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1.0-3.0 hr stay

Alcatraz Island ($$)

Alcatraz Island, san francisco

Alcatraz Island, aka “The Rock,” is a small island located 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco in San Francisco Bay. It was a federal penitentiary housing some of America’s most notorious criminals from 1934-1963. The Island also served as a harbor defense fort and a military prison from 1969-1971. Once a maximum security prison, only three criminals (Frank Morris, John Anglin, and his brother Clarence Anglin) managed to escape from it; US Marshals Service is still looking for answers about their whereabouts. Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions today.

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1.0-4.0 hr stay

Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39 (Free Entry)

Fisherman's Wharf, san francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular tourist attraction and the most visited neighborhood in San Francisco, offering the gorgeous views of the Bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate bridge. There is something for everyone in this beloved neighborhood. It is packed with things to fill the entire day, including world-class restaurants, rich maritime history, historic piers, exciting tours, attractions, street performances, museums, the aquarium, and shopping.

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0.5-1.5 hr stay

Lombard Street (Free Entry)

Lombard Street and Hyde Street, san francisco

Lombard Street is famous for being the most crooked street and offering beautiful scenic panoramic views in San Francisco. It is one block downhill zig-zag stretch between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. The street was built in the 1920s to reduce the hill's natural 27% grade steepness by creating turns in the road earning it the name “crooked street.”

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1.0-1.5 hr stay

Aquarium of The Bay ($$)

PIER 39 The Embarcadero &, Beach St, san francisco

The aquarium of the bay, a Smithsonian Affiliate accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), exhibits more than 24,000 local marine animals. Visitors can get up close and personal and discover the beauty and diversity of Northern California aquatic life. The Aquarium is home to many marine animals, including sleek sharks and rays, secretive octopuses, hypnotic jellyfish, sparkling anchovies, frolicking river otters, and many more. Nature enthusiasts can learn about the most important environmental challenges of the day, like climate change, ocean plastic pollution, and habitat loss.

0.5-1.0 hr stay

Coit Tower ($)

1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, san francisco

Coit Tower is a slender 210 feet high white concrete column rising from the top of Telegraph Hill. The tower has been an emblem of San Francisco’s skyline since its completion in 1933, a welcoming beacon to visitors and residents alike. Its observation deck, reached by elevator (tickets are available in the gift shop), provides 360-degree views of the city and bay, including the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. It is named after Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a wealthy eccentric and patron of the city’s firefighters who died in 1929, leaving a substantial bequest “for the purpose of adding to the beauty of the city I have always loved.”

1.0-3.0 hr stay

Exploratorium ($$)

Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, san francisco

Located on the Embarcadero waterfront at Pier 15, The Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory and museum exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. There are hundreds of explore-for-yourself exhibits, film screenings, evening art and science events for adults, plus much more. The museum uses playful fun experimentation to introduce visitors to scientific principles. They also create professional development programs for educators and are at the forefront of changing how science is taught.

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1.0-3.0 hr stay

Ferry Building Marketplace (Free Entry)

1 Ferry Building, san francisco

The Ferry Building Marketplace is a world-class public food market located along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street. It is the center of a transit hub that connects San Francisco’s neighborhoods and the surrounding bay area communities. It is a famous landmark with its dramatic clock tower that has been the icon of the San Francisco waterfront for more than 100 years. The food market is organized along a dramatic indoor street, the Nave. Today ferry terminals operate at Larkspur, Sausalito, Vallejo, and Alameda, with plans for continuing network improvements and expansion.

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1.0-2.0 hr stay

Chinatown (Free Entry)

Dragon Gate Chinatown, san francisco

Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the oldest Chinatowns in North America and the largest outside of Asia. Established in 1848, Chinatown was rebuilt entirely in the Chinese style after the 1906 earthquake, and it became even more attractive than before the disaster. Chinatown is a bustling “city within a city.” and the most densely populated area of San Francisco, with a lot to see and do.

0.5-1.0 hr stay

Union Square (Free Entry)

333 Post St, san francisco

Union Square is a 2.4-acre popular public square for locals and tourists in downtown San Francisco. Union square is surrounded by high-end shops, art galleries, department stores, gift shops, upscale boutiques, theatres, restaurants, and hotels. The famous Macy’s store is right at Union Square and so is the flagship Tiffany & Co store. The area got its name because it was once used for Thomas Starr King rallies.

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0.5-1.0 hr stay

Twin Peaks (Free Entry)

501 Twin Peaks Blvd, san francisco

Twin Peaks, at 922 feet in elevation, is a world-famous tourist attraction that offers spectacular views of the Bay Area. The north peak (aka Eureka Peak) and south peak (aka Noe Peak) provide postcard views and a treasure trove of animal and plant diversity. Most visitors to Twin Peaks drive, walk or bike to the north peak parking lot to enjoy 180-degree views of the Bay Area.

0.25-0.5 hr stay

Seward Street Slides (Free Entry)

30 Seward Street, san francisco

Seward Street slides are the two lanes of slippery downhill slides in a small park in the Noe Valley neighborhood in San Francisco. The slides represent the triumphant of neighborhood activism with a fascinating history. In 1963, this place was an empty lot with the development plans to build an apartment complex. Local residents protested, including staging a bulldozer-defying sit-in resulting in a change in the zoning laws and the land reserved for a small community park, including these slides.

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0.5-1.5 hr stay

Mission Dolores Park (Free Entry)

Dolores St &, 19th St, san francisco

Vibrant Mission Dolores park is a nearly 16-acre city park in the heart of its equally vibrant, culturally diverse mission district neighborhood. Lush green lawns shaded by tall palm trees, a soccer field, six tennis courts, one basketball field court, a multi-use court, a play ground, and two off-lease dog play areas adorn this beautiful park. Many festivals, performances, and other cultural events occur in the park. People flock to the park to play, picnic, lounge, walk their dogs, and enjoy spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline on sunny days.

0.5-1.0 hr stay

Mission Murals (Free Entry)

24th St & Lilac St, san francisco

The famous mission murals are street art spread all over the mission district neighborhood showcasing immigrant experience, gentrification, and political landscape. Mission District murals tell a story that is very specific to San Francisco. Murals are in great shape; a few from the 1970s are fading or peeling away due to age.

0.5-1.0 hr stay

Painted Ladies (Free Entry)

Steiner St & Hayes St, san francisco

Painted Ladies, aka “Postcard row,” are the most iconic and photographed pastel-colored houses on Steiner Street right next to each other. These houses symbolize the California Gold Rush. A lot of money came into the city, and people wanted to show their wealth with these beautiful extravagant homes.

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1.0-3.0 hr stay

California Academy of Sciences ($$$)

55 Music Concourse Dr, san francisco

There is a lot to see in this famous institution. Visitors who can spend only 1-2 hours are recommended to visit Steinhart Aquarium (the newest exhibit featuring over a dozen animals that bite, sting and stun), Osher Rainforest (the four-story living rainforest), Living Roof, African Penguins, and the Swamp (see albino Aligator!). Visitors who can spend more time should also visit Giants of Land and Sea, Gems and Minerals, Reef Lagoon, and Color of Life. For kids: There is a “kid-sized” door at the Children’s Eel Garden, located next to the Philippine Coral Reef exhibit. East Garden has plenty of room to run around and structures to play on. Science Today station offers engaging short videos on Academy science. Avoid the neighborhood-free-weekends days ( https://www.calacademy.org/neighborhood-free-weekends ) as there would be a lot of crowds. Check out the daily events calendar: https://www.calacademy.org/daily-calendar On Thursday nights, adults 21+ can enjoy live music, cocktails, special activities, and entertainment while exploring the entire Academy after dark. Visitors can purchase “Panguins + Pajamas Sleepovers” ( https://www.calacademy.org/penguinspajamas-sleepovers ), VIP Tours, and Birthday Parties (https://www.calacademy.org/tours-specialty-programs ) tickets for more fun.

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0.5-1.5 hr stay

Japanese Tea Garden ($)

75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, san francisco

The Japanese Tea Garden offers visitors the natural beauty, tranquility, and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It was created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition. Later, Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara expanded the garden from 1 acre to its current size of approximately 5 acres.

1.0-2.0 hr stay

San Francisco Botanical Garden ($)

1199 9th Ave, san francisco

San Francisco Botanical Garden is a unique urban oasis of extraordinary beauty showcasing 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. It is 55 acres of green space with beautiful trails with plenty of signs and information.

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1.0-2.5 hr stay

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ($$)

151 3rd St, San Francisco, san francisco

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. They have a remarkable collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, architecture, design, and media arts on seven gallery floors. SFMOMA also offers 45,000 square feet of free, art-filled public space open to all.

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0.5-1.0 hr stay

Yerba Buena Gardens (Free Entry)

750 Howard St, san francisco

Yerba Buena Gardens is the perfect place to relax, explore, play, dine or shop in the heart of San Francisco’s downtown. The park will enlighten every mood, celebrate diversity, and find green relief while discovering unique features, renowned museums, cafes, memorials, and theaters—all cradled by landscaped lawns, public art, and award-winning architecture.

0.5-1.0 hr stay

Cable Car System ($)

Powell St & Market St, san francisco

A visit to San Francisco is only complete with riding the postcard-perfect moving national landmark, the Cable Cars. Unique to San Francisco, cable cars are pulled along by cables running beneath the street. Andrew Smith Hallidie got the inspiration for Cable Cars after seeing an accident when a horse-drawn streetcar slid backward under its heavy load in 1869. Cable cars launched after four years in 1873.

1.0-2.5 hr stay

Asian Art Museum ($$)

200 Larkin St, san francisco

The Asian Art Museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art, boasting more than 19,000 awe-inspiring artworks ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary video installations. Dynamic special exhibitions, cultural celebrations, and public programs for all ages provide rich art experiences that unlock the past and spark questions about the future. A vibrant hub for discovering the magnificent artistic achievements and intriguing history of the world’s most populous continent, the Asian Art Museum continues to bridge cultures, engage the imagination, and inspire new ways of thinking.

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0.5-1.0 hr stay

Palace of Fine Arts (Free Entry)

3301 Lyon St, san francisco

Originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition, this urban temple has become a San Francisco treasure, beloved by residents and visitors alike. The iconic Palace of Fine Arts, with its Greco-Roman style Rotunda and colonnades, is one of the most photographed sites in the City and has been featured in numerous film and TV productions. It’s also a popular wedding location and a spectacular performance venue.

0.5-1.0 hr stay

The Wave Organ (Free Entry)

83 Marina Green Dr, san francisco

The Wave Organ, located on a small harbor (Jetty), is a wave-activated acoustic sculpture that produces the natural sound of waves. Former Exploratorium artists-in-residence Peter Richards and George Gonzalez created the wave organ in 1986 to amplify and showcase the natural sounds made by water and waves.

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1.0-2.5 hr stay

Presidio of San Francisco (Free Entry)

Presidio of San Francisco, san francisco

The Presidio of San Francisco is one of America’s most famous national park sites, with more than 700 structures, a 300-acre historic forest, and 300 bird species. Located at the Golden Gate, it’s a place to escape in nature and explore key moments in history. The park features San Francisco’s best hiking and biking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic sites, beaches, a golf course, and other top attractions. The Presidio is also home to one of the nation's finest collections of fortifications, landscapes, buildings, structures, and artifacts related to military history.

1.5-3.0 hr stay

De Young Fine Arts Museum ($$)

50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, san francisco

Opened in 1895, the de Young is home to American art from the 17th century through today, textile arts and costumes, African art, Oceanic art, arts of the Americas, and international contemporary art. The museum showcases many permanent collections of art and rotating special exhibits.

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1.0-2.5 hr stay

Golden Gate Park (Free Entry)

Golden Gate Park, san francisco

Golden Gate Park is the iconic 1,017 acres urban park, a garden oasis, and the third most visited park in the United States. The park is free to see, but there are popular attractions such as the de Young Museum, California Academy of Science, Conservatory of flowers, etc., charge admission. It is a place where people can relax and reconnect with the natural world. Two of the City’s most impressive museums are found in Golden Gate Park. The park is filled with gardens, museums, art, flowers, trees, lakes, birds, and wildlife. There are also plenty of opportunities to participate in sports, clubs, and other activities. Golden Gate Park has something for everyone.

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0.5-1.0 hr stay

16th Avenue Tiled Steps (Free Entry)

Moraga St & 16th Ave, san francisco

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, a hidden gem, is a sea-to-stars-themed mosaic flowing up a 163-step stairway in San Francisco's Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood. The Neighbors sponsored the handmade named tiles in the shapes of animals, fish, and shells within the mosaic for the beautiful stairs.

0.5-1.25 hr stay

Mount Sutro Cloud Forest (Free Entry)

Mt Sutro, san francisco

An Urban Oasis, Mount Sutro is home to a vibrant, 61-acre open space reserve in the city's center. It is named after San Francisco Mayor (1894-1896) and real estate investor Adolph Sutro. The forest is heavily shaded under the tall Eucalyptus trees and has its own micro-climate. The forest remains cool and wet even when it is hot and dry in the surrounding. Forty-five species of birds, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, skinks, lizards, coyotes, possibly foxes, and other animals call home to this beautiful forest.

0.5-1.0 hr stay

The Conservatory of Flowers ($)

100 John F Kennedy Dr, san francisco

The Conservatory of Flowers, a national, state, and local landmark, is a place to escape the chill of San Francisco, the stress of everyday life or travel, or as a resource on rare and unusual plants. Built in 1879, the Conservatory was the first formal structure erected in Golden Gate Park and remains an internationally renowned icon at the entrance of the world-renowned Golden Gate Park.

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2.0-4.0 hr stay

Angel Island State Park ($$)

Angel Island, san francisco

Angel Island State Park, the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay, offers some of the best views of the surrounding Bay Area. Angel Island is a hidden gem in the urban Bay Area, with excellent hiking trails and many other recreational opportunities readily available. From 1910 to 1940, the U.S. Immigration Station (now a museum) processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the majority from China.

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2.0-4.0 hr stay

Explore Sausalito (Free Entry)

22 El Portal, sausalito

Sausalito is a picturesque seaside town and a popular tourist destination just a few miles from San Francisco. It was once a fishing village converted into a shipyard during world war II. A bit warmer and sunny compared to San Francisco, with European vacation resort vibes, Sausalito has beautiful boutiques, seafood, art galleries, fancy cafes, gourmet restaurants, a scenic waterfront boardwalk, a marina, houseboats, museums, and much more.

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