Things to do in San Francisco
Fisherman's Wharf is one of the city's most visited spots. Also popular are tours of Alcatraz Island and rides on Cable Cars to Union Square. Art lovers head for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in the SoMa District or the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. Children love the Exploratorium in the Marina District, but make sure they wrap up for a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Most museums are open daily from 10am to 6pm.
de Young Museum
A copper showstopper
This state-of-the-art facility in Golden Gate Park holds one of the finest
collections of American paintings in the nation. The de Young Museum's
striking facade consists of 430,913kg of textured copper and a spiralling
44m tower with an observation floor.
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Cost
US$10; under-13s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 9.30am-5.15pm (until 8.45pm Fri)
Address
50, Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco CA 94118
Telephone
+1 415 750 3600
Transport
Bus 5, 16X, 21, 44 or 71 to Golden Gate Park or N-Judah metro to 9th and Irving
Website
Zeum
High-tech kids' museum
Located within SoMa District's Yerba Buena Gardens, Zeum is an innovative
multimedia, arts and technology museum designed for kids. Highlights include
an animation studio, music lab and digital workshop, as well as a 1906
carousel, bowling alley and ice-skating rink.
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Cost
US$10; 3-18s US$8; under-2s free
Opening Hours
Wed-Fri 1pm-5pm; Sat & Sun 11am-5pm
Address
221, Fourth Street, San Francisco CA 94103
Telephone
+1 415 820 3320
Transport
Bus: 30 or 45 to Howard Street and 4th Street, or BART to Powell Street station
Website
Cable Car Museum
History and hardware
Along with historic displays, the Cable Car Museum in Russian Hill also
houses the massive engines and repair facility for the entire cable car
system. The lower-level viewing room displays the huge pulleys and gears
that move the underground cables.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm (until 6pm Apr-Sep)
Address
1201, Mason Street, San Francisco CA 94123
Telephone
+1 415 474 1887
Exploratorium
Interactive science museum
The Exploratorium houses over 600 interactive exhibits exploring the science
of light, colour, sound and more. Founded in 1969 by physicist Dr Frank
Oppenheimer, this museum in the Marina District is widely considered the
finest science museum in the world.
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Cost
US$14; children free-US$9 (US$17 including Tactile dome entry)
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Address
3601, Lyon Street, San Francisco CA 94123
Telephone
+1 451 561 0360
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Modern art marvel
The Mario Botta-designed US$65-million San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, a
landmark in the SoMa District, houses the West Coast's most comprehensive
collection of 20th-century painting, sculpture and photography. Be sure to
visit the MuseumStore for fine gifts and souvenirs.
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Cost
US$15; under 12s accompanied by an adult free
Opening Hours
Thu-Tue 11am-5.45pm (until 8.45pm Thu); summer from 10am
Address
151, 3rd Street (between Mission and Howard Streets), San Francisco CA 94103
Telephone
+1 415 357 4000
Transport
Bus 15, 30 or 45 to SoMa District/SFMOMA or metro/BART to Montgomery Street or Powell Street Stations
Website
Coit Tower
Best city views
Located atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower offers the best panoramic views of
the city. Inside the 64m tower is a rotunda with several murals of
California. Take the elevator to the top floor observation area for even
better views.
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Cost
US$4.50; 6-12s US$2
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-6pm
Address
1, Telegraph Hill, San Francisco CA 94109
Telephone
+1 415 362 0808
Transport
Bus 39 to Coit Tower
Fisherman's Wharf
Famous waterfront attraction
Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the
world. Highlights include the Pier 39 amusement park, submarine tours,
seafood street vendors, a two-story aquarium, and hundreds of sea lions
basking and barking on the docks.
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Cost
Free (individual attractions subject to entry fee)
Opening Hours
Daily all day (individual attractions subject to opening hours)
Address
Pier 39, San Francisco CA 94133
Telephone
+1 415 674 7503
Alcatraz Island
Notorious former prison
The 2.5-hour Alcatraz Island excursion is a major attraction in San
Francisco. The headphone-audio tour inside the infamous prison is
exceptional, and the boat ride offers beautiful views of the bay. Purchase
tickets as far in advance as possible.
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Cost
Tours US$26; 5-11s US$16; under-5s free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-4.30pm
Address
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
Transport
Bus 15, 30, 32, 39, 42, or 82X to Fisherman's Wharf for tours and ferries
Website
San Francisco Zoo
405m² of wildlife
Located in the south-west corner of the city, San Francisco Zoo's 405m² space
is home to over 250 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The
Bear Grotto is mesmerising and there's a wonderful Children's Zoo as
well.
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Cost
US$15; 4-14s US$9; under-3s free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
1, Zoo Road, San Francisco 94132-1098
Telephone
+1 415 753 7080
Golden Gate Bridge
Iconic San Francisco landmark
Millions of people visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge each year and walk
along the entire 2.7km-long span to take in the beautiful views of the city
and bay. Wrap up though as it can be windy and cold.
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Cost
Toll US$5-US$36; on foot free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
United States Highway 101, San Francisco
AT&T Park
Home to SF Giants
Home of the San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball team, the AT&T
Park in South Beach is considered one of the finest ballparks in America.
Baseball season runs April to October, but daily guided park tours are
available year-round.
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Cost
US$12.50; concessions US$10.50; under-12s US$7.50; under-2s free
Opening Hours
Tours daily 10.30am & 12.30pm
Address
24, Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco CA 94107
Telephone
+1 415 972 1800
Transport
Bus 10, 30, 45 or 47 to South Beach, or BART trains to Montgomery Street, then free shuttle bus, or Muni tram N to ballpark station at 2nd and King Street
Website
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco's main park
The enormous Golden Gate Park is San Francisco's largest urban park and a
magnet for those looking for a spot of outdoor activity. Arranged in a long
rectangle, the park contains a beautiful Japanese tea garden and two
lakes.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Fulton at 36th Avenue (Lincoln at 41st Avenue), San Francisco CA 94102
Lombard Street
World's crookedest street
The winding one-block stretch of Lombard Street on Russian Hill is famously
known as the "crookedest street in the world" and draws hundreds of visitors
daily. Visitors can either drive down the brick-lined street or walk along
the flower-lined staircases.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Lombard Street, San Francisco
Transport
Bus 19 to Polk and Lombard Street
Cable Cars
Mobile museum
San Francisco's three cable car lines form the world's only surviving system
of Cable Cars. These mobile museum pieces haul thousands of tourists across
the city every day at a steady 15km per hour. The Powell-Hyde line offers
the best views.
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Cost
US$5 per ride
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-1.30am
Address
Aquatic Park Turntable, San Francisco 94133
Telephone
+1 415 701 2311
Transport
Bus 15, 30, 32, 39, 42 or 82X to Aquatic Park, or Powell/Hyde cable car
Website
GoCar Tours
Audio tour in mini-car
GoCar Tours are trips in tiny three-wheeled convertible mini-car designed
exclusively for exploring San Francisco. The satellite-guided audio tour
indicates which way to turn and what famous landmarks are along the route,
and the small size makes parking easy.
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Cost
First hour US$49
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-5pm
Address
2715, Hyde Street, San Francisco CA 94109
Telephone
+1 415 441 5695
Transport
Bus 19, 20, 30 to Hyde Street/Bay Street area or Powell/Hyde cable car to Bay Street
