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Things to do in San Francisco

 

Attractions (324)

Activities (235)

Nightlife (118)

Shopping (200)

All (324)
Cultural (95)
Outdoors (59)
Museums (46)
Landmarks (44)
Performances (42)
Sports (15)
Amusement (12)
Zoos & Aquariums (4)
Name

Attractions travelers recommend

San Francisco Magic Show
Ranked #1 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Performances
Owner description: San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 proudly presents “The San Francisco Magic Show” at the newly remodeled 270... more » Owner description: San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 proudly presents “The San Francisco Magic Show” at the newly remodeled 270 seat Bay Theater, starring Las Vegas Comedy Magician Timothy Noonan.“The San Francisco Magic Show” – is a 60 minute, hilarious, family-friendly comedy magic experience! Perfect for families, couples, and visitors just like you, this magical experience is a perfect blend of Timothy Noonan’s amazing magic and “laugh-out-loud” comedy! « less
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Ranked #2 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: State Parks; Nature/ Wildlife Areas
Located at the Point Bonita Lighthouse, these headlands offer a suspension bridge and hiking trail.
Map | Visitor photos (126)
Ranked #3 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Performances
Owner description: An uproarious one-of-a-kind close-up show in an intimate, historic setting.Featuring the comedy and classical magic of San... more » Owner description: An uproarious one-of-a-kind close-up show in an intimate, historic setting.Featuring the comedy and classical magic of San Francisco Magician Peter Morrison.Have an experience to last a lifetime.At The Marrakech Magic Theater, cherished memories are made during Peter Morrison's unique comedy and magic experience. The evening begins one hour before the show in the Sultan's Oasis lounge where guests can enjoy s little pre-show entertainment and meet and greet with Magician and host Peter Morrison. Drinks and appetizers are available for purchase as well during this hour before the main show. Your evening ends in the Magic Theater with Peter's unforgettable 75 minute performance in the Main Showroom.Have a stress-free night, full of laughter and sensational entertainment!The Main Showroom is a intimate close-up theater, perfect for high spirits and Peter's extraordinary performances. You'll witness intriguing feats of mentalism, sleight of hand miracles, and throughout, his clean comedy will keep you laughing!Have a remarkable evening-see a show so fantastic that you'll almost forget that you're still in San Francisco! « less
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Ranked #4 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Bridges

The Golden Gate Bridge is not the oldest suspension bridge nor the newest.  It is no longer the tallest or the highest.  Yet it remains the most visited and photographed bridge in... more »

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Ranked #5 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Hiking Trails
Series of hiking trails that connect the Legion of Honor with the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Ranked #6 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Arenas/ Stadiums/ Fields

  ATT Park opened as the home of the San Francisco Giants in 2000.  It has sweeping views of the city and of the Bay.   more »

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Ranked #7 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Historic Sites; Islands; National Parks; Nature/ Wildlife Areas; Lighthouses; Natural History Museums

Alcatraz Island, located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the area.  One of the most infamous prisons in the country for housing... more »

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Ranked #8 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Bodies of Water
Owner description: Offers hiking and biking along its shores, paddling and sailing on top of its surface, and bird-watching and exploring among... more » Owner description: Offers hiking and biking along its shores, paddling and sailing on top of its surface, and bird-watching and exploring among its wetlands. « less
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Ranked #9 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Performances
Owner description: On June 7, 1974, Steve Silver produced a small show in the back room of the Savoy Tivoli Restaurant in San Francisco. The... more » Owner description: On June 7, 1974, Steve Silver produced a small show in the back room of the Savoy Tivoli Restaurant in San Francisco. The show was to run for six weeks. That was over 37 years ago… Today, Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon has the distinguished title of “World’s Longest Running Musical Revue.” The show – a musical spoof known internationally for its extravagant costumes, outrageous hats, show-stopping numbers and hilarious puns of pop culture and political character – has been seen by over 5.5 million people, including HRC Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall as well as some of Hollywood’s biggest stars."Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon," hailed as “a constant cascade of showstoppers” by the "San Francisco Chronicle", follows Snow White as she takes a fast-paced journey around the world in search of her “Prince Charming.” Along the way she encounters a star-studded, ever-changing line-up of hilarious pop-culture characters, including President Barack & Michelle Obama, Gangnam Style, Prince William, Kate Middleton and the Queen of England, Honey Boo Boo, Governor Jerry Brown, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Hilary & Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Nancy Pelosi, Michael Jackson, Adele, General David Patraeus, “50 Shades of Grey,” and The San Francisco Giants. « less
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Ranked #10 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Operas

Opera season runs September through November.  Generally a dozen Operas are staged each season, running in repertory.  With little exception, the same Opera is not performed two... more »

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Ranked #11 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Disney

The Walt Disney History Museum is a wonderful museum dedicated to the life and times of Walt and his family, business associates, friends, etc.   The family has put on display... more »

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Ranked #12 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Art Museums
An outstanding collection of European art in a gorgeous hilltop museum setting.
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Ranked #13 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Scenic/ Historic Walking Areas; Mountains; Neighborhoods; Lookouts
A twenty-minute ride from downtown, this is the best place to catch a San Francisco sunrise.
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Ranked #14 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Art Museums

The Palace of Fine Arts was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Expo, which San Francisco hosted.  It was built to have the feel of an overgrown Roman ruin, and they... more »

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Ranked #15 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Parks

The Golden Gate Park is a large urban park configured in a rectangular shape, much like the famous Central Park of New York City.  The park contains gardens, museums and ample... more »

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Ranked #16 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Art Museums

The Asian Art Museum is one of the best Asian art museums in the world so plan on spending several hours. The best introduction to the museum is to take one of the many free... more »

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Ranked #17 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Parks
A popular park for jogging, picnics, biking, and sightseeing.
Map | Visitor photos (25)
Ranked #18 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Symphonies
Owner description: Presents and performs over 220 concerts annually, from September through July. In 2011-12 celebrates its 100th centennial... more » Owner description: Presents and performs over 220 concerts annually, from September through July. In 2011-12 celebrates its 100th centennial season- learn more at our website. « less
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Ranked #19 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Specialty Museums
A museum to San Francisco's beloved cable cars, with a subterranean walkway that lets you see the moving cable.
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Ranked #20 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Art Museums

The DeYoung museum has been a San Francisco institution since it opened in Golden Gate Park in 1895.  The new building, designed by Herzog & de Mueron, opened in 2005.  The... more »

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Ranked #21 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Specialty Museums; Museums
This superb collection of mechanical games and toys will entice people of all ages.
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Ranked #22 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Islands; State Parks; Nature/ Wildlife Areas; Military Bases/ Facilities; Historic Sites; Hiking Trails; Parks
Owner description: The largest island in San Francisco Bay features magnificent views of Marin County and San Francisco, while offering a wide... more » Owner description: The largest island in San Francisco Bay features magnificent views of Marin County and San Francisco, while offering a wide variety of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts. « less
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Ranked #23 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Educational Sites; Science Museums; Aquariums; Observatories/ Planetariums; Natural History Museums
Owner description: The world’s only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-living museum.Come nose-to-beak with penguins and parrots, watch sharks and... more » Owner description: The world’s only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-living museum.Come nose-to-beak with penguins and parrots, watch sharks and sting rays cruise beneath your feet, and feel the spray of the California coast. Fly to Mars (and beyond the Milky Way!) from the safety of your planetarium seat, take a virtual safari in African Hall, or climb into the canopy of a living rainforest. Face your fears—and an albino alligator—inside the Swamp, and meet scientists as they return from research expeditions around the world. From the depths of a Philippine coral reef to the outer reaches of the Universe, it's all inside the California Academy of Sciences. « less
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Ranked #24 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Theaters; Architectural Buildings

The War Memorial Opera House is home to both the San Francisco Opera and Ballet.  Opera season runs approximately 6 weeks in June and July and then again in September through... more »

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Ranked #25 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Performances
Owner description: Embark on a theatrical journey where fascinating tales of Wonder and Shadow unfold. Our performance style seamlessly blends... more » Owner description: Embark on a theatrical journey where fascinating tales of Wonder and Shadow unfold. Our performance style seamlessly blends classical Conjuring classic with classical Storytelling. Our Victorian Parlor show is “Astonishment!” and that is exactly its intent. We introduce you to San Francisco’s most revered and feared eccentrics, offering captivating tales and astonishing conjuring. The evening’s vignettes are highlighted with magical moments employing unusual curios and rare artifacts. Time seems to stand still in our little Parlor situated within the historic Chancellor Hotel Union Square. Our whimsical turn-of-the-century venue evokes old San Francisco. We’ve reimagined the ambiance of La Belle Époque that brief moment in history from 1885 to 1910. A magical era when wealthy Europeans dined at Maxim’s and frolicked at Moulin Rouge. Our Guests Agree! “A real San Francisco treat, better than Rice-a-Roni!” “Our first night in San Francisco wisely spent.” “A must do for any native San Francisco.” Your Host, Walt Anthony, Conjurer & Teller-of-Tales, is a dynamic performer with more than thirty years of practical experience and formal training in acting, magic and entertainment. Walt has wit, exuberance, and an elegant style, making his performances unique and mesmerizing. ...A cozy and charming place where history and imagination meet: Anthony serves up saucy vignettes about some of The City’s most infamous historical figures... -San Francisco Examiner- …shimmering fairy tales are Anthony’s métier… conjuring up a façade of bygone elegance… -San Francisco Chronicle- You may enjoy light pre-show dinners, drinks, or desserts, from 5 pm to 7 pm in the lobby lounge. « less
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Ranked #26 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Movie Theaters

The Castro Movie Theater was built in 1922 by the Nasser borthers, entrepreneurs who started a nickelodeon in 1908 in the  neighborhood. One of the more interesting places to see... more »

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Ranked #27 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Historic Sites; Military Bases/ Facilities; Lighthouses
Owner description: Originally constructed in the mid-1800's to prevent enemy entrance into the Bay Area, this is only the third brick fort on... more » Owner description: Originally constructed in the mid-1800's to prevent enemy entrance into the Bay Area, this is only the third brick fort on the West Coast of the United States. « less
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Ranked #28 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: National Parks; Military Bases/ Facilities; Parks; Historic Sites
Owner description: A military installation from 1776 until 1994, the Presidio saw duty for Spain, Mexico and the U.S.; it is now a national park... more » Owner description: A military installation from 1776 until 1994, the Presidio saw duty for Spain, Mexico and the U.S.; it is now a national park with almost 1,500 acres of hiking and biking trails, beautiful beaches and stunning views. « less
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Ranked #29 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Religious Sites
This church is known for its pastor, Cecil Williams, whose sermons never fail to thrill.
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Ranked #30 of 324 attractions in San Francisco
Category: Religious Sites
Owner description: Grace Cathedral is home to a community where the best of Episcopal tradition courageously embraces innovation and open-minded... more » Owner description: Grace Cathedral is home to a community where the best of Episcopal tradition courageously embraces innovation and open-minded conversation, where inclusion is expected and people of all faiths are welcomed, where beliefs are put into action and where people are encouraged to seek God and progress on their own spiritual journeys. The cathedral itself, a renowned San Francisco landmark, serves as a magnet, where diverse people gather to worship, celebrate, seek solace, converse and learn.Famed as a destination for visitors from all over the world, the cathedral is known for its striking architecture, stained glass, singular collection of art, and Interfaith AIDS Memorial Chapel. « less
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