Things to do in San Francisco
San Francisco packs world-class culture, stunning bay scenery, and legendary food into a compact, walkable city, and with free museums, no-cost hikes, and a robust transit card, it rewards savvy travelers far more than its reputation for expense suggests.
Why go to San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
Walk or cycle across one of the world's most iconic suspension bridges with jaw-dropping bay views, completely free.
Alcatraz Island
The infamous island prison offers a spine-tingling audio tour narrated by actual former inmates and guards.
Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39
Watch wild sea lions lounge dockside, grab a sourdough bowl of chowder, and soak in the waterfront energy.
Golden Gate Park
A 1,000-acre urban oasis housing world-class museums, Japanese gardens, bison, and free Sunday streets.
Painted Ladies & Alamo Square
Photograph the postcard-perfect Victorian row houses with the downtown skyline rising dramatically behind them.
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Good to know in San Francisco
- Get a Clipper Card for seamless tap-on transit across Muni buses, Metro, BART, and even the ferry, single Muni rides are $2.50 and day passes are $5.
- Tipping 18-20% is standard at restaurants and for ride-shares; 15% is acceptable at counter-service spots with tip prompts.
- San Francisco tap water comes straight from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir and is exceptionally clean, skip bottled water entirely.
- The de Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences both offer free admission on the first Tuesday of each month; the SFMOMA is free for visitors under 19 and discounted on Thursday evenings.
Trip essentials
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