San Francisco guide
Things to do in San Francisco
Things to do in San Francisco: start with Alcatraz Island, Asian Art Museum, and California Academy of Sciences. Use the 246 places below to build a plan around this theme; each place has source-backed details behind its description.
246 places
Places to start with
Source-backed place · Theaters and music
Gray Area Grand Theater
A cutting-edge cultural incubator housed in a restored 1940s movie palace, where San Francisco's art and technology intersect thr…
Source-backed place · Theaters and music
Great Star Theater
A historic 1925 proscenium theater in Chinatown, the Great Star Theater is the last remaining Chinese theater of its kind in any…
Source-backed place · Museums
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center
A free, family-friendly museum located in a historic Coast Guard station at the west end of Crissy Field, offering stunning views…
Source-backed place · Landmarks
Hallidie Building
A pioneering architectural landmark at 130 Sutter Street, the Hallidie Building is celebrated as one of the first structures in t…
Source-backed place · History
Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library
A dedicated public library branch in the Eureka Valley neighborhood, honoring the legacy of LGBTQ+ pioneer Harvey Milk.
Source-backed place · Landmarks
Harvey Milk Plaza
A powerful landmark in the heart of the Castro, honoring gay rights activist Harvey Milk and serving as a vibrant hub for LGBTQ+…
Source-backed place · Landmarks
Herschell-Spillman Carousel
A rare 1914 four-row menagerie carousel featuring 62 colorful animals, including dragons and camels, located in the southeast cor…
Source-backed place · History
Hippie Hill
A legendary gentle slope at the Stanyan Street entrance of Golden Gate Park, Hippie Hill serves as a historic epicenter for San F…
Source-backed place · Public art
Interfaith AIDS Chapel art and installations
A poignant sanctuary within Grace Cathedral featuring Keith Haring's final masterpiece and powerful AIDS memorials, blending cont…
Source-backed place · Museums
International Art Museum of America
A hidden jewel in SoMa, this nonprofit museum offers free admission to 25,000 square feet of global art, featuring an indoor gard…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
JFK Promenade
A vibrant, permanently car-free recreational route in Golden Gate Park, featuring art installations, public pianos, and accessibl…
Source-backed place · History
Janis Joplin's Apartment (122 Lyon Street)
The only officially documented San Francisco residence of rock icon Janis Joplin, a turn-of-the-century Queen Anne Victorian in t…
Source-backed place · History
Jimi Hendrix Red House
A bright red landmark in the Haight-Ashbury district, this residence is traditionally associated with rock legend Jimi Hendrix du…
Source-backed place · Landmarks
John F. Kennedy Promenade
A vibrant, permanently car-free boulevard in Golden Gate Park, featuring art installations, public pianos, and protected bikeways…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Koret Children's Quarter
A historic family destination in Golden Gate Park featuring a vintage carousel and expansive play structures, believed to be the…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Koret Playground
Explore the Koret Children's Quarter, believed to be the first public playground in the United States, featuring a historic carou…
Source-backed place · Museums
Long Now Foundation / The Interval at Long Now
A unique fusion of a bar, café, and museum dedicated to long-term thinking, featuring a floor-to-ceiling library and a chalkboard…
Source-backed place · History
Lovers' Lane
A historic 19th-century foot trail in the Presidio, once used by U.S. soldiers to visit their families and sweethearts in San Fra…
Source-backed place · Public art
MaestraPeace Mural
A towering five-story mural in the Mission District, MaestraPeace celebrates the courageous contributions of women worldwide, pai…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Marina Green
A sprawling 74-acre waterfront park in San Francisco's Marina District, offering panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcat…
Source-backed place · Museums
Minnesota Street Project
A contemporary art hub in the Dogpatch district, featuring 14 independently owned galleries, a restaurant, and vast warehouse spa…
Source-backed place · Museums
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
A cornerstone of San Francisco's Latino cultural life, this historic center promotes visual arts, music, theater, and dance, hous…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Mountain Lake Park
A 14-acre retreat in the Richmond District featuring one of San Francisco's last natural freshwater lakes, offering a quiet oasis…
Source-backed place · Public art
Murals and sculpture installations on the JFK Promenade
A dynamic collection of interactive public art, featuring massive sea serpent sculptures, repurposed tire installations, and bron…