Top 10 Things To Do in San Francisco

San Francisco – The City by the Bay – is rich with good eats, history, and much to do, from family fun or a romantic getaway. If you are planning a first-time trip to San Francisco, here are the top ten sites that you can’t miss.

1. Golden Gate Bridge

This enduring icon of San Francisco and the city’s most popular tourist destination, the Golden Gate Bridge is truly a must-see and is arguably one of the greatest bridges in the world. With its vaulting orange arches against the rocky seascape, it is one of the most photographed destinations on earth. It is also one of the most accessible sights to see, open all day every day. You can drive, ride the bus, or rent a bike to cross the bridge. At 1.7 miles long, walking is also an option. Parking on either side of the bridge costs $6.

2. Mission District

Though lately it has been home to a young bohemian crowd, its original Mexican ambiance still thrives. As the place where the burrito was introduced to America, Mission Hill is a great spot to try a hole-in-the-wall place for delicious local eats. This is also a good place to get away from crowded tourist destinations and enjoy a night out on the town. You could even do a taco or margarita crawl to sample the many restaurants in the neighborhood. 

3. Trolley Cars

The moving landmark of San Francisco is its iconic cable or trolley car system. Around since the 19^th century and the last of its kind in the US, it is a main tourist attraction of the city. Though not very fast, a trolley car ride is still a great way to see the city and definitely beats walking uphill! At $5 a single ride, it is more expensive than other public transportation, but you’re really paying for the experience. Be sure to get an outside seat for the best view of the city’s hills. If you’ll be staying a while, one-day, three-day or seven-day passes are available. If you want to explore the Castro (see number 4), ride the F Line of the trolley car.

4. The Castro

A neighborhood at the forefront of the gay rights movement, “The Castro” is the place to visit if you want to explore the LGBTQ culture of San Francisco. Initially settled by WWII servicemen who were discharged for their sexual orientation, the Castro is also the location of offices for San Francisco’s first openly gay public official, Harvey Milk. It has a very friendly vibe and some delicious food.

5. Ferry Building Marketplace

With possibly the most amazing culinary selection in the city, the Ferry Building Marketplace is a great spot to chow down. It was originally built in 1898, but was renovated and reopened in 2003. At the stalls of various boutique vendors, you will find everything from cheese to oysters, chocolate, jam, pastries, donuts, beautiful blooms, and scrumptious sandwiches. The market is open from 10am to 6pm on weekdays, but individual restaurants, cafes and vendors have their own hours, so be sure to check beforehand if you are looking for something specific.

6. Union Square

Union Square will be a fun and funky rest stop on your tour of the rest of the city. With an open park decorated with palm trees and many art installations, it’s a good place to relax and take a walk. If you are looking to do some shopping, you’ll find San Francisco’s highest-end shops in this neighborhood.

7. Palace of Fine Arts (and the Exploratorium)

Located between the Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts is a modern, hands-on science museum that has engaging, but easy-to-understand exhibits that will delight adults and kids alike.

8. Musée Mécanique

The Musée Mécanique is a museum of hundreds of antique penny arcade and coin-operated music and amusement machines. It is located on the Fisherman’s Wharf (10), and has free admission. You will only pay in loose change for the machines you decide to use! With an old-school arcade, fortune tellers, and music, it provides old-fashioned fun and a great history lesson for both young and old.

9. Alcatraz

Another mainstay on San Francisco’s tourist loop, Alcatraz was formerly a Federal penitentiary turned museum. It is an especially great place to visit for families or history fanatics. Located on a small, rocky island in the heart of San Francisco Bay, you’ll need to take a ferry to get there. Though there is no entrance fee for Alcatraz itself, the ferry ticket will cost you $26. Your ticket includes the scenic boat trip, a park ranger guide, and a highly recommended audio tour. Once you arrive, you can tour the cell block and exercise yard. You’ll learn about the history of the penitentiary, see how prisoners lived, and hear about many failed escape attempts. Some of America’s most notorious criminals were housed here, but no one ever successfully escaped. If you want to go to Alcatraz, make sure you give yourself at least a half day of time to really see it.

 

10. Fisherman’s Wharf

Though saturated with tourists, The Fisherman’s Wharf is really a must-see if you want to properly visit San Francisco. Though you won’t find a lot of locals here, you can indulge in some shopping, stop at Ripley’s Believe It or Not, see sunbathing seals, visit the Musée Mécanique  or catch the ferry to Alcatraz.

This feature is contributed by Angie Picard, a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance and travel site dedicated to helping people get the most from their money, whether it’s planning your next vacation or achieving retirement success.