San Francisco, CA
San Francisco events and things to do, from the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and cable cars to Giants, Warriors and 49ers games, concerts, museums and wine country trips.
San Francisco Events & Things to Do: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Cable Cars & Sports
Quick answer: The best things to do in San Francisco include walking or biking the Golden Gate Bridge, touring Alcatraz Island, riding the historic cable cars, exploring Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, wandering Chinatown, and catching the Warriors, Giants, or 49ers. Coming up: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (October 2–4), Fleet Week (October 4–12, air shows October 9–11), and the Warriors home opener (October 23).
Searching for things to do in San Francisco today, this weekend, or with kids? Walk or bike the Golden Gate Bridge, book a ferry to Alcatraz, ride the cable cars, and explore Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco has the Giants at Oracle Park, the Warriors at Chase Center, and the 49ers in Santa Clara, and Napa and Sonoma wine country is about an hour north.
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- Golden Gate Bridge Tours & Tickets: Top-rated tours, tickets, and experiences.
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- San Francisco Bay Tours & Tickets: Boat trips, beach time, and water tours.
- Golden Gate Park Tours & Tickets: Guided tours and outdoor experiences.
- San Francisco Food, Wine & Nightlife: Browse food, wine & nightlife in San Francisco.
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Upcoming San Francisco Events in 2026 and 2027
- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: The free music festival in Golden Gate Park runs October 2–4, 2026.
- Fleet Week: Runs October 4–12, 2026, with the Blue Angels air show on October 9–11.
- 49ers home game: The 49ers host the Commanders at Levi's Stadium on October 19, 2026.
- Warriors home opener: Golden State hosts the Grizzlies at Chase Center on October 23, 2026.
Find Tickets: Golden Gate Park Tours & Tickets • San Francisco Chinatown Tours & Tickets • San Francisco Treasure Island Tours & Tickets
How Do You Visit Alcatraz?
Alcatraz Island, the former federal prison in the middle of the Bay, is one of San Francisco's most popular attractions. Alcatraz City Cruises is the only authorized official ticket provider for ferries to the island, and tours often sell out, so book ahead.
Explore: San Francisco Cruises & Water Tours • Alcatraz Tours & Tickets • San Francisco Sunset Cruises
What Are the Must-See Attractions in San Francisco?
- Golden Gate Bridge: Walk, bike, or view it from Crissy Field, Battery Spencer, or a Bay cruise.
- Cable cars: Ride the Powell-Hyde line for classic hill-and-Bay views.
- Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39: Sea lions, sourdough bread bowls, and waterfront shops.
- Chinatown: One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America.
- Golden Gate Park: Museums, gardens, and the California Academy of Sciences.
- Lombard Street, Painted Ladies, and Coit Tower: Classic photo stops.
Explore: San Francisco City Tours • Coit Tower Tours & Tickets • Fisherman's Wharf Tours & Tickets
San Francisco Sports Events & Game Day
- Golden State Warriors and Valkyries: NBA and WNBA basketball at Chase Center in Mission Bay.
- San Francisco Giants: MLB baseball at Oracle Park on the waterfront.
- San Francisco 49ers: NFL football at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
- San Jose Sharks: NHL hockey in the South Bay.
Find Tickets: San Francisco Dinner Cruises • San Francisco Night Cruises • San Francisco Catamaran Cruises
Day Trips From San Francisco
- Napa and Sonoma: World-famous wine country about an hour north.
- Muir Woods and Sausalito: Giant redwoods and a charming waterfront town.
- Monterey and Carmel: The Monterey Bay Aquarium and the scenic 17-Mile Drive.
- Yosemite National Park: A bucket-list trip for granite cliffs and waterfalls.
Explore: San Francisco Day Trips & Excursions • Muir Woods Tours & Tickets • San Francisco Sightseeing Tickets & Passes
Where Should You Eat in San Francisco?
San Francisco is a top food city. Try sourdough bread, Mission-style burritos, dim sum, cioppino, Dungeness crab, Ghirardelli chocolate, and the Ferry Building Marketplace.
Explore: San Francisco Wine Tasting & Winery Tours • San Francisco Food, Wine & Nightlife • Bay Bridge Tours & Tickets
Things to Do in San Francisco With Kids
Traveling with kids? San Francisco has plenty of family-friendly attractions and activities, including the California Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium, the San Francisco Zoo, Pier 39's sea lions, cable car rides, Alcatraz, and Bay cruises.
Explore: Pier 39 Tours & Tickets • Alcatraz Tours & Tickets • San Francisco Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
Free Things to Do in San Francisco
- Golden Gate Bridge: Walk the east sidewalk for bay and city views.
- Golden Gate Park: Gardens, bison, and the Conservatory of Flowers grounds.
- Lands End Trail: Coastal cliffs, Sutro Baths ruins, and bridge views.
- Ferry Building Marketplace: Local food vendors and a Saturday farmers market.
Things to Do in San Francisco for Adults & Couples
- Alcatraz night tour: A moody evening visit to the island.
- North Beach bars and cafés: Historic Beat Generation haunts.
- Wine country day trip: Napa and Sonoma tours from the city.
- Giants game at Oracle Park: Waterfront baseball with bay views.
Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend & Today
San Francisco weekends are best by neighborhood: the waterfront and Alcatraz, Golden Gate Park and the Richmond, or the Mission for food and murals. Book Alcatraz tickets well ahead, and pack layers for the fog.
Browse Now: San Francisco Tours & Activities • San Francisco Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises • North Beach Tours & Tickets • Palace of Fine Arts Tours & Tickets
Popular San Francisco Questions
What are the best free things to do in San Francisco?
Free favorites in San Francisco include Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Lands End Trail, and Ferry Building Marketplace. See the free things to do section above for details.
What are the best things to do in San Francisco for adults and couples?
Popular picks for adults and couples in San Francisco include Alcatraz night tour, North Beach bars and cafés, wine country day trip, and Giants game at Oracle Park.
When is Fleet Week 2026 in San Francisco?
Fleet Week runs October 4–12, 2026, with the air show on October 9–11.
When is Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026?
The free festival runs October 2–4, 2026 in Golden Gate Park.
How do you get tickets to Alcatraz?
Book through Alcatraz City Cruises, the only authorized official ticket provider. Reserve early, since tours often sell out.
When is the Warriors home opener?
The Warriors host the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on October 23, 2026.
Where do the 49ers play?
At Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, about 45 miles south of San Francisco.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
September and October often bring the warmest, clearest weather and big events like Fleet Week. Summers can be foggy and cool, so pack layers year-round.
What is there to do in San Francisco this weekend?
Browse San Francisco tours and activities for Bay cruises, wine country trips, and experiences you can book for your dates.
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Plan Your San Francisco Trip
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, tour Alcatraz, ride a cable car, catch Fleet Week, cheer on the Warriors and Giants, and escape to wine country.
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