San Francisco things to do – top 10 best, fun, some free, some with kids in San Francisco, California, right here, right now is what you will learn!
There are so many great things to do in San Francisco along the waterfront! Here is my list of my top 10 things to do.
By the way , yes, I have done ALL of these things myself!
I have also included approximate prices and times needed to do these things. Have a great time!
Patti’s Top 10 Things To Do San Francisco Along The Waterfront
Note: these are not in order of my favorites – they are all amazing.
1. Alcatraz Prison
Visit Alcatraz – number one on many people's San Francisco things to do list. I say it’s a must do.
Gives you a ferry ride, great views of the San Francisco Bay, and an education about Alcatraz prison – great fun!
Cost: about $26.00 per person 12+ (get tickets early!)
Time: needed: About 2 – 3 hours
2. Bike The Golden Gate Bridge
Walk, jog, bike ride or drive the Golden Gate Bridge. I just biked it again the other day with a couple of my kids – they loved it! You get exercise and fresh air, gain an appreciation for this 1937 built marvel and the chance to take some fabulous pictures for home!
Cost: FREE!
Time: It’s 2 miles across – how long does it take you to walk 2 miles?
3. Pier 39 San Francisco
San Francisco’s most poular waterfront attraction is a two level complex over the water with stores, restaurants, carousel, Aquarium Of The Bay, Hard Rock Café, Arcade, free shows and entertaining sea lions. Kids love it. This ends up on everybody's San Francisco things to do list in the end!
Cost: FREE unless you go shopping!
Time: About an hour or two – depending on what you do.
4. Fisherman’s Wharf
At Fisherman’s Wharf there's not a lot of fishing going on but you will find seafood street vendors with fresh crab cocktails and 300 boats and two marinas. I also have visited the World War II Submarine, (USS Pampanito) Musee Mecanique (antique arcade games cool!) and Boudin’s (fantastic sour dough bread). Eating sour dough bread is one of my most favorite San Francisco things to do - make sure to buy some to take home.
Cost: FREE
Time: About 30 minutes is good unless you stop for lunch or visit the attractions I told you about.
5. Aquatic Park
Lots of tourist miss this little ¼ mile strip of beach. Great to relax with a book and rest your feet.
Cost: FREE
Time: However long it takes you to relax!
6. Crissy Field
This is a park located west of Fisherman’s Wharf with a huge grass field, sandy beach and walking, jogging and bike paths. It was used in World War II as an airplane landing field!
Cost: FREE
Time: Up to you!
7. San Francisco Segway Tour
You take a half-hour riding lesson and then they let you loose on the streets while guiding you along with a narrated tour via walkie-talkie on your Segway! I loved taking this tour because I learned how to ride a Segway scooter and also interesting things about San Francisco!
Cost: $70 per person, kids are cheaper
Time: 2 hours
8. Ride A Cable Car
Who can resist riding a rolling historic landmark with a sweeping view of the San Francisco Bay down a hill to the waterfront? Fun! The Cable Car Station is located between Beach and Jefferson Streets. This is one of the very famous San Francisco things to do.
Cost: $5 per person
Time: About 15-30 minutes depending on the lines.
9. Get Out On The Water On A Bay Cruise
OK – I love water. Anything to do with it. And being out on the water feeling the wind in my hair, the boat’s soft rocking motion and the views – aaaaahhhh – the views – life is great!
Cost: Variable depending on the tour company can be from $15- $100.
Time: At least one hour and sometimes more.
10. San Francisco Ferry Building
The San Francisco Ferry Building underwent a $10 million dollar renovation. It has a great Farmer’s Market on Saturday always and some amazing culinary choices like Scharffenberger Chocolate, the Slanted Door, and the Cowgirl’s Creamery Artisan Cheese Shop and a lot more.
Cost: FREE unless you buy something amazing to eat!
Time: About 30 minutes to browse the stores. More if the Farmer’s Market is there – get some samples!
There are so many fun things to do San Francisco! This list is only a few of the many things to choose from. No wonder San Francisco draws millions of tourists every year.
