Things to Do in San Francisco in 2025: Attractions, Food & Hidden Gems

Also referred to as the City by the Bay, San Francisco is a commercial center and the heart of Northern California. It is painted with the hues of culture, history, discovery, and nature. You also have to admit that, given sites and adventures such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Steep Streets, and Alcatraz, San Francisco truly presents another mesmerizing experience for every traveler. It is hard not to get lost in the busy streets of Chinatown or atop the famous cable cars, or even parking your cares while taking in the 360° views from Twin Peaks. No matter the experience or desire, from food lovers, outdoor adventurers, and history buffs, San Francisco offers something for everyone. Top 25 Things to Do in San Francisco in 2025, if you have a bucket list like this then you will find numerous things to do in San Francisco that embody this iconic destination.

Prepare yourself for a city rich in differences, full of surprises, and alive with unforgettable experiences. We are with you with the top guide, Things to do in San Francisco, of 25 must-do experiences this year. 

Things to do in San Francisco for Young People: 

San Francisco is a lovely city full of tons of things to do while taking in the unbelievable beauty of the city. But, it is known for having lots of great fun and exciting things to do.  So, we have put together a list of the 7 best things to do in San Francisco for young energy:  

1) 7D Experience at Pier 39: 

If you are an adventurous person and looking for something interesting to do in San Francisco, the 7D experience is a good option. Located at Pier 39, it is mostly the Dark Ride Experience with a unique collection of enemies such as wolves, zombies, and evil robots. The 7D video game experience has a variety of elements that make it a unique experience. The experience mixes 3D visuals with moving seats, special effects, and blasters to create a virtual adventure experience that feels like a real-life roller coaster. You jump from world to world, teaming up or battling with other players to fight against virtual enemies. It is more than a game; this is an action ride, and there is excitement, surprises, and fun around every corner.

2) Castro Theatre: 

Situated at 429 Castro Street, it is another great option for young adults to enjoy in San Francisco. It is a beautiful vintage movie palace built for the LGBTQ community in San Francisco. If you want to learn more about the LGBTQ community, this is the ideal option for you to get the full experience of what the LGBTQ community is. The Castro does have a historic theater, where you can learn interesting facts about the LGBTQ community through films, live music performances, and, of course, Karaoke. The Castro District does have plenty of sightseeing, so this includes the LGBT History Museum, Harvey Milk Plaza, the Rainbow Honor Walk, and Pink Triangle Park, and you aren’t going to miss any of these sights once you enter the Castro District. 

3) Lafayette Park: 

The loveliest scenery and nature-related sightseeing in the City of San Francisco is Lafayette Park. The significance of the park is that it is noted in the original plans for Washington DC.  Additionally, this park has seen many live events such as the building of the White House, numerous protests and demonstrations, and entertainment occasions. The park sits atop a hill and provides lovely views of the Marina district of the City, Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, Buena Vista Park, and even Twin Peaks. It is a serene combination of open grassy areas and shaded tree areas with various opportunities for walking or simply unwinding.  The park has something for everyone, including two tennis courts, a fun playground for children, an off-leash pet area for dogs, clean restrooms, and a picnic area for family/friends.   

4) Golden Gate Bridge: 

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable features of San Francisco. Running an impressive 1.7 miles from one side of the San Francisco Bay to the other, it welcomes all visitors in wonder at its elegance and size. Approximately 120,000 cars cross one of the longest suspension bridges in the world daily, making its use an integral part of San Francisco’s functionality. It is not just a vehicular bridge either; pedestrians have a way to non-hoc-climb the bridge on the southern side, and there is a dedicated path on the western side for cyclists. You can see why it is no wonder that the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed places in the world, whether you are walking, cycling, or just taking pictures from afar.

5) The Escape Game (Downtown):

For all the gaming fans looking for something thrilling in San Francisco, check out the Escape Rooms offered in the Flyer Thrill Zone. With exciting and brave games, an Escape Room is a great alternative for young adults. The Escape Rooms have 2 main games that are Escape The Rock, a Puzzle with an Alcatraz theme, and Malone’s Mobster Hideout, an unforgettable experience of the underworld. The Escape rooms are puzzles that you must solve with 2-5 players, and you only have 30 minutes to complete the adventure and get out of the Escape Room.

6) Enjoy the Cable Car Ride: 

Cable Cars are part of the charm of San Francisco, dating back to the late 19th century. The iconic Cable Cars run on tracks that were laid below the street and are pulled by an underground cable (and make a lot of boxes) on three routes with scenic views (and they ring those bells long before you see them coming). A one-way trip on a cable car is $9, and the trip is more than just a transportation means as the ride up or down the famous San Francisco hills is entertaining since it is bumpy with excellent views. It is worth trying once!

7) See the Sea Lions: 

Fisherman’s Wharf is where the fun starts in San Francisco, with PIER 39 being the place to start.  With stores, dining options, and entertaining activities, it’s a vibrant waterfront experience. This is arguably one of San Francisco’s most popular and largest attractions. The sea lions that congregate on the docks are where the fun starts! People stand by the railings to gather and laugh as they observe the loud and cute wildlife.

And there is also a short walk away to experience even more.  You can experience the Museum of 3D Illusions, take a fun trip through the Cartoon Art Museum, or explore oddities and curiosities at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. Also, don’t forget a stop at the historic Boudin Bakery for the smell of their freshly-baked sourdough, and if you are hungry, you are in luck, crab vendors have excellent crab and shrimp cocktails as you walk and wander.

Top 10 Unique Things to Do in San Francisco: 

Following this, the next part of the blog will delve into the Top 10 unique things to do in San Francisco. Let us keep this journey going and explore the wonders of San Francisco. 

1) Outdoor Festivals in San Francisco:

Throughout the summer, San Francisco comes alive with a plethora of outdoor festivities. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is one of the many outdoor activities that take place during the summer. With music, food, shopping, and cultural activities all outside and surrounded by cultural institutions, it’s a great event for the family. Another favorite outdoor event would be the Stern Grove Festival, considered a local tradition since 1938. What is truly incredible is that it’s a free festival with performers such as The Doobie Brothers and Talib Kweli on previous lineups. 

Golden Gate Park is the place to be if you’re in San Francisco in October. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will be playing there for a fantastic weekend of music in the outdoors. This event usually fills up well, and the spirit of the park would be uplifted by great music

2) Walking Tour of the City: 

Walking tours are something that should be on your list of memorable experiences to be had in San Francisco. If you want to add a little spookiness to your walking tour experience, consider the eventual Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour, which shares tales of the city’s eerie past-as well as good times-in between. Behind-the-scenes tours of Giants baseball games at Oracle Park cannot be missed; specialized walking tours allow further access to the ballpark, including the players’ dugout and luxury suite. Foodies, do not fret! There are also food-oriented walking tours in which you can nibble on small bites representing various international treats as you explore some of the city’s finest neighborhoods. 

 3) Musical Shows and Live Performances: 

San Francisco is typically one of the least music-hotspots around. Whatever you desire-rock, pop, beauty, jazz, or hip that’s what San Francisco is about! Legendary venues such as The Fillmore, The Warfield, and The Masonic have hosted legendary acts: Jimi Hendrix, Prince, MGMT, and so many more top acts from around the world. In these historic music halls, the show has seen some of the world’s finest artistic talent from all around the globe!

The artistic energy running through the City by the Bay, of course, doesn’t stop with music, though. You may enjoy some of the finest Theatre here in San Francisco. And for those who love theatre, productions often run at the American Conservatory Theater or The Curran, frequently ahead of their Broadway runs.

4) Experience the Illuminating San Francisco: 

There’s an incredible and beautiful light festival that takes place every year in San Francisco called Illuminating San Francisco. San Francisco comes alive in the winter with this light festival. It’s a magical event, filling the city with glowing art. You will see over 60 light art pieces in every neighborhood, on buildings, sidewalks, restaurants, and cars. Some of the pieces are permanent installations in San Francisco, others are made for the festival and only shine for a limited time. This festival operated every night from the day after Thanksgiving to the end of January to bring vibrant color during San Francisco’s long winter nights. 

5) The Walt Disney Family Museum:  

The Walt Disney Family Museum is an American museum established to showcase the legacy of Walt Disney, located in San Francisco. The beautiful and historical museum is located at the Presidio of San Francisco. Among the primary objects in the museum are the Honorary Academy Award for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the earliest known drawings of Mickey Mouse, and Synchronizing Sound of Interactive Station, Schultheis Notebook, Mary Blair Artwork, Lillian Disney’s Oscar Charm Bracelet, and Griffith Park Bench.

6) Feel the Nostalgia in Haight-Ashbury: 

Haight-Ashbury is the epicenter of hippie culture in San Francisco and an ideal destination for anyone with a love for vintage style and 1960s vibes. Walking through the vibrant streets gives you the impression you have stepped back in time. If you’re in the mood for something fun and chill, check out the Flower Power Walking Tour that follows in the footsteps of legendary music stars like Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead, where you’ll learn about how music and peace collided in this lively and unforgettable neighborhood.

7) Find Unique Handmade gifts at the Local Market of SF

If you are looking for local gift ideas made in San Francisco, there are a ton of treasures to discover. You can check out SFMade, which has everything from handmade clothing to locally roasted coffee, all made by small businesses in San Francisco. You should also visit the Ferry Building Marketplace! Here, you can shop for special gifting ideas from not only SF, but also other surrounding towns like Sausalito and Guerneville. It’s a great way to bring a piece of the Bay home with you while supporting local makers.

8) Wine Tasting in San Francisco: 

You do not travel to wine country to find some great California wines; San Francisco has a number of local tasting rooms located right in the city. And if you prefer, there is also a very strong showing of beer in San Francisco. We are so spoiled as an American craft beer destination that I am confident you will find a cozy taproom and a unique beer in just about every neighborhood. 

9) Jungle Safari: 

Take a nice boat ride around Blue Heron Lake and view the birds and turtles in their natural habitat. It is a simple nature treat for the nature person. If you are traveling with kids, there is something fun and educational everywhere in San Francisco. The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens and the Aquarium of the Bay might provide your children with easy access to animals. Museums such as the California Academy of Sciences are also a big hit for kids. Every moment, there is something vibrant to look at. There are colorful birds, snakes, spiders, fish, and many more things to observe. 

10) Boat Riding in San Francisco: 

Want a different experience of San Francisco? Climb into a kayak and paddle around the bay. You will have views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the skyline of the city that are impossible to forget. If you want something more romantic, book a Hornblower dinner cruise and dine while you enjoy the brightness of the city from the water. Or, take a ferry out to experience the eerie beauty of Alcatraz Island.

Famous Dishes of San Francisco: 

San Francisco offers a wide variety of flavors combined with desserts and savory snacks, which are developed by the Chinese immigrants. Chinatown in San Francisco is a hub of a variety of flavours and iconic snacks such as Chicken and Chop Suey. So, let’s explore the famous dishes of San Francisco and indulge ourselves in the world of delicious food: 

1. Chop-Suey- The staple food of Chinese American Cuisine is the Chop Suey. This dish features a meat cut into neat small pieces, cooked with egg and lots of vegetables in a sauce thickened with the help of Starch. Chop Suey is so delicious that no one can stop themselves from eating it. You can find the different versions of the dish across the city of San Francisco. 

2. Dutch Crunch- Dutch crunch is another important dish of San Francisco that everyone should try. It is dense dough bread coated in a rice flour, sugar, and yeast mixture that is applied after baking the bread. This mixture resulted in a slightly sweet bread with a crispy crunch, which can be your premium choice of Sandwiches. 

3. Egg Custard Tart- Egg Custard Tart is a famous dessert of San Francisco. It features a smooth pastry crust filled with an egg custard made up of flour, butter, milk, and sugar. It is another staple food of Chinatown. This dish was brought up in San Francisco by the immigrants from Hong Kong. If you want to indulge in the original flavor of Egg Custard Tart, then Chinatown Golden Gate Bakery is the most famous place for the dish. 

4. Cioppino- Cioppino is generally a fish stew mixed with numerous ingredients. It includes the calamari, Dungeness crab, mussels, and more, all mixed in a tomato broth. This dish is filled with lots of protein and other nutrients, which are good for your health. Sotto Mare in Chinatown is the best place to taste this healthy dish.

5. Crab Louie- Another healthy dish of San Francisco is Crab Louie. It is a popular salad that features crab meat and hard-boiled eggs, tomato, asparagus, iceberg lettuce, and Louis dressing. Louis Dressing is a dressing for the salad with a combination of mayonnaise and chilli sauces that makes it a signature salad to taste. 

These are some of the famous dishes of San Francisco that everyone must try at least once, and be mesmerized by the authentic taste of San Francisco. 

FAQS: 

1) Where is San Francisco Located? 

San Francisco is located in Northern California on the Peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. 

2) What are the famous fun activities for young people in San Francisco? 

The famous fun activities for young guys are 7D experience, Escape Room, Castro Theatre, and a cable car ride for the best scenic view of San Francisco. 

3) Where is the Famous and best food available in San Francisco? 

The famous and best food in San Francisco is available at Chinatown.

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