Nestled next to the ocean, with its rolling hills and famous Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a beautiful American city and is often referred to as the jewel of Northern California. There are many places to visit in San Francisco, from museums to beaches and parks to cafes. One can always hop on a cable car for one of the most fascinating San Francisco tours that will take them around most of the below-mentioned tourist attractions.
15 Popular Places To Visit In San Francisco
San Francisco offers some of California’s most captivating scenery. Miles’s long coastlines, multicultural restaurants, and immersive night scenes are abundant, and lucky for adventure travellers, some of the best places to visit in San Francisco are near or amidst nature. Here’s our guide to the best ones:
1. The Golden Gate Bridge
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It is the most photographed bridge in the world and is known for its tall orange towers that stand at a height of 746 feet. You can take a view from it from many points such as the Crissy Field, Fort Point, and Baker Beach or the Marin Headlands. Bikes and cars are permitted across the bridge 24-hours a day, and walkers can cross using the east sidewalk between 5 AM to 6:30 PM. This is the first and most popular stop in all San Francisco tours.
Location: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Timings: Open entire day
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2. Alcatraz Island
Image Credit: ID 272447 for Pixabay The prison located on this island is one of the most famous prisons in America and was operational for 30 years till 1963. In 1973, it was opened as a tourist attraction owing to some well-known inmates that were kept in the prison such as Al Capone and the Birdman. One can take a ferry over to the island and tour the site while listening to an exceptional audio recording that offers a glimpse into the prison life. It is one of the most famous San Francisco tourist places.
Location: San Francisco, CA 94133
Timings: Open all day
Entry fee: INR 3000 (adults) | INR 2000 (children)
3. Ferry Building Marketplace
This is where the largest tri-weekly farmer’s market is hosted in the city and provides a permanent home for some of the region’s most beloved artisans. There are many merchants inside such as the Cowgirl Creamery, Dandelion Chocolate, and Fort Point Beer Company. This is one of the most interesting San Francisco attractions.
Location: One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
Timings: 10 AM – 7 PM
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4. Chinatown
Image Source Chinatown in San Francisco is known to provide an altogether unique experience when compared to the Chinatown in other cities. It is the largest one outside Asia and the oldest in North America. It was built completely in the Chinese style and has various temples, theaters, workshops, small businesses, stores, antique and souvenir shops, tea houses, and more, making it one of the best places to visit in San Francisco.
Location: Grant Avenue, San Francisco
5. Legion of Honor
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This is a magnificent Neoclassical Beaux-Arts building in an amazing setting, and is one of the most exquisite museums in San Francisco. It was a gift by the famous socialite, philanthropist, and patron of arts – Alma de Bretteville Spreckels. Her museum was a replica of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris and an important part of everyone’s San Francisco sightseeing list.
Location: 100 34th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5:15 PM
Entry fee: Approx. INR 1,000
6. Alamo Square
The colorful Victorian and Edwardian houses constructed magnificently are set here in an iconic row referred to as “the Painted Ladies”. These houses have found their way into more than 70 movies, ads, and television shows. While one cannot enter these Painted Ladies since these are actual houses, one can get a very good view from the east-facing hillside of Alamo Square across the street. This is one of the most unique San Francisco points of interest.
Location: Alamo Square, San Francisco
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7. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
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Popularly known as the SFMOMA, it reopened in the spring of 2016 and is one of the best places to visit in San Francisco. With 10 floors and 45,000 feet of ground floor gallery space, it is open to the public at no cost.
Location: 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM, Closed on Wednesdays
8. Twin Peaks
Image Source These unique and uninhabited hills stand at more than 900 feet and have one of the finest views of the city and bay. Even though they’re undeveloped, they’re easily accessible. One can drive to the north peak parking area to get fine views and hike along the trails over the north and south peaks.
Location: 501 Twin Peaks Blvd, San Francisco
Timings: 5 AM – 12 Midnight
9. Fisherman’s Wharf
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One of the most famous San Francisco tourist attractions, it caters to all the visitors in the city and there are reasons aplenty for tourists and locals to visit the wharf. Some of these reasons include charming vintage arcade Musée Mécanique, the National Maritime Historical Park’s fleet of restored vintage sailing ships, and the USS Pampanito submarine.
Location: 505 Beach Street, Suite 126 SF CA 94133
10. Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is one of the most popular San Francisco tourist places and is an interesting science museum for both children and adults to enjoy. There are many exhibits here, including hands-on learning experiences. Children absolutely adore all the experiments and activities that they partake in here.
Location: Pier 15 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
11. Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods is one of San Francisco’s most popular natural enclaves for local people and sightseers who want to experience some quiet moments away from the city during their travel. The area has shrouded in a cover of Redwood Trees and is home to approximately 6 miles of trails.
Location: Mill Valley, CA 94941, United States
Timings: 8 AM – 8 PM
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12. Coit Tower
The panoramic display from atop Coit Tower makes it one of the most popular places to visit in San Francisco. From the deck, you can take in views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Fisherman’s Wharf, and spend some minutes gazing at the city beneath.
Location: 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
13. Walt Disney Family Museum
Situated in the Presidio of San Francisco, The Walt Disney Family Museum invites guests to a memorable experience during their travels where they can explore 40,000 square feet of everything Walt Disney. From early drawings to 200 video screens and a 14-foot model of Disneyland, this is a perfect place to spend time with your family when you are in the city.
Location: 104 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94129, United States
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
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14. Fairmont San Francisco
This historic hotel located in the heart of San Francisco was built in 1907. Also known as The lodging is arranged close to some of the major attractions in and around the city such as Chinatown, Union Square, the Wharf, and some popular food districts as well. Don’t forget to visit the Laurel Court for afternoon tea with some Victoria-era vibes.
Location: 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
15. Ghirardelli Square
Just a stone’s throw away from Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square is the best place to hang out after sundown. From 5-star hotels to shopping malls, there’s so much to do here that you can spend most evenings during your trip exploring this bustling city centre.
Location: 900 North Point St Ste F301, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Timings: 9 AM – 10 PM
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There are plenty of interesting places to visit in San Francisco that you may never want to leave! To explore all that it has to offer, book your trip right away and head for the best trip of your life.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In San Francisco
What is unique about San Francisco?
Nestled between rolling mountains and blue oceans, serene landscapes, and stunning architecture, San Francisco is an amazing place to enjoy a family vacation or a honeymoon. There are numerous attractions for travellers of all age groups to experience a fun-filled vacation.
What is the most visited place in San Francisco?
Golden Gate Bridge is touted as the most famous tourist attraction in San Francisco. The bridge is 1.7-miles-long and connects San Francisco to Marin County, California. Notably, this iconic spot is the longest main suspension bridge span in the world.
Is it safe to visit San franscisco during the current Covid situation?
Yes, San Franscisco is now open for travellers from India. To ensure a safe trip, adhere to the Government protocols, maintain required social distance, keep wearing a mask when in public, and keep sanitizing your hands at certain intervals.
What is the best time of year to visit San Francisco?
The best time of the year to visit San Francisco is between September to November. Fall offers some of the city’s warmest temperatures year-round, not to mention fewer crowds than summer. Spring is another good time to visit thanks to its mild temperatures and lack of rain.
Where should I visit in San Francisco?
Some of the most stunning places to visit in San Francisco are: 1. The Golden Gate Bridge 2. Alcatraz Island 3. Legion of Honor 4. Twin Peaks 5. Exploratorium
What should I not miss in San Francisco?
A few things to do in San Francisco that you can’t afford to miss on your vacation are: 1. Walk Over the Golden Gate Bridge 2. Ride a Cable Car 3. Visit the Rock 4. Watch the Sea Lions 5. Shop in Union Square 6. Explore North Beach
How many days do you need to see San Francisco?
At least 3-4 days is required to explore the beautiful city of San Francisco and its alluring neighbourhood such as Union Square, Fisherman Wharf, North Beach, Japantown, and so forth.
What is the coldest month in San Francisco?
January is the coldest month of San Francisco and the average temperature is around 8°C. You can plan a visit during this time if you wish to see the cold delights of the destination.
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Kanika has 4 years of experience in writing blogs and marketing content for travel. And when she’s not writing, she’s either exploring new terrains in a different corner of the world, or out in the city freezing urban scenarios in her camera.
