Fun things to do in San Francisco CA: Tours, attractions & exciting places to visit

Looking for exciting places to visit & fun things to do in San Francisco, California?
The original gold rush city has been a haven for fortune-seekers and artists for almost 160 years. Nowadays San Francisco is a modern cultural city with a distinctly unique character unlike any other city in the USA. Built on 43 hills the world-famous steep inclines and descents offer breathtaking views and perspectives over the city's many attractions. It is an extraordinary peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, including the world's largest landlocked harbor on the Northern bay.

Here are our top tips on what to do in San Francisco: The San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Tour is a great way to orientate yourself in the city and to pinpoint the attractions that interest YOU. You may want to shop at Union Square or Sak's Fifth Avenue, take a fun Alcatraz tour to see where Al Capone was imprisoned on 'The Rock', or chill on a champagne brunch cruise while enjoying views over the bay. You can see what the city looks like from above on a helicopter tour (a surprisingly affordable and fun experience) or you can just soak up the entrepreneurial vibe in Silicon Valley.

Fun things to do with children in San Francisco: Pier 39 hosts the San Francisco aquarium which has amazing clear glass tunnels surrounded by water and marine life. You can take the kids on a crazy fun and exciting duck tour of San Francisco (not to be missed), and the California Academy of Sciences has an aquarium, planetarium and a 4-story rainforest all in the same building!

Fun Day trips from San Francisco: Visit the giant sequoias at Yosemite National Park and if you want to do some hiking try the 2 day hike tour or 3 day camping tour. Wine fans love these Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries, and you can sail across the bay to visit Muir Woods and Sausalito (San Francisco's most beautiful village).
Romantic things to do in San Francisco: On the Sunset dinner and dance cruise you can watch the sun set over beautiful San Francisco Bay while enjoying a delicious four-course dinner.
Exciting scary things to do in San Francisco: There are many unexplained events at Winchester House (home of the rifle heiress) and the vampire tour will demonstrate how vampires have been an integral part of San Francisco's history for many generations (if you really wanted to know!). And if you're fascinated by ghosts then San Francisco's Chinatown has a supernatural history unknown by most.

Fun Free things to do in San Francisco: Visit the Fisherman's Wharf with its lively shops, seafood restaurants, arcades, fairground rides and beautiful ocean views. The Hakone Japanese Tea Garden situated in the vast Golden Gate Park, provides a tranquil haven away from the hectic pace of the city. And if you love cable cars then you should visit the Cable Car Museum or ride these moving National Historic Landmarks around the city. Witness the beautiful San Francisco sunset at Twin Peaks or enjoy outdoor activities at the Angel Island State Park, the largest island in the city.

Ideas for Lodging in San Francisco

If you are looking for ideas on where to stay in San Francisco then the friendly and accommodating Hotel Drisco is in a quiet area favorably positioned on top of a hill in Pacific Heights. It's close to Presidio Park and only a 10 minutes walk from Fillmore street and Haight-Ashbury (the suburb that was at center of San Francisco's Renaissance). The hotel also offers a free chauffeur service into the city and provides a complimentary continental breakfast.
Tip: Ask for a corner room on the 4th floor with views. (Book early).

Another hotel I can recommend is the comfortable and spacious Huntington Hotel and Nob Hill Spa which is located at the top of San Francisco's Nob Hill. The Union Square, Chinatown and the financial district are only 6-blocks away. Guests can enjoy the indoor pool, spa tub, steam room, fitness center and yoga studio. The hotel also offers a complimentary car service to downtown San Francisco. I found the staff to be friendly and very willing to help with tourist information about San Francisco and current events.
Tip: Ask for a remodeled room on the upper floors with a view of the park.

Things to do in San Francisco: Tours, attractions & fun places to visit in San Francisco

This San Francisco lodging is also an adventure...

Situated on the Embarcadero waterfront and opposite the ferry building the Hotel Vitale offers stunning views of the harbour and the Oakland bridge. You'll be just 12-blocks from Union Square and 2-blocks from the cable car lane. On site there is a lovely restaurant with bar, and a Spa with an outdoor roof-top soaking tub. (We absolutely loved our stay here and can highly recommended the Hotel Vitale - Marcus & Sara)
Tip: Book a room facing the bay bridge and the Ferry market for spectacular views.

The friendly and accommodating Donatello Hotel is a downtown San Francisco hotel that oozes a charming Italian atmosphere. It's located only a block from the Union Square & Powell Street cable car line, and only 6 blocks from the Moscone Center and Financial District. At the top floor of the hotel you'll find a fitness center, whirlpool & private saunas.

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