- Entertainment – If you’re looking for entertainment in San Francisco, head over to Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf offers tourists many things to do as well as performances and concerts offered throughout the year. Also, there are great things to do on Pier 39, located in Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Arts & Cultural – San Francisco is definitely not lacking in art and museums. Head over to Fort Mason Center and the San Francisco Museum of Art, where you can admire many pieces of art. Also, visit Mission District, a neighborhood where art thrives.
- Restaurants & Shopping – San Francisco is also not lacking in great places to shop and amazing food. Head over to Fillmore Street or Chestnut Street if you’re looking for trendy, stylish clothing. If you want to shop at a mall, visit the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Here, you can grab a bite to eat at the great restaurants, shop all you want at designer stores, relax at the spa, and watch a movie. Also, don’t forget to visit Union Square, a historic shopping destination. If you can, eat at the Kokkari Estiatorio and the Molinari Deli, rated the #1 fine dining and local restaurant, respectively.
- Sports Venues – If you love sports, San Francisco won’t disappoint you. If you’re a football fan, catch a Francisco 49ers game. If you’re more of a baseball fan, head over to AT&T Park. This is where the San Francisco Giants have been playing since 2000. It is also the site of many World Series Games. If you can’t score a ticket, consider taking a tour of the beautiful stadium.
- Historical Sites & Landmarks – San Francisco has several historical sites and landmarks. One of them is Union Square. Union Square is the heart of the San Francisco’s downtown. Here, you can shop, relax, and eat your favorite foods. Another historic site is Alcatraz. Alcatraz was a former federal prison that housed some of the biggest and baddest, including Al Capone. Now, it is a popular tourist spot, attracting 1 million visitors each year.
- Parks & Outdoor Activities – If you want to relax at a park, head over to the Golden Gate Park. This park contains several attractions, including a Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest Japanese Garden in the United States. You can also admire the beautiful flowers at the Conservatory of Flowers, the oldest public conservatory in the Western Hemisphere. If you would like to spend some time on sand and water, head over to Baker’s Beach. This beach is known as one of the most popular in California.
- Zoos & Aquariums – If you like to spend time with animals, visit the San Francisco Zoo. Here, you can find lions, tigers, bears, wolverines, gorillas, and giraffes. If you’d prefer aquatic animals, head over to the Aquarium of the Bay, an aquarium located on Pier 39. Here, you can find sharks, otters, octopus, jellyfish, colorful fish, and so much more. Also, visit the California Academy of Sciences, where you can find an aquarium that houses over 40,000 animals. Some of these include penguins, alligators, and sharks
- Other Points of Interest – You remember seeing cable cars in some of your favorite movies? Well, you can ride them here at San Francisco. You can catch some of these cars at certain spots in the city, one of them being at the Powell-Hyde Line at Powell and Market Streets. Speaking of movies, take a picture in front of the “Full House” house. Another fun thing to do is to hike up Twin Peaks to get am amazing view of the city. The trek up is more than worth it.
Things to Do/Places to Visit
- Golden Gate Bridge
You can’t come to Sacramento without visiting this iconic bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is over the Golden Gate Strait, which joins the Pacific with the San Francisco Bay. If you want an amazing picture near the bridge, visit the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point. Also, make sure you visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Some parts of the area are just a stroll away from the bridge. If you’re looking for some scenic trails near the bridge, there are plenty. Some of these trails lead to secluded beaches, like Kirby Cove and Black Sands Beach. The bridge can be used every day for the whole day by any vehicles or foot. Also, there might be some tolls along the bridge.
- Golden Gate Park
Another interesting attraction, the Golden Gate Park offers visitors so many things to do. There are trails, picnic areas, playgrounds for the kids, sports courts, several gardens, and museums. One of the sites you can’t miss is the Japanese Tea Garden, which serves the oldest Japanese Garden in the United States. Also, admire the beautiful flowers at the Conservatory of Flowers, the oldest public conservatory in the Western Hemisphere. The California Academy of Sciences is also located within the park (listed below). If you can’t visit any of these sites, make sure you at least visit the park for its amazing scenery. While its free to get into the park, many things in the park like the museum and gardens cost money.
- California Academy of Sciences
Located within the Golden Gate Park, you can’t miss heading over to the California Academy of Sciences, especially with kids. Housing an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a rainforest, there is more than enough here for your enjoyment. The Steinhart Aquarium houses more than 40,000 animals, including a penguin colony, a swamp with an albino alligator, and a lagoon filled with sharks. There is also a separate 100,000 gallon tank that looks exactly like the Californian coast ecosystem. The Osher Rainforest holds 1,600 animals, which include birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The Morrison Planetarium has a 75 foot wide screen, which plays the “Tour of the Universe” every day. You can also view dinosaur fossils and experience an earthquake in the Kimball Natural History Museum.
- The Exploratorium
If you like to get a hands-on experience at a museum, head over to the Exploratorium. The Exploratorium offers 600 hands-on exhibits that cover several subjects such as engineering, biology, and more. We recommend you heading over to the tactile dome, where you use only your sense of touch to help yourself navigate through the pitch-black darkness of the dome. You can also admire the San Francisco sculpture made of 10,000 toothpicks. While this museum is perfect for the younger ones, adults can enjoy their time here as well. If you don’t want to see kids running around, visit on a Thursday after 6pm, where its 18 and up. Though the price of admission is quite high, many will agree with us that the experience is worth the price. For adults, tickets cost $29.95. For seniors and children 13 to 17, it costs $24.95. For those aged 4 to 12, tickets are $19.95.
- Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is the largest tourist spot in San Francisco. With a plethora of things to do, it’s no wonder why. The Wharf has it all, from low-key to mainstream attractions. One of the most popular spots in Fisherman’s Wharf is Pier 39, which features many shopping and restaurant options. (Read more about it in the shopping/food section below). Also on the wharf, there is a Madame Tussauds wax museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and the Aquarium of the Bay. The last two are located on Pier 39. For those who like history, head over to the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park and its Maritime Museum. When you get hungry, you MUST head over to Ghirardelli Square, the home of the original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. Fisherman’s Wharf is open all day, but many institutions have their own hours and pricing.
- AT&T Park
If you’re visiting San Francisco during baseball season (April to October), then you have to catch a game at the home of the San Francisco Giants. The AT&T Park is known to be one of the most scenic baseball parks due to its beautiful placement next to the San Francisco Bay. If you can score tickets, you’ll probably be able to see the glimmering water from your seats. If you’re visit to San Fran isn’t during baseball season, don’t be “struck out”. Consider taking one of the year round tours of the stadium, which gives you an in-depth look at the field, dugout, press box, and more.You can also view the World Series awards that are on display on the Promenade Level, located behind home plate. Tours cost $22 for adults and $12 for those 12 and under. For game times and ticket prices, visit the Giant’s MLB website.
- Twin Peaks
Want to view San Francisco from the best spot? Take a hike to the second highest point in the city, Twin Peaks. These grassy hills rise a bit over 900 feet from the ground, making it the spot for the best view of San Francisco. Visitors agree that the views are stunning in both day and night times, making it worth the trek. From the top of the pounds, you can view several San Francisco landmarks, such as the Bay Bridge. When you go, you might want to bring a jacket, as it gets chillier higher up than sea level. Also, stay on the marked trails so as to avoid poison ivy that can be found in the area.
- Alcatraz
Once a prison and now a tourist attraction, Alcatraz is a must-see. The main reason Alcatraz is so popular is because its laden with history. It used to be a high-grade federal prison that housed some of America’s biggest and baddest, including Al Capone. Before that, it was a military prison for prisoners of the Spanish-American War and Civil Wall. When the prison was shutdown, it was handed over to the National Park Service for it to become a tourist attraction. To get to Alcatraz, you’ll need to purchase ferry tickets. Tickets start at $37.25 for adults. The ride there is a scenic boat trip across the bay. Once you get to the site, you will be given a complimentary audio tour that is voiced by former guards and inmates. To book your trip to Alcatraz, visit the Alcatraz Cruises website.
Best Way to Tour San Francisco
- The best way to tour the city of San Francisco (as well as many other cities) is by chartered buses and vans. Explore at your own pace within the safety of your private vehicle. Don’t worry about ordering an Uber or Lyft when you have your own exploration vehicle. Through Prompt Bus Charters, you can order the buses you need. Prompt Bus Charters is an amazing, affordable chartered vehicle company that caters to your every needs. Whether you need a bus for school trips, marriages, parties, campaigns, or whatever else, Prompt Bus Charters can help you. Prompt Bus Charters offers buses, mini buses, school buses, party buses, and more. Most destination listed above and below are accessible by chartered buses. Visit the our website (promptbuscharters.com) to book your rental bus today!
Best Places to Eat/Shop
- Fillmore Street – If you’re looking for a stylish place to shop and high-end cafes and restaurants, this street is the place to go.
- Westfield San Francisco Centre – This centre is the perfect place to have a great time. Shopping, food, spas, and a theater will keep you busy.
- The Mission District – This shopping district is great for trendy and local shops. Most products offered here are made my local artisans.
- Union Square – This is the best historic shopping site in San Fran. Flagship stores as well as great restaurants are located here.
- Chestnut Street –This is the place to go for affordable and stylish clothing. Many of the stores here specialize in casual clothing.
- Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39 –Find great dining and shopping here at this tourist laden spot. Shop and eat while you enjoy the many attractions.
- Kokkari Estiatorio – Enjoy amazing Greek food at this restaurant. It is rated the #1 fine dining restaurant in San Francisco by tripadvisor.
- Molinari Delicatessen – You can’t miss eating at this affordable Italian deli. It is rated the #1 local cuisine restaurant by tripadvisor.