Activities

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory 56 Ross Alley., San Francisco, CA 94108
Visit this legendary cookie shop where custom fortune cookies have been handmade since 1962, located in the heart of Chinatown.

 

Book Passage One Ferry Building 42, San Francisco, California 94111
Book Passage is a bookstore with breathtaking views of the ferries and the Bay piercing through its large glass windows. Enjoy a wide selection of local and national literature, maps, guides, and more. There are also two other locations in the Bay Area (Corte Madera and Sausalito).

SF Bay Adventures 1001 Bridgeway #238, Sausalito, CA, 94965
Interested in exploring the area from the sea? Whether you want to travel by sailboat, catamaran, or a motor yacht, enjoy an adventure touring the Bay Area by water.

 

Tours

• Free walking tours with SF City Guides
  Pick your adventure, from Gold Rush alleys with buried ships to hidden Russian Hill staircases. These tour guides are well informed and fun. Get your daily steps in while discovering secrets of the city—some of which many locals don’t even know!
  *Tours vary in length and location.
• Foodwise at the Ferry Building
  Check out a free cooking demo at the farmers market! These events offer educational and delicious ways to connect locals and tourists to the local food community.

Legion of Honor Trail 100 34th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94121
Explore a beautiful walk through this short connector trail that links the main Coastal Trail thoroughfare across Lands End to El Camino del Mar, near the Legion of Honor Museum.

 

Lands End Labyrinth 680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
On the edge of a cliff, tucked away inside a coastal trail in western San Francisco is Lands End Labyrinth. It is a sight to behold. The cliff can be very foggy and extremely windy, so be sure to bring a windbreaker!

 

Hyde Street Pier 2905 Hyde St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Explore this incredible collection of historic ships (from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s) at this federal park on water! Visit one of the city’s original ferries that transported passengers and cargo across the Golden Gate before the bridge was built, and learn about Chinese seafarers and salmon boats.

 

Golden Gate Park 1199 9th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122
Welcome to San Francisco’s version of NYC’s Central Park. Enjoy the scenery of this green, urban oasis, including its Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden, and Conservatory of Flowers.

 

The Wave Organ 83 Marina Green Dr, San Francisco, CA 94123. The Wave Organ is a wave-activated acoustic sculpture created to showcase the natural sounds made by the waves of the Bay. Located in the Marina District, the Wave Organ was designed by an artist, sculptor, and stone mason in collaboration with San Francisco Exploratorium. It is an experience that can’t quite be described in words.

 

Marin Headlands Sausalito, CA 94965
Hike through the Marin Headlands for breathtaking views of San Francisco, the Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. If you are able to book transportation in advance, head to Muir Woods, a national monument where you will see impressive redwood trees in an enchanted forest just miles away from San Francisco’s downtown.

 

Sutro Baths Ruins 1004 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco, CA 94121
The Sutro Baths are the remains of a once vibrant public bathhouse complex located in the Sutro Heights area of San Francisco. Today the ruins of the Sutro Baths are a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and the nearby Sutro Heights Park.

 

Andy Goldsworthy’s Spire Arguello Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94129
Visit this 100 ft-tall sculpture created by British artist Andy Goldsworthy, a powerful symbol of the rejuvenation of the beloved Presidio forest.

 

Twin Peaks 501 Twin Peaks Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94114
Looking for a nice hike? Look no further than Twin Peaks, the two looming hills that rise above the center of San Francisco. Hike up 922 feet and enjoy a breathtaking, 360-degree view of the Vistas as your reward. It is also possible to drive to the top, though parking at the top is scarce.

 

16th Avenue Mosaic Steps 16th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122.
The “Moraga Steps” is one of San Francisco’s hidden and iconic gems. While it is a four mile trek from downtown, the tiled steps and views of the Pacific Ocean make this trip worthwhile. As you make your ascent up the160 staircase, you’ll notice a change in the artwork depicting various imagery of the Earth—from sea level at the bottom of the staircase to the stars and moon closer to the top.
*It is recommended to start from the bottom of the steps, located at 16th & Moraga.

 

Angel Island State Park San Francisco Bay
A short ferry ride from the mainland, Angel Island is perhaps the best picnic spot in all of San Francisco. Explore the remains of a once active military outpost or hike to the top of the island (it’s about an hour hike). Make sure you don’t miss the last ferry back or you’ll be stuck on the island overnight!

 

Half Moon Bay Coastal town south of San Francisco
Marvel at the big wave suffering, spot a gray whale, visit a small craft brewery, or take in the coastal redwoods—this coastside has a little bit of something for everyone. Journey down the historic Main Street for shopping and dining or visit any of the coastside’s agricultural nurseries and farms.

Asian Art Museum 200 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Located in the heart of the city right across from City Hall is the Asian Art Museum, home to 18,000 world class artworks, including exhibits from ancient times to modern day video installations.

 

Exploratorium Pier 15 (Embarcadero @ Green St.)
Established in 1969 and reinvented along the waterfront in 2013, the Exploratorium combines art, science, and human perception. From hands-on exhibits to the air vortex to learning about the movement of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, there is much to learn and explore.

 

Contemporary Jewish Museum 736 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103.
Visit San Francisco’s Jewish museum and experience innovative exhibitions and programs that make the diversity of the Jewish experience relevant for a 21st century audience.

 

Museum of African Diaspora 685 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Tour this contemporary art museum that celebrates Black culture, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora.

 

Oakland Museum of CA 1000 Oak St., Oakland, CA 94607
Discover the history, art, and natural science of Oakland, California.

 

Chabot Space & Science Center 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619
Visit this center for STEM learning and engagement, with interactive exhibits, planetariums, a large screen theater, hands-on activities, three powerful telescopes, and more!

 

DeYoung Museum 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco, CA 94118
The de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park comprise the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Visit here to become connected with local and global art.

 

California Academy of Sciences 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco, CA 94118
Across from the de Young is one of the premier museums in San Francisco—the California Academy of Sciences. This museum offers world class exhibits about the natural world, from animals of all sizes to species of bugs that would blow your mind to classifications of plants that will shake your world…there is so much to see! If you’re in town on Thursday night, check out their lively weekly evening programming.

 

SFMOMA 151 3rd St., San Francisco, CA 94103
Visit San Francisco’s world-class collection of modern art located in the SOMA neighborhood and housed in two adjoining buildings that are, in themselves, architecturally stunning.

 

Cantor Arts Museum at Stanford 328 Lomita Drive at Museum Way, Stanford, CA 94305
Stanford University has quite the art collection (indoor and outdoor) on their beautiful campus. Take a walk through this museum and check out their exhibits!

 

Computer History Museum 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043
Channel your inner “tech-nerd” at the Computer History Museum. Explore the history of computers and technology, see some of the oldest (and newest) inventions from Silicon Valley, and try your hand at coding.

 

The Tech Interactive 201 S. Market St., San Jose, CA 95113
Engage in hands-on activities, experimental labs, and watch movie shorts in a massive IMAX theater at this family-friendly museum located in the heart of San Jose.

SFJAZZ 201 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Visit the jazz music scene of the city! From live performances to festivals, SFJAZZ adds to the vibrant local music scene of the Bay area.

 

SF Conservatory of Music 50 Oak St., San Francisco, CA 94102
One of the most respected conservatories in the nation, SF Conservatory of Music boasts a calendar of live performances for locals and visitors.

 

SF Symphony 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102.
This symphonic delight exists to inspire and serve audiences throughout the Bay Area. Check out the lists of upcoming performances before your arrival!

 

SF Ballet War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
This ballet is located in one of the most historic and traditional Opera Houses in the country. Founded in 1933 and recognized for pushing the boundaries of dance, this ballet is sure to deliver an adventurous production.

 

SF Opera War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102.
Dive deep into the rich world of opera at SF Opera, conveniently located next to the SF Davies Symphony Hall.