These are the 53 best things to do in San Francisco

What is it? The world’s most photographed bridge (and for good reason). 

Why go? The iconic 746-foot-tall orange towers of the Golden Gate Bridge have stood sentinel over the San Francisco Bay since 1937. Even when shrouded in fog, the bridge never fails to impress. The view is spectacular when passing over this span, with cityscapes on one side, nature on the other and a beautiful shock of blue below. Come prepared wearing extra layers; Karl the Fog doesn’t mess around when it comes to the Golden Gate. 

Time Out tip: Throw a change of clothes and your toothbrush into a backpack and bike over the bridge to spend the night at this historic lodge at the base of the bridge.

Price: Free

What is it? A festival with more than 100 free performances from May to October, held at Yerba Buena Gardens

Why go: There’s a great time brewing in downtown San Francisco, with outdoor music, theater, dance, poetry, circus feats and children’s programs. The festival kicks off with a May 10 concert of Grammy-winning La Santa Cecilia, seen in the photograph above, opened by San Franciso’s own La Doña. The fun continues with Joe Bataan + Tall Tee on May 17 and closes with Madison McFerrin + The Seshen on May 24. Also catch the CMC Older Adults Choir on May 15 as part of the Thursday Lunchtime Concert series, as well as Aguidavi do Jeje x Batuki on May 22 and VEN Trio of Vinicius Gomez, Elé Howell, Noah Garabedian on May 29. On May 18, a Storytellers’ Showcase will features students from literary powerhouse 826 Valencia.

Time Out tip: All of this is just for May! Stay tuned for listings for the next five months.

Price: Free.

What is it: An expansive park opened in 2022 on top of the Presidio Parkway highway tunnels, connecting the Presidio to the Crissy Field waterfront—designed by the same people behind New York’s High Line. 

Why go: The 14-acre federal parkland offers tons of green space by the water and is now one of the best spots to take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you have kids in tow, they’ll love the Outpost, a natural-themed playground, and the Field Station, where they can draw butterflies, discover maps and get hands-on with science.

Time Out tip: Stretch out your enjoyment of this park by staying overnight at the Lodge at the Presidio and dining at Colibri Mexican Bistro or Dalida, both walking distance away. Piccino, the Italian restaurant in the Dogpatch neighborhood, just opened a new location here on the eastern side of the Presidio in March 2025.

Price: Free

What is it? SF’s quintessential dish. 

Why go? It is common knowledge that burritos as we know them today are an American invention. And no burrito is more famous than SF’s Mission-style burrito formed in the ‘60s. There is still some debate as to who created the first Mission-style burrito. Taqueria La Cumbre is generally credited with the creation—they introduced the tortilla-wrapped combination of beans, rice, meat, and cheese in 1969. Their neighborhood competitor, El Faro (2399 Folsom St), also claims to have originated the delicacy, serving it up to local firefighters as early as 1961. If you want the best, though, head to La Taqueria (2989 Mission St), which consistently appears on top restaurant lists year after year thanks to its behemoth rice-free, foil-wrapped bombs.

Time Out tip: As with many large cities, the crisis of homelessness means that you may encounter situations that may not feel comfortable, but the treasures of the Mission can still be experienced by staying alert.

Price: Varies

What is it? A revival of an opera about Harvey Milk called Harvey Milk Reimagined, running May 31 to June 7.

Why go? San Francisco will never forget Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California and later tragically assassinated along with then-mayor George Moscone. Opera Parallèle presents Harvey Milk Reimagined, reorganized into two acts with new music (from composer Stewart Wallace and librettist Michael Korie) and a different cast from what you may have seen back in 1996. This pandemically-delayed revised production starts at the end of the month for four performances (and a happy hour open rehearsal on May 15 and several other events). The venue is the Blue Shield of California Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Time Out tip: There’s also a special commemorative display at the GLBT Historical Society.

Price: Tickets start at $50.

What is it?  The oldest and most storied enclave of Chinese immigrants outside of Asia.

Why go?  After passing through the Dragon Gate at the corner of Bush Street and Grant Avenue, get revved to explore Chinatown’s historic buildings, pocket parks and shops. Considered the birthplace of American Chinese food like chop suey and fortune cookies, as well as credited with introducing dim sum to the Western palate, you’d be remiss not to stop for a bite at an eatery like Good Mong Kok Bakery.

Time Out tip: Check out the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (56 Ross Alley), where some 10,000 fortune cookies are made every day—folded by hand as they come off an ancient-looking conveyor belt.

Price: Free.

What is it? Outdoor movies in a beer garden.

Why go? Ferry Flicks are back on the first four Fridays this month! Head to the Fort Point Beer Garden at the Ferry Building and settle in at a picnic table with a brew and bites to watch a cult classic. Each event starts at 7pm with Drag Bingo hosted by Rollin’ with the Homos, and the movie starts when it gets dark. The brewery will serve $5 draft pours throughout the screening. The schedule includes Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (May 2); Best in Show (May 9; see White Lotus’s Jennifer Coolidge in one of her funniest roles); Clueless (May 16) and The Princess Bride (May 23).

Time Out tip: It’s chilly out there even though the weather is (somewhat) warmer. Still, bring a jacket!

Price: Tickets start at $9 and are limited.

What is it? An incredible showcase of all things science. 

Why go? The Cal Academy offers a bit of everything for science-loving folks. Budding marine biologists should make a beeline for the Steinhart Aquarium, which takes up the entire lower floor and has exhibits like the world’s deepest living coral reef. Are you into ecology? Check out a four-story living rainforest that boasts butterflies, birds and a variety of tropical plants. The living roof is home to 1.7 million native plant species.

Time Out tip: The Morrison Planetarium with a 75-foot dome is state-of-the-art and great for aspiring astronomers. 

Price: $49 adults, $45 youth 13–18, $39 kids 3–12.

What is it? An exhibition of the art of Mary Blair at the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio

Why go? Blair was one of Walt Disney’s favorite artists, and you can see her mark on Disneyland installations (see “it’s a small world” concept art, above) and within the animation studio’s films. This exhibition features nearly 150 artworks—watercolors, drawings, collages and ceramics—and historical photographs. It runs May 22 through September 7.

Time Out tip: A screening in the museum’s theater is in the planning stages: It will include a collection of rare film footage and animated film clips to accompany the artwork featured in this exhibition.

Price: Admission is free with general admission, with a suggested donation of $5 to support the museum’s initiative to present world-class original exhibitions.

What is it? A fantastic 21-plus block party hosted by Insomniac for the Chainsmokers at 3pm on May 25 at the Midway.

Why go? The duo will be celebrating their progressive house roots and returning to remixes. Catch this experience before they headline shows in Taiwan, Brooklyn, New York and China.

Time Out tip: Don’t let them down.

Price: Tickets are $90 and can be purchased here.

What is it? A former maximum-security prison in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. 

Why go? Converted from a lighthouse station to a military prison in the 1870s, Alcatraz is a formidable fortress in the middle of San Francisco Bay that was home to the early 20th century’s most notorious criminals. Today, you’ll only make it to “The Rock” via ferry from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. Once there, the self-guided audio cell house tour narrated by former inmates and guards will fill you in on harrowing escape attempts, prison riots and the 19-month-long occupation of the site by Native Americans demanding reparation for broken treaties in 1969. You have to purchase a ferry ticket (even if you have an America the Beautiful national park pass) to get to the island, and reservations are strongly recommended—we’ve seen people be turned away.

Time Out tip: To get a more creepy bang for your buck, try a night tour. Plan to spend about three hours round trip and bring a jacket to protect you from heavy year-round fog and the agonized spirits of the island’s former residents. 

Price: Ferry ticket prices start at $48. The island itself is free to visit.

What is it: A celebration of spring and its blossoms at Union Square, where you’ll find colorful bouquets adorning many entryways.

Why go: This annual March-to-September enterprise involves floral displays, events (like last month’s Flower Bulb Day), cable cars bedecked with flowers and hotels pulling out all the stops—like the Westin St. Francis’s Suite In Bloom pictured above, bookable through July 31. The Bloomie Awards honor the businesses who best decorate to the theme, including naming the best flower-enhanced cocktails you can order from restaurants and bars in Union Square.

Time Out tip: Wear your brightest floral shirt so you can take beautiful photos with the backdrop of bouquets—this is not the time to wear dark colors!

Price: Free.

What is it? The home of over 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals with talks and interactive feeding sessions running every day—set across 100 acres of beautiful gardens located right on the Pacific Coast. 

Why go? For a reasonable price you can spend the whole day getting to know your favorite animals, as well as creatures you’ve probably never even heard of. San Francisco Zoo has its very own tropical rainforest with exotic birds and plants, an amazing outdoor lemur exhibit and a gorilla preserve where you’ll find Africa’s largest primate. 

Time Out tip: Try to plan your visit for the morning: Animals are far more active and there are fewer crowds. Which animals are “morning people?” Snow leopards, red pandas, grizzly bears, giraffes and African lions… you might even hear one roar.

Price: $31 adults, $26 seniors, $22 children

What is it? Added to the San Francisco skyline in 1933, this monumental love letter to the city remains an iconic welcome for travelers westbound across the Bay Bridge. 

Why go? This postcard favorite is named for Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a wealthy eccentric woman whose $118,000 bequest to the city resulted in Coit Tower’s construction. The tapered fluted tower stands 180 feet tall at the crest of Telegraph Hill. At the top is the tower’s observation deck with 360-degree views of San Francisco and the bay. 

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the rotunda at its base, covered in Depression-era WPA murals depicting socialist images painted by more than two dozen artists, some of whom studied under Diego Rivera. 

Price: Free to see the ground-floor murals. To get to the top of the tower, admission is $10 adults, $7 seniors 62+ and kids 12-17, $3 kids 5-11. Guided tours of the tower and murals are $10.

What is it? SFMOMA is the stylish go-to for top-notch modern art. 

Why go? Global architecture firm Snøhetta designed the 2016 addition to Mario Botta’s iconic 1995 building, tripling its exhibition space and making it the 8th largest art museum in the country. Inside, you’ll find 33,000 works of art, including painting, photography, architecture and design, and media arts. Along with seven ticketed gallery floors, there is a large area of public space filled with art, free to the public. Currently on exhibit is Ruth Asawa: Retrospective, through September 2.

Time Out tip: Spend the night at the InterContinental San Francisco hotel, just a 15 minute walk away. Get a room on the highest floor you can (there are 32 stories) to see gorgeous skyline and bridge views, including the MOMA’s distinctive round roofline.

Price: $30 adults, $25 seniors 65+, $23 student, free for 18 and under.

What is it: San Francisco’s newest museum, a pop-up celebration of epic fails.

Why go? There are 150 objects on display, from the spray-on condom to the frozen lasagna made by a toothpaste company, all of which would have gotten thumbs-down from the Shark Tank experts. And believe it or not, there was once a Hooters airline. You'll find the museum at Fisherman’s Wharf at 145 Jefferson St., on the second floor of the former Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. 

Time Out tip: There’s one section clearly marked “Failure XXX” where exhibits may not be appropriate for younger people, but otherwise this is a very kid-friendly museum. They'll especially love sitting in the hula chair that swivels you around.

Price: $28 adults, $21 kids, $22 seniors, military and students.

What is it? The Mission District’s alleys and buildings are decorated with over 200 distinct murals, many reflecting the neighborhood’s Latino heritage and themes of social justice. 

Why go? Thanks in large part to the efforts of artist Susan and Luis Cervantes and the Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center, you’ll find the most concentrated outdoor galleries at Caledonia Alley (at 15th Street), Clarion Alley (at Valencia Street), Balmy Alley (at 24th Street), Horace Alley (at 25th Street), Cypress and Lilac Alleys (at 26th Street) and Osage Alley (at 25th Street). At Balmy Alley, murals are constantly in flux with new ones going up all the time.

Time Out tip: Merge your murals tracking with a pitstop at Pancho Villa, a no-nonsense taqueria that’s one of our favorites. They have award-winning sauces and all food is scratch-made.

Price: Free.

What is it? The Ellis Island of the West. 

Why go? Angel Island is a hidden gem that serves a perfect mix of history and nature for an easy day trip from the city. Tour the U.S. Immigration Station, where over a million Asian and other immigrants were processed from 1910 to 1940 and sometimes detained for years. (Chinese poetry can still be seen carved into the walls of the barracks.) Afterward, hike to the summit of Mt. Livermore, bike the 5-mile Perimeter Trail or take a break at several picnic sites.  

Time Out tip: Dress in layers—the bay breeze can be pretty stiff.

Price: If you take the Golden Gate Ferry, roundtrip tickets are $31 adults, $16 youth 5-18, disabled folks and seniors 65+. Clipper card discounts available. Note: You must purchase a round-trip ticket to Tiburon/Angel Island because there are no ticket sales at Angel Island. The ferry departs from the San Francisco Ferry Terminal behind the Ferry Building (foot of Market Street), stops in Tiburon and continues on the island. Your ticket includes the state park admission fee. You can also get there via private boat, charter cruise from Sausalito or kayak if you’re amazing.

What is it? Colorful Victorian and Edwardian houses, many of which feature three or more colors.

Why go? The most famous ones—there are hundreds of houses—can be found in NoPa, the Lower Haight, Haight-Ashbury and Cole Valley. But there’s one row so iconic that it’s simply referred to as “the Painted Ladies” (or sometimes “Postcard Row”): the houses of 710-720 Steiner Street at the corner of Hayes Street. These gals have appeared in an estimated 70 movies, ads and TV shows, including, yes, Full House.

Time Out tip: You can’t enter the Painted Ladies (real people live there), but you can get a great view and a photo of your own from the east-facing hillside of Alamo Square across the street.

Price: Free.

What is it? A massive museum for the child in everyone.

Why go? At its home on the Embarcadero waterfront, the Exploratorium uses play and experimentation to introduce visitors to scientific principles. From the storage lockers that play tones when you touch them to the outdoor fog bridge by artist Fujiko Nakaya, everything in the museum is hands-on. New exhibits appear regularly, but even the museum’s most beloved mainstays—the Sweeper's Clock, a fascinating movie loop in which two street sweepers keep time by pushing around piles of trash; the toothpick diorama of San Francisco; and the Tactile Dome, a sensory-deprivation crawl-through maze—are worth returning for again and again. 

Time Out tip: Upstairs on the second floor, you’ll find the glass and steel Bay Observatory and the sustainable seafood restaurant Seaglass, which offers stunning views of the bay.

Price: $40 adults, $30 disabled people, students 18+, teachers, youth 4-17 and seniors 65+.