San Francisco, California, is distinguished by its many artistic buildings, year-round fog, the Iconic Golden bridge, cable cars, and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. Entertainment seekers have a lot to choose from the plays at historic theaters, visits to the historic museums and concerts at amazing spots such as Davis Symphony Hall and the San Francisco Jazz Center. Make sure to visit the downtown where you’ll find a number of amazing things to see including the China Town which hosts a number of Asian restaurants that will cater to your needs. While there, you can also have a look at this list of 10 best things to do in downtown San Francisco, as you crown your holiday experience in this beautiful historic city.
1. Enjoy a ride on a hop-on hop-off bus (from USD 63.0)
Have an amazing ride on a double-decker sightseeing bus to San Francisco’s most famous landmarks with a choice of three different passes. Explore this expansive scenic city which includes stops at big-name attractions the Palace of Fine Arts and Union Square. Go at your own pace, hopping off at any of 24 stops exploring at your leisure, and then hop back on when you’re done sightseeing. You can also get tours to the Chinatown and the North Beach which will give you cherishable San Francisco sightseeing memories to take back home.
San Francisco Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Premium Option
Duration: 60 to 130 minutes
2. Visit the majestic Lombard Street (from USD 104.0)
This is a zig-zag-shaped street in a one-block section with beautiful landscaping that stretches up in a steep hill. It is located along the eastern segment in the Russian Hill neighborhood where it is a major tourist attraction in San Francisco. Take a trip with your friends or partner and trek up this beautiful steep hill that will lead you to an amazing view of the city from the top and the Golden bridge too!
San Francisco Hills & Crooked Street Guided Segway Tour
Duration: 2.5 hour
3. Indulge in an unforgettable chocolate tour (from USD 107.0)
If you’re on a romantic or fun-filled vacation without the kids this might be the perfect tour for you to enjoy. On a three-hour tour, You will be guided by an expert through downtown and the historic waterfront, for world-class cocktails, some amazing Belgian beer, and sweet chocolates not to forget the wine tasting. Even better, you receive a Chocolate Lover Card and treatment to 10 different chocolate boutiques.
San Francisco Ultra Chocolate Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
4. Take a tour of the stunning Cable Car Museum
Situated in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco, is the Cable Car Museum at the corner of Washington and Mason Streets. The cable cars of San Francisco have become the most iconic part of the famous city where they pass through the steep hills with ease. The historic feel of the cars draws tourists for rides and also are part of the city transport. You will learn about how and when they were first developed, as well as see three original cars from the 1870s. All of the system’s mechanical parts are on display, from the brake to the grips, not forgetting the amazing pictures of the history of the cable cars.
Cable Car Museum
Address: 1201 Mason St San Francisco, CA 94108 at Washington St Nob Hill
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm
Price: 7 USD
5. Enjoy a shopping spree at the grand Metreon
The Metreon is a state-of-the-art shopping and entertainment complex that covers four levels. Inside this gigantic shopping establishment, you will find a number of restaurants and cafes like; The Buckhorn Grill, Sanraku, Jillian’s, Firewood Cafe, cloth shops and a movie theatre. Metreon is also home to City View, the terrace that overlooks the skyline of the city which is a perfect place to host business meetings or anniversary parties as you enjoy the scenic views of the city.
The Metreon
Address: 135 4th St. San Francisco , CA 94103
Website: The Metreon
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10:30am - 8:30pm; Fri - Sat: 10:30 am - 9:30pm
6. Listen to the sweet symphony at the opera house
Make sure to check out the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California, found on the western side of Van Ness Avenue. This amazing spot is a haven of events with visitors flocking this place each day to take a glimpse of what gig could be going down. There are numerous performances that will stun you from the ballet performances to the orchestras, you will surely have the time of your life!
The War Memorial Opera House
Address: 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102-4589
Website: The War Memorial Opera House
Opening hours: 10am - 11pm (daily)
7. Have a delightful meal at the Japan mall
Brrr! Did somebody ask for colder weather, because layering up still doesn’t feel like enough! Maybe some hot food will...
Posted by Japan Center Malls on Wednesday, 9 January 2019
This place brings a good vibe with the scenes of couples and families walking around as they linger near the meals spots which seem to be numerous in this spot. People of all ages who seem to populate the mall with everyone relaxed and never in a hurry. There are a great variety of restaurants like the amazing Sushi restaurants, frozen yogurt and a crepe place, a bakery, and the chocolate fair. Stop over this place and catch one of the most delicious Japanese cuisines if not the finest yogurt in town.
Japan Center
Address: 1737 Post St San Francisco, CA 94115`
Website: Japan Center
Opening hours: 7am - 12am (daily)
8. Take a break and relax in a beautiful park
Lafayette Park was established in 1869, with a great historical heritage just before the Frisco Railway arrived in Springfield. The park is named after Marquis de Lafayette, a French nobleman and an officer who served during the American Revolution. The park was privately maintained until it and its sister park, Washington Park, were acquired by the Park Board in 1913. At the time, they were the only two public parks in Springfield and they have been preserved since then till present to acclaim their fame.
Lafayette Park
Address: Gough St & Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Website: Lafayette Park
Opening hours: 5am - 12am (daily)
9. Visit the scenic Fisherman's Wharf
The Fisherman’s Wharf is a neighborhood situated on the northern waterfront. Being one of the city’s busiest tourist areas it consists of souvenir shops and stalls selling crab and offers superb views of the bay, Golden Gate and Alcatraz. There’s also a colony of sea lions to see on a good day not forgetting the historic ships to tour. The Ghirardelli Square holds boutiques and eateries that will ultimately treat your taste buds.
Fisherman's Wharf
Address: San Francisco, CA 94133
Opening hours: 24 hours
10. Tour the historic public library
This main branch of the San Francisco library is a spectacular facility which is situated in a great location next to many train stops, a children’s playground, and many restaurants. The library has an incredible selection of activities, music, movies, and books. Educational activities are plentiful here with dedicated events for both children and adults, and there are six stories of books and study rooms for everybody to use. Teens have their own section for which adults are not allowed and in case you’re wondering where to go once you enter, you can ask the library attendants for help at the front desk.
San Francisco Public Library
Address: 100 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102
Website: San Francisco Public Library
Opening hours: Mon: 9am - 6pm; Tue - Thu: 9am - 8pm; Fri & Sun: 12pm - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 6pm;
Price: 5 USD
Visit downtown San Francisco and check out its amazing wonders
If you love traveling and sightseeing, this city has a ton of things to see and do making it one of the most-visited cities in America. Make sure you visit San Francisco and create memories that will last a lifetime because the city is will provide you with that ambiance. This is one of those cities that need to be on your bucket list if you are a traveler.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to