This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
San Francisco is one of those cities that never gets old, no matter how many times you visit.
My visits have all been quite different. On my first trip, I was travelling on a budget and ticking off some of the city’s big-name attractions. On later visits, Rob and I had more time to explore the neighbourhoods, hunt down street art, cycle through parks and revisit places that I’d only briefly seen the first time around.
After three trips, there are definitely some San Francisco attractions that I’d prioritise for a first visit — along with a few ridiculously touristy places that I still think are worth seeing at least once.
If you’re heading to San Francisco for the first time, here are the 10 things I’d recommend putting on your list, from the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to colourful neighbourhoods and classic cable car rides.
Quick summary:
Visiting San Francisco for the first time? This guide covers 10 of the best things to do, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars, colourful neighbourhoods and Golden Gate Park — plus practical tips from my three visits to the city.
Recommended tours & tickets:
⛴️ Alcatraz Ferry & Audio Tour – Official ferry, island admission and award-winning Cellhouse audio tour
🚲 Golden Gate Bridge cycling tour – Cycle across the iconic bridge towards scenic Sausalito
🌆 San Francisco city tour – See the city’s famous landmarks and neighbourhoods with a local guide
Best things to do in San Francisco for first-time visitors
1. See the Golden Gate Bridge
If there’s one sight that immediately says San Francisco, it’s the Golden Gate Bridge.
I’ve seen the bridge from quite a few different angles over my visits, and it still feels impressive every time. The enormous orange-red structure stretches across the entrance to San Francisco Bay, often with wisps of fog rolling around its towers.
For first-time visitors, I think it’s worth doing more than simply snapping a photo from a distance. You can actually walk across the bridge for free, or rent a bike and cycle across to the Marin side. Pedestrians use the eastern sidewalk during its opening hours, while cyclists can cross the bridge toll-free.
🚲 Want to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge? This guided Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito cycling tour takes you across the bridge and down to the waterfront town of Sausalito, where you can explore before catching the ferry back to San Francisco.
If you’re driving, keep in mind that parking around the bridge is very limited, so public transport, rideshare or cycling can be much easier.
First-timer tip: If you only have time to see the bridge from one side, the southern end has the Welcome Center, viewpoints and easy access to the pedestrian walkway.
2. Visit Alcatraz Island
Yes, Alcatraz is touristy, but some of you might know that I’m really into dark tourism, so this was always going to make my list.
The former federal prison sits on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, and visiting involves catching a ferry from the waterfront before walking uphill towards the Cellhouse.
Once inside, the included audio tour takes you through the prison at your own pace. I found it fascinating to wander past the cells and learn about life inside Alcatraz, including stories about some of its notorious inmates and escape attempts.
And if you’ve seen The Rock, you have permission to spend the entire visit pretending that you’re Nicolas Cage saving the city of San Francisco.
Alcatraz is one attraction that I would absolutely book before arriving in the city. The National Park Service says tickets can sell out weeks ahead during summer and holiday periods, and Alcatraz City Cruises is the only ferry operator authorised to take visitors onto the island. Ferry tickets also include the Cellhouse audio tour.
⛴️ Planning to visit Alcatraz? This official Alcatraz ticket includes the round-trip ferry from Pier 33, island admission and the award-winning Cellhouse Audio Tour, so you can explore the former prison and its historic sites at your own pace.
Allow at least a few hours for the experience once you include the ferry journey and time exploring the island.
First-timer tip: Don’t leave Alcatraz tickets until you arrive in San Francisco. This is probably the attraction on this list that I’d be most concerned about booking ahead.
3. The Mission District
The Mission is my absolute fave spot in San Fran as its covered head to toe in street art (don’t miss the murals of Clarion Alley). This area is filled with weirdos and young people relaxing in Dolores Park while smoking joints and playing a guitar.
And of course, you absolutely have to get a mission burrito; a large burrito, filled with rice and beans, and toasted on the outside. There are loads of places to get one, we went to Mateo’s the minute we arrived in San Fran and devoured a huge veggie burrito on the spot. It was amazing. I regret nothing.
Explore the favours and sights of this area Mission District Food & History Walking Tour.
4. Haight-Ashbury
I absolutely love hanging out in Haight-Ashbury, otherwise known as ‘The Haight’. This area is known for being the origin of hippie subculture. Yep. In the 1960’s, this is where it all started.
If you want to maximise those hippie vibes, you can even see this area on a VW bus through a Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour!
If you wander along Haight Street between Golden Gate Park and Buena Vista Park, you’ll find loads of cafes, boutique stores, vape shops, vintage clothing, and of course the famous Amoeba Music record store. A great way to spend a few hours away from the bustle of downtown.
5. The Painted Ladies
The first time I went to San Fransisco I was on a bus tour, and we drove past the Painted Ladies so quickly that I barely had time for a blurry-out-the-window-photo. This time, I went back and did it properly.
The Painted Ladies are a set of 7 iconic San Franciscan houses, built in the 1890s, with gorgeous views of the city behind them. If you grew up watching Full House, you’ll probably start humming the theme song when you’re looking at the houses from Alamo Park as it will no doubt bring back memories of the show’s intro.
6. Coit Tower
If you’re like me and actively seek out city views, then Coit Tower is a must while you’re in San Fran. The tower sits atop Telegraph Hill where you can look out over the city and the bay.
While you’re up there, check out the adorable houses of Telegraph Hill – they’re absolutely gorgeous and will definitely have you wishing that you were wealthy enough to live there.
7. Lombard Street
Lombard Street is a steep one-block street that has 8 hairpin turns, making it the most crooked street in the world. Robert and I didn’t get to drive down it last time we visited San Francisco, so this time, we made it our mission.
Want to know what it’s like to drive down this crazy street? Here’s a video!
8. Fisherman’s Wharf
I don’t particularly like crowds so I usually tend to avoid super touristy places like Fisherman’s Wharf, but if you can handle sightseeing while you’re squished in with a bunch of other people then it’s worth a look.
The best things to do at Fisherman’s Wharf are to look at the sea lions lazing about on Pier 39, and if you’re not a vegetarian like me then you can grab some clam chowder.
9. Ride the cable cars
It wouldn’t be a trip to San Francisco without a ride on one of the famed cable cars.
Check out this website (which is awfully designed but informative) for the cable car routes. For something more comprehensive, try this ultimate guide to public transportation in San Francisco which has info on the city’s cable cars, trains, buses, and ferries.
10. Lands End
Lands End is great if you like to insert a little nature in to your city stays. It’s a beautiful park with loads of trees and walking paths along the coastline, and it has some fabulous views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
You can also check out the ruins of Sutro Baths, a historic site where there used to be a grand public swimming pool which mysteriously burnt down in a fire (strange, right?) during its deconstruction in 1966.
Where to stay in San Francisco for first-time visitors
I’ve stayed in a few different parts of San Francisco over my visits, and where you base yourself can make quite a difference — especially if you only have a few days to explore.
On my first visit, I was travelling on a budget so I stayed at HI San Francisco Downtown, which was handy for public transport and exploring the city without a car.
For our second visit, my husband and I were travelling with a car and stayed at Days Inn Lombard because it was one of the few reasonably priced places we could find with parking. It was surprisingly good for a motel, and the Marina location gave us easy access to the northern side of the city.
For first-time visitors without a car, I’d generally prioritise somewhere central with good public transport connections rather than choosing a hotel based purely on price. Union Square and the surrounding downtown area are convenient for public transport, while areas closer to Fisherman’s Wharf can work well if you want to be near Alcatraz ferries, the waterfront and several major attractions.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
I think three or four days is a good amount of time for a first visit to San Francisco.
You can see many of the highlights over a weekend, but two days means making some choices. Alcatraz alone takes a few hours, and neighbourhoods such as the Mission and Haight-Ashbury are much more enjoyable when you aren’t rushing through them.
With a few days, you could dedicate one day to the waterfront, Alcatraz and nearby attractions; another to the Golden Gate Bridge and northern parts of the city; and another to neighbourhoods such as the Mission, Haight-Ashbury and Golden Gate Park.
If you have extra days, you’ll have time to slow things down further or add a trip across the bay to Sausalito.
Do you need a car in San Francisco?
For a first-time sightseeing trip, I don’t think you need a car in San Francisco.
I’ve visited both with and without one, and while having a vehicle can be useful if San Francisco is part of a larger California road trip, it isn’t particularly necessary for exploring the city itself.
Many major attractions can be reached using Muni buses, trains and cable cars, while rideshares can fill the gaps. Parking can also be limited at popular attractions — the Golden Gate Bridge authorities actually encourage visitors to use public transport, bikes or rideshare because parking around the bridge is so limited.
If you’re doing a California road trip and already have a rental car, look for accommodation with parking and consider leaving the car there while you’re sightseeing.
What should you book in advance in San Francisco?
The big one is Alcatraz.
Tickets frequently sell out ahead of time, particularly during summer and holiday periods, so I’d book this as soon as you know your San Francisco dates. The National Park Service recommends advance reservations, and tickets can currently be purchased up to 90 days ahead.
I’d also book any guided Golden Gate Bridge cycling tours or organised city tours in advance if they’re an important part of your trip, particularly if you’re visiting during a busy period.
Most of the other attractions on this list are much more flexible. Neighbourhoods such as the Mission and Haight-Ashbury, the Painted Ladies, Fisherman’s Wharf and Golden Gate Park can easily be worked around your fixed bookings.
San Francisco FAQ
Is San Francisco worth visiting for first-time visitors?
Absolutely. San Francisco packs a lot into a relatively compact city, from instantly recognisable landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to colourful neighbourhoods, waterfront scenery and huge green spaces.
Is 2 days enough for San Francisco?
Two days is enough to see several major highlights, but you’ll need to prioritise. I’d ideally allow three days for a first visit so that you can explore some neighbourhoods as well as the famous attractions.
What should you not miss on your first trip to San Francisco?
If I had to narrow it down, I’d make sure a first trip included the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, a cable car ride and at least one of San Francisco’s neighbourhoods, such as the Mission or Haight-Ashbury.
Is Alcatraz worth visiting?
I think so — especially if you’re interested in history or dark tourism. The ferry trip, island setting and Cellhouse audio tour make it much more of an experience than simply walking through an old prison.
What’s the best way to get around San Francisco?
For most visitors, a combination of walking and public transport works well. Muni buses and rail cover much of the city, while the historic cable cars are worth riding at least once for the experience.
What is the best area of San Francisco for first-time visitors?
For a short first visit, I’d prioritise somewhere central with good transport connections. Downtown can be convenient for getting around, while the Fisherman’s Wharf area puts you close to Alcatraz ferries and several major tourist attractions.
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