San Francisco Bucket List: 100+ Things to Do in San Francisco

This San Francisco bucket list shares over 100 things to do in San Francisco—all suggested by a local. This SF bucket list is the perfect starting point for your first time in San Francisco.

In this SF bucket list I’m sharing my favorite places to eat and drink in San Francisco, along with the best San Francisco sights and day trips. This San Francisco list of things to do just skims the surface of everything the city by the bay has to offer. It’s a great starting point if this is your first trip to San Francisco.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, hotels and experiences that I personally use, love and spend my own money on.

A Local’s San Francisco Bucket List

Walk by Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf—if you insist—and then quickly leave and explore the rest of this list. // Fisherman’s Wharf

Rent a bike and escape the hell that is Pier 39. Ride your rented bike across the Golden Gate Bridge—a tourist activity that is well worth your time. Click here to check pricing and availability for bike rentals. // Fisherman’s Wharf

Stop for a world-famous Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe. It’s incredibly touristy, but as a local I’m even willing to fight the crowds to get one once or twice a year. // Fisherman’s Wharf

Grab a slice to-go at Golden Boy Pizza in North Beach. // North Beach

Head around the corner for a drink at Maggie McGarry’s—they have live music every Friday and Saturday night. // North Beach

Browse through City Lights Bookstore, which has been a San Francisco favorite since 1953. //  North Beach

Enjoy fresh focaccia from Liguria Bakery. But beware, they close shop everyday whenever they sell out—so go early! // North Beach

Eat one of the city’s best sandwiches at Molinari Delicatessen, an old-school Italian deli with a to-die-for selection of cured meats. // North Beach

North Beach is full of delicious things to eat! Learn more about this neighborhood and sample some of the area’s best items on this North Beach & Little Italy Food Tour. // North Beach

Visit the iconic Ferry Building. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are best if you’d like to experience the Farmers Market. This guided Ferry Building Food Tour offers 7-8 tastings from local vendors and a history lesson while you snack your way through. // Embarcadero

Ride the historic F-Line streetcar along the Embarcadero, or up Market Street into the Castro—a great alternative to avoid the long lines for the Powell Street cable car. // Embarcadero

Snack on fresh oysters with a gorgeous view of the bay at Waterbar’s $1.05 oyster happy hour, everyday from 11:30AM-5:30PM. // Embarcadero

Photograph the Bay Bridge lit up at night from the Embarcadero. // Embarcadero

Experience the city from above on this magical helicopter ride over San Francisco. These views are unbeatable!

Check out the view from the (free) public rooftop space at One Kearny. Enter the building at 23 Geary Street and tell the guard you want to visit the roof. Take the elevator to the 11th floor. // Financial District

Eat lunch at Super Duper Burgers on Kearny Street. If not this specific location, be sure to eat at one of the other six locations throughout the city. BEST BURGER EVER. // Financial District

If ground beef isn’t your thing, head over to The Bird—a simple, yet delicious, fried chicken sandwich joint created by the same genius behind Super Duper Burgers. // Financial District

Grab a drink at House of Shields—a former gentlemen’s club that functioned as an actual speakeasy during prohibition. // Financial District

If it’s baseball season, catch a Giants game at Oracle Park (formerly AT&T Park). Eat the famous garlic fries while you’re there. Pack a breath mint. And if there isn’t a game during your visit, you can still enjoy a tour of the ballpark. // SoMa

For a pregame meal and beverage, head to the sort-of hidden Victory Hall & Parlor. The bar serves food from neighboring Little Skillet, which is exponentially better than the more obvious selection of restaurants surrounding the ballpark. // SoMa

Get your caffeine fix at Philz Coffee on Berry Street near the ballpark. While Philz Coffee is now starting to be seen outside of the city, it started as a local SF coffeeshop. Try the mint mojito iced coffee. // SoMa, Mission Bay

Take a break at Yerba Buena Gardens. If the weather is nice, take your Super Duper Burger out to the lawn where you can sit down, dine and people-watch. // SoMa

Enjoy a beer tasting flight at Cellarmaker Brewing Company. (Arguably the best brewery in the city) // SoMa

Have an art-filled afternoon at the beautiful, newly-renovated SFMOMA. You can plan ahead and purchase your entry tickets here to avoid the lines. // SoMa

Walk through Union Square so you can say you did it. A lot like Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf—overly crowded and filled with tourist traps—so you should limit your time here. There’s so much more to see! // Union Square

You probably want to ride the cable car, but you can get stuck wasting hours in that line. See what the wait is like. If it’s not bad, go for it. If it’s hours long, there’s usually a parked cablecar about 50 yards up Powell Street that you can pose for a photo with. // Union Square

For a drink near Union Square, head to Johnny Foley’s, one of SF’s popular Irish pubs. Visit after 9 PM to experience the dueling pianos downstairs—so much fun! // Union Square

Or you could enjoy an (expensive) drink with an amazing view at the iconic Top Of The Mark. Don’t let the expensive part deter you. Treat yourself! // Nob Hill

Across the street, you’ll find another San Francisco institution hidden within the Fairmont Hotel—the Tonga Room. You need to stop by for at least one of their potent umbrella-clad cocktails. // Nob Hill

Since you’ll only be one block away, walk over to Grace Cathedral and admire its breathtaking beauty. // Nob Hill

Walk up to California and Stockton Streets to enjoy one of my favorite views of SF. See for yourself why it made my list of the best photo spots in San Francisco. // Nob Hill

House of Prime Rib has a cult following in the SF Bay Area, and for good reason. Go here if you are willing to spend a little on a nice dinner. You deserve it. // Nob Hill

For a cheaper meal in the area, head to Hot Sauce and Panko—serving some of the city’s best chicken wings. // Nob Hill

Eat a pork bun—and whatever else looks good—at Good Mong Kok bakery. The line moves quickly and everything is incredibly cheap. // Chinatown

Walk down Grant Avenue through the heart of Chinatown. After all, SF does have one of the oldest Chinatowns in the country. It’s also a good street for SF souvenirs if you’re interested in that kind of stuff. // Chinatown

Stop at Eastern Bakery. Ask if they have any coconut bread. Eat it if they do. You’ll know you’re in the right place if you see a photo montage of President Bill Clinton’s visit on the wall. // Chinatown

Drink a Chinese Mai Tai at Li Po Cocktail Lounge. The bar dates back to 1937 and it shows. It’s dark, kind of dirty, very dive-y. It’s great, embrace it. // Chinatown

Did you know San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asai? Learn about the history of the area and sample food on this SF Chinatown Culinary Walking Tour. // Chinatown

Dine on one of the city’s cheapest (but delicious) meals at the no-frills Saigon Sandwich. Sandwiches run around $4. // Tenderloin

Chambers eat & drink is just a few steps away and will help you quickly forget that you aren’t in the nicest part of town. It’s located in the extremely hip Phoenix Hotel where many musicians and celebrities have stayed over the last 60 years. You’ll love the mid-century modern vibes. // Tenderloin 

Take a peek inside San Francisco City Hall. It’s one of the most beautiful city halls you’ll ever see. // Civic Center

For one of the best gyros outside of Athens, check out Souvla. The salads are delicious, too. // Hayes Valley

It’s hard to find outdoor drinking establishments in San Francisco, but Biergarten is a local favorite. // Hayes Valley

Take a walk down Hayes Street and browse the local boutique shops. // Hayes Valley

The view from Alamo Square is one of the cliche tourist spots that’s worth your time. The Painted Ladies in front of the city skyline—it’s a postcard-worthy view.  This park is also one of the many dog friendly places in San Francisco. // Alamo Square

A tiki bar with a pirate-themed twist is what you’ll find at Smuggler’s Cove. This must-visit bar offers the largest rum selection in the U.S. along with a tasty cocktail menu. It opens every day at 5 PM and the space is on the small side, so a line quickly starts to form out front. Arrive early. // Fillmore

Check the schedule online and try to catch a concert at The Fillmore. The venue is legendary and full of so much history. Plus they usually give a free custom concert poster to guests at each show. // Fillmore

Snag a late-night snack at Tommy’s Joynt, known for serving freshly-carved meat sandwiches and plates for over 60 years. It’s all about the corned beef sandwich! // Fillmore, Western Addition

Explore the streets of San Francisco’s Japantown, one of only three Japantowns remaining in the U.S. // Japantown, Western Addition

Burn off all of the calories you’ve been consuming by climbing the Lyon Street Steps. The view is amazing, so bring your camera! // Marina District

Hungry again? You’re not far from another one of the city’s best sandwiches at Lucca Delicatessen. // Marina District

If the sun is out, take your sandwich to the lawn at Fort Mason and have a picnic. Locals flock here when the weather is good. // Marina District

From March-October, you can check out Off The Grid: Fort Mason Center, a weekly outdoor collection of the Bay Area’s tastiest food trucks and vendors. If you can’t make it to Fort Mason, look up Off The Grid’s schedule for additional locations throughout the Bay Area. // Marina District

Walk around and take pictures at the Palace of Fine Arts. It’s stunning and one of the best free things to do in San Francisco. // Marina District

Take even more photos at nearby Crissy Field, where you’ll have one of the best possible views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It’s also a great place for a picnic. // Marina District

Have a delicious Puerto Rican meal at Parada 22. // The Haight

Sneak next door to Cha Cha Cha and share a pitcher of sangria with your friends. Or don’t share it—that’s cool, too.  // The Haight

Browse the vast selection of music at Amoeba. The original location is located in Berkeley if you happen to find yourself on that side of the bay. // The Haight

Take a walk down quirky Haight Street and imagine what it was like in the 1960s. Take a selfie at the corner of Haight & Ashbury underneath the street signs. You know you want to. // The Haight

Choose from over 40 beers on tap at Toronado—a straight-forward and unpretentious local favorite. // Lower Haight

Eat some post-beer chicken wings and fries at Wing Wings. The signature Wing Wing sauce is where it’s at. // Lower Haight

Go skating at a roller rink in an abandoned church. Sound crazy? Even more of a reason to check out The Church of 8 Wheels. // Lower Haight

Pick up a loaf of bread at Tartine Manufactory; stay for lunch if you have time. Tartine Bakery, the original, is a city favorite for its bread and baked goods. // Mission

Stroll down Clarion Alley, a one-stop shop for some of the city’s best street art. // Mission

Have a drink at Elixir, one of San Francisco’s oldest bars. They’ve been serving booze there since 1858. // Mission

There are plenty of opinions on where to get the best burrito in San Francisco. Try El Farolito and La Taqueria and you can decide for yourself. // Mission

Enjoy a round of miniature golf on the most intricate, artistic indoor course you’ll ever see, at Urban Putt. // Mission

Grab a cocktail at El Techo, one of San Francisco’s only rooftop bars. // Mission

Sit and enjoy one of the best views of the San Francisco skyline, overlooking Dolores Park from the bench at the corner of Church & 20th. // Mission

Visit San Francisco’s only Portuguese cafe, Cafe St. Jorge, and try their wide variety of baked treats, as well as Portuguese-inspired dishes. // Mission, Bernal Heights

Get a taste of Southern hospitality and get your brunch on at The Front Porch. // Mission, Bernal Heights

If you’re interested in fresh seafood, Anchor Oyster Bar is a MUST. // Castro

Classic movies, Disney sing-a-longs, the Castro Theatre has it all! Check the schedule online, because anything here is bound to be a fun time. // Castro

Catch a game in a fun environment with delicious cocktails at Hi Tops, San Francisco’s first gay sports bar. // Castro

Sip on a classic martini and enjoy the music at Martuni’s. // Castro

Watch the sunset over the Bay Area from the top of Twin Peaks. // Twin Peaks

Explore the adorable, lesser-known neighborhood of West Portal and eat at Submarine Center while you’re there. // West Portal

Recharge at Andytown Coffee Roasters with coffee and one of their baked goods. // Sunset

There’s a debate over who has the best xiao long bao (Chinese soup dumplings) in San Francisco— it’s all about Dumpling Kitchen. // Sunset

Break a quick sweat climbing (and posing for pictures) on the 16th Avenue tiled steps. // Sunset

Have an affordable, yet delicious, bowl of hand-pulled noodles with a beef roll pancake at House of Pancakes—not be confused with IHOP. // Sunset

If you’re visiting San Francisco during the summer months, catch a free Sunday concert at Stern Grove. // Sunset

Grad a midday snack at Arizmendi Bakery. The bread, cookies, pastries, and pizza are all excellent. // Sunset

Pack a picnic and hang with the locals in Golden Gate Park. // Sunset/Richmond

Visit the California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park, an activity perfect for all ages. And for the grown-ups there is a one-night event each week where adult beverages are served while you explore and learn. // Golden Gate Park

Head towards the coast and explore the remains of Sutro Baths. // Richmond District

Hike the Lands End trail for gorgeous views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. // Richmond District

Try a margarita at Tommy’s, and then head a few blocks down for another margarita at Tia Margarita’s—then you can argue about which one is better. // Richmond District

Instagram your colorful birthday cake latte at Home cafe. // Richmond District

Snap a few frame-worthy San Francisco tourist photos at Baker Beach with the bridge in the background. // Presidio

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and walk through Lovers’ Lane. // Presidio

San Francisco Bucket List Events

Run—or tag along— at Bay to Breakers, San Francisco’s beloved footrace and costume party. // Third Sunday in May, annually

Celebrate equality and the LGBTQ community at the San Francisco Pride parade and festival. // End of June, annually

Enjoy a diverse lineup of genres, along with the Bay Area’s best food and drinks, at Outside Lands Music Festival. // Second weekend of August, annually

You can catch one of the city’s favorite three-day music festivals, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the first weekend of October in Golden Gate Park. And the best part—it’s free! // First weekend of October, annually

See thousands of people dressed as Santa fill the streets for an all-day party and pub crawl at SantaCon. It’s a sight worth seeing! // Early December, annually

Get out of the city for the day and browse around Treasure Island Flea Market. Treasure Island offers incredible views of the city!

San Francisco Bucket List Day Trips

Visit the beautiful Napa and Sonoma wine country on a guided wine tour from San Francisco. This tour will teach you all about the history of the wine country, how wine is made, and you’ll get to taste the finished product. Your 8-hour tour consists of transportation from San Francisco and visits to a few local wineries. Click here to check current pricing and schedule availability. 

Wander the trails and awe at the beautiful, towering redwood trees on this half-day tour of Muir Woods. You will get to see the jaw-dropping beauty at California’s coastal redwood forest. Click here to check current pricing and availability for this tour.

Go for a hike in the Marin Headlands, located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. The views are unreal.

Take a day tour from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park. It will be a long day but the opportunity to see Yosemite while you are in Northern California is one not to be missed!

Hop on a ferry for a day trip to Sausalito. The 15-minute ride offers amazing views of the city and Alcatraz.

Or you could take the ferry to Alameda where you can do a tour & tasting at St. George Spirits, then have a beer next door at Faction Brewing.

Take a day trip to lovely Carmel and Monterey. Experience scenic highway 1, Cannery Row, and the world famous aquarium. This is one of my favorite areas of California.

Travel down Highway 1 and grab a tasty seafood lunch at Barbara’s Fishtrap while exploring Half Moon Bay. 

Ride BART from San Francisco to the East Bay. Explore Oakland and Berkeley, both of which have amazing restaurants and breweries.

San Francisco Travel Tips

Where to Stay in San Francisco

Deciding where to stay in San Francisco can be a challenge because SF is not a cheap city. As a resident of San Francisco, I highly recommend researching the dates you think you want to visit in advance. Do a quick Google search to see if there are any major conferences in the city during your travel dates because that will severely impact the price of lodging.

While prices will fluctuate depending on what’s going on in SF, here are some of my recommended places to stay in for all different price ranges.

“Affordable” Places to Stay in San Francisco

It’s not often that you will hear the words “affordable” and “San Francisco” in the same sentence. San Francisco is known for being one of the most expensive places to live in the world. This is often reflected in hotel prices as well.

The hotels below are some of the most affordable options in San Francisco, while also being trendy and desirable locations.

BECK’S MOTOR LODGE // This place has all of the charming retro motel vibes while still offering clean, modern and stylish rooms. The location is awesome, directly on Market street in the heart of the Castro. With public transit running in all directions, you can easily get anywhere where you cannot already walk. Click here to check current pricing and availability.

PHOENIX HOTEL // The Phoenix Hotel is one of the most hip properties I’ve ever been to. If you want to feel cool, this is the place. The property is design goals, with one of the only outdoor pools in SF and a sweet bar onsite. I will be honest though, it is not located in the best neighborhood. That said, it’s very central and I have visited here many times myself and never had any issues. I just want to be straight forward about the neighborhood so that there are no surprises. Click here to check current pricing and availability.

HOTEL DEL SOL // This Marina District property is a 1950s motor lodge that was transformed into a trendy boutique hotel. The color palette, pool, and palm trees give off major California beach vibes, even though our city is covered in fog half the time. This area is a great choice with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shopping to explore by foot. You can also easily walk to the waterfront from Hotel Del Sol to catch great views of the bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Click here to check current pricing and availability.

How to Stay Connected in San Francisco

If you are visiting from outside of the US and looking for a way to stay connected to WiFi during your trip to San Francisco, check out TEP Wireless. I’ve used the TEP pocket-sized personal WiFi hotspot for multiple trips to Europe and I love it.

Ever since I found out that TEP provides coverage in the U.S. I’ve been recommending this device as my go-to way to stay connected if you are traveling outside of your home country where you won’t have cell phone service. Having this device has saved me time and time again when it comes to needing to order a cab or find directions to one of the many restaurants I have saved on my travel list.

Click here if you want to check current pricing and coverage areas for TEP’s pocket WiFi.

What to Bring to San Francisco

TRAVEL ADAPTER // Depending where you are visiting from, this travel adapter may come in handy. This one is my favorite and is useful in so many different parts of the world. It’s a great, low-cost investment that you will use time and time again.

CHARGING POWER BANK // This high-speed charging power bank is a necessity for those long days spent out exploring. When you are on the run you can plug your devices in wirelessly and quickly get the power you need to keep utilizing your devices. This is another one of my travel must-haves for any location.

SF TRAVEL GUIDE // Obviously I’ve got you covered here with a ton of info, but this series of travel books is one of my favorites to collect. I love the approach they take, offering details and recommendations that you won’t find in every other standard guide. Check the other locations they make books for, too!

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