13 Things you have to do in San Francisco
When you come to the beautiful city of San Francisco, you’re going to be inundated with a ton of popular tourist options. That’s how I felt during the few months I lived in the city before COVID-19 hit; I had a ton of free time and was looking to take advantage of all that SF had to offer. I tried out as many activities as I could, both touristy and niche. Here are 13 of my must-do things in San Francisco.
Go on a hike at Bernal Heights.
While not the longest hike at only 1 mile long, Bernal Heights Park Trail makes for a really fun and steep walk, still accessible to all ages. It is closer to the southern edge of the city, so you can get really great views of the city from here and experience a new side of SF!
See the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square Park
This is one of the more famous spots in San Francisco, but I think it’s a must for a reason. The dog park and courts at the park provide a lot of great people-watching content, and best of all, you get the perfect view of TV’s most famous row of houses. It’s a great spot at all times of day to hang out and picnic with takeout from the many great food options nearby.
Walk around China Basin
This is a neighborhood centered by Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. However, it is a really underappreciated area where you can see some beautiful offices of newer tech companies, grab a coffee along the waterfront, and have a beautiful picnic at McCovey Cove.
Emulate a tech founder at South Park Commons
While small in area, South Park is large in influence, as it is the founding home of Dropbox and Splunk. The park is where you’ll be able to people-watch a lot of important tech and VC happening right around you! Also surrounding the park are small offices to peek into and maybe meet the right person to get your start!
Relax at Ocean Beach
The beaches in the bay area may be a bit more famous, but to be able to visit this large beach in the city itself is quite special! It’s located in a niche, older neighborhood of SF, and a great place to relax + dip your toes into the Pacific Ocean!
Go to a Warriors Game
Since Steph Curry took hold of the NBA, seeing him and the Golden State Warriors live has been a hot ticket. While it’s a bit pricier of an activity, experiencing the energy of the Warriors fanbase and the new, technologically-advanced Chase Center is certainly a can’t-miss activity.
Find some new tunes at Amoeba Music
If you like music & collecting vinyl, Amoeba Music is the place for you. Located in a former bowling alley, this is a great place to update your music and style in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, the center of the counterculture movement.
Go for a run at Golden Gate Park
If you haven’t noticed by now, SF is a city famous for its parks! The most famous of which is Golden Gate Park, with many attractions including the de Young Museum and the Botanical Gardens. The best way to check out this beautiful park is to go for a run along its popular loop, spanning over 7 miles in total.
Get some food at Japantown
While San Francisco is famous for its old Chinatown, its newer 6-block Japantown is an interesting spot to check out in the center of the city. There are some awesome restaurants, coffeeshops, and stationery stores to check out in this area. And if you happen to be there in early April, it’s the perfect place to see the annual Cherry Blossom festival!
Check out Camera Obscura to explore photography
Just by the famous Cliff House, visit this giant walk-in camera to get a vivid view of the ocean. It’s a great place to blend the history of photography as well as San Francisco, with a beautiful natural view.
See the whole city at Coit Tower
If you want the perfect 360-degree view of SF and the bay, it’s worth the $8 admission to get to the top of Coit Tower and snap some great photos. It’s quite close to Lombard Street, so it’s a very convenient spot to check out another famous landmark of the city.
Eat a burrito in the Mission District
Jumbo burritos became famous in this southeast area of San Francisco in the mid-20th century. Mission Street is concentrated with some of the best taquerias in the country, with my favorites being La Taqueria and Taqueria Guadalajara.
Catch a film at the Castro Theatre
An incredible, family-owned movie theater with a gay and multicultural focus, the Castro is one of the most popular attractions in a very fun neighborhood. They run around 1-2 shows of traditionally independent movies daily, so plan ahead!
Did I miss anything that you consider to be a must-do in San Francisco? Let us know in the comments!
