Location: Downtown San Francisco
Top Things to do in Downtown San Francisco
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What to do and see in Downtown San Francisco, California (CA): The Best Things to do
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. Autodesk Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
The Autodesk Gallery will be closed on the following dates: Christmas and New Years, December 24, 2018 - January 1, 2019 Presidents' Day, February 18, 2019
2. Asian Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,528 reviews
Spanning cultures from Turkey to India and China to the Philippines through 6,000 years, the collection provides a panorama of Asian art and culture. Included are over 18,000 objects ranging from tiny jades to monumental sculptures. Superb paintings, porcelains, arms and armor, furniture, textiles, and bronzes are featured.
Reviewed By geotech522
The Asian Art Museum is located in a very stately building that was formerly the City's Main Public Library in the Civic Center of San Francisco. Behind the doors of this impressive building is a collection of over 6,000 years of the most beautiful art from all over Asia. This museum has collections that cover the great civilizations of Asia. On the top (third) floor, the galleries feature South Asia, the Persian World and West Asia, Southeast Asia, the Himalayas and the Tibetian Buddhist World, and early China. The second floor continues with later China, Korea, and Japan. The first floor contains Special Exhibitions Gallery, a cafe and the Museum Store. The various collections are very comprehensive and contain some very precious exhibits. This one of the best museums of Asian Art in the US and the best on the West Coast.
3. 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.
4. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,041 reviews
SFMOMA is one of San Francisco’s must-see destinations, located within walking distance of Union Square. Explore seven floors of extraordinary art, including world-class exhibitions, the largest living wall in the U.S., and breathtaking city views from outdoor gardens and terraces. Save time and pre-purchase tickets (admission is free for visitors 18 and under), or reserve a unique private guided tour experience in advance. Free public tours and audio guides are available onsite. Effective immediately, SFMOMA will offer free admission to Federal Employees who show their federally issued ID. This is for adult admission and does not include a +1.
Reviewed By TravelRealize - San Jose, United States
When I heard about the exhibition on the effervescent pop art of Andy Warhol at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or SFMOMA, I turned to the pop art maestro for inspiration and motivation to keep on creating. . Warhol, like every great artist, questioned the status-quo, reflected on the societal conditions from different perspectives, remained open to new ideas and concepts and followed the work of contemporary artists. . Thank you SFMOMA for putting up such a brilliant and enriching exhibition. If you live in or are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, I highly recommend visiting SFMOMA. Gift yourself a day brimmed with joy amidst art, ideas, and beauty. . To read more about this exhibition, please visit my blog - Travel Realizations
5. Filbert Steps
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 581 reviews
A 284 foot wooden-step walkway leading up to the top of Telegraph Hill.
Reviewed By haleyd245
Amazing experience! I loved watching the wild parrots fly overhead. We also saw a bunch of plants of all kinds, if you’re a nature lover you’d love this little oasis in the middle of the city! We went down the steps from coit tower, I’d definitely recommend walking down them rather than up lol. There are a bunch of stairs!
6. Glide Memorial United Methodist Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
This church is known for its pastor, Cecil Williams, whose sermons never fail to thrill.
Reviewed By TV2451
Very important church that is fundamental to the delivery of social services to those in need as well as spiritual uplift. Long the home of great leaders in the community. Wonderful place. And the church is a lovely building.
7. San Francisco City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,024 reviews
The dome of this venerable Government building is a replica of the one crowning St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Reviewed By duck8to - Montville, United States
It is one of the finest city halls I have ever seen. The original city hall was built in 1899 and was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906. The present city hall was rebuilt between 1913-1916 it displays an impressive Beaux Arts architectural style. The massive dome in the rotunda is 307' tall some 40' higher then the rotunda in the Nation's Capitol. With a magnificent rotunda of marble and jaw dropping grand staircase this city hall with it's four floor is second to none. Today the San Francisco City Hall has been redesigned to adjust to a possible earthquake that shook it's foundation on October 17, 1989. The 7.1 earthquake moved the structure 4'' and repairs continued until 1999. A state of the art computer controlled LED lighting system was installed which is capable of producing a variety of light shows. If you are in San Francisco, It is a sight to behold. City hall has been the site of of many notable events. Joe D'Maggio married Marilyn Monroe at City Hall in January of 1954. Mascone and Milk were assassinated here in 1979 and the first same-sex marriage was performed here in 2004. It is a National Historic landmark. Docent tours were available pre-COVID-19 on Mon-Fri at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. The tours were 45 minutes long. Sign-up for the tours were at the kiosk Goodlet Place elevator lobby. Admission is free. If you do not want a docent tour, you can enter city hall on your own. I was there prior to COVID-19. Check their website for any COVID-19 rules.
8. Orpheum Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
BroadwaySF is the preeminent theatrical entertainment company in the Bay Area, bringing live entertainment experiences to San Francisco’s premier venues, the Orpheum and Golden Gate Theatres. We present current hits fresh from Broadway, original Broadway cast productions, pre-Broadway premieres and one-of-a-kind events that are at the forefront of the national theater scene.
Reviewed By CVTravelers
I recall going to the Orpheum theatre with my parents many years ago. It clearly has been renovated and the lobby and rest rooms are very nice. My wife and I sat in the orchestra section and the seats/view of the stage were very good. We would definitely recommend the show which was very entertaining and the actors were amazing. We did not leave our seats at intermission but noted that many people returned to their seats after the second act had started. I imagine this is the result of fairly small rest rooms and generally congestion. This is something to keep in mind since you really don’t want to miss any of the show !!!
9. San Francisco Playhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
San Francisco Playhouse is a nonprofit theatre company located on San Francisco's Union Square. Plays are staged daily, with performances Tuesday through Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 8pm.
Reviewed By Mgboyd - Edmonton, Canada
The 4 of us took in the show last night and it was a great evening set in a beautiful little Theater. 3 adults and one Teen enjoyed the atmosphere, the show with great cast and the staff that supported the evening. We booked our tickets last minute and we’re still able to get in even with it being a full house. I would recommend to book as early as you can and don’t miss a chance to enjoy this beautiful little theater!
10. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By wormhog
I’m not sure why, but I can’t even talk about this monument without tearing up. For starters, it’s a beautiful location and the sound of the water flowing over the stone becomes more noticeable the closer you get. It draws you in to the area under the monument. I can get this far without tears but when I talk about the quote found underneath, my own waterworks start. Every time. "No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream." I used to live in San Francisco and Yerba Buena gardens is my happy place. I find this memorial powerful and beautiful.
