San Francisco

If you plan on a trip to San Francisco for 3 days, you may start planning your trip with a few pre – planned itineraries.

San Francisco is one of America’s most busiest town. It’s home for the liberals, hippies, hipsters, techies, migrants, Yuppies, one of the older gay scenes in America, the big red bridge, Alcatraz, delicious Chinese food, seafood, and much more.

The attractions of San Francisco are extended and not always easy to reach — thanks to the many traffic and the limited subway system, there’s a lot of traveling times involved.

This article explains how you can take advantage of San Francisco’s time and see and experience the city in just three (or fewer) days.

What to Do in San Francisco: Day 1

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco is as famous for its restaurants and food trends as it is for its Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars.

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the San Francisco’s most famous landmarks as well as a piece of engineering art. You could walk across the bridge (recommended), enter the visitor center for a briefing on the park’s history, or just look at the park from every corner and take a number of photos.

Don’t forget to go to the National Recreation Area Golden Gate that has a waterfront promenade, bridge views and many walking paths .. The park is also home to a Walt Disney Museum.

It is highly recommended to take the public transit to see the Golden Gate Bridge, as parking is limited and construction in the area is usually carried out. There are public buses from various parts of the city regularly, including the city center, the Civic Center, Union Square and the fishermen wharf.

Visit Crissy Field

This park, with its beautiful beach, restaurants, fishing piers and Frisbee parks, is also near the bridge, while you walk along the harbor, toward the center of the town.

You’ll find a lot of locals running, walking their dogs, or lying on the beach. It offers panoramic views of the whole port. At the west end of the park, there is a little restaurant called the Warming Hut – snacks, drinks can be picked there.

Visit The Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is a Roman-style remnant of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The outdoor rotunda and its lagoon are one of the city’s most photographed sights. Take a leisurely stroll around the lagoon, relax under the rotunda, or enjoy a picnic on the grass. It’s also a social destination, where you can bring along a few friends to play giant jenga, cornhole, ping pong, and more. There are constantly events being held here, so check the website to see what’s going on.

3601 Lyon Street, +1 415-608-2220, palaceoffinearts.com. Open Tue-Sun (10am-5pm).

Tour Alcatraz

This former federal prison on Alcatraz Island was home to some of the worst criminals in the US. It was shut down in the 1970s and has since become a national landmark people can explore. I’d suggest taking a tour during your visit so the Rangers can provide you with some historical context. Be sure to book the ferry to the island early if you’re going in the summer, as it gets very full!

+1 415-981-7625, alcatrazcruises.com. Alcatraz Cruises is the official provider of tour tickets and transportation to and from Alcatraz. Tours run daily year-round, starting from $38 which includes an audio tour.

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square

This area covers numerous blocks along the waterfront and is one of the most popular (touristy) things to do in the city. There are street performers, souvenir shops, and tons of spendy restaurants. Along Fish Alley you can watch fishermen at work, as they’ve done for decades. This is a good place to wander and explore for people watching, but don’t eat here. The food is overpriced and, to be honest, not that good. If you want to try some of the mouthwatering seafood that San Francisco is famous for, I really liked Waterbar and the Anchor Oyster Bar.

The best way to reach Fisherman’s Wharf is to take the F-Line streetcar that runs from the Castro neighborhood along the length of Market Street before turning west at the Ferry Terminal Building. The area is also serviced by two cable car lines: the Powell-Hyde line on Hyde Street and Beach Street, and the Powell-Mason line on Taylor Street and Bay Street.

Hang out in the Mission

After your busy day, go relax in Dolores Park for great views of the city. If you’re a history buff, head to Misión San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) – the oldest surviving structure in the city. It was founded in 1776 and now is home to the only cemetery within city limits.

The Mission District is a fabulous place to spend your night. Be sure to check out Mission’s amazing Mexican food (and overall food scene), bars, and clubs. Grab a burrito at Taqueria Cancún or Papolete, or visit one of the cocktail bars on 16th (Dalva is good). Watch out for hipsters!

What to Do in San Francisco: Day 2

Ride the Cable Cars

Riding the cable cars is an excellent way to tour the city and experience various neighborhoods in San Francisco. Catch the cable cars from Market Street. They’re fun to ride and will save you lots of time walking up and down those hills. A one-way ticket is $7 (you can pay the conductor onboard). If you have a CityPASS, cable car rides are included.

Visit Lombard Street

While riding the cable cars, make sure to get off at Lombard Street (located south of Russian Hill Park) and see one of the world’s windiest streets. Just take the Powell/Hyde line, which starts at Fisherman’s Wharf.

The history of Lombard Street is worth knowing. During the 1920s, people in San Francisco were beginning to drive around in automobiles, but many of the hills were too steep to navigate. A local man named Carl Henry came up with the idea of using a curved street to help vehicles move downhill, although it would mean several sharp turns. An engineer named Clyde Healy created the design, and overall the hill’s slope went from 27% to 16%. Now you can watch the cars and bikers navigate the sharp turns as tourists gawk at them.

Head up Coit Tower
Another major city landmark is Coit Tower, perched atop Telegraph Hill. It was built in 1933 to help beautify the city and features 27 fresco murals by different artists. From the top, you’ll get panoramic views of the city (it’s 9 USD for adults to go to the top, with discounts available for teens and children). Otherwise, you can explore the monument and murals at ground level. The murals here were painted in 1934 by local artists to depict life in San Francisco during the Depression. Back in the 30s, they were the subject of some heated controversy involving the longshoremen’s strike, and so were padlocked and protected months before being opened to the public.

1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, +1 315-249-0995, sfrecpark.org/destination/telegraph-hill-pioneer-park/coit-tower. Opening hours are daily from 10am-6pm (April-October), and 10am-5pm (November to March). Admission is $9 USD for non-residents and $6 USD for San Francisco residents.

Head to Chinatown

Next to NYC, this is the most famous Chinatown in the United States (it’s also the biggest). Chinese immigrants first came to the West Coast and set up shop in San Francisco. Due to racial segregation, this neighborhood became predominantly Chinese and has remained so, though the segregation is over. Chinatown here has some of the best places to eat Chinese food (dim sum) in the country, teahouses, bars, souvenir stalls, and fortune cookie makers. Eat your heart out here. I do.

Go on a Harbor Tour
Take an afternoon cruise of San Francisco Bay to see the city from the water. You’ll get some good photos, learn about the bay, see some wildlife, and enjoy life on the water. There are many tour companies, but a cheap way to see the bay is to take the public ferries for 7.30 USD. Same views, cheaper price. You can find prices and routes on the ferry’s website.

Hang out in the Castro
The Castro is San Francisco’s gay neighborhood and features a number of ethnic and modern restaurants, as well as a bunch that serve the locally sourced organic food the Bay Area is known for. Moreover, there’s a plethora of wild and fun clubs that cater to both gay and straight people. It’s an awesome place to go out at night.

Start at Lucky 13, where a wide selection of affordable beer makes for an ideal way to start the night, or hang out on the wrap-around balcony at The Lookout. If you want to dance, head to Q Bar on Monday night for the ultimate 90’s pop-inspired evening.

Explore Haight-Ashbury
The birthplace of America’s counterculture, the Haight was ground zero during the summer of 1967, a.k.a. The Summer of Love. Hippies used to live here, but yuppies have since moved in, buying up all the colorful Victorian homes throughout Haight-Ashbury and replacing head shops with high-end boutiques, chic restaurants, and hip cafés. It’s still a fun place to visit, and Flower Power Walking Tours runs in-depth and informative tours through the neighborhood ($20 per person).

What to Do in San Francisco: Day 3

Take a walking tour
San Francisco has a number of interesting walking tours that can teach you about the history of the eclectic neighborhoods or show you all the scrumptious food the city has to offer. Two of the best companies to use are:

• Local Taste of the City Food Tours
• SF City Guides

Eat at the ferry building

My top place to eat in San Francisco, the Ferry Building Marketplace is a foodie dream. Outside the building on weekdays are a lot of food stands and on the weekends, there’s also a big farmers market. Inside, you’ll find restaurants and food vendors selling specialty food items as well as butchers, cheesemongers, wine bars, and more.

The ferry building is located along the Embarcadero at the start of Market Street. +1 415-983-8000, ferrybuildingmarketplace.com. Opening hours are from Mon-Fri (10am-7pm), Sat (8am-6pm), and Sun (11am-5pm).

Visit the city’s many museums
San Francisco has numerous museums that are worth seeing. Here are my favorites:

• The Beat Museum – Dedicated to the Beat Generation, here you’ll find a collection of original manuscripts, rare books, letters, and more from authors like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. (1-800-537-6822, 540 Broadway. Open daily 10am-7pm. Admission is $8 USD. Note: Some sections of this museum are currently closed for renovations.)
• Cable Car Museum – The city’s cable cars have been around since 1873, and you can learn all about them here. There’s a overlooking the huge engines and wheels that make the cars run! (1201 Mason Street, +1 415-474-1887. Open daily, but hours vary per season. Admission is free!)
• Exploratorium – Step into the fascinating world of science of at the Exploratorium, where a series of hands-on activities will keep you entertained for hours. It’s not just a kids’ museum – there are exhibits specifically for adults! (Pier 15, +1 415-528-4444. Open Tue–Sun from 10am-5pm. Thursday evenings from 6pm-10pm is adults only. Tickets are $29.95 for adults.)
• De Young Art Museum – De Young showcases excellent art from the 17th centuries onward, including contemporary, photography, textiles, and more. There is an Observation Level on the 9th floor with great views over the city and hthe Pacific. (Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, +1 415-750-3600. Open Tue-Sun from 9:30am–5:15pm, and until 8:30pm on Fridays. Tickets are $15 for adults.)

Explore Golden Gate Park

This gigantic park features a Japanese garden (skip it), a museum, an arboretum, and tons of hiking and walking trails. Three miles long and stretching about 30 blocks to the sea, it’s 20 percent bigger than New York’s Central Park. Walking from end to end will take half a day. If that’s too much for you, spend at least a few hours here exploring the park, especially if it’s an unusually warm and beautiful day in the city.

Relax with a drink
After all that traveling, you should probably explore some of the city’s amazing brewhouses. The Mission and Castro are two of the best spots for nightlife, but you’ll find amazing bars and clubs throughout the city. Here’s a quick video that features five:

BONUS: 10 Extra Things to Do and See in San Francisco

• Explore Japan town – Come here for fantastic sushi, Japanese food, Korean food and ingredients from the cuisine. Shabusen has incredible ramen while Sushi Tenroku has some of the best sushi in the town. A host of cafes and cocktail bars can also be enjoyed.
• Catch a game – Local San Franciscans love their sports teams and particularly the giants. If you’re in the city during a match, make sure you go to the stadium and join the local team. Even if you’re not fond of sport (whatever the sport), the locals will gladly bring you here, explain the game and drink a beer.
• Visit wine country – Near the city are the world-famous Napa and Sonoma wine regions. If you love wine and have time to leave the city, you obviously need to come here. Napa is one of the world’s leading wine-producing area, and every year 3.3 million people come to taste their way around the region. Some companies run day trips to Napa Valley since it’s closer, but you’ll be a bit rushed. It’s far better to spend at least a night.
• Visit Muir Woods – Muir Woods is the closest place to the Bay Area where you can see giant redwood trees. You don’t get to encounter the huge, huge iconic redwoods (which are sequoias and farther away, at Sequoia National Park), but if you’re looking to see something close to the city, this is as good as it gets. Entrance to the area is $10 for adults, and free for children (15 years of age and younger).
• Explore Berkeley – Across the bay is the interesting city of Berkley, home to music, hippies, students, and the very left-leaning University of California, Berkeley. Here you’ll find even more vegan and vegetarian restaurants, street performers, and eclectic shops (including makeshift booths of jewelry and other goods on the streets).
• Visit Oakland – Just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco (a five-minute drive away), Oakland is considered the Brooklyn to San Francisco’s Manhattan. With its own history and community (rife with arts, music, festivals, food, and popular sports teams), Oakland has become popular with hipsters and their bars and specialty restaurants. There’s a lot you can do in Oakland – consider spending a day or more here.
• Take in the view – End your trip with a visit to Twin Peaks. You can drive up to the top of these small mountains to get a sweeping view of the city. From there you can also hike the trails over the South and North peaks – from the south peak, you’ll get a perfect 360-degree view of San Francisco!
• Check out the Asian Art Museum – This is one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian art in the world, with almost 20,000 items in the collection. It’s not one of my favorite museums here, but if you’re a museum buff it’s worth a visit. You can get free guided tours daily here to walk you through all the highlights and special exhibits that the museum has to offer.
• Visit City Lights – This bookstore is where Allen Ginsberg first published Howl & Other Poems. It’s a great indie bookstore if you’re searching for something new. The store been a “literary meeting place” since 1953, and still hosts special events and readings.
• Rollerskate in the church – The Church of 8 Wheels is an old church that has been converted to a rollerskating arena. You can expect a good party when you show up here – including DJs and live music. Rent some skates and join the fun (there are times for both kids and adults). There are even lessons for people who have never rollerskated before!

(For suggestions on where to eat in SF, Jodi from Legal Nomads has this incredible list of restaurants!)

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San Francisco has a lot of things to do, attractions to see, and places to eat. Be sure to organize your sightseeing in when you visit San Franciso so you can better get around and have more time to see all the sights and activities as like I said, it’s hard to get around. But this city will blow your mind and, while I think I’m too east coast to live there, I love visiting and do so every year. I just can’t get enough of this city!

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Book Your Trip to San Francisco: Logistical Tips and Tricks

For Book Your Flight

Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. These 2  are favorite search engines because they search worldwide for websites and airlines.

Book Your Accommodation

With Hostelworld, you can book your hostel. If you want to be elsewhere, use Booking.com as the cheapest rates for hostels and cheap hotels are always returned.

Best recommended place is: San Francisco’s Green Tortoise hostle, where free breakfast, pub cracklings and dinners will take place three times a week.

Don’t miss Travel Assurance

You are protected from disease, injure, theft and cancellation by a travel insurance. In case anything goes wrong, it’s comprehensive protection. we suggest never go on a trip without it.

we recommend World Nomads . Its is a everyone’s favorite company that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70 age)
• Insure My Trip (for above age 70)

San Francisco is a hilly town on the tip of the peninsula around the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay in northern California. It is famous for its fog, Golden Gate Bridge, its iconic cable cars and its colorful Victorian houses all year long.

If the locations were photogenic, as local people love to proudly call it, the City would be there with the best. San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the USA and is it easy to understand why? But we’re going to call it picturesque, as it is remarkably beautiful, not only in pictures.

With a majesty nestled against waters, islands, rolling hills, skyscrapers, colorful neighborhoods, sunshine, sailboats, and more sunshine, SF simply has no bad angle from which to capture it.

If you are on a sightseeing mission in San Francisco, time may be your only issue because the city is not short of beautiful attractions to revel in.

Luckily, there is a myriad of tours of the city that will ensure you milk every second out of your short sojourn in the City by the Bay.

Here are a couple of our favorites.

18. Chinatown in the United States San Francisco

This is the most popular Chinatown (also the largest) in the United States, next to NYC. The first Chinese immigrants came to San Francisco from the West Bank. This neighborhood has predominantly become Chinese as a result of racial segregation, but the segregation is over.

Here’s Chinatown with some of the best food spots in the country for Chinese (dim sum), tea houses and bars, souvenir shops and wealthy cookie makers.

17. Ride the Cable Cars

Cable cars are a world-renowned historical symbol and offer true working transport up San Francisco’s steep hills. The cable cars start at 6 a.m. And keep going until midnight. Cable cars usually run every 10 minutes.

The cable car is an excellent way to explore San Francisco and its various neighborhoods. From Market Street, catch cable cars. Fun to travel and save you time to walk up and down the hills.

A one – way ticket is $ 7 (you can pay the conductor onboard). Cable car rides are provided if you have a CityPASS.

The most emblematic and memorable of all your visit to California is a ride in San Francisco cable cars. Even people who can discard cable cars as a cheesy tourist attraction admit that these rides are unbelievably romantic.

The cable car map with all stops and top areas and a complete San Francisco map can be downloaded.

16. Mission Dolores Park

Go for a great view of the city from Dolores Park. If you are a historical buff, head to the Mission Dolores (Misión San Francisco de Asís) – the oldest surviving building in the city. It was established in 1776 and now the only cemetery on the outskirts of the city. and if you are a family, enjoy Helen Diller Playground at Dolores Park.

The Mission District is a wonderful nightlife. Be sure to check the wonderful Mexican food (and food scene in general), clubs and bars of the Mission. Take the Taqueria Cancún or Papolete burrito, or visit one of the 16th cocktail bars (Dalva’s good). Hipsters watch out!

15. Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

The Golden Gate Bay Cruise has been a favorite fixture in San Francisco since its launch in 1939, two years after the opening of what has become the archetypal postcard depiction of San Francisco: the Golden Gate Bridge.

The one-hour cruise departs every day from 10:00 am, making 8-14 trips a day.

Despite what might seem like a short duration, the cruise reveals a lot about the city through an audio commentary offered in 16 languages via personal headset.

You will learn the intriguing history of San Francisco and the cruise is guaranteed to be a feast for the eyes.

You will sail under the imposing Golden Gate Bridge (one of the new Seven Wonders of the World), past North Beach and the swimming clubs of Aquatic Park, and around the Alcatraz.

You will get a chance to catch a glimpse of the historic vessels at San Francisco Maritime National Park and Hyde Street Pier, as well as take in the stunning views of the lush hillsides of Presidio and Crissy Field.

Expect close encounters with the marine kind, including whales, dolphins, sea lions and pelicans.

A fully stocked bar on board offers drinks at reasonable prices and the boat carries snacks and merchandise to ensure you are fully sorted out during the cruise.

14. Gain Admission at the Legendary Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Book the Monterey Bay Aquarium tour to skip the line at the busy aquarium widely regarded as one of the best in the world.

This is primed to be one of the most awe-inspiring tours you will take in San Francisco, and it won’t take you long to understand why this aquarium was the setting for Pixar’s Finding Dory and HBO’s Big Little Lies.

The undersea world offers stunning views of marine life that range from whales to fish so colorful they resemble underwater pop art.

13. Escape from The Rock Cruise of San Francisco Bay

Escape From The Rock Cruise

If you are doing San Francisco, make sure to factor in a tour of the infamous Alcatraz.

The island is home to the famous maximum-security prison that housed the likes of Al Capone, Harvey Bailey (aka The Dean of American Bank Robbers), George “Machine Gun” Kelly and more.

This cruise will take you on an hour-and-a-half tour of the island, sailing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

It will paint a vivid picture of what the penitentiary was like at a time when it was deemed the most feared institution in the American penal system.

Stories of the criminals are narrated on board, as well as the chilling escape attempts made by notorious criminals like Clyde Johnson and Billy Cook the Killer whose escape attempts remain the stuff of legend.

12. San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off

In a city as rich in attractions as San Francisco, visiting all the major draws is a challenge in itself.

But that’s what the San Francisco Hop-on Hop-Off Tour is exactly designed to do: simplify it all for you by condensing it into a capsule of two-and-a-half hours.

The route stops at over 20 notable points of interest scattered around the West Coast city.

You will learn about the city’s history, get to absorb the sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, enjoy the beautiful parks, immerse yourself in the diverse culture and marvel at the city’s stunning architecture atop an open-air sightseeing bus.

You have the option between a Classic, Premium or Deluxe Ticket and most buses have either live guides or pre-recorded commentary in 10 different languages via headphones.

11. San Francisco Grand City Tour with Alcatraz Ticket

Alcatraz Island

We get it, San Francisco can feel overwhelming at times if you are not sure where to start. And even if you do, there is the hassle of renting a car, putting up with traffic and contending with parking tickets.

In such a case, we would recommend the SF Grand City Tour with Alcatraz Ticket.

This is an eight-hour guided tour of San Francisco that takes you to all the famous landmarks in the city aboard a luxury coach.

The tour affords you the chance to get off the coach and take photos of the sights at each stop. These include, among others, North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square, Palace of Fine Arts, Nob Hill, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge.

This ticket also covers a tour of Alcatraz Prison, which was used as a federal prison between 1934 and 1963.

10. Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco

Napa Valley

Looking for a stimulating day trip in San Francisco?

Why not head out on a day-long tasting adventure in the picturesque Napa Valley and Sonoma vineyard country?

This guided tour will give you a detailed account of the history of winemaking in these two regions, from the time early Spanish settlers carried grape vines from Europe to the intriguing tales of the Forty-Niners (gold seekers during the Californian Gold Rush) who served wine in saloons.

The tour involves a stop at three wineries, each of which will involve a walkthrough of their winemaking craft. A tour of the winery cannot be complete without some good ol’ tasting, and you will be glad to hear that this is included in the ticket.

There will be a stopover for lunch either in the heart of Napa at Vintage 1870 or the Historical Sonoma Square.

Just don’t forget to bring along a bottle of water so you don’t get too tipsy.

9. Half-Day Golden Gate Catamaran Cruise & Alcatraz Visit

Golden Gate Catamaran Cruise

San Francisco is a city surrounded by water on three sides, so it makes sense to spend some time viewing the city from this angle.

A one-and-a-half-hour-long catamaran cruise is sure to unlock the beauty of San Francisco Bay as it provides an up-close view of the idyllic San Francisco skyline.

Look out for sea lions during the cruise, and if you are the kind of person who loves to get their pulses racing, you can spend some moments on the canvas trampoline nets as you feel the waves beneath your feet.

There is a snack bar on board should you feel thirsty or hungry. If you fancy being captain for the day, the captain and crew might just offer you the chance to steer the boat yourself if you ask.

This tour also involves a ferry ride from San Francisco’s Pier 33 to Alcatraz Prison, where you are taken on a 45-minute award-winning audio tour of the cells.

8. San Francisco to Yosemite Park Small Group Tour

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is the perfect complement to the urban surrounds of San Francisco. It is dotted with iconic scenery that it would take more than a lifetime to exhaust it all. Seriously.

The good thing is, it is possible to discover some of the park’s highlights on a day-long expedition.

This is a 15-hour fully guided group tour that involves hotel pick-up and drop-off by bus, assigning priority to the waterfalls and rock formations of Yosemite Valley.

But it does a good job of giving you a little taste of much that Yosemite has to offer.

This includes a stop at Central Valley, the largest agricultural region in the U.S. Here, you can enjoy the valley’s trademark fruits such as cherries, walnuts, almonds and strawberries.

This will then be followed by a visit to the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. The tour proceeds to the mountains through gold country and makes a pit stop at Yosemite National Park.

You will be guided on a 1.5-hour coach tour of the famed glaciated valley as you take in the stunning views of the notable rock formations and waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, which is North America’s tallest waterfall.

Other highlights include Bridalveil Falls, the Half Dome, El Capitan, Sentinel Dome and more, and the tour is sensibly designed to allow you 3-4 hours of free time to discover the valley by yourself.

7. San Francisco: Bridge to Bridge Cruise

Bridge To Bridge Cruise

Hop on a 90-minute cruise along San Francisco Bay and catch a glimpse of the two prominent bridges in the city: the illustrious Golden Gate Bridge and the colossal San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

The boat ride sets off from Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the most graced tourist attractions in San Francisco, with a personal audio headset guide offered in 16 languages.

You will learn about the city’s landmarks and get the scoop on the history, architecture and Native American culture as you delight in the views of the magnificent San Francisco waterfront.

6. Alcatraz and Big Bus Premium 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off

Big Bus San Francisco

The Big Bus Premium is a combined hop-on-hop-off ticket that allows you to get the most out of San Francisco for a bar

gain.

It is a full-day tour that involves 20 stops, starting off at the corner of Jefferson & Mason Street and ending at Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf.

The combined premium ticket includes a self-guided audio tour of Alcatraz Island, along with four walking tours of some of the most fascinating neighbourhoods in San Francisco – the historic Barbary Coast, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach and China Town.

What’s more, you also get to see the city come to life at night with a two-hour panoramic night tour that will offer you a glimpse of the other side of San Francisco.

5. San Francisco Dinner Dance Cruise

Dinner Dance Cruise

If there is one thing San Francisco is known for, it is the awe-inspiring sunsets that have bonded many a romantic interest and ignited a flame in others.

And nothing beats watching the San Francisco sun go down than enjoying it from a boat.

The party starts as the city lights from the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge usher the night into existence, marking the start of a scrumptious four-course gourmet dinner that showcases the best ingredients this part of the state has to offer.

Live music serenades you in the background as your boat slowly glides past the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, the scenic Sausalito, and Tiburon, marking a perfect night out.

4. Muir Woods Tour of California Coastal Redwoods

Muir Woods National Monument

A trip to The Golden State feels incomplete without enjoying a piece of its interesting topography.

In San Francisco, few locations provide a better opportunity to enjoy the natural splendor than Muir Woods National Forest.

This tour will see you cross the Golden Gate Bridge and into the wilds of California, where the famed ancient redwood trees await you at Muir Woods.

The excursion takes three-and-a-half hours. You will have 90 minutes all to yourself to explore the hiking trails in the national forest and relish in the tranquillity offered by the 1000-year-old trees.

Once you’re done with the forest, the tour will take you to the coastal city of Sausalito, which is known for its sprawling views and sophistication most popular waterfront cities can only aspire for.

3. Bay Sailing Tour with Drinks

Bay Sailing Tour With Drinks

Sometimes, all we need is to kick back and soak in the surrounds without being overwhelmed with a new city.

The Bay Sailing Tour allows you to do just that as you sip on two complimentary drinks of your choice: soft beverages, wine, beer, water, or whatever suits the mood.

This is a two-hour cruise on a beautiful 28-passenger sailboat that lets you unwind on deck as you catch the best views in the bay.

It sails past Angel Island and Alcatraz while guaranteeing you million-dollar views of Marin’s lush landscape and the charming Sausalito.

You are certain to get some good photo opportunities as you sail parallel to the Golden Gate before you get back to enjoy the incredible views of the San Francisco waterfront.

2. San Francisco Bay Aerial Tour

San Francisco Bay Aerial Tour

They say you haven’t seen the whole of San Francisco until you see it from above, especially Downtown.

Hayward Flight, known for the safest and most exciting flights in SF, offers you a bird’s eye view of San Francisco with this 45-minute helicopter ride.

That’s just enough time to enjoy all the city’s highlights and snap them from above.

The seasoned pilots will whisk you over the Golden Gate Bridge, Downtown San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 and along the waterfront.

From there, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, which accommodates 3 passengers and a pilot, will fly over Alcatraz and Angel Island, as well as the two must-see towns of Sausalito and Tiburon.

1. Seaplane Flight + Alcatraz Cruise & Tour Combo

Seaplane Flight and Alcatraz Cruise & Tour Combo

This tour combo remains a bestseller for a reason.

It combines a 30-minute aerial tour of San Francisco and two cruises in one exclusive package deal, compressed into four hours.

The first bit of the tour involves a 30-minute flight over the beautiful city of San Francisco by seaplane, making sure to cover a little bit of everything the city has to offer.

You will see it all: The Golden Gate National Reserve; Pt. Bonita Lighthouse; Downtown San Francisco; Crissy Field; AT & T Park (home of the San Francisco Giants); an aerial view of Alcatraz which is a popular destination here, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge.

You will then ride the ferry across the bay to Alcatraz, with a quick lunch break sandwiching this and the second cruise that will take you to Alcatraz Prison.

At Alcatraz, you can tune in to audio commentary from the former residents to get a handle on the history and living conditions at this infamous penitentiary.

You can explore Alcatraz for as long as you want and when you’ve had enough, a ferry will be awaiting you at Pier 33 (ferries depart in intervals of every 33 minutes or so).