San Francisco Events, Tours & Things to Do 2025

Bay breezes, skyline views, legendary venues, and day trips you’ll still be talking about next year. Use this guide to compare tickets, book must-do tours, and stitch together a San Francisco trip worth bragging about.

Top Deals in San Francisco

Jump to: Concerts & Venues · Shows & Arts · Sports · Bay Cruises & Alcatraz · Neighborhood & City Tours · Wine Country & Day Trips · Beaches & Outdoors · Festivals & Big Weekends · By Month · FAQ

Concerts & Venues

From historic halls to waterfront nights, San Francisco’s concert calendar is packed year-round—book early for summer amphitheater shows.

Major Venues

• Chase Center (Mission Bay)
• Oracle Park (select concerts)
• Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
• The Warfield · The Fillmore · The Masonic
• Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View)
• Greek Theatre (Berkeley) · Frost Amphitheater (Stanford)

Shows & Arts

Broadway tours, stand-up, ballet, symphony, and indie theater keep the lights bright across the city.

Classic Rooms

• Orpheum & Golden Gate Theatres
• Davies Symphony Hall · SFJAZZ Center
• Castro Theatre (special events)

Sports

Ballpark sunsets, buzzer-beaters, and Bay-area rivalries make San Francisco a must for sports fans.

Home Teams & Venues

• San Francisco Giants (MLB) — Oracle Park
• Golden State Warriors (NBA) — Chase Center
• San Francisco 49ers (NFL) — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara)
• San Jose Sharks (NHL) — SAP Center (South Bay)

Bay Cruises & Alcatraz

Golden Gate and skyline cruises, sunset sails, and the island everyone asks about. Alcatraz day and night tours are limited—book timed tickets early.

Neighborhood & City Tours

Cable cars, Chinatown alleys, Mission murals, North Beach cafés, Painted Ladies, and the Ferry Building—see it all with a guided loop.

Don’t Miss

• Chinatown & North Beach food walk
• Golden Gate Bridge vista stops (Crissy Field, Marin Headlands)
• Haight-Ashbury & Victorian architecture tour
• Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39 sea lions

Wine Country & Day Trips

Napa & Sonoma tastings, Muir Woods redwoods, Yosemite day trips, and Highway 1 coastal drives to Monterey & 17-Mile Drive.

Beaches & Outdoors

Fog or sun, the views always deliver—pick a coastal walk and bring layers.

Quick Picks

• Land’s End trail & Sutro Baths
• Baker Beach & Presidio overlooks
• Golden Gate Park (gardens & museums)
• Angel Island hiking & ferry

Festivals & Big Weekends

Hotel rates spike for tent-pole events—book early for these signature weekends.

• Outside Lands (Aug): Golden Gate Park multi-stage festival
• Fleet Week (Oct): air shows & waterfront events
• SF Pride (Jun): parade & citywide stages
• Chinese New Year Parade (Jan/Feb): largest outside Asia
• Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Oct): free festival in the park
• Bay to Breakers (May): city-wide costumed race weekend

San Francisco by Month

Weather shifts by micro-climate—layers always win.

• Jan–Mar: Clear views after rain; theater & museum season.
• Apr–Jun: Blossoms & bridge walks; early festivals.
• Jul–Sep: Foggy mornings, sunny afternoons; peak shows.
• Oct–Dec: Warm days, Fleet Week & holiday lights.

San Francisco FAQ

Do I need a car?

No — stay central and use Muni, cable cars, rideshare, or tour transport for day trips.

Where should I stay?

Union Square / SoMa for theaters & arenas; Fisherman’s Wharf for bay cruises; Marina or Nob Hill for views.

How early should I book Alcatraz?

Reserve weeks ahead for weekends and holidays—night tours and combo tickets sell fastest.

How do I save?

Bundle attractions, go midweek, and compare marketplaces for tickets and tours.