San Francisco is one of America’s most popular tourist destinations, but the sheer number of things to do in San Francisco can make it overwhelming for first-time visitors. The best way to get to know San Francisco is with a city tour, so you can go back to the spots that piqued your interest.

If you have more time on your trip, you can branch out to explore some of the national parks near San Francisco and other attractions in the Bay Area.

Here’s our insider’s guide to the top 10 things to do in San Francisco:

• Take a Tour of Iconic Landmarks
• Visit Napa Valley Wine Country
• Stroll Among the Redwoods in Muir Woods
• Hike to Waterfalls in Yosemite
• Set Sail from Fisherman’s Wharf
• Explore Alcatraz Island
• Spend a Starlit Evening in North Beach
• Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge
• Smell the Flowers in Golden Gate Park
• Drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey
• FAQs

Take a Tour of Iconic Landmarks

San Francisco’s natural beauty is stunning, but its landmarks are what set it apart. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Painted Ladies, San Francisco is instantly recognizable from almost any vantage point.

On a tour of San Francisco, your local guide will introduce you to the history and attractions in key neighborhoods like Nob Hill, North Beach, Chinatown, the Mission, and Haight-Ashbury. Most city tours allow you time to take selfies at iconic photo spots like the Golden Gate Bridge, among the flowers at the Palace of Fine Arts, and atop Twin Peaks.

Check out our guided San Francisco tours to start your visit off right. We also offer self-guided audio tours so you can explore at your own pace.

Visit Napa Valley Wine Country

Only an hour’s drive from downtown San Francisco, Napa Valley is one of the most popular destinations in California wine country. A wine country tour here is a must-do experience, even if you’re only a little bit into wine — the scenic landscapes and beautiful vineyards are well worth the trip in their own right! We recommend a weekday trip when the wineries will be less crowded.

Napa Valley’s climate is pleasant any time of year. Between sips of Cabernet, Chardonnay, and other wine varieties, you can admire the bright green vines of spring, clusters of purple grapes in summer, and golden leaves when you visit Napa in the fall. Book a tour to Napa Valley so you can enjoy the experience and leave the driving to us!

Stroll Among the Redwoods at Muir Woods

Muir Woods, home to 2,000-year-old towering redwoods, is just a few miles from San Francisco — making it one of the closest places to see redwoods in the Bay Area. There are several ways to get to Muir Woods, but with the need for parking or shuttle reservations, it’s best to take a tour.

Plan to spend at least 90 minutes walking along the trails through groves of giant coastal redwoods — some as tall as 250 feet high. Most tours make a photo stop during the crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge, so you can check both activities off of your San Francisco to-do list.

Choose from a morning or afternoon tour to suit your schedule.

Hike to Waterfalls in Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is one of the best places to see waterfalls near the Bay Area, including the tallest waterfall in North America, Yosemite Falls. Of course, there’s plenty more to admire, including Inspiration Point, El Capitan, Half Dome, and the Tuolumne Giant Sequoias.

There are several ways to get to Yosemite from San Francisco, most of which involve a four-hour drive and may require a reservation. Going on a tour allows you to leave the driving to us and arrive ready to explore your destination. Even better, book an overnight tour to enjoy the sunset and stargazing after dark.

Join the leading Yosemite National Park tour with Extranomical.

Set Sail from Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the most popular things to do in San Francisco. From the sea lions at Pier 39 to vintage arcade games at Musee Mecanique, Fisherman’s Wharf is fun, quirky, and memorable. To see it from a different vantage point, join a sunset sail as evening arrives in San Francisco Bay.

From the deck of your cruise or sailboat, enjoy stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower, and the Transamerica Building as they light up for the night.

Due to capacity limits, these trips are most likely to sell out.

Explore Alcatraz Island

A visit to Alcatraz Island is another opportunity to see San Francisco from the water. Every visit begins with a 15-minute cruise with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and Angel Island.

Upon arrival to Alcatraz Island, pick up the Cellhouse Audio Tour included with your tour package. Hear the voices of inmates describe their experiences at Alcatraz as you explore this notorious prison. The audio tour is available in English, Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Dutch or Mandarin.

Alcatraz tickets are limited and frequently sell out. Explore Alcatraz with our guided San Francisco city tour to ensure you don’t miss it!

Spend a Starlit Evening in North Beach

North Beach, known as Little Italy, is full of fantastic restaurants, theatres, and nightclubs. Kick things off at the Tosca Cafe for drinks then sit down behind a perfect pizza pie at Tony’s Pizza on the edge of Washington Square. If you still have energy, head over to Club Fugazi to see Dear San Francisco, a 90-minute love letter to San Francisco with high flying acrobatics.

Our North Beach self-guided walking tour plays automatically as you explore the historic locales, local restaurants, and hidden gems of North Beach.

Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Despite its many hills, San Francisco is an incredibly bikeable city — especially if you rent an electric bike! If you want to explore the city at your own pace, a bike rental gives you the perfect mix of freedom and mobility.

Start your day by biking along the San Francisco waterfront and across the Golden Gate Bridge. From there, make your way to Sausalito and explore this charming little beach town. Once you’ve had your fill, roll your bikes onto the ferry for a relaxing boat ride back to San Francisco. 

Bikes can get sold out, so book yours in advance here.

Smell the Flowers in Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is the largest park in San Francisco, and is filled with flowers year-round. In early spring, head to the San Francisco Botanical Gardens for the magnolias and the Japanese Tea Garden for cherry blossoms. On the western edge of the park, you’ll find tulips in Queen Wilhelmina Garden. In May and June, wander the Rose Garden and Shakespeare Garden to smell these beautiful, fragrant flowers. 

The Gold Rush to Golden Gate self-guided audio tour takes you to Golden Gate Park as you learn the colorful history of San Francisco’s top attractions.

Drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey

A few hours south of San Francisco is Monterey, where you’ll find an incredible mix of wildlife, stunning coastline, and colorful history. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to take some photos of the sea otters playing in Monterey Bay.

During your free time, visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or take the time to stroll out to Lovers’ Point. After admiring the views on the 17-Mile Drive from Monterey to Carmel, explore charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. Enjoy quaint shops or get some white Pacific sand between your toes.

Check out our 1-day tour to both Monterey and Carmel below.

FAQs

What’s the number one attraction in San Francisco?
The number one attraction in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. With its impressive architecture and stunning setting, it’s easily one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Even if you’re on a tight schedule, getting a great view — and a photo — is an absolute must when visiting San Francisco.

Do you need a car in San Francisco?
You don’t need a car in San Francisco. It’s a walkable city with efficient public transportation options, including trolleys. Bike rentals are also a convenient way to get around. If you plan to visit other destinations like Yosemite National Park or wine country, you can either rent a car or book a tour.

What is the weather like in San Francisco?
San Francisco’s weather is generally mild throughout the year. It’s known for its microclimates, which means that even if one neighborhood is warm and sunny, another may be blanketed in fog. Expect sunshine and high temperatures in the 60s to 70s Fahrenheit — but mornings and evenings can be chilly.

If you’re visiting between December and March, you may experience a few rainy days. In summer, you may experience San Francisco’s famous fog, which tends to roll in overnight and retreat by late morning.

What to pack for a trip to San Francisco?
The most important thing to pack for a trip to San Francisco is layers. This is true at any time of year. Thanks to San Francisco’s unique geography and climate, you can encounter almost every kind of weather in a single day. Be prepared to take layers on and off, and bring a waterproof jacket in winter to stay dry in the rain and fog. Also, be sure to bring comfortable shoes for walking and hiking.

Is one day enough to see San Francisco?
One day is enough to see San Francisco’s highlights, including its most famous landmarks. Ideally, plan to spend 3-4 days in San Francisco so you can explore the city at a relaxed pace. But if you only have a single day, the most popular attractions are close enough that you can squeeze them all in.

Here’s our checklist of can’t-miss San Francisco highlights:

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Golden Gate Park
• Chinatown
• Cable Car
• Lombard Street
• Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39

What can you do in two days in San Francisco?
With two days in San Francisco, you can see all of the highlights, plus a few more attractions, such as Alcatraz Island and Muir Woods.

Here’s our checklist for visitors with two full days in the city:

• Golden Gate Bridge
• Golden Gate Park
• Chinatown
• Cable Car
• Lombard Street
• Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
• Alcatraz Island
• Mission District
• Haight-Ashbury
• North Beach
• Muir Woods

Published on: March 27th 2025