Built on a rock in the freezing waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was reserved for only the most hardened criminals and the rumors of a few managing to escape the inescapable have fascinated pop culture for decades. Golden Gate Park seems to contain just about everything San Franciscans love about their city, from bonsai and buffalo to flowers, free music and free spirits. Located in Golden Gate Park, the Academy is filled with interactive and engaging exhibits designed for science lovers of all ages. Best fun things to do young adults near me in San Francisco, California. On a sunset cruise? The Golden Gate Bridge is a California icon gracing San Francisco Bay. Treat yourself and sink into a day spa, with a range of packages designed to have you feeling refreshed and renewed. (hint: no, it does not). Sometimes, the best seat in the house is far above it. Hot tip: while myriad travelers rent their own wheels, the most hassle-free option is a guided tour that includes both pick-up and drop-off from San Francisco (plus, youll save on gas). If you need to take a well-earned break, you can get your food and coffee fix from the museums two restaurants and a cafe. Make sure your phone has space, because youll be taking hundreds of photos of you and your friends flying on a magic carpet, floating in a bubble, crushing sports cars with fly kicks, and walking on mountain peaks. San Francisco Food Tour. It spans five miles, reaching from San Francisco's most storied neighborhoods to the white capped Pacific coast. Love the vibe. Meanwhile, over at the Oakland Hills Country Club, South Course is a course of a legendary pedigree. For shoppers there are boutiques, galleries and more than a few well-known retailers like Ted Baker, Sephora and H&M. In between are some 30 restaurants, bars and cafes, and the six-screen CinArts Santana Row, playing arthouse, foreign movies and documentaries in high-tech auditoriums. See all available passes and San Francisco based attractions Learn more. If you are wondering on things to do San Francisco with your dogs, then simply head out to one of the many San Francisco dog parks in the city, because these are the best dog friendly places in SF.. San Francisco has many dog friendly parks which range from small to pretty big, famous (such as Alamo square with the Painted ladies next to it) to tiny ones . 4. The exhibits themselves were obviously fun and interactive and it didn't seem too crowded here either. More than 24 million visitors put Golden Gate Park on their San Francisco bucket list. You can also sample the house specialties and elegant mid-century trappings of Moongate Lounge, or the eclectic lineup at El Rio, where ping-pong, karaoke, and live music are just some of the things that you can find on any given evening. For tourists, it is one of the most popular places in San Francisco to shop and eat quality chocolates and ice creams. Childrens Fairyland is filled with traditional fairytale charm and imagination, with rides, puppet shows, a theater, and more all in all, it sells itself as one of the best things to do in San Francisco for anyone with kids in tow. A helicopter tour will have you soaring over San Francisco city and give a birds eye view of the best landmarks. When youve ticked off most of the things to do in San Francisco and need to get out of the city and amongst nature, there are few places in the world better than Yosemite National Park. Evening tours run twice daily, at 5.55 pm and 6.30 pm, Monday through Thursday. Discover the San Francisco botanical gardens Stop and smell the roses Pop to Japan Spy bison Spot leopard Enter the urban jungle Head underwater Discover the world (and space) Enjoy the music of the waves Take a drive Join a bus tour See the views Bike the bridge Take a walk Discover the labyrinth Ride the cable car And see what powers them Theres no doubt that San Francisco the sparkling, windy, artsy, and culture-rich metropolis by the bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of California. For all of you thirsty travelers, combine it with a trip to Wine Country to really indulge the senses. A former military post, the 1491-acre Presidio now attracts families, adventurers, and history lovers alike. Skydiving in San Francisco has the added perk of sweeping Californian vistas stretching to the horizon as you fall. 15 Fun Things to Do in San Francisco This Winter Spend the "indoor season" at Broadways shows, museum exhibits, music festivals and eating Dungeness crab. Sail around Alcatraz Island as youre regaled with tales of its spooky history. Catch a jazz performance at the swanky San Francisco Jazz center in Hayes Valley, another trendy neighborhood with cute boutiques and lots of great restaurants. Breakfast lets you start the day right, and lunch keeps you going but no meal has potential quite like dinner. You can ascend the two towering peaks across a 0.7-mile hiking trail, or press on further to Glen Canyons Islais Creek around 1.8 miles away. Its a quintessential San Francisco day out and, of course, the Giants always have a chance of winning. The result: a beautiful interactive art piece that brought the entire community together! The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are two museums from the same organization that could not be more different. Try the scrubs and Korean-style massages at Pearl Spa & Sauna, or go full indulgence with the varied treatments at Remede Spa, which offers a luxurious, customizable itinerary with every visit. Rather than stumble across locations, see all the Tinseltown landmarks in one go, by jumping on a tour. Be sure to budget a few hours to get the full experience. Like golf but not into all that walking? California is home to six restaurants that have earned Michelin's top honor and all six are in the Bay Area: Benu, Quince, Atelier Crenn, Bar Crenn, all in San Francisco; Manresa in Los . The 1.7-mile-long suspension bridge was built in 1937 and has remained a symbol of world-class engineering and local pride ever since. This is a review for skydiving in San Francisco, CA: "This is one of the most affordable activities you can do in San Francisco. And at Handlery Union Square Hotel, you can spend the day exploring nearby sites like the Aquarium of the Bay and the Museum of Modern Art, then saunter back for a leisurely afternoon dip in the outdoor pool. Located on Lake Merritt in Oakland, a short 15 minute trip from hilly downtown, this storybook world was actually one of the first themed parks in the country and even influenced Walt Disney in creating Disneyland. Kids will love the authentic fire gear too. Tour Alcatraz. What did people search for similar to fun things to do young adults in San Francisco, CA? For veteran skaters, there are more challenging obstacles and plenty of opportunities to show off your skills. It makes for a delightful trip outside of the city, to see a wide variety of native and exotic flora in recreated environs. Many of these have free entrances on designated days of the month for that perfect budget San Francisco itinerary. Or, if youd prefer to have all this at your doorstep, there are plenty of top hotels in the Presidio, too. Golden Gate Bridge Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge is the most famous of these things to do in San Francisco. Noisebridge is a hacker space. In just over three hours youll be enjoying the stunning panoramic views of colossal granite summits and lush tree-filled valleys of this World Heritage Site. Other fun activities for kids and teens near Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf include the Aquarium of the Bay, Museum of 3D Illusions, the San Francisco Carousel, Frequent Flyers (giant trampoline for kids) and the Sea Lion Center, where you can check out educational sea lion exhibits, including a full-sized skeleton. 2. 2. And, of course, dont forget to round off your day trip with a stop at the idyllic Carmel-by-the-Sea. As a little bonus, included with the ticket is entry to Alcatraz (plus a self-guided audio tour), a walking tour, and an hour-long panoramic night tour. When you are down by the ruins, there's even a cave to explore! Hot tip: Hire a bike for an hour and cycle along the Golden Gate Bridge in between bus stops. Families can meet the big cats of the African savanna, see the largest colony of Magellanic penguins out of the wild, and get up close and personal with a few farm animals at the petting zoo. Luckily, there is no shortage of cruises that sail the bay at sundown, meaning you can watch the Golden State really turn golden, drink in hand. 5m.sf 5M San Francisco 5m.sf Watch the city slowly light up as you glide across the waters to Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge, or simply circle the bay its one of the quintessential things to do in San Francisco. With so much to see and do, you could spend a whole day here without even batting an eyelash. Madame Tussauds world-famous wax museum is a family-friendly display of some of the greatest icons of film, music, sports, and business. A grassy oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, right in the heart of San Francisco sits the Golden Gate Park, where over 1,000 acres of perfect lawns, crystal lakes, and all manner of rare, beautiful plants await. Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito) Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco. To save a few bucks, a tourist-friendly Pier 39 pass will let you do all the top attractions at once. For prime photo conditions, have your camera ready at sunset. You can even let out a little frustration in the Smash It room. Look for clues, solve riddles, and get that I ESCAPED! feeling. The performers actually sell/take the tickets and welcome you in.more, This is fun! SoMa is a huge neighborhood that extends from the Embarcadero to Eleventh Street, between Market and Townsend. Beer and drink selection were reasonably priced in the cafe in my opinion with good options too. 26 . As one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the entire world, and surely one of the best museums in San Francisco to visit, its easy to spend hours perusing the 33,000 plus pieces at SFMOMA. With its soaring towers, stained glass, and stunning mosaics by famous painter Jan Henryk de Rosen, Grace Cathedral is a sight to behold whether you consider yourself an architecture buff or not. Over 40 mind-bending interactive installations from some of the worlds best artists will have you questioning your eyesight at this family-favorite San Fran attraction. Embark on a walking craft beer tour, or combine your beer tasting with a trip to Napa Valley. You can ride an open-air tram, dive into the islands Civil War history, and enjoy a bite from the Angel Island Cafe. Built by renowned Bay Area architect Bernard Maybeck, this distinctive domed building is a homage to Greco-Roman architecture and a beloved Northern Californian landmark. Below we share a list of our top picks for things to do in San Francisco and below we share all of the details! Shop at Union Square Union Square holds one of the largest collections of department stores, boutique shops, beauty salons, art galleries, and so on, in all of the United States. Presidio Golf Course, one of the oldest and best courses on the West Coast, is located in the heart of the city and has hosted everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to Joe DiMaggio. Take a pre-game tour of the stadium, meet some Giants fans and soak in the history of this premier ballpark. Known as Little Italy, North Beach can be found between Fishermans Wharf and Chinatown and is packed full of cafes, pizzerias (dont miss the multiple award-winning Tonys Pizza Napoletana), and gelato sellers. Budding explorers should go and get lost in Magowans Infinite Mirror Maze, a mind-bending series of hallways and reflections. For a culinary experience like no other, Top of the Mark sits on the 19th floor of the Mark Hopkins hotel and offers celebrity-approved cocktails with a superb outlook from the venues sky lounge. Walk Through Golden Gate Park. Did I feel like I was on a "roller coaster" ridemore, ArcadesCocktail BarsPan Asian$$Duboce Triangle, So much fun! 2169 Mission Street. Admire S.F.'s Famed Street Art. Partner with strangers or choose anywhere up to 11 of your most trusted friends, and see if you can make it out in time. Simply choose your day and take the time to visit each landmark for as long or as little as you need, jumping back on the bus when youre ready to go. Located just over half an hour north of San Francisco city in Vallejo, away halfway to Napa, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is the perfect remedy for bored kids of all ages (yes, adults too). Or, hit the sidewalk on a walking tour and put yourself in the scene. Located within Yerba Buena Gardens and designed for children between 2 and 12, the participatory art museum features workshops and exhibits so kids can produce their own media, from stop-motion movies to expressions of music. Sure, the Ferry Building is home to San Franciscos ferry terminal, but its also so much more. A one-of-a-kind facility comprising an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum, the California Academy of Sciences is a must-see for anyone who likes to learn. And its all of these qualities plus natural scenery that puts most major metropolises to shame that makes the many things to do in San Francisco so unique and thrilling. Golden Gate Bridge from vista point. See all photos from Karen Z. for 3rd Cousin. Designed by architect Willian Pereira and completed in 1972, it was once the tallest skyscraper in the city with no less than 48 floors (now its the second tallest, behind the gigantic Salesforce Tower). What do the likes of Apple, Google, Facebook, and Twitter all have in common? Who wouldnt want to visit the Thrill Capital of Northern California? Alcatraz Island San Francisco Pier 33 San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 561-4900 See Ticket Price for Tour that Includes This Activity Located in the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, the isolated island of Alcatraz reveals stories of humanity and justice in America. Besides being open all year long, admission is totally free! Hot tip: opt for the audio tour, which provides thrilling insights into the minds of hardened criminals of old. A gamified walking tour adds an extra level of excitement, and youll be solving clues with a guide (or a virtual guide) while you trek the neighborhood to find the prize. 1- Go on an Alcatraz Night Tour. Dubbed a one-of-a-kind urban oasis, the San Francisco Botanical Garden sits in Golden Gate Park and offers a stunning collection of more than 8,000 different types of plants from every corner of the globe. The area has many live events to attend and there is always something happening to keep you entertained. Bay Area Native here and I've been to the exploratorium on field tripsmore, BarsVenues & Event SpacesArcades$$Alamo Square, Anyway, we had fun, played some ski ball, had some beers, and laughed a lot.more, The place is such fun. So, make sure to take a full day to experience both Napa and Sonoma Valleys and sip on some of the finest reds, whites and ross in the world. Choose an Escape from the Rock Cruise for an informative and exciting overview of the most famous prison in the United States. A bustling hub of restaurants and waterfront attractions, Fishermans Wharf is not just one of San Franciscos most popular tourist destinations its one of the busiest in the entire western United States. Included in CityPASS. Full of magic and wonder, there are interactive displays, a section on Pixar, and even narration from Walt himself. What visitors see today at Fisherman's Wharf is a gateway to San Francisco's past. Being in Silicon Valley, its no surprise that the stadium is outfitted with tech think, WiFi in every seat so you can tweet plays and order food. The world-famous wine country of Northern California is a picture-perfect landscape of rolling hills and sun-kissed vineyards and plenty of reasons to get a little tipsy. 1 - Cross the Golden Gate Bridge You can't think of San Francisco without thinking of the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit the Museum of Modern Art, check out the many sculptures and art installations, or watch the waterfall at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (yep, theres a waterfall). Union Square is the most visited neighborhood in San Francisco. Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, and Paramore are just a few of the acts that have packed the stage here, along with other entertainment heavyweights like Cirque Du Soleil. Some scavenger hunts only require a ticket and a smartphone, while others provide written or picture-based hints. The elegant Orpheum Theater was built in 1926 and is one of the last remaining atmospheric theaters in the world, with a starry sky that twinkles on cue. 7. Things to Do On Angel Island. Sure, you could spend a day walking around, but the best way to cover the most ground is on a Segway. Youll get some really awesome photos of the sea life in this exhibit, as well as the Touch the Bay tank, where you can actually come into contact with (tiny) sharks. Fortunately for you, there are plenty more wonderful art museums to explore in the city. Golden Gate Bridge. Looking to enhance your already magical experience? Stony foot path in Japanese Garden, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. This funky roller disco in the Bay Area is open to anyone who wants to learn, with beginner ramps and classes from expert teachers. They hand crafted ice cream with both bourbon and corn flakes in it and it's the best thing going at the Ferry Building. Grandview Park, also known as Turtle Hill, is a beautiful community park and popular hangout spot. Admire Beautiful Art as you Climb the Mosaic Stairway. Youll hear stories from locals that you wont read online, youll venture off the beaten track, and youll discover thereal side of the Golden Gate city. Remember listening to the ocean through a shell? With a hippie past and a hipster present, San Francisco has always been a city for trendsetters (and ignorers). - Grilled scallop: well balanced dish, perfectly seasoning and pan seared scallops with the complimentary crunchiness from green bean. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. 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