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San Francisco is an amazing city in Northern California. It is widely known for the Tanner family’s home in Full House, the Golden Gate Bridge (which is not gold!) and Alcatraz Island. This city has a unique array of things to do which in the city and outlying neighborhoods. This post outlines 10 things to do in San Francisco that will make for a memorable day or weekend.
1. Go To A Ballgame
The city of San Francisco has a few famous sports teams. The San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) play at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. This is roughly an hour drive depending on traffic.
The Golden State Warriors recently moved into the city. They now play at Chase Center near Mission Bay where fans travel to see the championship team.
If you are not interested in leaving the city, you are in luck. A gorgeous stadium is nestled along the waterfront in downtown San Francisco. Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, is a notable baseball stadium.
The ballpark has a picturesque backdrop of water, a Coca Cola Bottle, and a Giant Glove. You may have seen the stadium on television but now it is time to see it for yourself.
Want more of this stadium? Check out these 3 reasons to attend a San Francisco Giants game.
2. Walk The Embarcadero
The Embarcadero offers many things to do in San Francisco. This waterfront walkway has views of the high-rise buildings that make up the skyline. As you walk along these architectural masterpieces, you are met with different eateries, shops, and sights. The Embarcadero ends nearby Oracle Park so you can check out the stadium and hopefully catch a game. From there, you can walk along the shoreline to see the Bay Bridge, Rincon Park, the Ferry Building, and end at Fisherman’s Warf.
If you walk just past The Embarcadero you will end up a Ghirardelli Square! This is a must-visit spot to get ice cream or other sweets.
3. See The Bay Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge seems to be the famous landmark in San Francisco. When I visited the city, I was taken aback by the Bay Bridge. For one thing, it is massive! The Bay Bridge connects San Francisco to Oakland, with a stop on Yerba Buena Island.
One of the reasons I loved the Bay Bridge was its appearance at night. It becomes a whimsical sight as the gray structure turns into an illuminated scene. If you have the chance to catch a glimpse of the Bay Bridge at night, be sure to have your camera ready!
Read more about this special sight and the recent history of the Bay Bridge’s lights at night.
4. See The Golden Gate Bridge
Ah, the landmark of San Francisco. When you visit the city, it seems like a right of passage to catch a glimpse of this red structure. On foggy days, you may not be able to see it out in the distance. But, it is there. You can walk to the bridge or catch an Uber.
According to its official website, the Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937. That seems like forever ago! It still looks new. On the opening day, it cost 25 cents to cross the bridge. Now, the toll to cross the bridge is approximately $8-9. In 2020, approximately 32 million cars crossed the bridge, bringing in close to $125 million in revenue!
Read more about the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
5. Hang Out At Golden Gate Park and Beach
There is so much to do nearby the Golden Gate Bridge. make your trip worth it and check out the surrounding sights. Golden Gate Park features a par 3 golf course along with other activities. Golden Gate Beach is a stretch of sandy area with views of the Golden Gate Bridge (on a clear day) where you can take pictures and hang out along the water. As a bonus, it is nearby the Full House home and the Painted Ladies.
6. Take A Tour Of Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island has a rich history as a former high security federal prison. The island sits in the middle of San Francisco Bay and is visible on a clear day. These walls held the most dangerous convicted felons back in the day and many tried to escape. Hear about the escape attempts, the Battle of Alcatraz and more on your tour!
Want to know more about this prison? Check out these 10 amazing reasons you must book a tour of Alcatraz Island.
7. Take The Ferry
The San Francisco Bay Ferry travels from the city to Alameda Island and Oakland. The boat leaves the Ferry Building and travels underneath the Bay Bridge. You get views of San Francisco Bay and the city skyline. The ferry gives you an opportunity to see the city from a different angle and experience it on the water.
8. Explore Outside Of The City
If you want to get out of the city for a bit, you can escape to one of the many surrounding cities.
Alameda Island
If you are wanting to take the ferry, you can get off at Alameda Island. This island reminds me of a Hallmark movie or a Nora Roberts novel. it is a picturesque waterfront island that is a sleepy retirement town.
When we stayed in Alameda Island, we visited the USS Hornet. This World War II aircraft carrier is on display and offers views of San Francisco from across the Bay.
Oakland
Oakland is another stop on the ferry. If you are wanting to explore around, you can get off on the ferry. It drops off right at Jack London Square, a dining and shopping experience along the water. If you travel via car, you will cross the Bay Bridge to get to Oakland.
While in Oakland, you can check out the Oakland A’s, a Major League of Baseball team. They currently play at the Oakland Coliseum, though they will soon be moving to the waterfront.
The Golden State Warriors used to play at the Oakland Arena next door before moving to San Francisco.
Berkeley
The city of Berkeley is about 20 minutes from the city. The town is most notable for being home to the Bears and California State University (CAL). Berkeley is home to the Claremont Club and Spa – A Fairmont Hotel. This famous resort was built from the success of the gold rush. According to historichotels.org, this hotel was used for the pool scenes in Mrs. Doubtfire.
Napa Valley
Just over an hour away from Downtown San Francisco is Napa Valley. This wine country produces wine found all over the world. There are wineries ranging from large family vineyards to small tasting rooms.
Can’t get enough of wine country? Check out the complete guide to 24 hours in Napa Valley.
9. Drink On A 39th Floor Bar
The View Lounge
Want to see San Francisco from a new angle? Check out The View Lounge. Located on the 39th floor, there are expansive views over downtown. You can sit with a cocktail while looking at the other architecture that is now eye-level. This view is located atop the San Francisco Marriott Marquis and offers a spot to watch the sunset after a long day of touring the city.
See over 1,800 reviews of The View Lounge on YELP!
10. Stay At A Memorable Hotel
There are so many awesome hotels in San Francisco. You can opt for a view of the water or the city. You can have a boutique hotel, a motel, a 5-star hotel, and so on. There are so many options to choose from. When we stayed at the Four Seasons San Francisco. This was a major bucket list item for me: a Four Seasons! Staying nearby Union Square with several stores and eateries nearby made our experience an unforgettable one.
This hotel is incredible. Read more about it and 3 reasons to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.
Book Your Trip Now
Whether you are planning a trip to San Francisco or are just looking for inspiration for your next vacation, I hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite places. The only thing better than visiting these spots and enjoying them is getting to share them with friends and family.
Please comment if you have visited this beautiful city and tell me about your experience. I am always open to recommendations. What are your favorite things to do in the city? Please share them below.
Cheers!
