San Francisco travel guide

The best things to do in San Francisco

Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge by boat or bike, cable cars, Chinatown and wine-country day trips: here are the sights and tours worth your time, with honest advice on refunds, value for money and long lines at Alcatraz and the cable cars.

The Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands, with the bay and the city behind it on a clear day

Short answer

The best things to do in San Francisco are a bay cruise and a cable car ride. Add a walk through Chinatown and North Beach, and a day in wine country or Muir Woods. Alcatraz is closed from 26 October to 18 November 2026 for dock repairs, so book it from 19 November on. Our most-booked pick is the one-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise, from €35.

Our top 8

Top 8 things to do in San Francisco

Ranked by what most visitors come for, with the tour or ticket we would book for each and a guide that compares the options.

Golden Gate Bridge

See it from a boat, ride a bike across or walk it for free. The walkway is on the east side.

Our pick: Golden Gate Bay Cruise, from €35 per person
Alcatraz

The old prison island in the bay. It is closed from 26 October to 18 November 2026, so pick a date from 19 November on.

Our pick: Alcatraz ticket, ferry and app, from €69 per person
Bay cruises

One hour on the water takes you under the bridge and past Alcatraz. Sunset cruises add the city lights.

Our pick: Sunset and skyline bay cruise, from €35 per person
Bike rentals and tours

Ride the flat waterfront path to the bridge, cross to Sausalito and take the ferry back.

Our pick: Self-guided bike rental, from €17 per person
Chinatown, North Beach and Lombard Street

Walk in through the Dragon Gate, then on to Little Italy and the crooked block of Lombard Street.

Our pick: Chinatown food walking tour, from €75 per person
City tours and hop-on buses

A bus pass links the big sights with no car. Get off where you like and get back on later.

Our pick: Full city hop-on hop-off bus, from €44 per person
California Academy of Sciences

A science museum in Golden Gate Park with nearly 60,000 animals. Timed tickets are sold online.

Our pick: California Academy of Sciences ticket, from €44 per person
Napa Valley balloon rides

Float over the vineyards after sunrise. The flight lasts about an hour, and it depends on the weather.

Our pick: Napa Valley hot air balloon ride, from €257 per person

The 8 tours we would book

Two ways onto the bay, two hop-on buses, a bike, a museum, a balloon ride and Alcatraz. All are on GetYourGuide.

from €35 per person Our top pick

1 hour 4.7 (4,085) reviews on GetYourGuide

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

A one-hour cruise from Fisherman's Wharf that sails under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. An audio guide in 16 languages is included.

Best for First-timers who want the bridge from the water
Check availability: Golden Gate Bay Cruise on GetYourGuide
from €50 per person

1–2 days 4.6 (4,147) reviews on GetYourGuide

Hop-on hop-off bus with 17 stops

A 24- or 48-hour bus pass with recorded commentary. Some options add a bay cruise, a sunset tour or a Chinatown walk.

Best for Visitors who want to see a lot with no car
Check availability: Hop-on hop-off bus with 17 stops on GetYourGuide
from €17 per person

1 day 4.7 (291) reviews on GetYourGuide

Self-guided bike rental for a day

A bike for the whole day, with a helmet, a lock and route tips. Ride the car-free path to the Golden Gate Bridge. Ferry tickets back from Sausalito cost extra.

Best for Active visitors on a budget
Check availability: Self-guided bike rental for a day on GetYourGuide
Museum

Academy of Sciences

from €44 per person

Self–paced 4.5 (747) reviews on GetYourGuide

California Academy of Sciences ticket

Entry to the science museum in Golden Gate Park, with all its shows and exhibits. It is home to nearly 60,000 animals.

Best for Families and rainy days
Check availability: California Academy of Sciences ticket on GetYourGuide
from €35 per person

1–1.5 hours 4.5 (262) reviews on GetYourGuide

Sunset and skyline bay cruise

A cruise of up to 90 minutes from Pier 39 at dusk. You see the sunset and then the city lights. There is music but no narration.

Best for Couples and evening plans
Check availability: Sunset and skyline bay cruise on GetYourGuide
from €257 per person

4.5 hours 4.8 (153) reviews on GetYourGuide

Napa Valley hot air balloon ride

A one-hour flight over Napa Valley vineyards after sunrise, with a certified pilot. Groups are limited to 9 people. You meet in Yountville.

Best for Couples marking a big day
Check availability: Napa Valley hot air balloon ride on GetYourGuide
from €44 per person

8 hours–2 days 4.0 (958) reviews on GetYourGuide

Full city hop-on hop-off bus

A double-decker bus with 20 stops and a live guide on board. An audio app covers 13 languages.

Best for Visitors who want a live guide on the bus
Check availability: Full city hop-on hop-off bus on GetYourGuide
from €69 per person

3–5.5 hours 4.5 (4,589) reviews on GetYourGuide

Alcatraz ticket, ferry and app

Island closed 26 Oct – 18 Nov 2026. The official ticket, the ferry from Pier 33 and a self-guided app. Pick a date from 19 November on.

Best for History fans who can visit after the closure
Check availability: Alcatraz ticket, ferry and app on GetYourGuide

San Francisco tours compared

San Francisco tours compared
Tour	From	Duration	Pickup	Free cancellation	Who it suits	Why we picked it
Golden Gate Bay Cruise 4.7 (4,085)	€35 per person	1 hour	Meet on site	Yes, 24 h	First-timers who want the bridge from the water	The best-rated of our big picks: 4.7 from 4,085 reviews.
Hop-on hop-off bus with 17 stops 4.6 (4,147)	€50 per person	1–2 days	Meet on site	Yes, 24 h	Visitors who want to see a lot with no car	The most-reviewed bus: 4.6 from 4,147 reviews.
Self-guided bike rental for a day 4.7 (291)	€17 per person	1 day	Meet on site	Yes, 24 h	Active visitors on a budget	The cheapest pick, from €17, with 4.7 from 291 reviews.
California Academy of Sciences ticket 4.5 (747)	€44 per person	Self–paced	Meet on site	Yes, 24 h	Families and rainy days	A full day indoors, with 4.5 from 747 reviews.
Sunset and skyline bay cruise 4.5 (262)	€35 per person	1–1.5 hours	Meet on site	Yes, 24 h	Couples and evening plans	The sunset on the water for the price of a day cruise.
Napa Valley hot air balloon ride 4.8 (153)	€257 per person	4.5 hours	Meet on site	No	Couples marking a big day	The best-rated pick here: 4.8 from 153 reviews.
Full city hop-on hop-off bus 4.0 (958)	€44 per person	8 hours–2 days	Pickup included	Yes, 24 h	Visitors who want a live guide on the bus	The cheaper of the two buses, from €44.
Alcatraz ticket, ferry and app 4.5 (4,589)	€69 per person	3–5.5 hours	Meet on site	Yes, 24 h	History fans who can visit after the closure	The most-reviewed tour in our list: 4.5 from 4,589 reviews.

Golden Gate Bay Cruise
€35 per person1 hour 4.7 (4,085)
More details
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Who it suits
First-timers who want the bridge from the water
Why we picked it
The best-rated of our big picks: 4.7 from 4,085 reviews.
Hop-on hop-off bus with 17 stops
€50 per person1–2 days 4.6 (4,147)
More details
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Who it suits
Visitors who want to see a lot with no car
Why we picked it
The most-reviewed bus: 4.6 from 4,147 reviews.
Self-guided bike rental for a day
€17 per person1 day 4.7 (291)
More details
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Who it suits
Active visitors on a budget
Why we picked it
The cheapest pick, from €17, with 4.7 from 291 reviews.
California Academy of Sciences ticket
€44 per personSelf–paced 4.5 (747)
More details
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Who it suits
Families and rainy days
Why we picked it
A full day indoors, with 4.5 from 747 reviews.
Sunset and skyline bay cruise
€35 per person1–1.5 hours 4.5 (262)
More details
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Who it suits
Couples and evening plans
Why we picked it
The sunset on the water for the price of a day cruise.
Napa Valley hot air balloon ride
€257 per person4.5 hours 4.8 (153)
More details
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
No
Who it suits
Couples marking a big day
Why we picked it
The best-rated pick here: 4.8 from 153 reviews.
Full city hop-on hop-off bus
€44 per person8 hours–2 days 4.0 (958)
More details
Pickup
Pickup included
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Who it suits
Visitors who want a live guide on the bus
Why we picked it
The cheaper of the two buses, from €44.
Alcatraz ticket, ferry and app
€69 per person3–5.5 hours 4.5 (4,589)
More details
Pickup
Meet on site
Free cancellation
Yes, 24 h
Who it suits
History fans who can visit after the closure
Why we picked it
The most-reviewed tour in our list: 4.5 from 4,589 reviews.

Group size is stated for 2 tours only: Sunset and skyline bay cruise, up to 100; Napa Valley hot air balloon ride, up to 9. Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Tourist things to do in San Francisco: tour or on your own?

Do the city sights on your own and book a tour for the bay and day trips. Chinatown, North Beach and Lombard Street are free to walk. A cable car ride costs $9 a trip.

A tour helps most where a boat, a ticket or a car is needed. That means the bay, Alcatraz, wine country and Muir Woods. The comparison table above shows who each tour suits.

Good things to do on a first visit

On a first visit, pick one thing from each of these.

The bay: a one-hour cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge.
The hills: a cable car ride on the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason line.
The streets: the Dragon Gate at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, then North Beach.
The bridge: a walk or bike ride across it.

San Francisco attractions by area

Plan each day around one area, because the hills make walking slow. These groups sit close together.

Fisherman's Wharf: Pier 39 and its sea lions, which are free to watch. Bay cruises leave from here.
Chinatown and North Beach: the Dragon Gate, Washington Square, City Lights bookstore and Coit Tower.
The north shore: the Palace of Fine Arts, the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Park: the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young museum and the Japanese Tea Garden.
Alamo Square: the Painted Ladies on Steiner Street, near Haight-Ashbury.

Fun things to do in San Francisco, California

The most fun things to do in San Francisco are on the water or on a bike. Sail at sunset, ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, or hang on to a cable car. For something calmer, the Academy of Sciences has nearly 60,000 animals under one roof.

On Thursday nights, the Academy runs NightLife for adults 21 and over, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Things to do in San Francisco for a weekend

For a weekend, give one day to the water and one to the city. Stay near the sights you want, so you walk more and ride less.

Saturday: a morning bay cruise, lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, then a bike ride over the bridge to Sausalito.
Sunday: a cable car to Chinatown, a walk through North Beach, then sunset at the Palace of Fine Arts.

Where to stay for a weekend

The Powell cable car lines run from Powell and Market to Fisherman's Wharf, so a hotel near either end saves time. Our guide on where to stay compares the areas.

Things to do in and around San Francisco

The best trips around San Francisco are Muir Woods and Sausalito, Napa and Sonoma, and Monterey. Muir Woods and wine country work as one-day tours from the city. Monterey Bay is the best place nearby for whale watching.

Fun things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area

Fly in a hot air balloon over Napa at sunrise, or look for whales from Monterey. Closer in, a ferry takes you to Sausalito for lunch by the water.

Tips for a better San Francisco trip

Alcatraz is closed 26 Oct – 18 Nov
The island is shut for dock repairs, and the dates may shift with the weather. If you hold a ticket, you can get a refund, move the date or take the 90-minute Bay Discovery Cruise on some dates. It does not stop at the island.
What if the tour is cancelled?
Seven of our eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead. The balloon ride needs 2 days' notice. Check the line on the booking page before you pay.
Bring a jacket on the water
Fog and wind can make the bay cold, even on a sunny day. Wear layers on every boat and bike trip.
Skip the cable car line
Waits at Powell and Market can top 30 minutes. Board at Powell and Sutter instead, or ride before 11:30 a.m.

Questions people ask about San Francisco

What are the best things to do in San Francisco?

A bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, a cable car ride, a walk through Chinatown and North Beach, and a day in wine country or Muir Woods. Alcatraz is a top sight too, but it is closed from 26 October to 18 November 2026.

What are some fun things to do in San Francisco?

Bike over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, sail at sunset, ride a cable car, or watch the sea lions at Pier 39 for free.

How many days do you need in San Francisco?

Two days cover the city: one on the water and one on foot through Chinatown and North Beach. Add a third day for Muir Woods, wine country or Monterey.

Is Alcatraz open in November 2026?

Only from 19 November. The island is closed from 26 October to 18 November 2026 for dock repairs, and the dates may shift with the weather. Tickets go on sale up to 90 days ahead.

Is the cable car worth the line?

Yes, if you avoid the worst of it. Waits at Powell and Market can top 30 minutes, most of all from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Board at Powell and Sutter instead, or ride early. A ride costs $9 one way.

What can you do for free in San Francisco?

Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, watch the sea lions at Pier 39 and stroll through Chinatown and North Beach. The Palace of Fine Arts grounds, the Coit Tower murals and the Cable Car Museum are free too.

More San Francisco experiences, live

More San Francisco experiences with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

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Sources (16), facts checked on 23 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in San Francisco editorial team.