What to Do in San Francisco for a Culture‐Centric, Luxury Getaway
Start your journey through San Francisco’s cultural corridors in the Civic Center. Here, the San Francisco Symphony and the Opera House set the city’s world-class tone. Across the street, the San Francisco Ballet, America’s oldest professional ballet company, brings avant-garde energy to classic choreography. If you're training a refined lens on what to do in San Francisco, this area is a feast of neoclassical architecture and internationally-acclaimed performances.
Venture on towards the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), a must see in any visit to San Francisco. Curated collections of 20th- and 21st-century masterpieces, paired with dramatic architecture by Snøhetta, create an immersive cultural playground. Nearby, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts showcases rotating exhibitions and live performances, offering contemporary art lovers one of the top places to visit in San Francisco.
Partner Offer
Top Experiences in San Francisco
Book one of the experiences that other customers have liked and recommended:
-
San Francisco Father's Day Buffet Brunch Cruise
This Father’s Day, create family memories that will be treasured forever with an amazing day on the water! Treat the dad in your life to a special Father's Day Premier Brunch Cruise on the San Francisco Bay. While onboard, your family will enjoy distinctive service with chef‐inspired, plated entrees, and a selection of wine, beer, and classic cocktails. Celebrate with dining and music from our climate‐controlled interior, or soak in the picturesque backdrop from our open‐air, outdoor decks. Start a new tradition the whole family will enjoy and celebrate Father’s Day on the water!
-
San Francisco Golden Gate Park Puzzling Adventure
Searching for the perfect activity to bring a group of people together can be hard, and it can end up being pretty pricey, too. This San Francisco Golden Gate Park puzzling adventure makes it super easy to get a group of up to 12 together, while staying within budget in a big city. Use your Smartphone to solve clues and complete challenges, and of course, have fun while you’re at it.
-
San Francisco: Private Airplane Tour at Night
Board a plane to see the SF Bay Area at night. View the city lights, and the Bay Bridge light display, and see San Francisco from the air for a unique outlook. Meet the pilot at the airport, fasten your seatbelt, and take off. Fly to the Pacific Coast and see the Bay Lights art on the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. Then, fly over the illuminated Golden Gate Bridge, an engineering marvel. Continue over Downtown San Francisco, spotting the city's key attractions from above. Follow the waterfront, seeing the city lights during the flight. Catch sights of Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 before returning to the airport.
-
San Francisco to Sausalito Ferry
Leave the towering San Francisco skyline behind you, and make for the peaceful town of Sausalito with this ferry ticket. Combining the quaint charm of a Mediterranean fishing village with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco on the horizon, Sausalito is about as idyllic as it gets. Sail across the Bay and revel in the beautiful scenery as you make for the hills of Marin County.
-
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rentals and Sausalito Ferry
Measuring 48 square miles, San Francisco is famous for its scenic beauty, cultural attractions, diverse communities, and world‐class cuisine. Dotted with landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, Chinatown, Union Square, North Beach, the Castro District and Mission Dolores, the City’s streets have intriguing neighborhoods to explore at every turn. Views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay are often laced with fog, creating a romantic mood in the most European of American cities. So explore the city the European way, with a self‐guided bike tour. Fanny pack: optional! Everything is provided including a helmet, baskets/bike bags, and bike locks. The bike hire staff will also be happy to suggest an interesting and memorable route around the city’s many trendy and historic neighborhoods. The ferry boat ticket is a one‐way ticket from Sausalito to San Francisco on the Blue and Gold ferry website. This ferry ticket is valid for any ferry times.
-
San Francisco City Self‐Guided Audio Tour Through Golden Gate Bridge
Kick off your San Francisco experience at the Painted Ladies, iconic colourful homes that embody the city's eclectic spirit. Next, dive into the city’s tech hub, spotting HQs of companies like Uber and Twitter while learning how SF became the world’s tech capital.Then, stop at City Hall, a familiar sight often used as a stand‐in for D.C.’s Capitol in films. Hold on tight as you navigate Lombard Street, the "most crooked street in the world", known for its scenic, winding turns.Head up Telegraph Hill for a visit to Coit Tower and jaw‐dropping views of San Francisco’s skyline. Discover Chinatown and Manilatown’s rich history and learn about the unique cable cars on Stockton Street—quirky, enduring symbols of SF transit.Finally, your tour wraps up along the waterfront, where incredible bay views and world‐class food await. But the adventure doesn't end here. Included with this tour is a bonus trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, giving you a close‐up look and a thrilling drive across this world‐famous landmark.
-
San Francisco Private Wine Tasting Tour
San Francisco is near to the world‐renowned Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley wine regions—and on this custom, private tasting tour, you don’t need to leave the city for an indulgent tasting session. Meet your guide at a time that works best for you, and get ready to explore urban wineries and wine venues. You can look forward to enjoying six different tasters, representing a wide range of local wine styles, plus snacks.
-
Private Tour Guide San Francisco with a Local: Kickstart your Trip
Explore San Francisco like a local and let a like‐minded resident craft your visit. Experience the Bay Area’s natural beauty and check out its amazing trails and parks, lookout points and picturesque hills, bustling neighborhoods and delicious restaurants. Discover the best spot to watch the sun set over the city and avoid the tourist traps on a personalized tour designed just for you.
-
San Francisco Chinatown Small‐Group Half‐Day Walking Food Tour
Delve into the flavors and traditions of San Francisco’s Chinatown on a small‐group walking food tour. Wander off the main paths to discover hidden spots where you can sample dim sum, roast duck, and other regional specialties across five different tastings. While exploring, hear captivating anecdotes about Chinatown’s past and the people who helped shape its vibrant culinary scene.
-
Muir Woods and Sausalito Half‐Day Bus Tour From San Francisco
Spare yourself the headache of car rental and navigation with round‐trip bus transit from San Francisco to Muir Woods. Listen to live commentary during the drive to the national forest. Entrance is included to the park, where you enjoy 1.5‐hours to explore on your own. Next, stop by the scenic seaside town of Sausalito, and stroll independently. Afterwards, relax during your return journey through the Marin Headlands.
Beyond the Expected: Unique Things to Do in San Francisco
Looking for unique things to do in San Francisco? Glide across the bay on a ferry to Sausalito and take in the city skyline from the water - a painter’s dream and photographer’s paradise. Alternatively, explore the Mission District’s Clarion Alley, where an ever-evolving street art hub tells stories of activism, identity, and resilience.
Step inside the eccentric world of the Musée Mécanique on Pier 45, where vintage arcade machines blink and whir like something from a Wes Anderson film. For visitors interested in style, a visit to Heath Ceramics in the Dogpatch neighborhood offers a tactile connection to mid-century California design, a must do in San Francisco for any aesthete.
A City That Glows After Dusk: What to Do in San Francisco at Night
Wondering what to do in San Francisco at night? Start with a sunset view from Twin Peaks or Coit Tower, as the city spreads out in a sparkling network beneath a light blanket of its iconic fog. Then slip into the Red Room at the historic Tosca Café in North Beach, a favourite of artists and filmmakers, for a Negroni and a touch of old-world glamour.
Catch a live jazz set at Black Cat in the Tenderloin district or book an evening performance at ACT’s Geary Theater, both feature high among the best things to do in San Francisco for a culture-infused night out. For a truly memorable experience, take a moonlit walk through the Presidio’s Wood Line art installation, a meandering Andy Goldsworthy sculpture that whispers through the cypress trees.
What to See and Do in San Francisco for Artistic Souls
No cultural itinerary would be complete without a walk through Golden Gate Park. Home to the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, it’s a haven of creativity and curiosity. The de Young’s regularly-changing exhibitions and panoramic tower views make it one of the best things to do in San Francisco for design aficionados.
Over in the Richmond and Sunset districts, you’ll find hidden gems like the Internet Archive (a digital Library of Alexandria) and Balmy Alley’s politically charged murals. Each corner reveals a different answer to the question of what to see and do in San Francisco, from grassroots storytelling to globally celebrated collections.
What to Do in San Francisco in One Day: A Spirited Dash Through Culture
If you're pressed for time and wondering what to do in San Francisco in one day, begin at SFMOMA, then walk to the Ferry Building for a taste of local artisan foods. Cross the Embarcadero to catch a ferry to Alcatraz; more than simply a prison, the island provides a stark meditation on justice and isolation, especially when past installations such as those by Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei are considered.
Back on land, explore Chinatown’s dragon-gate entrance and hidden temples, then put the cap on your day with drinks at the Top of the Mark, a sky-high lounge offering sweeping views and classic charm.
What to Do in San Francisco in Two Days: Culture, Coastlines, and Creativity
With 48 hours to spare, choosing what to do in San Francisco in two days becomes a multi-layered dance of neighborhoods and narratives. Day one: immerse yourself in downtown’s cultural institutions, then spend your evening in the Mission district, with its gallery-lined streets and Latin-inspired dining. On day two, head west to Ocean Beach for wind-swept drama, stop by the Legion of Honor to take in Rodin and scenic splendor, and enjoy tea at the Japanese Tea Garden, an oasis of quiet design.
For an evening full of flair, book a table at Benu or Zuni Café and revel in the culinary artistry that’s made San Francisco a gastronomic capital. Finish with a nightcap in the Castro, where the city’s legendary alternative scene and joyful resistance are alive and thriving.
Final Thoughts: The Allure of San Francisco’s Artistic Soul
San Francisco is a city that lives between eras, styles, and ideologies - a place where free spirits and fine art coexist with effortless ease. Whether you're planning what to do in San Francisco over a weekend or crafting a longer, more leisurely escape, this city invites you to move slowly, look deeper, and savour the story in every view.
From fog-laced hills to sunlit murals, from symphonic arias to underground jazz, discovering what to do in San Francisco is less about ticking off famous landmarks, and more about tuning into the city’s creative frequency. You might come for the icons, but you’ll stay for the atmosphere - and like so many before you, you’ll likely leave wondering not only what to do in San Francisco next time, but why it already feels like home.