Look. You can go to Pier 39. You can watch the sea lions bark and eat a sourdough bread bowl that costs twenty bucks. It’s fine. People do it. But if you’re actually looking for the real things to do by San Francisco, the stuff that makes people stay here despite the astronomical rent and the relentless fog, you have to look past the postcard stuff.
San Francisco isn't just a city. It's a collection of micro-climates and weird little pockets of history that feel like different planets. One minute you’re in a high-tech concrete jungle, and twenty minutes later you’re standing in a grove of ancient redwoods that have been alive since before the Middle Ages. It’s jarring. It’s also kinda magical if you know where to point your car or your bike.
Why the Sunset District is actually better than Fisherman's Wharf
Most people ignore the Outer Sunset because it’s "too far" or "too foggy." Their loss. Honestly, if you want to feel the actual soul of the city, go to Ocean Beach. This isn't a "tan and swim" beach—unless you have a death wish and a very thick wetsuit. The riptides are brutal. Instead, it’s about the vibe.
You’ve got the Sutro Baths ruins nearby. In the late 1800s, this was a massive, decadent indoor swimming complex owned by Adolph Sutro. Now, it’s a series of concrete skeletons being reclaimed by the Pacific. It’s haunting. It’s also one of the best spots to watch a sunset when the Karl the Fog decides to take a night off. If you get hungry, walk over to Outerlands. Their Dutch Crunch bread is legendary. Or grab a coffee at Trouble Coffee—well, the original owner sold it, but the spirit of "Cinnamon Toast and Coffee" still haunts that strip of Judah Street.
The Land’s End Trail
If you keep walking from the baths, you hit the Land’s End trail. This is arguably the best hike in the city limits. You’re walking on a cliffside, looking down at shipwrecks—literally, there are remnants of the SS Ohioan and others visible at low tide—and looking up at the Golden Gate Bridge from an angle most people never see. It’s rugged. It smells like cypress trees and salt.
Things to do by San Francisco that involve crossing a bridge
San Francisco is a peninsula, which means you’re trapped unless you cross water. But crossing that water changes everything.
North of the city, across the Golden Gate, is Marin County. Forget Sausalito for a second. It’s cute, but it’s a tourist trap. Instead, head to Muir Woods. You need a reservation now—don’t forget that, or they will turn you away at the gate and your day will be ruined. Standing under Sequoia sempervirens is a religious experience even for the staunchest atheists. These trees can live for 2,000 years. They don't care about your emails or your Instagram feed.
The Marin Headlands and Hawk Hill
If the woods are too crowded, drive up to Hawk Hill. In the fall, thousands of raptors migrate right over this point. It’s one of the best bird-watching spots in North America. Even if you don’t care about hawks, the view of the bridge with the city skyline behind it is the one you see in the movies. Just bring a jacket. Seriously. The wind up there will bite you through a hoodie.
The Mission District is for eating, not just looking
People talk about the Mission like it’s just a place for gentrification debates. It’s more than that. It’s the culinary heart of the city. You’ve probably heard of the "Mission Burrito." It’s a specific thing—huge, foil-wrapped, no rice if you’re a purist (though that’s debated), and enough calories to power a small village for a week.
La Taqueria on 25th and Mission is the heavy hitter. They don't use rice. They sear the burrito on the griddle after rolling it. It’s won James Beard awards. Is it worth the line? Yeah, probably. But don’t sleep on El Farolito at 1 a.m. after a few drinks at a dive bar like The 500 Club. That’s the authentic San Francisco experience.
Dolores Park: The City’s Living Room
On a sunny Saturday, Dolores Park is a zoo. You’ll see people selling "magic" truffles, someone practicing tightrope walking between two palm trees, and roughly five thousand French Bulldogs. It’s the best people-watching in the world. Grab a scoop of salted caramel ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery nearby and just sit on the hill.
The East Bay and the "Other" Side of the Water
Oakland gets a bad rap in the news, but it has things San Francisco can’t touch. Like Lake Merritt. It’s the nation’s first official wildlife refuge. There’s a three-mile path around it that is the heart of the community.
- Grand Lake Kitchen: Go here for brunch. Get the savory French toast.
- The Grand Lake Theatre: An Art Deco masterpiece. On Friday and Saturday nights, they still have an organist play before the movie starts. It’s wild.
- Jack London Square: It’s a bit commercial, but taking the ferry from here back to SF at sunset is the cheapest "cruise" you can buy. The view of the Bay Bridge lights (if they're currently working) is spectacular.
What most people get wrong about "The Fog"
You’ll see people arriving in July wearing shorts and t-shirts. They are miserable. San Francisco’s "summer" is in September and October. In June and July, the city is sucked into a cold, grey vacuum. This matters for your planning. If you’re looking for outdoor things to do by San Francisco, check the sensors on Mr. Chilly or a similar local weather app. It can be 75 degrees in the Mission and 55 degrees at the Bridge.
The Mystery of the Richmond District
The Richmond is the Mission’s quieter, more fog-drenched sibling. It’s home to some of the best Chinese and Russian food in the country. Clement Street is the spot. You can get world-class dim sum at State Bird Provisions if you can get a seat, but honestly, just hitting up Good Luck Dim Sum for take-out shrimp dumplings is just as satisfying.
Then there’s Green Apple Books. It’s one of the last great independent bookstores. It’s creaky. The floors are uneven. You can get lost in the stacks for three hours and come out with a first edition you didn't know you needed.
Exploring the Presidio
The Presidio used to be a military base. Now it’s a national park. It’s weirdly quiet compared to the rest of the city.
- The Walt Disney Family Museum: It’s not just for kids. It’s actually a pretty intense look at the history of animation and the man himself.
- The Yoda Fountain: Right outside the Lucasfilm HQ. It’s small, but for Star Wars fans, it’s a pilgrimage.
- Tunnel Tops: This is a newer addition. They built a park over the freeway tunnels. It’s got massive meadows and incredible views. It’s where the locals go now to escape the more crowded Golden Gate Park.
The Truth About Alcatraz
Is it touristy? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. But you have to book weeks in advance. If you try to walk up to the ferry terminal and buy a ticket, you will be disappointed. The audio tour—narrated by former inmates and guards—is actually chilling. Don't do the day tour. Do the Night Tour. It’s spookier, you get to see parts of the prison closed during the day, and the view of the city lights from the island is hauntingly beautiful. It makes you realize why the prisoners said the hardest part of being there was hearing the sounds of the city and the laughter of people at parties drifting across the water.
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Berkeley and the Hills
Just a bit further out, Berkeley offers more than just the university. The Berkeley Rose Garden is a massive amphitheater of flowers with a view of the Golden Gate. If you keep driving up into Tilden Regional Park, you can ride a vintage steam train or visit a "Little Farm" where you can feed celery to cows. It’s a weirdly wholesome break from the city grit.
Grizzly Peak at Night
For the best view of the entire Bay Area, drive up to Grizzly Peak Boulevard. There are various turnouts where you can park. You’ll see the entire grid of the Bay—San Francisco, Oakland, the bridges—all glowing. It’s a local "make-out point," but it’s also just the best place to wrap your head around the geography of the place.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
Don't just wing it. San Francisco rewards the prepared.
- Download the Clipper App: You’ll need it for the bus (Muni), the train (BART), and the ferries. Don't fumble with cash.
- Layers are a religion: Wear a base layer, a sweater, and a windbreaker. You will likely wear all three at some point in the same afternoon.
- Avoid the Tenderloin: It’s not just "gritty." It’s genuinely rough for people who aren't used to urban decay. If you’re walking from Union Square to the Civic Center, watch your map.
- Book the Ferry: If you’re going to Sausalito or Tiburon, take the Golden Gate Ferry. It has a bar. Drinking a local beer while passing Alcatraz is the peak SF experience.
- Check the Museum Schedules: Many have "free days" (like the de Young or the Academy of Sciences), but they require advance reservations now.
San Francisco is a city of layers. You have to peel back the tourist veneer to find the parts that actually matter. It’s expensive, it’s foggy, and the hills will ruin your calves, but there isn't another place on earth that feels quite like it. Get out of the downtown core, head toward the coast or the hills, and just walk. That's how you actually find the best things to do.