15 Best Things to Do in San Francisco for First-Time Visitors 

San Francisco is a city best explored slowly—on foot, by cable car, and by ferry. In my city guide to the best things to do in San Francisco, I recommend you explore San Francisco’s historic neighborhoods and parks, check out its iconic bay views, and sample its cuisine. Here are my Top 15 Things to Do in San Francisco!

1. Ride the Historic Cable Cars

This was the #1 thing that I wanted to do as soon as my plane touched down. Ride the red cable car! I first jumped on a cable car when I was 19 years old and almost toppled an elderly lady clinging to a railing. I thought it was the most exciting thing in the world to go hurtling down Powell Street, bump, bump, bump.

I recommend buying the 3-day special pass for $33. A single cable car ticket cost $9. This allowed me to jump on a cable car whenever I saw one on California Street, Mason Street, Hyde Street, or Powell Street. 

I also stood in line at the junction of Hyde Street and Beach Street (Fisherman’s Wharf) to ride the cable car all the way to Market Street. My goal was to get the outside bench seat so I could videotape the iconic sites, like Ghirardelli Square and Victorian Park. Expect long waits because it’s the most popular station.

Verdict: No visit to San Francisco is complete without riding one of the city’s historic cable cars, which climb the steep hills while offering panoramic views of the bay and Victorian neighborhoods.

2. Discover the City’s Hidden Mosaic Tile Staircases

San Francisco’s residential neighborhoods hide beautiful mosaic staircases created by local artists and funded by the community, turning ordinary hillsides into “staircase street art.”

Unless I took Greg’s Walking Tour of SF’s Sunset neighborhood, I would never have discovered these gems. Two decades ago, neighbors came together to fund this project through donations. The stunning mosaics were created by two female artists (Aileen Bar and Colette Crutcher). They turned these staircases into open-air galleries. Our guide, Greg, shared the history, symbolism, and local pride behind the “art stairs.”

The 16th Street Steps are the most famous. There are 163 steps. The design is a “sea to stars” mosaic. I saw several runners racing up the staircase for training. 

But I think the Hidden Garden Steps were my favorite. It was more lush and garden-like. 

We finished at the top of the second staircase—one of San Francisco’s highest points—with sweeping views across the bay. From here, I could see the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Golden Gate Park, and downtown San Francisco below.

3. Take a Walking Tour in the Haight-Asbury Neighborhood

I was able to relive my “hippy days” as an elementary school student when I visited the Haight-Asbury neighborhood. If only I had packed my bell-bottoms, peace necklace, and groovy tie-dye t-shirt. 

I recommend you save time to shop at the vintage clothing stores. “Love on Haight” is the Tie Dye Emporium.” This neighborhood store is famous for its vibrant tie-dyed clothing. You can also buy hippie-style pins, headbands, and books.

Tip: The colorful Haight-Ashbury district remains the spiritual center of San Francisco’s 1960s counterculture movement and is filled with vintage shops, music history, and Victorian architecture.

4. See the Homes of Famous Rock & Roll Musicians

Music lovers can visit the former homes of legendary performers such as The Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin, whose residences still stand in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.

This was another GuruWalk tour guided by Greg. He taught me so much about the music scene in 1967. The Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was the center of the counterculture movement and the Summer of Love. Greg brought its bohemian history to life and even shared some dark secrets from its distant past. He showed me the homes of the famous musicians who lived here.

5. Visit the Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States. It offers tranquil pathways, koi ponds, stone lanterns, and a traditional tea house. An adult ticket cost $14/$16. But entry is free from 9-10 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!

Master Japanese gardener Makoto Hagiwara took over the garden in the 1890s and transformed it into an authentic Japanese landscape, introducing features like the drum bridge (moon bridge), stone lanterns, pagodas, and koi ponds. It is one of the city’s most peaceful corners.

My favorite sections were the Temple Gate, Moon Bridge, and Koi Pond. Yes, I actually walked up the steps of the Moon Bridge to take in the iconic views (and crawled down so I didn’t fall). I loved wandering along the winding paths and meditating in front of the Buddha statue.

The Japanese Tea Garden offers spectacular scenery, quiet moments, and centuries of tradition tucked inside Golden Gate Park. Thank you to SF City Guides. There are more than 300 trained volunteers who lead FREE historical and architectural walking tours in San Francisco for over 35,000 locals and visitors each year.

6. Explore the San Francisco Botanical Garden

I decided to tour the nearby San Francisco Botanical Garden after the Japanese Tea Garden. An adult ticket costs $17/$18. But you can enter for free between 7:30 and 9 am daily.

Being from Washington DC (where it is cold and rainy in February), I was thrilled to see magnolias and rhododendrons in bloom! I even saw the delicate pink blossoms of a cherry tree. I loved strolling through the extensive grounds, seeing the flowers and bushes in bloom, and relaxing on a bench. I even sent a postcard to the trees in the special Tree Mail post box. I loved my time among the trees.

Tip: The San Francisco Botanical Garden showcases more than 8,000 plant species from around the world, with themed landscapes that range from Mediterranean climates to cloud forests.

7. Take a Long Walk through Golden Gate Park

Stretching more than three miles, Golden Gate Park is larger than Central Park. It features gardens, lakes, museums, and peaceful trails perfect for a leisurely walk.

I wandered over to see the Music Concourse Bandshell. Built in 1900 for a World’s Fair, this Beaux-Arts classical building is still used for public gatherings and free concerts. 

8. Eat Clam Chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf

I met my niece Michele and grand niece Lexie at Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch. Yes, this is a touristy place, but the seafood is great. You can look out at the bay and imagine life in the 1900s.

Tip: Fisherman’s Wharf remains one of the city’s most famous waterfront destinations, where visitors can enjoy a warm bowl of clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.

9. Explore the Nob Hill Neighborhood

Once home to San Francisco’s railroad barons and millionaires, Nob Hill features grand hotels, historic churches, and sweeping views from one of the city’s highest points.

I booked my accommodations in Nob Hill without realizing that I would be climbing up and down Powell Street multiple times a day. My legs had a great workout.

But I confess the views from my balcony amazed me. I did have a little trouble falling asleep each night due to the sound of the cable car passing by my building. (The cable cars run from 7 am to 11 pm.)

10. Photograph the Victorian Mansions

I had an hour walk from Nob Hill to the Haight-Asbury neighborhood, which gave me plenty of time to photograph the historic homes en route. 

My guide took me to Waller Street on his tour. It is lined with colorful Victorian mansions. This style of architecture features gingerbread trim, bay windows, and bold colors.

Tip: The Victorian mansions known as the Painted Ladies face Alamo Square Park. They are among the most photographed homes in San Francisco and offer a classic skyline backdrop.

11. Eat Dim Sum in Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America and one of the largest outside Asia. I frequently walked through Chinatown since it adjoins Nob Hill. The streets are crowded, especially during the hours when residents are shopping. 

I know it is hokey, but I loved walking through Dragon Gate Chinatown. It was built in 1970 in the traditional “Chinese American” style. It marks the start of Grant Avenue. Red lanterns hung overhead. 

I wandered down the avenue, browsing the souvenir shops and tea stores. Nearby is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. You can watch cookie made by hand and buy warm cookies.

Tip: Plan to eat at one of the small restaurants that serve handmade dumplings, dim sum, and traditional Chinese dishes.

12. Enjoy Homemade Pasta in Little Italy

I love Italian food, so I saved two separate nights to eat dinner in North Beach—San Francisco’s Little Italy. The neighborhood is adjacent to Chinatown. You can easily visit both in one evening.

I just wandered up and down the streets to look in the windows of restaurants. North Beach is filled with classic trattorias and bakeries. You can buy fresh pasta, espresso, and Italian pastries at family-run stores.

13. Visit Saints Peter and Paul Church

You also must stop to see the impressive Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach. The twin spires rise about 191 feet above the square.

This edifice reflects the neighborhood’s Italian heritage. It stands as one of the most recognizable Catholic Churches in San Francisco. It dominated the skyline.

114. Eat Breakfast at The Ferry Building

The historic Ferry Building Marketplace is one of the city’s best places for breakfast, offering artisan coffee, fresh pastries, and views of the Bay Bridge.

Built in 1898 in the Beaux-Arts style, it has long served as a gateway to the bay. I loved walking through its vaulted marketplace before boarding.

Stop and look at the decorative mosaic tiles that adorn the walls. They were installed in the early 2000s as part of the Ferry Building’s restoration. The images symbolize San Francisco’s waterfront history and food culture.

On Saturdays, the Ferry Building Marketplace transforms into one of California’s most celebrated farmers’ markets. It draws chefs, locals, and travelers alike. Operated by CUESA, the market stretches along the Embarcadero with rows of seasonal produce, artisan cheeses, fresh-baked breads, and gourmet specialties sourced from Northern California farms. Sample ripe stone fruit, sip small-batch coffee, and watch chefs select ingredients for the evening’s menus. Enjoy views of the Bay Bridge and watch ferries arriving and departing.

15. Take the Ferry to Sausalito

A scenic ferry ride across the bay to Sausalito offers postcard views of the San Francisco skyline and leads to a charming waterfront town filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Visiting Sausalito on the public ferry is one of the best travel deals in San Francisco. The round-trip cost is $28. Since I am a senior, I only paid $16.

If you only have three days in San Francisco, I still recommend you dedicate half a day to this adventure. There is something timeless about approaching Sausalito by water. The town rises slowly into view—white boats rocking in the harbor, hillside homes stacked like a Mediterranean postcard, and sunlight glinting off the bay.

If you’re planning your next move after exploring the city, my Sausalito guide shows you exactly how to turn a simple day trip into one of the most memorable moments of your journey.