20 Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend!
BY Ankita TripathyMar 23, 2024
San Francisco is a city full of famous American landmarks, intriguing history, and delicious food. It has attractions ranging from the Ghirardelli chocolate to cioppino, various cultures, and typical California scenery. With so much to see and do in this vibrant, scenic West Coast city, even the residents could never grow bored. If you are looking for things to do in San Francisco this weekend, we have made a list of the top ones that you just can’t miss.
Things To Do in San Francisco
San Francisco’s famous hilly roads and cable cars have made a mark on travelers and global citizens. But there is more to this city than meets the eye. Here are the top unique things to do in san francisco this weekend.
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most iconic images in the United States is the Golden Gate Bridge. Cars and pedestrians can cross the strait which is named after this 1.7-mile-long, brick-red structure, which connects San Francisco and Marin County.
When visiting the city for the first time, crossing the bridge by foot or bicycle is practically required. Depending on the day of the week and the time of day you cross the bridge, there are rules governing which of the two sidewalks should be used for walking and cycling.
The Presidio
A great place to explore outside is The Presidio, a 1,500-acre public park that was formerly a military post. Take a hike or a bike ride on the 24 miles of trails and stop at one of the lookout points for a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, making it one of the greatest spots to get away from the hustle and take a peaceful moment.
Presidio Tunnel Tops
Above a six-lane highway lies green space provided by the Presidio Tunnel Tops. The 14 acres of parklands, which opened in 2022, offer some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and connect the main post of the former military base to the waterfront at Crissy Field.
You can even reserve a picnic table with the best view for a truly memorable experience. In addition, there are lots of chances for leisure and education, like the weekend campfire talks given by rangers from the National Park Service.
Institute for Contemporary Art San Francisco
Yes, this vibrantly creative city has a lot of places to view art, but the Institute for Contemporary Art San Francisco is unique: It is non-profit, does not collect, and is "dedicated to experimenting."
It's the opposite of pretentiousness in the arts. There is free admission, so you won't have to pay to view any of the pieces, which include photography, textile art, video, and mixed media.
JFK Promenade
JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park was only car-free on weekends prior to 2022. Then, voters in San Francisco decided to permanently restrict traffic on the road to pedestrians.
It is now free of traffic, so you can ride your bike, walk, skate, or travel along it however you please. Along the route, there will be art installations, lounging chairs, and public pianos.
Read More: Is San Francisco Safe? THIS Is What You Should Know!
Cable Car Ride
San Francisco is a city known for its hills. Using public transportation to get around might be advantageous unless you're looking to get a serious leg workout. Since its inception in 1873, the city's renowned cable car system has been a popular tourist destination.
The cable cars are still a great way to get around and a must-try Instagram-worthy experience. Tickets cost $8 for a one-way ride and can be bought at kiosks located throughout the city.
Ferry to the Alcatraz
While going to jail might not seem like a very vacation-like activity, Alcatraz isn't your typical jail. Some of the most infamous criminals in the country were housed at the long-closed penitentiary. It was situated on the island bearing the same name in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Some of them attempted to swim across the dangerous waters to escape.
The prison is so well-known that it has appeared in motion pictures, including "The Rock" and "Bird Man of Alcatraz." To discover more about the intriguing history of the prison, anyone can take the ferry to the island. Moreover, it is now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. So you can take a guided tour of the prison.
North America’s Oldest Chinatown
The Dragon Gate at Grant Avenue and Bush Street marks the entrance to San Francisco's Chinatown, which is the oldest in North America. The neighborhood, which covers thirty square blocks, is a miniature, thriving city unto itself.
Visit the stores, indulge in delicious dim sum or authentic congee, enjoy boba, or pick up a fortune cookie flavored with green tea from the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
Lovers’ Lane
Enjoy a peaceful stroll along Lovers' Lane, the Presidio's oldest footpath, for a treat outside. When on vacation in San Francisco, the roughly half-mile trail is the ideal location. Stroll hand in hand with your significant other or find a moment of solitude amidst the trees. The trail is rated easy to moderate and has pavement. The walk takes about half an hour.
Palace of Fine Arts
Architect Bernard Maybeck created the Neoclassical Palace of Fine Arts for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition. He imagined it to be a Roman ruin that would be demolished once the fair was over. Rather, a committed group of locals preserved the cherished building, which by the late 1950s had truly become a ruin.
It was more permanently rebuilt in the ensuing ten years and is still a breathtaking landmark. Situated in a park at the edge of the Presidio, the free attraction boasts a stunning 162-foot-tall open-air rotunda. It overlooks a serene lagoon and is flanked by two Corinthian colonnades. It's a fantastic location for your next Instagram photoshoot, meeting spot, or stroll.
Oracle Park
Cheering on the Giants at Oracle Park is a sign of support for the San Francisco natives. While baseball enthusiasts will want to sit in the 100s near the field, this waterfront stadium's upper deck offers breathtaking views of the bay.
This is seriously one of those times when it pays off to sit in the nosebleeds. Just remember to pack a glove and be prepared to catch a home run or foul ball if necessary.
Alamo Square Park
One of the most photographed locations in San Francisco is Alamo Square Park, primarily because it provides the ideal angle for photographing the pastel-colored Painted Ladies. They are also known as the Victorian-style homes made famous by the television series Full House.
However, it also provides an amazing 360-degree view of the city. Bring a blanket and a snack so you can enjoy people-watching for as long as you want.
TreasureFest
Although there is some excellent vintage shopping in San Francisco, Treasure Fest may be the best place to locate a few unusual pieces. The outdoor market, formerly called Treasure Island Flea, features apparel, antiques, handcrafted goods, and more.
In addition, there are lots of food trucks available to feed the famished masses. This flea is open only a few weekends a year; check the website for schedules and locations.
Bay Cruise
Take a bay cruise to experience the city from a different angle. This will let you get up close to some of the attractions, such as Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.
While out on the water, keep a watch out for seals and other marine life. You can reserve a thrilling 90-minute inflatable raft excursion with Bay Voyager or an hour-long tour with Blue and Gold Fleet. There are numerous options for boat tours.
Exploratorium
A "public learning laboratory" and museum, The Exploratorium lets anyone become a crazy scientist. With the resources at their disposal, visitors can unleash their creativity. They become active explorers, creating anything they can dream up.
It's no surprise that kids love this place, but Thursday nights are adult-only at the museum, so you can go without kids. If not, visit at any time to engage with the exhibits and listen to regular speakers.
SFMOMA Art
It would be an understatement to say that the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is enormous. Moreover, the museum is over 45,000 square feet, spread across seven gallery floors. It is crammed full of contemporary artwork, pictures, sculptures, and much more. You could certainly explore SFMOMA and take in everything it has to offer for a full day, if not longer.
Snack at the Ferry Building
Searching for a delicious treat? Visit the historic Ferry Building, a marketplace with a variety of locally sourced treats. They offer sweet treats from the Donut Farm and foamy beers from Fort Point Beer Co.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are market days when local purveyors come in to sell their products directly from the farms (or straight from the studio). If you're lucky, you might even visit on one of these days.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
The most amazing flora in the city can be found at the 55-acre San Francisco Botanical Garden. Strolling through the various gardens will make you feel as though you're in the Andes one minute and the Mediterranean the next.
If you're visiting during the blooming season, make sure to stop by and take a whiff of the magnolia collection. This location is especially well-known for the flowers from December through March.
Tiki Drink in the Tonga Room
There are plenty of great restaurants and bars in the city that will gladly bring you a drink. However, only a few are perhaps as famous as the Tonga Room. Travelers have always loved the Fairmont San Francisco's tiki-style bar. This is despite its oddball setting in the Bay Area. Transport yourself to the tropics with a fruity cocktail as well as some bite-sized treats inspired by islands.
Outdoor Music Festival
Those who attend festivals frequently are probably familiar with Outside Lands, which is one of the world's highest-grossing music festivals. Every August, Golden Gate Park hosts a three-day festival. It draws hundreds of thousands of attendees and dozens of top-notch bands.
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, which ends the season with lovely folk music, and the Stern Grove Festival, which offers free outdoor concerts all summer long, are less well-known but still worthwhile visits.
Walt Disney Family Museum
Any Disney enthusiast visiting San Francisco should not miss the Walt Disney Family Museum. The museum provides plenty of insider knowledge along with interactive exhibits that highlight the personal side of the man behind the brand.
Original storyboards, vintage movie posters, Disney memorabilia, and some of Walt Walton's personal belongings are among the items on exhibit. You will undoubtedly come away inspired. It will make you want to watch your beloved animated classic again.
Lombard Street
The location that most embodies the distinctively hilly and winding terrain of San Francisco is Lombard Street. It is also referred to as the "crookedest street in the world." It zigzags through eight steep turns on the hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets.
Although you can walk the street and see the houses along the way if you're prone to motion sickness, it's a fun little stretch for a leisurely drive.
Davies Symphony Hall
A performance at the Civic Center neighborhood's Davies Symphony Hall is a visual as well as auditory feast. Attend a traditional concert or the San Francisco Symphony's special screenings. Here, a big-screen blockbuster film is shown with a live soundtrack provided by the orchestra. Visit the symphony's website to view the schedule.
The Weed Dispensary
Are you eager to experience something that is distinctly San Francisco? Visit one of the many dispensaries in the city. Despite your stance against marijuana use, it can still be interesting to observe this booming industry up close.
Since the state legalized cannabis for adult use in 2016, the practice has developed into a full-service way of life. Consider it like visiting a winery. To get assistance, simply ask a helpful "budtender." Use Weedmaps to locate a place.
Ghirardelli Square
You probably have a sweet tooth if the name Ghirardelli Square sounds familiar to you. The renowned chocolate company of the same name once called the entertainment and retail complex between Fort Mason and Fisherman's Wharf home.
Ghirardelli relocated its headquarters to the neighboring city of San Leandro in 1966. However, the Chocolate Experience, which includes a sundae station and a pick-and-mix bar, faithfully honors the site's past. Visit its nearby eateries as well as bars for a larger bite or stop in for a taste.
Mission Murals
Take a self-guided tour of the Mission Murals to see some amazing street art for nothing. Even though there are over a thousand murals lining the streets, the best way to see them is to stroll down Caledonia, Clarion, Balmy, and Horace Alleys. Alternatively, you can just explore the neighborhood and pick your own favorite mural.
Palace Hotel
Do you wish you were a little more regal? For afternoon tea, proceed to the Palace Hotel. The hotel's Garden Court dining room hosts a traditional ceremony every Saturday. There, stands of traditional English bites, such as finger sandwiches and scones, adorn the tables and provide a perfect pick-me-up for both locals and hungry tourists.
Wrapping Up
So, this was a list of enjoyable things to do in San Francisco over the weekend. We could probably make this guide ten times longer with all the things we could do in SF for weekend adventures. The options are as varied as the city itself. However, it is best to take things a little at a time. We hope this guide will help you choose a few things to do during your next trip to San Francisco.
For every weekend visitor, the City by the Bay guarantees an amazing experience, ranging from culinary delights and historical excursions to outdoor adventures and cultural explorations. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
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