Here are the 9 coolest things to do in San Francisco

Always good weather in San Francisco

The city of San Francisco is located on a peninsula that separates the Bay of Francisco from the Pacific Ocean. It is the fourth largest city in the United States. The atmosphere in San Francisco is lively, perhaps best described as ‘hippie-ish’. It’s also the only American city that feels somewhat European. It is striking that it never really becomes summer or winter, temperatures fluctuate between 10 and 20 ºC. However, the mild climate makes this city very suitable for a city trip. Of course there are must-sees, but at the same time you feel so at home here that the nothing-must-everything principle prevails.

What is the best travel time?

San Francisco is a destination where you can visit at any time in the year, thanks to the mild climate. In the winter months there is a somewhat greater chance of rain, so those months are less ideal. If you want to see more of America, spring is the best option.

From San Francisco you can make an amazing tour to the most beautiful natural parks in Western America, such as Yosemite, Bryce and Zion, and cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Diego can also be combined. Since these places can get quite busy in the summer months, I would go to San Francisco in May or June (or maybe September/October).

If you don’t feel like checking off a list of highlights, but you still want to do fun things in San Francisco, these tips will undoubtedly come in handy.

1. Discover the nicest neighborhoods of San Francisco

The 16 different neighborhoods are quite close to each other, but still have their own identity. The district Mission bursts with cool street art: more than 500 murals color the streets. Clarion Alley and Balmy Street have the nicest ones. It is also the hippest area in the city, full of coffee and cocktail bars, food trucks, trendy boutiques and galleries. Alamo Square is the neighborhood made famous by the Victorian houses (which you may know from the Full House series). The six most famous buildings together form the ‘Painted Ladies’.

Many American cities have one Chinatown, but the one in San Francisco surpasses them all, in size but certainly also in appeal. At Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory you can buy the world’s best fortune cookies in all kinds of flavors and with special toppings. The harbor area of Fisherman’s Wharf forms the tourist heart of the city. Take a look at the sea lions, who have chosen Pier 39 as their home port, stroll along the market stalls and eat a fish on the street. At the end of the pier you will also find the best daily street entertainment you have ever seen.

▸ Tip: Ciopino is an original fish stew invented in San Francisco. A real Cioppino with lots of fresh seafood is best eaten in the North Beach district.

2. Take the legendary funicular

San Francisco is built on 48 hills and you will feel it in your legs. Some hills are so steep that steps have been made in the sidewalk to allow them to pass. If the height differences become too much for you, you can of course also do the legendary funicular to take. San Francisco is the only city in the world where this type of tram still operates. And even if you can walk yourself, it is still fun to hang on this tram – just like in the film.

The most beautiful route which you can take the cable car runs from Market Street towards Fisherman’s Wharf. As soon as you downhill you have a beautiful view of the bay.

3. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge

The figurehead of the city is, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. The iconic red bridge that you have undoubtedly seen in films and series. The Golden Gate Bridge is already quite old: it was opened in 1937 and is named after the strait it spans. It is the most photographed place in the city. Especially in the morning, when the bridge is surrounded by fog and the rising sun, it is a spectacular place.

Whether you cross it on foot, by car or by bike: you are sure to take a lot of pictures of it. They are the most beautiful on the other side: then you can see the Golden Gate Bridge with the skyline of San Francisco. Definitely cross the bridge!

4. Take the hairpin turns of Lombard Street

One of the nicest streets in San Francisco is Lombard Street. This crazy street has 8 super sharp hairpin bends and is therefore called ‘the most crooked street in the world’. Because the road was too steep for cars to drive (the angle of inclination is no less than 27 degrees), this solution was devised. The state is especially nice to see because of the green vegetation on both sides.

Lombard Street is the most fun by bike or car, although there are plenty of people who do it on foot. Because this street is also quite high, the view down is very cool.

5. Visit Alcatraz Prison

Alcatraz – the famous prison where Al Capone, among others, was imprisoned – is located on an island in the sea, not far from the coast of San Francisco. You can already see the prison.

The prison has not been in use since 1963 and is now a museum. You can go there by boat to visit Alcatraz, a nice tour to do.

Although a glance at it from the bridge or from land is also enough. From the island and the water you do have a nice view of the skyline of the city.

▸ Tip: book a ticket online for a tour to Alcatraz.

6. Go to Sausalito by bike

Although the height differences in this city may not immediately invite you to a long bike tour, that is what you do in San Francisco: cycling. San Francisco is very bike-friendly. On the bike you are super flexible, you can stop at any time and you can also completely determine your own route. Rent a bike and get ready for a beautiful – and tough – bike ride to Sausalito.

Make sure you do your bike ride in or near it. It is the northernmost tip of the peninsula and also a beautiful park to cycle through. Along the way there are countless beautiful spots to capture the city’s red icon, such as Torpedo Wharf or Baker Beach.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge takes a while: the bridge is no less than 2,737 meters long. Once you have crossed the famous red bridge you enter a completely different world: it is green and hilly. It is a tough trip because the height differences are quite large. So make sure you have a sporty bike with gears with you, because you will definitely get hot. When you look to the right you can see prison Alcatraz well.

The artist town of Sausalito is the perfect end point of your bike ride. A touristy spot, but in a very pleasant way. It has a beautiful boulevard and plenty of terraces. There you can take the boat back to the city or you are sporty enough and also make the way back by bike.

▸ Tip: you can book the best bike tours in San Francisco through Baja Bikes.

7. Enjoy the best view of the city

For the most beautiful panorama of San Francisco, climb to one of the tops of the Twin Peaks. At a height of 280 meters you can experience San Francisco in 360 degrees, a beautiful sight. Especially at night, when the city is illuminated by millions of lights, it is a special place.

8. Run (or walk) the boulevard

Embarcadero is the road that you can think of as the boulevard of the city, from where you have great views of the San Francisco Bay. Running alongside the road is a 4.6-kilometer wide trail that ends at Fisherman’s Wharf. Early in the morning, when the rest of the city is still asleep, is the best place to go for a run.

9. Chilling in the park

Dolores Park is the perfect place to chill out in the grass. This is the nicest place in town, especially on weekends. Bring a blanket and drinks and enjoy a perfect view of the San Francisco skyline.