Location: San Francisco
Top Things to do in San Francisco
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Top 10 Nature & Parks in San Francisco, California (CA)
Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own personality, from the hippie chic of the Upper Haight to the hipster grit of the Mission. The Marina district boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques. Wave hello to the sea lions at Pier 39, and sample local cheese and charcuterie at the Ferry Building. Sit in on a yoga session in Dolores Park or marvel at the Dutch Windmill across from Ocean Beach.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. The Coastal Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 68 reviews
The Coastal Trail is the 28-mile coastline of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Reviewed By nycbos8 - San Francisco, United States
A wonderful way to get exercise and explore the beautiful coastline of Northern California. The California coastal Trail winds up and down the oceanside shore and takes you through some of the most stunning vistas in the country, perhaps the world. At times, you'll feel like you're on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, staring out at the turquoise blue waters of the Mediterranean. And now, especially during Covid, this is a fantastic way to get outside in a safe, socially distanced way.
2. Alcatraz Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55,332 reviews
Park rangers conduct tours by recounting the prison's thrilling history along with intriguing anecdotes about Al Capone and other legendary figures that made a "home" here.
Reviewed By Piggin01
I did the night tour it was amazing and very interesting love that former inmates and staff did the audio recording for the tour which is easy to follow and very informative would highly recommend and would do again
3. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 682 reviews
Visitors can take a workshop on boatbuilding, board a vessel docked at the Hyde Street Pier or tour the fine collections of maritime lore.
Reviewed By PepperNewJersey - California, United States
We just visited the Visitor Center which provided us great exhibits an hands-on activities bout the Gold Rush, shipwrecks and sea communications. Great artifacts and interesting history!
4. China Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Located in the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco outside the Golden Gate, this cove is tucked between Baker Beach & Land's End. Offering spectacular views of Marin Headlands and The Golden Gate this cove of sand is good place for sunbathing, play spot for children and a picnic. Observe the monument to the Chinese fishermen and early residents who camped and anchored in the cove.
Reviewed By MiAmorEterno - Los Angeles, United States
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!!!! A definite must see. I have been visiting this beach for 30+ years and it is as beautiful and pristine now as it was 30+ years ago. I would suggest bringing a picnic lunch and plan on spending an amazing, romantic, and relaxing time at this amazing location. The beach is absolutely gorgeous and the view of the Golden Gate Bridge is incredible It is also much less crowded than some of the other more popular viewing locations - the Sausalito side of the bridge, Baker Beach, or Fort Point. The beach is a short walk from the parking. There are two options: the stairs provide a more direct, shorter, and steeper access, while the paved road is longer and less steep. The photos from this location are absolutely gorgeous. I suggest bringing a tripod and your digital SLR camera. A selfie stick and your cell phone get decent photos of the location, but the tripod and Digital SLR camera will give you the opportunity to create some amazing portraits.
5. Aquatic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
This waterfront area, once part of Fort Mason, is now a complex for museums and artists.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We love the views of the San Francisco Bay from Aquatic Park. Its a wonderful place to go for a walk. There are some restaurants such as McCormick and Schmick at Giardelli Square where one gets a good view of the park when dining. And yes - some even swim in the Bay.
6. San Francisco Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 992 reviews
Welcome to San Francisco Botanical Garden, one of the most diverse gardens in the world. The Botanical Garden is a living museum within Golden Gate Park, offering 55 acres of both landscaped gardens and open spaces, showcasing over 8,500 different kinds of plants from around the world.
Reviewed By TV2451
These gardens are truly special and worth a couple of hours to explore as they are full of unusual plants and flowers. Come on a sunny day.
7. Children's Creativity Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
The Children's Creativity Museum is a hands-on multi-media art and technology experience for children ages 2-12 and their families. Exhibits encourage visitors to Imagine, Create and Share as they make their own stop-motion animation movie, take the Mystery Box Challenge, visit the Tech Lab to code robots, or experiment with instruments and sound in the Making Music exhibition. Our youngest visitors let their imagination run wild in the Imagination Lab.
Reviewed By PaulB476 - Minneapolis, United States
Great place for kids with a lot of fun things to do (especially on a rainy day when we were there). Staff were very nice and clearly enjoyed what they were doing. Pretty reasonable for a few hours of entertainment as well. Note: cheap (and good) food options just across the street at the Metreon food plaza.
8. San Francisco Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,325 reviews
Offers hiking and biking along its shores, paddling and sailing on top of its surface, and bird-watching and exploring among its wetlands.
Reviewed By SaffronLH
Visited twice over my trip. Enjoyed a cable car ride down, wander along the waterside, fantastic views, spotted a sea lion, walked up the piers, took in the atmosphere in the sun. Loved it
9. Conservatory of Flowers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
The oldest existing building in Golden Gate Park, this Victorian-era greenhouse showcases a wide variety of tropical and seasonal flowers.
Reviewed By Pattpro - Virginia, United States
This Victorian style greenhouse in the Golden Gate Park should not be missed. Beautiful orchids and carnivorous plants.
10. Lands End
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,832 reviews
At the northwestern corner of San Francisco, there is a series of stunning views at every turn in this wild and windy trail. Hillsides of cypress and wildflowers, views of shipwrecks and access to the ruins of Sutro baths, a San Francisco specials memory.
Reviewed By rogerjr2016
You should visit the Cliff House which is situated alongside the remains of "Sutro Baths"where you will have a fine view of ships entering and leaving San Francisco. Also from the Cliff House (well known San Francisco restaurant) overlooking Seal Rock and Ocean Beach you can hike the trails of Lands End and visit the coffee shop and gift center there run by the National Parks. From there if you proceed up the hill further , you will come to a traffic light opposite Seal Rock Inn. if you turn left there and travel all the way up the hill to the parking area you will see the WW2 memorial dedicated to the USS San Francisco which was heavily damaged by Japanese shells which killed Admiral Callaghan while he was present on the bridge of that ship. A stark reminder of the horrors of war are the ships bridge wings full of shell holes and the mast from that battle which stand at the western end of that parking lot with the names of all the Marines and Sailors who lost their lives on that ship. You will see excellent viewing there of the entrance to San Francisco with a view of Golden Gate bridge to the East and Northern Headlands of Marin County. There are public toilets also provided up there should you need to use them.You can read the history on the panoramic plaques there describing shipwrecks and the flora and fauna which you experience in the area.
