll enjoy sweeping views over the city and the bay.
If you want to see the area around it, my free self-guided Telegraph Hill walk will show you the best of the neighborhood.
7. Lombard Street
If you want views of Coit Tower, the stretch of Lombard Street between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street in Russian Hill is a great place to get them.
Said to be the crookedest street in the world, this part of the road is worth driving or walking down. The twists and turns are fun to navigate, and the views are spectacular. You can see it and more on my self-guided Russian Hill walk.
8. Golden Gate Park
If you love green spaces, Golden Gate Park is one of the best highlights of San Francisco. Extending inland from the Pacific Ocean, it’s one of the city’s biggest and best parks. It has everything from bison to a Japanese Tea Garden inside.
There’s a lot to do here, from admiring the Conservatory of Flowers to browsing the art collection at the de Young Museum and paddle boating on Blue Heron Lake (formerly Stow Lake). Events, concerts, and festivals take place here throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what’s on during your visit.
9. Haight-Ashbury
If you’re interested in San Francisco’s hippie past, beat a path to the Haight-Ashbury district. The Haight (as locals call it) was the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement. It’s still famous for its bohemian atmosphere today.
It’s fun to go to the corner of Haight Street and Ashbury Street and discover the shops and surrounding area. From vintage stores to souvenir shops and dive bars, it has a range of things on offer. Don’t miss the Grateful Dead House while you’re here, either.
10. Ghirardelli Square
When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do in San Francisco was eat ice cream in Ghirardelli Square. The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop is a chocoholic’s dream, and I still cherish memories of the sundaes I ate here as a kid. Seeing the chocolate being made is a treat, too.
But the square isn’t just about chocolate. There are great shops and restaurants here, too. It’s a fun place to have a meal and pick up gifts for friends and family back home (and souvenirs for yourself, of course).
11. Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
Fisherman’s Wharf is a San Francisco highlight for many visitors, especially those traveling with children. While locals tend to avoid it unless they’re going to In-N-Out Burger, it’s a fun place for kids to explore the city. There are lots of souvenir shops and things to entertain young people here.
Pier 39 is home to some restaurants with good Dungeness crab, too. The peak season for it is winter, so if you happen to be in the city in the cooler months, it’s worth a special trip. If it’s not winter, you can still head out here to see the resident sea lions and take in the colorful shops.
12. Painted Ladies
San Francisco is famous for its colorful Victorian houses, and the row of Painted Ladies in Alamo Square is a treat to see. With a view of skyscrapers in the background, this is one of the most photographed places in the city.
Alamo Square isn’t the only spot to see Victorians, either. San Francisco is full of homes from that era, and many of them are stunning. Look out for these beauties in places like the Mission, the Castro, Pacific Heights, and more.
13. San Francisco Giants Game
Going to a Giants game is one of the most quintessential things to do in San Francisco. The baseball park is right on the bay, and cheering for the home team is always fun.
Even if you’re not a baseball fan, the atmosphere (and famous garlic fries) make a game worth the trip. The stadium has a great ambiance and it’s a classic California experience.
14. Chinatown
Chinatown is another popular place to visit in San Francisco. This area between North Beach and the Financial District is the largest Chinatown outside Asia and the oldest Chinatown in North America.
The famous Dragon’s Gate welcomes visitors in, and behind it lie streets and alleys with everything from shops to restaurants, bars, markets, and more.
Chinatown is worth researching before you visit. There are obvious places to see on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street, but the real highlights are tucked away in hidden spaces. Locals love spots like Mr Jiu’s restaurant and Cold Drinks Bar.
15. Local Neighborhoods
One of my favorite things about San Francisco is that each neighborhood has its own personality. From the hippie Haight to the hipster Mission, it’s worth visiting a few to get a feel for the city. If you want to live like a local, they’re some of the best areas to stay in, too.
Upscale Pacific Heights has great shopping and dining on Fillmore Street, quirky Hayes Valley has fun boutiques and restaurants, and historic North Beach has Italian-influenced flair with beatnik undertones.
Add to that hip areas like Dogpatch and under-the-radar places like Potrero Hill, and you could extend your vacation for weeks to see it all.
Highlights of San Francisco
But you probably won’t have weeks (in fact, you might only have 1 day in San Francisco), so I’ll end my list here. I hope it’s helped you get an idea of all the amazing things SF has to offer. There’s something for everyone in the City by the Bay, and finding what you love is the fastest way to leave your heart here.
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