Things To See & Do in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge Union Square State Park Convention Center Ghirardelli Square Art Museum

The many fun, interesting things to do in San Francisco make it ideal for a romantic getaway or a family adventure. From the orange towers of the Golden Gate Bridge to the famous Cable Cars, San Francisco offers a vibrant tourist destination booming with interesting attractions, world-class museums and some of the world’s best kid-friendly museums like the Exploratorium, plus nightclubs, restaurants, festivals and events, entertainment, sports, golf courses and dramatic ocean scenery.

Take your pick of fun things to do on a first date in San Francisco from a romantic boat ride to a walk along the Marina. You will be captivated by San Francisco’s unique neighborhoods such as Nob Hill, Chinatown, North Beach and Haight-Ashbury. The Comfort Inn & Suites San Francisco Airport North offers the perfect spot to experience all the great things to do in San Francisco.

Golden Gate Bridge. One of the most breathtaking structures in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge offers magical views of the San Francisco Bay Area, connecting San Francisco and Marin Headlands. The iconic, orange towers of the Golden Gate Bridge are the quintessential symbol of San Francisco with a dramatic maximum span of 4,200 ft between the towers. Driving or biking across is a thrill and offers wonderful views.

San Francisco Baking Institute. The San Francisco Baking Institute has been one of the world's most prestigious centers for the craft of baking since its founding in 1996. Having trained bakers from around the world, the San Francisco Baking Institute is recognized as a center for artisan baking. For more details about the San Francisco Baking Institute, visit www.sfbi.com.  [Top]

Union Square. A landmark park in the heart of San Francisco, Union Square boasts shopping and an active theater district. Surrounding the park square are major department stores and luxury boutiques.

Sporting new granite plazas, just walking around the neighborhood is one of the best free things to do in San Francisco. For more details, visit www.unionsquareshop.com.

Fisherman's Wharf. An historic waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf is famous for seafood restaurants, unique shopping, live music and breathtaking Bay views. The Wharf's working hub, "Fish Alley," sells thousands of tons of sole, shrimp, salmon, sea bass, squid and fresh crab. See a fleet of historic ships at Hyde Street Pier. The USS Pampanito, a WWII fleet submarine, may be boarded at Pier 45. Bay cruises depart several times a day from piers 39 and 41. For information on fun things to do in Fisherman’s Wharf, visit www.fishermanswharf.org.  [Top]

Angel Island State Park. A historic state park on San Francisco Bay, Angel Island offers tram tours, bike rentals, camping, and sea kayaking. Angel Island is a microcosm of U.S. history spanning from the Miwok Indian times through the Cold War. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset, year-round. Limited ferry service in the winter. For more information on the best things to do on Angel Island, call (866) 764-1377 or visit www.angelisland.com.

South San Francisco Conference Center. The South San Francisco Conference Center provides a flexible venue with facilities for corporate meetings and events, conferences, conventions, receptions from small gatherings to large corporate events. For additional information, visit www.ssfconf.com.  [Top]

Moscone Convention Center. The Moscone Center is San Francisco's premier meeting and exhibition facility with more than 2 million square feet of building area. The completed Moscone West covers more than 20 acres on three adjacent blocks in the Yerba Buena Center redevelopment district surrounded by a neighborhood of hotels, theaters, restaurants, museums, galleries and parks. For additional information, visit www.moscone.com.

Chinatown. Experience the culture and character of Asia at the restaurants, shops, markets and bakeries of historic Chinatown. San Francisco's Chinatown begins at the dragon-crested gate at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, a gift from the Republic of China in 1969. Try Dim Sum, a traditional Chinese breakfast.  [Top]
 

Ghirardelli Square. Although its oldest building, the Woolen Mill, dates back to 1864, Ghirardelli Square is famous for its years as a chocolate factory, from 1893 until the 1960s. In 1964, Ghirardelli Square became the country's first manufacturing complex renovated into a marketplace. In addition to fabulous views of San Francisco Bay, it boasts many shops and award-winning restaurants. For more information, call (866) 764-1377 or visit www.ghirardellisquare.com.

San Francisco Cow Palace. Since 1941, the San Francisco Cow Palace has welcomed visitors for year-round events, conventions, and livestock shows, and is home of the famous Grand National Rodeo. The Grand National Rodeo, Horse & Stock Show features horse and livestock shows, and "Celebration of Western Art." For Cow Palace Event and Ticket Information, call (866) 764-1377 or visit www.cowpalace.com.  [Top]

The Asian Art Museum. One of the largest museums in the world, the Asian Art Museum is devoted to Asian art with a collection of 15,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history. The museum is one of the most technologically advanced in the world with more than a million books, 400 electronic work stations and a children’s discovery center.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the SFMOMA houses an extensive collection of art from the 20th Century, including painting, sculpture, photography, architecture and design. On the first floor, find a 299-seat theater, an interactive Education Center and a museum gift shop. For more details visit, www.sfmoma.org.  [Top]