10 Best Things to Do in San Francisco for First-Time Visitors

Planning your first trip to San Francisco? From walking across the Golden Gate Bridge to exploring Alcatraz and browsing the vintage shops of Haight-Ashbury, there’s plenty to squeeze into a few days.

San Francisco is a city that captured my heart from the first time I walked its hilly streets. I’ve visited multiple times, and it’s still one of my favourite cities in the USA. I love its colourful neighbourhoods, independent shops, excellent food and the fact that you can explore so much of it on foot (as long as you don’t mind a few hills…).

If you’re visiting San Francisco for the first time, these are 10 things I’d recommend adding to your itinerary, along with practical tips on planning your trip.

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Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

Well, duh. It IS San Francisco’s most iconic sight, after all.

The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937, connecting San Fran proper to Marin County. It stretches an impressive 1.7 miles, so if you’re planning to walk across, best wear those comfy trainers! The walk there and back takes around an hour and a half, although we got dropped off at the far side and just did one walk back to the San Francisco side.

If you’re driving or cycling, there are some amazing photo spots on the north side, looking back out at the bridge and the city skyline! It’s totally free to walk across, and a must do for your first time visiting San Francisco.

• Price: Free
• Time: Allow 30-45 mins each way, less if you rent a bicycle to get across
• Opening Times: The pedestrian section is open from sunrise to sunset
• Tip: If you only want to walk one way, catch the bus back. Head to the Vista Point parking lot, and look for the signs to the Golden Gate Transit Bus stop.

Explore Fisherman’s Wharf

I’d probably describe Fisherman’s Wharf as a seaside town on steroids.

The waterfront community has thrived here since the mid to late 1800s, when Italian fishermen came to the city and set up business here. Even today, fishing businesses still exist in this tourist attraction area, along with a whole host of shops, restaurants and fun things to see and do.

I mean, sure, it’s super touristy – but it’s a fun way to spend a couple of hours regardless!

The best things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf

• Eat some seafood! Try clam chowder and fresh fish at Fog Harbor Fish House, Scoma’s Restaurant, The Codmother or Blue Mermaid
• Walk on the ‘Musical Stairs’
• Check out the boutiques of Ghirardelli Square, including the famous Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop

My pick for something a bit different: Check out retro arcade machines and games at Museé Mécaniqué – free admission

See the Sea Lions of Pier 39

One of San Francisco’s top attractions – and it’s completely free to see them!

In 1989, after the Loma Prieta earthquake, a group of sea lions made their way to San Francisco’s Pier 39. By the early 1990s, their numbers had multiplied, and now up to 900 of them can be seen on the dock.

Their enthusiastic barks can be heard as you make your way down Pier 39, and a viewing area at the end of the pier is the perfect place to watch them from. We watched them jostle for space and boisterously push each other into the water, making lots of noise and splashing around in the sun!

Take an Alcatraz Tour

I’ve been to Alcatraz twice now, once during the day and once at night (which I really recommend!). The whole experience begins from when you jump aboard the Alcatraz ferry, and the island looms into your field of vision as you draw closer.

The audio tour takes you around the prison building, with narration from former inmates and staff, telling fascinating stories of their lives at Alcatraz. Particularly interesting are the stories of riots and escape attempts, as well as some of the more notorious prisoners who spent their time on ‘The Rock’.

Top tips for an Alcatraz tour

• Book in advance – there are very rarely tickets on the day!
• Above applies even more so for night tours, some will sell out months in advance.
• Go early in the day or late at night, that way you’ve got the afternoon free for exploring.
• Return ferries depart from Alcatraz landing every half an hour.
• Take some time to explore the grounds as well as the main prison building.
• Check out the schedule of ranger talks – we went to some really interesting ones!

Explore the streets of Haight-Ashbury

If you like quirky neighbourhoods with boutique shops, Haight-Ashbury’s the one for you.

This wonderfully eclectic area was the home of the 1960s counterculture revolution, with the hippy culture still prominent today. Even if you don’t buy anything here (and believe me, you’ll want to!), you could spend hours browsing the curiosities and fun things – as well as some excellent street art spotting.

Shops to check out in Haight-Ashbury

• Love on Haight – for full on hippy vibes
• Amoeba Music – the iconic record store
• Silver Sprocket – art & gifts for badass feminists
• Wasteland – thrift shop for designer and unique clothing
• Decades of Fashion – emporium of vintage fashion

My pick for something a bit different: Browse the taxidermy and antiques at Loved to Death, a dark curiosity shop. At 710 Ashbury Street, you’ll also find the ‘Grateful Dead house’, where the band’s founders lived in the 1960s.

See the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square

One of San Francisco’s most recognisable sights, the Painted Ladies are a row of colourful Victorian houses overlooking Alamo Square Park. Built in the late 1800s, these pretty pastel-coloured houses have become one of the city’s most photographed spots, thanks in part to their appearance in the opening credits of the TV show Full House.

You’ll find the best view of the Painted Ladies from Alamo Square Park, where you can see the houses lined up against the backdrop of San Francisco’s modern skyline. It’s a great contrast between the city’s historic architecture and its skyscrapers, and a popular spot to sit on the grass and take in the views.

Visiting the Painted Ladies is completely free, and you only need around 20–30 minutes to admire the houses and take some photos. However, if the weather’s nice, I’d recommend spending a little longer relaxing in the park.

Eat and explore in Little Italy (North Beach)

As a profound consumer of Italian food (hand me that pizza slice), the ‘Little Italy’ North Beach area of San Francisco was a must-visit neighbourhood. With decades of Italian heritage, the streets are teeming with pasta, pizza and Italian bakeries that’ll have your mouth watering from across the road.

Best places to eat in North Beach

• Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – if it’s busy, check out Tony’s Slice House next door for takeaway goodness!
• The Italian Homemade Company – just like grandma makes it…
• Sotto Mare – fresh seafood, Italian style
• Mona Lisa – we had brilliant pizza here, with eclectic Renaissance-inspired decor
• Liguria Bakery – get here early for the pick of delicious Italian baked goods
• The Stinking Rose – you like garlic? Good, cause it’s in everything here. Even the desserts. Maybe not the best for a first date spot, though…

My pick for something a bit different: Visit City Lights Booksellers and explore the area’s literary history.

Ride a San Francisco Cable Car

The San Francisco cable car is an iconic image of the city, and a must-do on your first visit!

The cable cars have been running here since 1873, when wealthy businessman Andrew Hallidie decided there must be a better way to get around than by horse and cart. Today, it’s a top tourist attraction in San Francisco as well as just a mode of transport.

Tips for riding a San Francisco Cable Car

• There are three routes you can take: Powell-Hyde (the blue line) Powell-Mason (green line) or the California Line (Red Line). More info & schedules.
• Powell-Hyde is the most popular as you get the most iconic views, but it’s also the busiest – board at the cable car turnaround where Powell Street and Market Street meet.
• Board at one of the cable car turnarounds – you might have to queue, but for stops en route the car might be full and unable to let you board.
• A single ride costs $9.
• Visitor Passport tickets allow unlimited rides on both the Metro and cable cars.
• You can buy tickets from the ticket booths (which often have queues), via the Muni Mobile app, or on board from the conductor. If you do this, try to have the correct change or at least small bills, as they don’t like to give too much change.

See the world’s most crooked street

Lombard Street is one of San Francisco’s most photographed streets, thanks to its eight sharp hairpin bends and steep incline.

The famous section is only one block long, so you don’t need to dedicate loads of time to visiting. I’d combine it with exploring nearby Russian Hill or Fisherman’s Wharf.

Price: Free to visit on foot
Best photo spot: Looking uphill from Leavenworth Street
Good to know: It’s a residential street, so be respectful of the people living there
Time needed: Around 15–30 minutes

Drink, dance and play in the Castro District

Rainbow flags and banners flutter from lamp posts and windows, and as you stride across the rainbow crosswalk, you know you’re in one of San Francisco’s most vibrant and LGBT-friendly districts.

The Castro District was one of the USA’s first LGBT+ neighbourhoods, and although these days it’s also popular with young professionals and families, there’s still plenty of its original spirit to be found.

The vibe is pretty chilled out here – to the point where I saw a man relaxing on his front step completely stark naked. Don’t let that put you off though – the locals are really friendly, and it’s a vibrant and welcoming place to spend a San Francisco evening.

Places to visit in the Castro District

• Twin Peaks Tavern – a historic gay bar that serves as the ‘gateway to the Castro’
• The Castro Theatre – if you’re not an ‘out out’ kinda evening person, you could catch a film here – they often show more obscure, indie and cult movies
• Pink Triangle Memorial Park – a memorial to the LGBT victims of the Nazi regime
• GLBT Historical Society – stop off here to learn more about Harvey Milk and the origins of San Francisco’s gay community
• Toad Hall – a lively bar offering drag performances, dance competitions and karaoke

Sample 3 Day San Francisco Itinerary

If you’ve got three days to spend in San Francisco, here’s how I’d break up these activities…

• Day 1: Waterfront and iconic sights. Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Lombard Street and a cable car ride.
• Day 2: Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Explore the bridge and surrounding waterfront earlier in the day, then take an Alcatraz tour (ideally the night tour if available)
• Day 3: Neighbourhood exploring. Alamo Square Park, Haight-Ashbury, the Castro and North Beach, using public transport between areas.

If you have more than three days to spare, check out some additional ideas for great things to do in the area:

• Get up close to the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, before heading to Sausalito for some seaside charm – you can do both easily on this short day tour.
• Explore more street art, independent businesses and food in the ever-evolving Mission District.
• Go wine tasting in the famous Napa Valley.

Tips for your first time in San Francisco

You’ve seen all the activities that are on offer, but how about the practical side? From getting around San Fran’s main attractions to staying safe, this section of the guide will help you plan the perfect trip.

Getting around San Francisco

Walking is one of my favourite ways to get around San Francisco, and I pounded a LOT of pavement on my visits. However, for longer distances, you’ll likely need to get some form of public transport.

For general getting around, the Muni system includes local buses, light rail and streetcar trams. You can pay by tapping any contactless card, and a single ride costs $2.85 (excluding the historic cable car, which is $9). If you’ll be using the Muni a fair bit, you might want to grab a day pass on the Muni mobile app for $5.70 – as the contactless payment doesn’t have a daily cap like some other cities. Three- and seven-day passes are also available.

For exploring the wider San Francisco Bay area, the BART train system network is your best bet. There are a couple of stops in the city proper including Embarcadero and Civic Center/UN Plaza, but most of this network goes further afield, including both the San Francisco and Oakland airports.

I wouldn’t advise bothering with a rental car for a short first time visit to San Francisco, as you really don’t need one unless you’re planning on day trips out of the city. With the city’s excellent public transport system, it’s not worth the traffic, hill driving and extortionate parking fees.

How expensive is San Francisco? 

Like any city, your trip can be budget-friendly or big spender, depending on what you’re looking to do and the time of year. Honestly, I found the biggest cost to be accommodation, as after that, there are plenty of free things to do, cheap-ish places to eat and the public transport is very affordable.

Some tips for visiting San Francisco on a budget:

• Visit during the winter months, when accommodation costs are usually at their cheapest.
• Check out the best free things to do in San Francisco to avoid spending on activities.
• Bookmark some of the best cheap eats in San Francisco on your map app, so you can easily find somewhere affordable to eat, wherever you are when your stomach starts rumbling.

When’s the best time to visit San Francisco?

San Francisco weather is famously unpredictable, but also doesn’t often see huge swings in temperature between seasons, with a relatively mild feel year-round. 

The warmest temperatures tend to come during the autumn months of September and October, with average daytime temperatures in the low 20s°C. However, this is peak time for festivals and conventions in the city, which may put you at a disadvantage if you’re looking to do your San Fran trip on a budget.

During the summer months of June, July and August, a thick fog regularly rolls in from the Pacific Ocean. It’s so well-known that locals have a name for it – Karl the Fog! Despite the weather, prices can also surge during this time for summer vacation travel.

Spring (March to May) is another good option, with generally mild temperatures, fewer crowds than the peak summer months and plenty of opportunities to explore. Winter (December to February) tends to be cooler and wetter, although it’s still perfectly possible to enjoy the city’s museums, restaurants and other attractions.

Whatever time of year you visit, pack layers. San Francisco has lots of microclimates, meaning it can be sunny in one neighbourhood and cold and foggy in another. You’ll probably find yourself putting your jacket on and taking it off several times throughout the day!

Safety in San Francisco

On the whole, I felt no more unsafe in San Francisco than I do in any other large North American cities. Safety advice is therefore very similar to any metropolitan city, but here are a few quick reminders plus a specific neighbourhood watch out:

• Protect your valuables: Carry phones and wallets in a zippable pocket or bag at the front of your person, never in your back pocket or backpack.
• Vehicle safety: If you have a rental car, never leave belongings in parked cars, and ideally park in a well-lit, secure location.
• Be aware of street scams: If someone approaches you and you don’t feel comfortable about it, keep walking and don’t engage.
• Plan your night-time movements: Lively tourist areas are usually fine at night, but plan your travel back to your accommodation, as some neighbourhood and central streets can get a little sketchy.
• Where to avoid: The Tenderloin district is an area most first time travellers should probably avoid – especially after dark. Despite having a rich cultural and LGBTQ+ history, the neighbourhood has a lot of visible drug use, homelessness and residents in visible distress, which the average casual visitor may find intimidating or unnerving.

Where to stay in San Francisco: Galleria Park Hotel

We spent two nights in San Francisco’s Galleria Park Hotel – it was a little bit pricier than we’d normally go on a city break, but after two weeks of camping, we fancied a little luxury!

Read the full Galleria Park Hotel review!