San Francisco · USA
Things to Do in San Francisco: Tours, Tickets & Day Trips
The best things to do in San Francisco, ranked by real traveller reviews: take the ferry to Alcatraz, walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, cruise the bay at sunset, ride a cable car over Nob Hill, then head out to the redwoods of Muir Woods, Napa and Sonoma wine country or Yosemite. Compare 950+ tours, tickets and day trips side by side — most with free cancellation.
998 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Typical tour price in San Francisco: €87 per person, 45% above the global medianHow much do tours cost in San Francisco? →
Sunset tours in San Francisco
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in San Francisco
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore San Francisco by interest
Whatever brings you to San Francisco — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Alcatraz
The legendary island prison.
ExploreGolden Gate & city
Bridge, cable cars and more.
ExploreBay cruises
Under the Golden Gate.
ExploreMuir Woods
Redwoods and Sausalito.
ExploreNapa & Sonoma
California wine country.
ExploreYosemite
Granite cliffs and falls.
ExploreCable cars
Classic city rides.
ExploreDay trips
Monterey and beyond.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in San Francisco
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Golden Gate Bridge
The iconic red bridge.
300+ toursView tours
Alcatraz
The legendary prison island.
150 toursView tours
Muir Woods
Ancient redwoods.
180 toursView tours
Napa & Sonoma
California wine country.
200 toursView tours
Cable Cars
Classic city rides.
120 toursView tours
Bay Cruises
Under the Golden Gate.
200 toursView tours
Yosemite
Granite cliffs and falls.
100 toursView tours
Fisherman's Wharf
The lively waterfront.
140 toursView tours
2 days
San Francisco in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Alcatraz & city
- 2Day 2: Muir Woods
- 3Sausalito
- 4Bay cruise
3 days
San Francisco in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Alcatraz & city
- 2Day 2: Muir Woods
- 3Day 3: Napa or Yosemite
- 4Icons, redwoods & wine
With kids
San Francisco with kids
- 1Cable car ride
- 2Fisherman’s Wharf
- 3Golden Gate Bridge
- 4Muir Woods
Theme day
Alcatraz & the Bay
- 1Morning ferry to Alcatraz Island
- 2The Rock cellhouse audio tour
- 3Golden Gate bay cruise from Pier 39
- 4Ferry across to Sausalito
Full day
Wine Country day trip
- 1Depart San Francisco over the Golden Gate
- 2Napa Valley winery tastings
- 3Sonoma vineyards & lunch
- 4Optional Muir Woods redwoods stop
45 min awayMuir Woods
Redwoods and Sausalito.
from $60View trips
1.5 hrs awayNapa & Sonoma
California wine country.
from $110View trips
3.5 hrs awayYosemite
Granite cliffs and falls.
from $130View trips
~2 hrs awayMonterey & Carmel
17-Mile Drive & Big Sur coast.
from $98View trips
30 min by ferry awaySausalito
Bike the bridge, ferry back.
from $74View trips
15 min by ferry awayAlcatraz
Book 2–3 weeks ahead.
from $45View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every San Francisco visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
September and October bring the city’s warmest, clearest weather — often the best time to visit San Francisco.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm, sunny and clear with less fog — arguably the finest weather of the year in the city.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Famously cool and foggy (“Karl the Fog”), with chilly winds; pack layers even in July, and crowds peak.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild and increasingly clear, with blossoms and fewer crowds — a pleasant time to explore.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Mild but the wettest season, with some rain; quieter and good value, with clear days between fronts.
Always bring layers
San Francisco’s weather changes fast and the fog brings a chill — layers are essential year-round.
One day
Enough for Alcatraz and the city icons.
Two days
Add Muir Woods and a bay cruise.
Three days
The sweet spot: city, redwoods, and Napa or Yosemite.
Four to five days
Add Monterey, more wine country and neighbourhoods.
A week or more
Use the city as a base to explore Northern California.
Travelling with kids
Mix cable cars, the wharf and redwoods gently.
Cable cars & Muni
The historic cable cars, streetcars and Muni buses cover the city; a Muni passport can save money.
On foot
Many neighbourhoods are walkable, though the hills are steep — wear comfortable shoes.
Ride apps & taxis
Uber, Lyft and taxis are widely available and handy for the hills and at night.
BART
The BART rail system links the airport, downtown and the wider Bay Area.
Tour transfers
Most Muir Woods, wine country and Yosemite tours include hotel or central pickup.
From the airport
SFO is about 30 minutes from downtown by BART, ride app or shuttle.
Book Alcatraz early
Alcatraz tickets sell out weeks in advance — book as soon as your dates are set.
Layers for the fog
The weather changes fast and the fog brings a chill; always carry a warm layer.
US dollars & tipping
The US uses dollars and tipping is expected (around 18–20%); budget for it on tours and dining.
Consider a city pass
A city pass can bundle Alcatraz alternatives, the bay cruise and attractions at a saving.
Mind the hills
San Francisco’s hills are steep; use cable cars and Muni to save your legs.
Explore the food scene
From Fisherman’s Wharf seafood to the Ferry Building and Chinatown, the city is a foodie paradise.
Alcatraz
Tickets sell out weeks ahead — book as early as possible.
Napa & Sonoma tours
Popular wine tours fill up — reserve early.
Yosemite tours
Day and overnight Yosemite trips are busy — pre-book.
Muir Woods
Tours and the park’s parking are limited — book ahead.
Sunset cruises
Sunset and dinner bay cruises sell out — reserve early.
Summer & autumn
Peak months are busy — plan and book early.
Alcatraz
Around $45–70 for the ferry and audio tour (book ahead).
Muir Woods
About $60–90 for a Muir Woods and Sausalito half-day.
Napa & Sonoma
Roughly $110–180 for a wine country day with tastings.
Yosemite
Around $130–200 for a Yosemite day tour.
Bay cruises
About $30–60 for a sightseeing or sunset cruise.
How to save
Use Muni and a city pass, walk the bridge and neighbourhoods, and share group day tours.
When to visit
San Francisco through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Mild days and blossoms.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Pleasant; bring layers.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Long days, busy city.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool and foggy; pack layers.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Warmest, clearest weather.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Often the best time.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Nov–Feb
- Best for
- Quiet and good value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild but wettest; some rain.
People also ask
San Francisco travel FAQ
What are the top 10 things to do in San Francisco?
Ranked by traveller reviews: 1) Alcatraz, 2) walking or biking the Golden Gate Bridge, 3) a bay cruise under the bridge and past Alcatraz, 4) riding the Powell–Hyde cable car, 5) Muir Woods and Sausalito, 6) a Napa and Sonoma wine tour, 7) a Chinatown or North Beach food tour, 8) Golden Gate Park with the California Academy of Sciences, 9) the Painted Ladies and Lombard Street, 10) a Yosemite or Monterey and Carmel day trip.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
Three days for the city plus one or two for day trips. Day one: the Wharf, Alcatraz and Chinatown. Day two: the bridge, the Presidio and a sunset cruise. Day three: Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury and the Mission. Then Muir Woods and Sausalito (half day), wine country or Monterey (full day), or Yosemite (14 hours, or overnight).
What to do in San Francisco for free?
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, hike Lands End to the Sutro Baths, see the sea lions at Pier 39, browse the Ferry Building, wander Golden Gate Park’s gardens and Stow Lake, photograph the Painted Ladies and Lombard Street, tour the Mission’s murals, take the 37 bus up to Twin Peaks for the free city view, visit the Cable Car Museum and the Palace of Fine Arts. The Legion of Honor and de Young are free on the first Tuesday of the month.
What are the best day trips from San Francisco?
Muir Woods and Sausalito (45 minutes, half day), Napa and Sonoma wine country (90 minutes, full day with three or four wineries), Monterey, Carmel and the 17-Mile Drive (two hours, full day), Yosemite with the giant sequoias (four hours each way, a very long day or an overnight), Point Reyes and the Sonoma coast, and Berkeley or Oakland across the bay by BART. See our day trips page for bookable tours.
What to do in San Francisco at night?
The Alcatraz night tour (fewer people, the city lit up on the return), a sunset or dinner cruise on the bay, dinner and cocktails in North Beach, a ghost or true-crime walking tour, jazz at SFJAZZ or Black Cat, comedy at Cobb’s, the view from Twin Peaks after dark, and the Ferry Building and Embarcadero lit up along the waterfront.
What is there to do in San Francisco in winter?
Winter is mild (50s °F) and the quietest, cheapest time. Alcatraz and Muir Woods have no crowds, gray whales pass the Golden Gate from December to April on whale-watching trips, the Academy of Sciences, SFMOMA and the Exploratorium are all indoor, and Napa is calm with tastings easy to book. December brings the Union Square tree and ice rink. Expect rain in January and February.
What are the best things to do in San Francisco with kids?
The Exploratorium on Pier 15, the California Academy of Sciences (rainforest, aquarium and planetarium), riding the cable cars, the sea lions at Pier 39, Alcatraz for children over about seven, the Aquarium of the Bay, the Golden Gate Park carousel and playground, biking across the bridge to Sausalito with a ferry back, and the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
September and October: the warmest, clearest weather and the “real” summer. April to June is mild with green hills. July and August are cool and foggy in the city (bring layers), while the wine country and Yosemite are hot. Winter is mild and wet but cheap.
Is Alcatraz worth it?
Yes — it is the highest-rated experience in San Francisco by a wide margin. The audio tour narrated by former inmates and guards is excellent, and the ferry gives the best skyline view. Book the official tour two to three weeks ahead in summer; if it is sold out, some city tour packages still include tickets.
998 San Francisco experiencesfrom $20 · free cancellation
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