Top things to do in San Francisco
The top 3 according to 1,211 votes from people: Golden Gate Bridge · Alcatraz Island · Cable cars. (Updated Aug 7, 2025.)
Golden Gate, Alcatraz, cable cars and the city's best neighbourhoods and museums, as rated by Lonely Planet, U.S. News and visitors.
Top 15
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1
Golden Gate Bridge
The 1937 Art Deco suspension bridge; walk or cycle across, or see it from Battery Spencer.
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2
Alcatraz Island
Former federal prison (1934–1963) that held Al Capone; tickets sell out weeks ahead.
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3
Cable cars
The world's last manually operated cable car system, running since 1873; the Powell-Hyde line has the best views.
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4
Chinatown
The oldest Chinatown in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
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5
Golden Gate Park
Park larger than Central Park with the de Young Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden and the California Academy of Sciences.
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6
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39
Waterfront with sea lions lounging on Pier 39's docks and clam chowder in sourdough bowls.
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7
California Academy of Sciences
Natural history museum with an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome and a living roof.
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8
Ferry Building Marketplace
1898 ferry terminal turned food hall with a farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
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9
Lands End and Sutro Baths
Coastal trail with Golden Gate views past the ruins of the 1896 Sutro Baths.
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10
Lombard Street
The 'crookedest street', with eight hairpin turns between Hyde and Leavenworth.
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11
SFMOMA
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, expanded in 2016, with a living wall and works by Warhol and Rothko.
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12
Painted Ladies (Alamo Square)
Row of Victorian houses facing Alamo Square, made famous by the sitcom Full House.
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13
Twin Peaks
Two 280 m hills in the centre of the city with a 360-degree panorama.
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14
Mission District and Dolores Park
Murals on Balmy Alley, Mission burritos and the city's favourite park for sunny afternoons.
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15
Haight-Ashbury
Birthplace of the 1967 Summer of Love, now full of vintage shops and record stores like Amoeba.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 15… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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16
Exploratorium
Hands-on science museum on Pier 15 with hundreds of interactive exhibits.
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Comments (8)
The Exploratorium's Tactile Dome is so weird and fun, book it in advance
Alcatraz tickets sell out weeks ahead in summer, book early! The audio tour is excellent.
Ferry Building on a Saturday for the farmers market 🍑 Then walk to the Embarcadero.
Bring a jacket in July, Mark Twain was right about the summer here 🥶
Cable cars: take the California line, way shorter queues than Powell-Hyde.
Good tip! And it goes through Nob Hill which is beautiful.
Lands End trail to the Sutro Baths ruins at sunset is my favorite thing in the city
Pier 39 sea lions are fun for 10 min, the rest of Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap