San Francisco Zoo Admission Ticket
Valid: 1 day
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San Francisco
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Top attractions in San Francisco
Golden Gate Bay Cruise
Duration: 1 hour
Bestseller
GoCar Tour: Golden Gate Bridge & Lombard Loop
Duration: 2 hours
Small group
San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off: Classic, Premium or Deluxe
Valid: 1 - 2 days
Bestseller
San Francisco: Bay Sailing Tour with Drinks
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
Outdoors
San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran
Duration: 1.5 hours
San Francisco: 3-Hour Early Bird GoCar Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Private tour
San Francisco: Evening Ghost Tour
Duration: 1 hour
San Francisco in a Day: Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown & More
Duration: 8 hours
Full-Day Muir Woods with Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour
Duration: 10 hours
Small group
Bestseller
San Francisco: Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket
Duration: 4 hours
San Francisco CityPASS®: Save 45% at 4 Top Attractions
Valid: 1 month
Top sights in San Francisco
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Top 10 things to do in San Francisco
Once known as the "Paris of the West," the gold-rush population boom made San Francisco a polycultural hub long before its Summer of Love. Here are some of the top attractions of this iconic west coast metropolis.
Alcatraz
Alcatraz has had a colorful history but is most famous for being the prison that once held some of the US' most notorious gangsters, from Al Capone to Whitey Bulger.
Washington Square
The once-neglected Washington Square has evolved into an incredibly vibrant pocket of culture. It's now home to some of San Francisco's best restaurants and cafes.
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay actually consists of several bays, and its windy urban beaches make it a popular destination for sailors and windsurfers, as well as those just there for the scenery!
Golden Gate Bridge
Standing proud between the Bay and the Pacific, the Golden Gate Bridge is considered by many to be the most beautiful bridge of the industrial age...
San Francisco Bay Bridge
...But the San Francisco Bay Bridge is a strong contender for that accolade when lit up at night!
Golden Gate Park
Inspired by New York's Central Park, the Golden Gate Park provides a leafy respite from the city, as well as attractions like the Academy of Sciences and Japanese Tea Garden.
Fisherman´s Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is the touristic center of San Francisco. It boasts seafood restaurants that go back generations, as well as museums, parks, and its own sea lion colony!
Stow Lake
Stow Lake is the largest and most scenic of the manmade lakes at Golden Gate Park. Its island, Strawberry Hill, offers spectacular downtown views over the treetops.
Alamo Square
Explore San Francisco's more affluent side with a jaunt around Alamo Square. The neighborhood's hilltop park looks over much of the city, and don't forget its "painted ladies!"
Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies are extravagant Victorian rowhouses which survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. It's astonishing to think so much of the city once looked this way!
Planning Your San Francisco Visit
How many days?
Some would say for as long as you can, so bear in mind that it's a big and busy city with plenty to see and do. First-timers should consider spending at least a week there if possible, though even that might not be enough!
Where to stay?
Which of San Francisco's neighborhoods is best for you depends on the nature of your trip. Fisherman's Wharf will meet all the immediate needs of a fleeting visit, though Union Square is a more neutral and relaxed jumping-off point for tourists. Other neighborhoods each have their own personality so it's worth putting in the research, but high-crime areas to avoid include Bayview, Hunter's Point, Sunnydale, and Visitation Valley.
How to get around?
"San Francisco has one of the world's most unique public transport systems. As well as buses and trains, the city is mostly mobilized by its historic cable-car network. Although newer trams do operate, visitors may want to ride one of the older ones for the novelty. Be warned though, notable routes such as the F-Market & Wharves line tend to get very crowded!
The city is also very bike-friendly,with extensive bicycle lanes and even bike lockers!"
Good to know
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- Language
- English
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- Currency
- USD ($)
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- Time Zone
- UTC (-08:00)
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- Country Code
- +1
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- Best time to visit
- Summer, Fall
Things to Do in San Francisco
Top Attractions in San Francisco
Cities in United States
Other Sightseeing Options in San Francisco
Want to discover all there is to do in San Francisco? Click here for a full list.
What people are saying about San Francisco
We arrived 30 minutes before like stated and I was glad we did since we where one of the first ones to get in line. We where able to sit in the top deck. Every other bench was taped up due to social distance which I appreciated but some people would still stand on the side really closed to you. The ride was smooth and we all enjoyed it. It was the highlight of our weekend trip since we saw the bridge up and personal.
What a wonderful experience! It was a perfect experience to share with my dad! The guides were very nice. I also liked that there was not to many people in the boat. It was so cool to go around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge. I kind of wish it was a little bit longer.
It was a very pleadant trip. Jeff snd Tenner in the Santa Maria were very kind snd friendly. The weather helped to makevit a smooth sail. Omny one thing to advise..if you say it starts at 2:30pm znd suggezt to be at the dock F at 2:15pm. Please so not start at 3pm...
A great visit! Not too many people and lots of signage, etc., for mask-wearing and keeping distance. Not everyone paid attention to the circles on the ground to help with distance, but most did. Overall, a really great day.
We had a great time on our tour to Napa and Sanoma. We had Geoffrey for our guide and he did not disappoint. He was so knowledgeable about wine and the city! Would definitely recommend this tour!
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