Things to do in San Francisco
803 activities, venues and outings in San Francisco, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 803.
Things to do in San Francisco
DoTheatreCivic Center-TenderloinThe Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
This four-story tall, "Beaux-Arts" style building occupies an entire city block in the heart of the Civic Center and has 7,000 seats inside. Large and small bands, exhibits, concerts, and galas are all hosted at the Civic Auditorium. Check Ticketmaster to see what's playing.
The auditorium is not open to visitors or for tours, but only during event times which varyPrice varies depending on act · Wheelchair accessible
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DoTheatreCivic Center-TenderloinGreat American Music Hall
Reputed to be the city's oldest nightclub, this ornate 600 capacity music venue presents hip music acts, some well-known among the cognoscenti, some so cutting edge that there's blood on the pavement. In the 1930s, this was fan-dancer Sally Rand's "Music Box." The interior, which was designed by a French architect, is known for its ornate balconies and columns.
Shows: hours vary; Box office: Mon-Fri 10:30AM-6PM, show nights 10:30AM-9PM, closed Sat-Sun (except during shows - opens 1 hour before show time)Ticket prices vary by act but typically run from $10-30 · Limited wheelchair access
DoParkGolden GateMarina Green
Marina Green is a long, flat strip of grass at the front of the Marina that runs along the Bay, equidistant between the Presidio and Fort Mason. The "Green" teems with joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, kite flyers, volleyball players, frisbee throwers, and rollerbladers — all getting their health kick exercising in an iconic location. The activities continue all the way through Crissy Fields ("The City's Front Yard") to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge where you will find surfers patiently waiting for that next "big one."
DoCinemaMissionRoxie Cinema
An independent art-film theater, with some of the best features shown in the country. If it's showing here, it's usually worth seeing.
Wheelchair accessible
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DoCinemaMissionAlamo Drafthouse
A theater with current popular movies, reserved seating and food and drink service.
DoTheatreCivic Center-TenderloinGolden Gate Theater
Built in 1920 and influenced by the "Art Deco" and "Gothic Revival" styles, this theater has over 2,800 seats. It was designed by architect Gustave Albert Lansburgh.
Wheelchair accessible
DoUnion Square-Financial DistrictMechanics Institute Library & Chess Room
The Mechanics Institute is the oldest library in San Francisco, dating back to 1854 during the initial wild growth of San Francisco. The collection has around 160,000 items—many of them in the stacks in the building's basement and only accessible through the page desk—concerning a wide variety of topics, with special attention to local history and chess. The institute also hosts the oldest continuously operating chess club in the United States, with classes, tournaments, and scheduled non-competition play. The institute also hosts author talks, film screenings, book groups, and writer's workshops.
Closed · opens 10 amThe facilities can be toured for free on Wednesdays at noon
DoTheatreWestern AdditionFillmore Auditorium
Hosts concerts and contemporary bands.
Built 1912
- DoTheatreGolden Gate
Magic Theatre
The Magic Theater is where you can go if you are interested in seeing productions from new and established American playwrights such as the Pulitzer Prize-winner, Sam Shepard.
Wed–Sat 8PM, Sun 2:30PM and 7PM$25-75
- DoTheatreGolden Gate
Young Performers Theatre
The Young Performers Theatre is a professional children's theater. It hosts a dozen or so shows each year and also offers classes in the dramatic arts, creative drama, comedy and musical theater.
Sat 1PM, Sun 1PM and 3:30PM. Shows do not run every week, see website for exact datesAdults: $10, Children under 13: $7
DoFisherman's WharfMagowan's Infinite Mirror Maze
A fun house maze where you can lose yourself in infinite hallways and dead-ends, complete with psychedelic lighting.
Opens daily at 10AM$5, children 5 and under free
DoArts centreCivic Center-TenderloinThe New Conservatory Theatre Center
The three small New Conservatory theaters present novel, musical, comic, and educational plays.
Box office hours: Wed-Sat 1:30PM-7PM, Sun-Tue noon-3PM; show times: Performances are typically Wed-Sat 8PM, Sun 2PM, year roundTickets generally cost $18-40
- DoTheatreCivic Center-Tenderloin
CounterPULSE Theater
This hybrid theater is a hub for experimental art and activism. Online calendar boasts new and eclectic events year-round.
- DoBoat tourFisherman's Wharf
Adventure Cat Sailing Charters
Offers a 90-minute bay cruise on a 55-foot luxury catamaran and also sunset cruises in the evening.
Cruise times vary — see websiteBay Cruise: adult: $40, children 6-12: $20, children 5 and under free; Sunset Cruise: adults $55 (no discount for children) — Sunset Cruise includes light hors d'oeuvres and 2 complimentary drinks
- DoTheatreGolden Gate
Cowell Theater
Hosts theater, dance, talks, and film festival productions among other things.
See website for schedule and times$0-60
DoTheatreUnion Square-Financial DistrictMarines Memorial Theater
Plays host to local, regional, and nationally renowned shows.
- DoOpera & balletCivic Center-Tenderloin
San Francisco Opera
There are Fall, Spring, and Summer seasons. The summer season focuses on lighter and popular operas. Performances are in the War Memorial Opera House on Van Ness Ave which has over 3,000 seats. The interior has a grandiose entrance hall with marble floors and a 38 foot high barrel vaulted ceiling. Two wide marble stairways at either end of the foyer, take you up to the main floor. The proscenium arch inside the theater is ornately decorated with gilded sculptures. In December and late spring the Opera House is used by the San Francisco Ballet.
Box office: Mon 10AM-5PM, Tue-Fri 10AM-6PM; Performances: Tue-Fri usually 7:30PM or 8PM, Sat 12:30PM or 8PM, Sun 1PM, 2PM, or 3PM. See website for exact schedule$15-290
- DoLive music venueCivic Center-Tenderloin
San Francisco Symphony
San Francisco has an excellent symphony orchestra, with Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) as the principal conductor. The Season goes from September to April, with a break in the middle of December and January. When the San Francisco Symphony is on tour, other orchestras visit to fill the void. In July there is a "Summer in the City" program of light music; August is quiet. Opened in 1980, the building's sweeping wraparound architecture was elegantly designed to complement the other buildings in the War Memorial complex. Inside, the building was designed to maximize acoustical tones with the exterior glass wall being used as a backdrop to capture sound. To further enhance and refine the sound it has adjustable acrylic acoustical panels around the stage area. There are circa 2,700 seats inside.
Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat noon-6PM; Performances: Wed-Sun usually 8PM or 8:30PM with Sat-Sun matinee 2PM, See website for exact schedule$10-50
- DoCanoe & kayak hire serviceSoMa
City Kayak
Enjoy the many great views of San Francisco from the water. They offer kayak rentals from South Beach Harbor in San Francisco but only kayak trips from Fisherman's Wharf location. A 'trip' comes with a guide.
Thu-Mon noon-3PM (return by 5PM), Tue-Wed closedRental rates depend on kayak and length of session
- DoBoat tourFisherman's Wharf
San Francisco Sailing Company
Bay tours under the Golden Gate Bridge and private charters and parties with full catering.
Sail times vary; check website90-minute tour, $45/person; private sailboat charters are more
- DoTheatreCivic Center-Tenderloin
San Francisco Ballet
The repertory season begins in January and continues through May.
Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM (10AM until start of performance on performance dates); Performances: Tue-Sun usually 8PM or 7:30PM with Sat-Sun matinee 2PM$18-250
- DoLive music venueCivic Center-Tenderloin
Warfield Theater
This historic theater on Market St has a balcony and approximately 2,700 seats. Built in the 1920s, it was renovated in 1969 and today it is as popular as ever hosting some major acts like Velvet Revolver and Bill Maher.
Hours vary but shows usually start at 8PMPrices vary depending on act
- DoLive music venueSoMa
Golden State Warriors - Chase Center
The opening of the 2019 NBA season saw the Golden State Warriors return to San Francisco after playing for nearly 50 years across the Bay in Oakland. The new arena includes all of the amenities expected of a 21st-century arena, plus Bay views.
- DoChinatown-North Beach
Barbary Coast Trail
Take a tour of San Francisco's historic Barbary Coast. A series of bronze medallions and arrows are embedded into the sidewalks and help you navigate through the Barbary Coast Trail's historic sites. You can either download a map ($8.95) or audio tour ($25) or take one of their guided tours which are available by appointment only ($22 per person with a $352 minimum).
- DoTheatreUnion Square-Financial District
Geary Theater
Home to the American Conservatory Theater, a Tony Award–winning institution and the largest theater company in the city, who put on many Broadway shows and original performances at this historic theater.
- DoSoMa
Intersection for the Arts
An alternative art organization that has premiered works by noted authors such as Dave Eggers and world-class playwrights such as Denis Johnson. The resident theater group, Campo Santo, is very good. The space also has an art gallery.
- DoLive music venueNob Hill-Russian Hill
The Old First Church
The Old First Church has concerts F 8PM & Su 4PM, and some other evenings, throughout the year.
Ticket prices are typically $10-15
- DoTheatreGolden Gate
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
This 1,000 seat theater hosts concerts, comedy shoes, film events, and lectures.
See website for schedule and times$20-150 · Wheelchair accessible
- DoBeachChinatown-North Beach
North Beach Festival
A North Beach tradition that celebrates its Italian heritage. It features live music and entertainment, poetry readings, classical concerts, dancing, ArtE di Gesso (chalk art on the street), and varied arts and crafts exhibitions.
Takes place in mid JuneFree
- DoTheatreGolden Gate
BATS Improv at Bayfront Theater
BATS is a performing arts theater company that focuses on all forms of improvisational format, including theatersports. They also provide classes for anyone interested.
Shows usually start at 7PM/8PM$8-20
- DoTheatreFisherman's Wharf
Frequent Flyers
This is an exciting bungee/trampoline combination, suitable for all ages, which allows you to experiment with the dare-devil acrobat inside of you. It's possible to reach heights of up to 20 feet in the air.
Sun-Thu 11AM-8PM, Fri Sat 10AM-10PM$10 per session
- DoPublic bathsWestern Addition
Kabuki Springs & Spa
Traditional Japanese-style onsen with full spa services. Communal baths are co-ed only one day per week, see calendar for details.
10AM-9:45PM daily
DoParkPresidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park and former U.S. Army post on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It had been a fortified location since September 17, 1776, when New Spain established the presidio to gain a foothold in Alta California and the San Francisco Bay. It passed to Mexico in 1820, which in turn passed it to the United States in 1848.
DoTheatreNob Hill-Russian HillMasonic Auditorium
Hosts many concerts and other special events.
- DoMission
Artists' Television Access
A nonprofit educational group and screening venue for independent film and video. This center often shows genuinely strange art films and videos, particularly during their frequent "open screenings" (you bring it, they'll show it). Don't miss the intriguing window displays.
- DoTheatreMission
The Marsh Theatre
A breeding ground for new performance, playwriting workshops, performances, a youth program, and classes. Some excellent one-person shows have been hatched out in the Marsh.
- DoFisherman's Wharf
Alcatraz Cruises
Information on the island can be found on the National Park Service's website.
Cruises start at 8:45AM and continue throughout the day. 10-15 daily departures depending on the time of year. Evening tours offered. Ticket booth at Pier 33 open 7:30AM-5PM$47.95 adults, $29.15 children (5-11), $45.15 seniors, children 4 and under free, family (2 adults and 2 children) $139.60. Evening tours cost extra
- DoFisherman's Wharf
Blue & Gold Fleet
In addition to their bay cruise from Pier 39, Blue & Gold Fleet offers ferries from Pier 41 across the bay to Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island, and Alameda/Oakland. Blue & Gold Fleet also runs a "RocketBoat", a high-speed cruise of the bay in a sleek red boat.
Cruise times vary — see websiteBay Cruise: adults $31, seniors (62+) and teens $25, children (5-11) $21. RocketBoat: adults $28, seniors (62+) and teens $24, children (5-11) $20. Ferries (price varies by destination): adults $6.60-11.50 one-way, seniors/children $3.30-6.75 one-way
- DoFisherman's Wharf
Boudin Museum and Bakery Tour
Take a tour round the bakery, enjoy some of their interactive exhibits and learn about the history of Boudin.
11:30AM-7PM daily
- DoGolden Gate
Farallon Islands Whale Watching
Learn about the importance of preserving our natural environment on an 8 hour cruise to this National Wildlife Refuge, 27 miles off the coast of San Francisco in the Gulf of the Farallons. The islands' 211 acres of rocks and surrounding waters are home to Sea Lions, Tufted Puffins, Pigeon Guillemots, and Rhinoceros Auklets among other species. In total, twenty three species of marine mammals, including 18 species of whales and dolphins reside in these waters.
Cruise departs select Saturdays and Sundays May-Nov (check schedule in advance), Check-in time is 7:30AM, boat leaves 8AM$128/person
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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Francisco (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).