San Francisco Attractions: Our 22 Personal Highlights

Map of Our 22 Top San Francisco Sights

To help you get your bearings right away, we’ve put together a map with our 22 San Francisco highlights.

The Top Highlights in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

Anyone who thinks of San Francisco automatically pictures that massive red bridge. It’s the standout of every road trip along the US West Coast and one of the most famous landmarks in the world! At 2,737 meters in length, it was long one of the longest suspension bridges on the planet.

You have several options for seeing the Golden Gate Bridge up close. Our absolute favorite is a bike ride from Fisherman’s Wharf all the way to Sausalito. That way you get to see a ton of the city, and bikes are easy to rent pretty much everywhere.

If you want to cross the Golden Gate Bridge by rental car, you’ll need to pay a toll. You can pay it before or after online through FasTrak. All you need is the license plate number. Some rental car companies will handle it for you for a small fee.

But where do you get the best photo? Our favorite vantage point is Battery Spencer in the Marin Headlands. From here you can see the bridge with downtown San Francisco in the background. A few more great spots:

• Crissy Field Beach / Presidio Park
• Baker Beach
• Alcatraz
• Marshall’s Beach

Important: The Golden Gate Bridge is often completely swallowed up by fog. Check the weather forecast ahead of time.

Book a bike in San Francisco

Book a guided bike tour to Sausalito

Alcatraz

If the Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco’s most iconic sight, Alcatraz runs it a very close second. This prison island has a seriously fascinating history.

Originally, the first lighthouse in the USA stood here — until world-famous criminals like Al Capone were locked up on the island starting in the 1930s. There were certainly escape attempts, though none are known to have succeeded.

Today you can explore Alcatraz on a self-guided tour. It starts with a 15-minute ferry ride from Pier 33 to the island. Once there, you’re free to roam around and stay as long as you like. In the main building, you can check out the original cells — super fascinating!

Make sure to grab the audio guide too. It takes you through the ruins for about an hour and is available in English.

GetYourGuide also offers combo tickets if you want to book Alcatraz and a sightseeing boat tour together and save a few bucks.

Important: Book your Alcatraz tour as early as possible. We were told that tickets can sell out up to three months in advance.

Book combo ticket: Alcatraz & boat tour

Cable Cars

The cable cars are, by a wide margin, the most unique way to get around and one of the top things to do in San Francisco. These red-and-yellow streetcars have been running through the city’s steep streets since 1873 and are still pulled by a cable — hence the name.

Today there are only three cable car lines, which we’ve marked on the map above. All three offer great views over the city.

A single ride costs $7. You can pay cash on board (exact change only), or buy a ticket at the kiosks near the terminal stops. The earlier you get there, the better your chances of snagging a spot on the outdoor seats.

If you want to learn more about the history and mechanics of the cable cars, there’s also the Cable Car Museum in Nob Hill — and it’s free to enter.

Union Square

Union Square is the heart of San Francisco. Towering skyscrapers rise up all around it, and amid the honking taxis you really feel like you’ve arrived in the city.

Attention shoppers: Union Square is home to countless shopping options, from high-end brands like Tiffany and Co. and Prada to everyday chains like H&M. There’s also a Macy’s department store here.

Just a short walk away is Market Street, where you can keep on shopping.

A classic move is grabbing a slice of cake at the Cheesecake Factory with a view of the Dewey Memorial — we naturally did exactly that, and it was delicious!

Lombard Street

There’s no more famous street in San Francisco than Lombard Street. Why? Because with eight sharp turns packed into just 150 meters, it’s the most crooked street in the world.

Over time it’s become a real tourist magnet, which is why it’s been decked out with gorgeous colorful flower beds — making it a genuinely beautiful photo opportunity.

We’d advise against driving down Lombard Street yourself. It’s usually even more chaotic than regular city traffic and honestly just stressful. If you want a good photo, come either late in the evening or early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s waterfront district and the city’s tourist hub. You’ll find tons of souvenir shops and excellent seafood restaurants. Many tours in San Francisco, including those to Alcatraz, also depart from here.

The most famous attraction at Fisherman’s Wharf is Pier 39, where sea lions have taken up permanent residence — they simply decided they didn’t want to leave.

Yes, it’s the most touristy spot in the city and has little in common with the old fishing hub it once was. But the atmosphere — with all the street performers, musicians, and views of the water — is pure vacation vibes. Worth a visit.

Our tip: The beautiful Ferry Building at Pier 41 hosts a Farmers’ Market every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday featuring locally sourced products.

Boat Tour Through the Bay Area

If you want to see as much of San Francisco as possible in a short amount of time, a boat tour through the Bay Area is one of our top recommendations. The bay is framed by the Golden Gate Bridge to the north and the Oakland Bay Bridge to the east.

As the boat departs from the piers, you’ll have a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Once you’re out on the water, the entire skyline of San Francisco opens up — including the massive, pointed Transamerica Pyramid.

You’ll also cruise past Alcatraz and Angel Island, as well as the Marin Headlands and the charming coastal town of Sausalito.

Our tip: The boat tour is especially beautiful during golden hour!

Book a sunset boat tour

Book an afternoon catamaran tour

Discover Alternative San Francisco

Hippie Neighborhood Haight-Ashbury

What surfers were to Los Angeles, hippies were to San Francisco. Back in the 1960s and ’70s, this neighborhood was a magnet for the counterculture movement. Music legends like Jimi Hendrix even lived here at one point.

The flower power vibe has faded a bit, but it’s still very much in the air. You’ll find record stores and secondhand boutiques, vegan cafés, and retro shops lining the streets. Haight-Ashbury is San Francisco’s alternative, countercultural soul.

The standout of Haight-Ashbury is the Painted Ladies — a row of colorful Victorian houses that were once typical of San Francisco and are now one of the city’s most photographed spots.

Chinatown

There are many Chinatowns across the US, but none quite like the one in San Francisco! At 24 city blocks, it’s one of the largest and oldest in the country.

Red lanterns hang between the buildings, street signs are in Chinese, the smell of fried noodles is everywhere, and countless shops sell traditional Chinese goods. The entrance is marked by the Dragon Gate. Honestly, you really feel like you’ve landed in Asia!

There’s even a fortune cookie factory here — the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory — which is a fun quick stop.

Our tip: You can eat incredibly delicious Asian food in Chinatown. In our experience, the best meals are found in the unassuming restaurants tucked away off the main streets.

Mission District

The Mission District is San Francisco’s nightlife neighborhood. Sure, there are clubs downtown too — but while those lean upscale and fancy, the Mission is all about laid-back bars and a real local vibe. Smaller festivals and live concerts pop up here regularly.

You’ll meet people of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds here, and it’s super easy to strike up a conversation with locals. During the day they hang out at Mission Dolores Park for picnics.

The Mission is also known as San Francisco’s Latino neighborhood, which means some of the best tacos and burritos in the city are right here.

Street Art in San Francisco

The Mission District is also where you’ll find the most street art in San Francisco. The most well-known streets include Clarion Alley, Balmy Alley, and the 24th Street Corridor. Some of the works are simply fun, but most carry political or social commentary.

Street art isn’t limited to the Mission, though — you can also find it in North Beach along the smaller side streets off Columbus Avenue, and more recently in Fisherman’s Wharf on Umbrella Alley. We were especially taken with the street art in Chinatown, like along Grant Street.

You can also join a street art tour, which we’d really recommend. It’s fascinating because you learn the stories behind the works and get a genuine sense of what’s on the minds of locals.

Book a street art and street food tour in the Mission District

Surfing at Fort Point

As passionate surfers, Fort Point was of course an absolute must for us in San Francisco. On some days, a wave breaks right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge — surely one of the most unique surf spots along the California coast.

The wave breaks directly in front of Fort Point, an old fortification. Even if you don’t surf, it’s fun to watch the surfers from here, and you get a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge at the same time.

Important: This spot is only suitable for experienced surfers and rarely works. We were out of luck — there wasn’t a single wave during the entire week we were there.

North Beach

Little Italy goes by the name North Beach and sits just north of Chinatown. The moment you step into the area, it’s obvious where the nickname comes from — starting with the Italian flags on the lampposts.

You can eat like you’re in Bella Italia! Have an Italian espresso at Café Trieste, enjoy pasta at Mama’s (where an actual Italian mama still does the cooking), grab a pizza at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, or treat yourself to gelato at one of the many ice cream shops on Columbus Street. Honestly, it’s foodie heaven.

Two absolute must-sees in North Beach are Café Vesuvio and Zoetrope Café. Both buildings are worth a visit for their architecture alone, and both have a long, storied history in San Francisco.

The Best Viewpoints in San Francisco

Twin Peaks

San Francisco has no shortage of great overlooks, and Twin Peaks sits right at the top of our personal favorites.

As the name suggests, it’s made up of two hills in the western part of the city. You simply drive up Twin Peaks Boulevard until you reach Christmas Tree Point on the more northerly of the two hills.

There’s not much more than a parking lot up here, but the panorama takes in all of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the bay. The vista is most beautiful at sunset — as long as the city isn’t buried in fog, which happens often.

Our tip: Take an Uber to Twin Peaks. The parking lot fills up fast, and getting there by public transit is quite a hassle.

Coit Tower

Coit Tower is one of the most well-known viewpoints in San Francisco. The tower itself is only 64 meters tall — not that impressive on its own. But it sits atop Telegraph Hill, which adds another solid 90 meters of elevation.

You’ll find Coit Tower at the top of San Francisco’s steepest street, Filbert Street, with a grade of 31.5 percent. Anyone up for a workout can walk up from Chinatown or Fisherman’s Wharf in about 25 minutes. Otherwise, bus line 29 also runs to Coit Tower.

Inside, an elevator takes you to the top. On a clear day, you can see the entire city from here — including Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Marin Headlands

We already mentioned the Marin Headlands back at our number one pick. Most people just make a quick stop at the first overlook at Battery Spencer, right behind the Golden Gate Bridge, to snap a photo of the bridge.

We’d recommend spending a bit more time here, though, because it’s a seriously great spot for hiking. We chose the Coastal Trail, which offers beautiful views of San Francisco the entire way.

We hiked all the way to Rodeo Beach, where you can take a quick dip in the ocean and — on days with swell — watch the surfers. On the way back, we made a detour to check out the World War II bunkers.

A good trail map of the Marin Headlands can be found on the National Park Service website.

San Francisco Highlights for Families

Walt Disney Family Museum

At the Walt Disney Family Museum, your kids can encounter their favorite characters from the Disney universe — starting with Mickey Mouse himself.

Don’t expect a Disneyland experience, though. This museum is really about the origins of Disney’s success story. On display are original cartoon drawings, animated videos, storyboards for legendary films, and audio recordings of classic cartoon sound effects.

There’s also a massive 3D replica of Disneyland that kids absolutely love.

For adults, the most interesting part is the backstory of Walt Disney’s life — how the idea for Mickey Mouse came about and, above all, how the animated films were pulled off technically back in the day.

Book Walt Disney Family Museum ticket

Children's Creativity Museum

The Children’s Creativity Museum is a great San Francisco attraction for families on rainy days — and honestly, one of the better ones we’ve come across.

As the name suggests, there are no limits to kids’ creativity here. The ArtLab offers a huge variety of materials for crafting, and where else do kids get to paint on walls?

What really sets it apart is the technology. There’s a music studio where little ones can compose their own songs, and an animation studio where they can produce a film using Lego bricks.

There’s also an antique carousel with horses. With a museum ticket, you can get a discounted carousel ride for $3.

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is essentially San Francisco’s green lung, similar to Central Park in New York. At over 1,000 hectares, it’s one of the largest urban parks in the world.

Kids have plenty of room to run around, you can have picnics, or simply take a breather from city life.

There’s also plenty to see. We especially loved the Japanese Tea Garden and the Botanical Garden. If you’re in the mood for culture, the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences (a natural science museum) are both located within the park and well worth your time.

Great Day Trips from San Francisco

Sausalito

Sausalito is a charming, slightly laid-back town at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you want to escape the hustle of the city, a day trip to Sausalito is just the thing — great food, a relaxed beach, and beautiful views back toward San Francisco.

The most well-known attraction is a collection of around 400 houseboats. You can stroll along the piers and see how residents have decked out their floating homes.

To get there, take the ferry from Pier 41 across the bay. We think that’s the nicest option, since you get a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz along the way. Or, as we mentioned back at number one, rent a bike and ride across the bridge.

Book a ferry ticket from San Francisco to Sausalito

Silicon Valley

Google, Facebook, Apple — Silicon Valley, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco, is home to the who’s who of the world’s biggest tech companies.

You can check out the garage where HP was founded, or the house where Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built the first Apple computer. The Apple Infinite Loop campus is also incredibly impressive.

We had the best time on the Google campus. You can grab one of the famous Google bikes and ride around the grounds. What’s offered to employees here is truly mind-blowing — there are beach volleyball courts on campus, for example.

Not every company is eager to show you what goes on behind the scenes, of course. But the atmosphere among all these innovative companies is one of a kind. You really do get a little taste of the technology of tomorrow.

Stanford University

If you’re visiting Silicon Valley, make a quick detour to Stanford — the campus is right on the way.

Stanford is one of the most prestigious universities in the USA, and the campus is genuinely beautiful. It reminded us more of a Mediterranean resort than a university — where else do palm trees grow next to the library?

The best view over the campus is from the 14th floor of Hoover Tower. Admission is only $5.

General Tips for Your San Francisco Trip

To wrap things up, here are a few personal tips to help you plan your visit and make the most of sightseeing in San Francisco.

Stay in a Centrally Located Hotel

We’ll be honest: San Francisco is an expensive city. Cheaper accommodations exist, but they’re much further outside the center — and then you’re looking at at least an hour on public transit to get downtown.

Our advice: don’t skimp on your lodging. Staying centrally saves you time and makes the whole trip much more enjoyable.

Here are our top 3 hotel picks for San Francisco:

CitizenM: Stylish boutique hotel at Union Square in the heart of San Francisco.

Staypineapple: Design hotel in Nob Hill, centrally located in a beautiful neighborhood with Victorian architecture.

The Clancy: Cool hotel in SoMa, particularly well-suited for younger travelers.

Looking for more where to stay tips for San Francisco? Check out these articles:

Book Your Alcatraz Ticket Early

Alcatraz is essentially the only top San Francisco place to visit that requires advance booking — but you really do need to book it early. During peak season, tickets sell out up to three months in advance.

There are also combo tours, which are great if you want to pack in as much as possible in a short amount of time.

Book Alcatraz ticket

Book combo tour: Alcatraz with Sausalito & Muir Woods

Save Money & Time with a San Francisco City Card

Several city cards are available for San Francisco. You buy the card once and get free admission and discounts at attractions, guided tours, ferry rides, and more.

Since city cards can differ significantly in what they include, we’ve put together an article breaking down which San Francisco city card is the best fit for you:

How Much Time Should You Plan for San Francisco?

You can see the most important San Francisco attractions in two days.

That said, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a whole week — especially with the many great day trip destinations around San Francisco.