11 Best Things to do in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is such a great city! We've been so many times, yet there is something new to do every time. With all the hills and located on the coast, there are spectacular views! We love being a tourist and they have some pretty great food there too! Here is a list of our FAVORITE things to do in San Francisco:

1. Ride a Cable Car

I always think of Full House when I see the cable cars. Your trip would not be complete without a ride on these guys! There are three cable car lines: the Powell-Hyde Line, the Powell-Mason Line and the California Line. There's even a cable car museum! It's about $7 to take a ride. Check out San Francisco’s official guide: How to ride a Cable Car

2. See the Painted Ladies

Address: Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Check out these iconic brightly colored Victorian beauties. Alamo Square Park, located directly across from the ladies, is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy them! If you're not singing the theme song to Full House in front of these houses, there is something wrong with you. Speaking of, the actual Full House house is located: 1709 Broderick Street, about a mile away. We walked to the Mrs. Doubtfire house instead see #10.

3. Check Out Alcatraz  

This famous prison is in the middle of the bay, once home to Al Capone. Make sure you buy your tickets a couple weeks in advance, the earlier you go, the less crowds there are. Day tickets to The Rock are only $45, including the ferry to get there and the self guided audio tour. I dare you to try the night tour! Buy tickets here: Alcatraz Tours or Viator offers great bundles and you can get into Alcatraz and the Aquarium for $63!

4. Visit Lombard Street

Address: Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Check out the 8 crazy zigzag turns down the hill on Lombard Street. It’s fun to drive down!

5. Visit the Sea Lions at Fisherman's Wharf - Pier 39

Address: Beach Street & The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133

Grab a bite to eat, do some shopping and then come see these guys! There are hundreds of sea lions at times, swimming, barking, and splashing. I could sit and watch them for hours!

6. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129

You can drive, bike, and even walk across this massive bridge, or enjoy from a beach nearby. Any way you choose, you can appreciate the beauty of this iconic art deco bridge. If you get to the other side, there is a park/lookout area to snap a few photos. This was taken from the Crissy Fields East Beach:

7. Walk through the Palace of Fine Arts

Address: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Take a walk through the Palace of Fine Arts walking distance from the Crissy Fields beach in #7! Appreciate the Greco-Roman architecture and lookout for turtles and ducks!

See if there are any events while you are there: Palace of Fine Arts Events

8. Get Ice Cream and Sit in the Park

Bi-Rite: 3692 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Bi-Rite is one of the best ice cream establishments in San Francisco. There is always a wait, but it is well worth it. Dolores Park is right across the street, which is a great place to enjoy city views and have some ice cream. The park isn’t always so crowded, it had rained all week and it was a warm beautiful day!

See our full BiRite Ice Cream Review here

9. Go Shopping in Union Square

Address: 333 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Shopping is one of my favorite activities and Union Square has some of the best stores: Macy's, Saks 5th Ave, Tiffany & Co, Nike, Apple, Williams-Sonoma, to name a few. Stop at the Burger Bar in Macy’s for Union Square views and a milkshake! If you go down Powell there are even more shops and a mall off of Market Street. 

10. Find the Mrs. Doubtfire House

Mrs. Doubtfire House Address: 2640 Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94115

"Steiner Street. Oooh how lovely!" Quote from Mrs. Doubtfire, one of my favorite movies of all-time. There's even a Robin Williams tribute with people that have signed rocks in the planter. Here's what it looks like: inside the house.

11. Catch a Giant's Game at AT&T Park

Address: 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107

Check out their schedule and buy tickets: Click Here

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