Best Activities for a Rainy Day in San Francisco

THE 10 BEST San Francisco Rainy-Day Activities

Best Activities for a Rainy Day in San Francisco

Traveler rating
Neighborhoods
Good for
281 places sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.


…
Showing results 1-30 of 281

What travelers are saying

  • Ldiva001
    San Diego, CA82 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The very best entertainment for any age. Every time I travel to SF I find time to visit the Exploratorium because there is so much to do with my granddaughters and I could never finish exploring the hands-on science exhibits that enthrall all of us. Good for ALL ages. I cannot say enough about the learning that happens while you spend the day. There is even a cafe. Easily take a day or two or .... Great place! Nice people working there.
    Written December 21, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • focusport22
    178 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a great museum on the life of Walt Disney and his family. They also have the train that was in Walt’s backyard.
    They touch upon the different decades and show a lot of things that people may not know about.
    Written December 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Trina D
    Orange County, CA792 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My husband and I took the bus from out hotel to Golden Gate Park on a rainy day to check out the California Academy of Sciences and de Young Museum. We didn't have tickets so we waited in line to get to the ticket window. While there, I was searching online for some possible discounts. Score! I found one and we were able to use it.

    They are still doing timed entry so we chose the next hour time slot to enter. We walked across to the de Young and got admission there as well. We wandered around looking at art before checking out the cafe. Once our time slot opened, we walked back over the the Academy to enter. It's huge! It was our first time and it was hard to decide on what to check out first. You definitely feel like a kid again with all that was going on. They have dinosaurs (natural history museum), a planetarium, an aquarium, and a rainforest. Oh my! We just picked a direction and headed to the aquarium. I saw a line for the planetarium and decided to put us in for a timeslot later that day. The aquarium is quite large. They have penguins, jellyfish, and loads of fish. We saw the albino alligator in the center enclosure. We weren't sure if it was real but he did move his arms. The dinosaur skeletons were the best. We saw a geode exhibit too. We didn't quite make it into the heart of the rainforest but we felt like we made a dent in what we saw. The California Academy of Sciences is ideal for your inner curious child or if you have kids they should go too. We had a great time. We also popped across back to de Young for more art while waiting on our planetarium timeslot and had no issues with reentry with our stamped hands.

    If you have a few hours to kill in SF, this is a great spot to check out. Definitely look for discounted admission because it'll save you some money too!
    Written January 31, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anthony B
    Pittsburgh, PA7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The venue was very accessible to local attractions. Staff were really helpful. Security checks were in place for Elevators. Our room was really Nice- Nice Size of TV. I was able to link it to my google account. Valet Parking. I could see the Bay from our Window.
    Written March 6, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jane_nbmn
    New Brighton, MN29 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great stop for anyone curious about history and technology of the cable cars! We spent about 20 minutes looking around.
    Written March 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CarolusvL
    The Hague, The Netherlands212 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    What an experience. Free entrance (always nice), but as soon as you walk in, you want to grab your wallet and look for your quarters to play the machines. Some were ancient, some a little newer, but all of them play to your imagination. Some of the older ones wouldn't pass for entertainment in this day and age, but because they used to be state of the art back then, it's very neat to see how they work and I found myself throwing in quarter after quarter to see some pictures of a tiger attacking a snake move by quickly (a 'movie' when this device was new') or to see a puppet move about a little. If you're at Fisherman's Wharf, stop by, even to just walk around and watch.
    Written March 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nicki G
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an excellent theater to go to solo! Every seat is a good one and the staff are very welcoming. First class writers, actors, and production overall. Affordable tickets as well.
    Written February 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GillJezz
    Aberystwyth, UK541 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a terrific museum in a beautiful large, light, airy building. There is so much here of different styles and tastes that you can't fail to find exhibits that will hold your attention. Start from the top and work your way down. It worked for us.
    We were also impressed that they don't funnel you through the gift shop at the exit like so many places.
    Written March 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Princess
    Washington DC, DC215 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful both inside AND outside... with the latter being quite scenic! Great little collections of art here, would revisit.
    Written July 13, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • flotravels99
    San Diego, CA14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The de Young does not disappoint. I’ve been a handful of times and I always discover something new. The exhibits rotate frequently enough that I’m newly engaged each time. The special collections are not to be missed as they are nicely curated and beautifully displayed. Take a moment to sit quietly and enjoy the view of the sculpture garden. The staff are very friendly and offer special hands-on programs for all ages. This museum is well worth the price of admission and your time.
    Written March 11, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mecca M
    Atlanta, GA60 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I really enjoyed my visit to the museum. I am a KDrama fan, Soto see all of the beautiful paintings, baskets and pottery really made me feel in the moment. The gift shop is awesome.
    Written February 26, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • andyh67186334
    Coalville, UK6,835 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you like chocolate, this is the place for you. There are other shops and restaurants too, plus a lovely lookout towards the historic ships and ocean.
    Written January 21, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Peter W
    Oakland, CA1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    First things first, I have to give this 5 stars. It's a thought-provoking meditation on our relationship with technology that fits in under 1 hour. For a $0 admission fee, it can't be beat (donations make the wheels go round!). And, of course, the staff was super-friendly!

    The experience is a nifty blend of the 3 elements that make us human: art, technology, and culture. It's a gallery in its fledgling stages, so the real choice to make is whether to visit it now or in 6 months. I'd argue that it can't be too early to start thinking about the repercussions of the next great technological shift. The Change is upon us, and you'll wish you had started preparing 5 years earlier.

    This museum is definitely 1 to remember. In 9 years, I hope to regale my child with stories about the very beginnings of the Misalignment Museum and our love affair with AI (assuming that a future apocalypse doesn't reduce our population to 0!). I look 4-ward to the exhibits to come!

    [a digital cipher for the mutually-interested?]
    Written March 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • andyh67186334
    Coalville, UK6,835 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    An imposing building in the city, but unfortunately surrounded by lots of homeless people. For the film buffs out there, this building was used in The Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
    Written January 21, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Marshall S
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An excellent Ssn Francisco experience, especially for a liffelong Lewis Carroll fan. Great art and great presentation.

    Written December 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.