I lived in and around San Francisco for a total of 7 years and even when I lived elsewhere, I've visited the Bay Area 3-4 times a year for work for over two decades. My trips to the Bay Area continue to this day.
As you can imagine, over the years, I've discovered an amazing array of things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area.
As an added bonus, I also have family in the SF East Bay who are constantly suggesting great off-the-beaten track things to do when we visit Northern California.
Read on for a curated list of 51 things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area whether you are visiting for work or vacation. If you live in the SF Bay Area and are looking for some new places to explore, this post has got you covered.
My list covers activities from San Jose to San Francisco along the Peninsula as well as fun things to do in the East Bay and beyond.
I'll give you the tl;dr: on each recommendation with links to learn more and dig in a little deeper as you plan your itinerary or SF day out.
Things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area at a Glance
Table of Contents
SF East Bay Things to Do
The Peninsula, Silicon Valley, and the South Bay
What to Do in The City
Pan-Bay Area Activities
SF Bay Area Day Trips and Weekend Breaks
Things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area in Detail
SF East Bay Things to Do
1. Catch a Ride on the Alameda Ferry
2. Check out Fruitvale Public Market
What is Fruitvale Public Market?
Getting to Fruitvale Public Market
Churros at Fruitvale Public Market
The churros at Fruitvale Public Market are made fresh while you wait.3. Eat Your Way Through Oakland's Grand Lake Neighborhood
4. Relive Childhood Birthdays in Alameda
5. Explore the SF Bay Area's World War II History
S.S. Red Oak Victory Ship
The S.S. Red Oak Victory is a bit off the beaten path, but it's worth a visit. We were able to tour the inside and outside of the ship, and learn about its history. The ship was built in a little over a month by a team of mostly women welders, which is an impressive accomplishment.Rosie the Riveter Memorial
The Rosie the Riveter Memorial is a tribute to all the women that went to work in traditionally male jobs when the men went off to war.6. Catch a Show at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland
7. Explore Berkeley
8. Tour Mills College in Oakland
9. Visit Tilden Regional Park Redwood Valley Railway
The Peninsula, Silicon Valley, and the South Bay
10. Browse the San Mateo Farmers Market
On any given Saturday, you'll find a dazzling array of fruits, vegetables, and flowers on display. The berries are always my favorite, but I also love browsing the selection of seasonal produce.
Of course, no visit to the San Mateo Farmers Market would be complete without taking a moment to appreciate the scenery. The views of the bay are simply breathtaking. So grab a bite to eat, find a spot to sit, and enjoy the show!
Check out photos of the San Mateo Farmers Market and plan your visit
11. Sip the SF Bay Area's Best Margaritas in Mountain View
In my opinion, the San Francisco Bay Area has some of the best Mexican food in the U.S. Of course, my favorite beverage for washing down a plate of enchiladas has to be a margarita.
Make sure to check out Vive Sol in Mountain View. In my opinion, their margaritas are the absolute best of any I've tried in the Bay Area.
12. Explore Stanford University
If you're planning a trip to the Bay Area, be sure to add Stanford University to your itinerary. There's something for everyone on campus, from the world-class museums to the stunning hiking trails. And who knows, you might even run into a current or future Nobel laureate!
13. Shop the Sunnyvale Farmers Market
14. Explore the Art Exhibits in San Francisco Airport
15. Climb Crittenden Hill in Mountain View
I picked my way through a small amount of brush and found the trailhead. It turned out to be only about a 10-minute climb. I'm kicking myself for waiting this long to actually take this walk!
Before starting my ascent, I stopped to admire a sculpture of a wild stallion. As I climbed, I could see Moffett Field and the hangar that once housed the space shuttle in the distance.
16. Take an Early Morning Walk to Vista Slope
What to Do in The City
17. Walk the Barbary Coast Trail
The trail starts at the Old Mint, which was built in 1874. From there, it passes through Portsmouth Square, the oldest park in San Francisco, and Coit Tower, which offers stunning views of the city. The trail also takes you past Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and Alcatraz Island.
Along the way, you'll see a variety of historic buildings, including the Palace Hotel, the Ferry Building, and the Transamerica Pyramid. You'll also pass by many of the city's most popular tourist attractions, such as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and Ghirardelli Chocolate World.
Read more about the SF Barbary Coast Trail
18. Explore San Francisco's Art Deco Architecture
19. Climb the Stairways of Potrero Hill
20. Explore the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps
In the city itself, we
even discovered an attraction we'd never been to before with the help of Google Maps.
The 16th Ave tiled steps are worth the
climb for panoramic vistas over San Francisco from the Bay all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
21. Take a Dolores Heights Stairway Walk
Dolores Heights offers yet another outstanding stairway walk in San
Francisco. We did a 3-mile walk that included many interesting sights, like Victorian homes,
colorful flowers, and amazing views of the city.
I started my walk with brunch at Toast in Noe Valley. Then, I climbed up Sanchez to Hill St.
and began my stair climb. I saw many beautiful flowers and berries in bloom, as well as some
unique houses.
The climb was hard work, but the views were worth it. I could see Sutro Tower atop
Twin Peaks in one direction and the San Francisco Bay in the other. I also saw the Castro
Theatre and the signature rainbow flag waved in the strong breeze.
Overall, it was a great workout and a fun way to see the city.
Buy the book and read more about Stairway Walks in San Francisco
22. Escape to Alcatraz
23. Cycle the Golden Gate Bridge
24. Browse Green Apple Books
25. Walk Bay to Breakers
26. Seek out the Parrots of Telegraph Hill
27. Walk Crissy Field to Fort Mason
28. Hike to Fort Point in the Shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge
29. Catch an SF Giants Baseball Game
30. Take a Behind the Scenes Tour of Oracle Park
31. Tour the California Academy of Sciences
32. Explore the Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is absolutely my favorite
green space in San Francisco and is located in the Marina.
The structure and grounds were originally built for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International
Exposition to exhibit works of art. The palace was designed by architect Bernard Maybeck, who
chose to create a structure that would evoke the romantic ruins of ancient Rome and Greece.
The Palace of Fine Arts is surrounded by a lagoon, which was intended as an homage to those in
classical settings in Europe. The expanse of water provides a mirror surface to reflect the
grand buildings and an undisturbed vista to appreciate them from a distance.
I think the Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most
Instagrammable places in San Francisco on a sunny day.
Plan your visit to the Palace of Fine Arts
33. Catch a Show at the Hip Hop Dance Festival
34. Check out the Ethnic Dance Festival
35. Visit Musée Mécanique in Fisherman's Wharf
36. See San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
37. Go to the Roller Derby
38. Browse Fort Mason Farmers' Market
39. See a Movie During the San Francisco Silent Film Festival
40. Visit the Candy Store in Russian Hill
41. Get Thinking with the Commonwealth Club
42. Support the San Francisco Pride Parade
43. Tour the Haas-Lilienthal House in San Francisco
44. Tour San Francisco's Octagon House
Pan-Bay Area Activities
45. Go Birdwatching
SF Bay Area Day Trips and Weekend Breaks
46. Spend a weekend in Napa and Calistoga
Given Napa's popularity, it can be expensive, especially if you choose to go to well-known wineries. Our strategy of going to a lesser known winery near a very popular winery and then asking for additional recommendations to try worked out really well.