Things to Do in San Francisco and Marin
Hills, cable cars and a bridge everyone recognizes, with Marin across the strait.
See top-rated activities »About San Francisco
San Francisco packs a lot into a small peninsula. The Golden Gate Bridge, opened in 1937, spans the strait between the city and Marin County, and walking or cycling across it is one of the best free experiences in the state. From Pier 33, ferries cross to Alcatraz Island, where the former federal penitentiary is now run by the National Park Service with an audio tour narrated by former guards and inmates. The cable cars, still pulled by moving underground cables, climb Nob Hill and Russian Hill on the Powell Street lines down to the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf.
Along the Embarcadero, the restored Ferry Building is a food hall and farmers market with ferries leaving from its back door, and the Exploratorium on Pier 15 is a hands-on science museum for all ages. Chinatown, one of the oldest in the country, is a short walk from Union Square, and North Beach next door keeps its Italian cafes and the bookshop City Lights. To the west, Golden Gate Park holds the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences with its living roof and rainforest dome, and the Japanese Tea Garden, and it runs all the way to Ocean Beach.
Across the bridge, Marin County offers quick escapes. Sausalito is a waterfront town of houseboats and galleries, easy to reach by ferry. Muir Woods National Monument protects a grove of old-growth coast redwoods in a quiet canyon; parking and shuttle seats must be reserved in advance. The Marin Headlands, just north of the bridge, have the best viewpoints back toward the city, and on clear days Mount Tamalpais looks out over the whole Bay Area.
Don’t Miss
The 1937 suspension bridge, with a walkway and bike path and a visitor center at the south end.
The former federal prison on its island, reached by ferry from Pier 33, with an award-winning audio tour.
The last manually operated cable car system in the world, on the Powell and California Street lines.
A restored 1898 ferry terminal full of food stalls and shops, with a farmers market on set days.
An aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and natural history museum under a living roof.
Hundreds of hands-on exhibits about science, art and perception on the waterfront.
Old-growth coast redwoods a short drive from the city; reserve parking or a shuttle seat ahead.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in San Francisco
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of NoCal may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »San Francisco — FAQ
How far ahead should I book Alcatraz?
As early as you can, especially for summer, holidays and the night tours. Tickets are sold by the park's official ferry operator and often sell out weeks ahead; some tours that include Alcatraz are also sold through tour companies.
Can you take a cruise from San Francisco?
Yes. The cruise terminal at Pier 27 has sailings to Alaska, the Pacific coast, Mexico and Hawaii. See our Hawaii cruise link under Plan Your Trip for round-trip options from California.
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