The Ultimate SF Bucket List - 101 Things to Do in San Francisco (2024)

  1. 42.

(Tiburon) Take a ferry ride to find 13 miles of hiking trails. Hike to the highest spot Mt Livermore for 360 view of SF skyline. Camp here with unbelievable views. Popular with kayakers that launch from SF or Sausalito. Beware of currents. Take a guided tour for beginners.

  1. 43.

(Glen Park) View of the whole city

  1. 44.

One of the largest man-made parks in the world. It’s California’s Central Park but 20% larger. Points of Interest: Paddle boating in Stow Lake, the Buffalo Field, Rose Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Lawn Bowling + Archery (Sunday at Noon), Lindy in the Park (free swing lessons between Richmond and Sunset districts), Casting Pools (practice fly fishing here), and don’t forget toFind the Faery Door(there are more throughout SF. You can read messages left for the fairies and their answershere).

  1. 45.
    Benchmark Climbing →

They have the best setting! Also check out the other notableindoor rock climbing gyms in the bay area.

  1. 46.

(Golden Gate NRA) Lands End Trail is a popular and easy hike that takes you to Sutro Baths, the Labyrinth, and Eagle Point. Sometimes you spot sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales. Wear sneakers. Get drinks or food afterward at Cliff House.

  1. 47.

(Golden Gate NRA) Former US Army military fort turned into a park. There are 11 miles of hiking trails and you get views of the Bay, Alcatraz, the city, and Golden Gate. The park encompasses Baker Beach, Marshall’s Beach, Crissy Field, Fort Point and more. Walk Lovers Lane, Hike to Inspiration Point (views of SF Bay, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the Presidio forest), walk the Golden Gate Promenade, Batteries to Bluffs Trail, and see 3 installations by Andy Goldsworthy – the Spire, Wood Line, and Tree Fall. Presidio Picnic os on Sundays with food trucks and games.

  1. 48.

(Golden Gate NRA) SF’s longest beach and most reliable surfing spot. Skimboard, bike, skate the esplanade, fly kites. Adjacent to Land’s End. swimming is not recommended due to strong riptides. Bonfires are first come, first served and fun with a group of friends. BYOB.

  1. 49.

(Presidio, Golden Gate NRA) Up-close view of Golden Gate, great at sunset. Popular spot with portrait and wedding photographers.

  1. 50.

Crissy Field,Presidio, Golden Gate NRA – view of the skyline and Golden Gate. Great place to barbeque and fly kites.

  1. 51.

(Golden Gate NRA) Camp or go to the nude beach. It’s a whole day thing and can be difficult to get to if it’s a nice day with so many cars.

  1. 52.

(Telegraph Hill) 210 ft tower with views of the entire city, bay, and Transamerica Pyramid is framed by tower’s arches. Lots of stairs that take you through cool parts of the area – Climb the Filbert Steps or Greenwich street stairs to get there. Check out the free views first. It’s a great view but not sure if the price is worth it because there is a fence all around the top. Allot more time if you want to find the famous Parrots of Telegraph Hill. They’re also at Cole Valley and Fort Mason.

  1. 53.

(Nob Hill) Two hills at 925 ft in the center of SF. You can drive to the top and get the best view of the city at sunset. It’s super windy so pack layers. Tourists have also gotten mugged here, so be aware of your surroundings.

  1. 54.

(Twin Peaks) Can’t beat the downtown views. You’re not allowed to the top of it though.

  1. 55.

(Castro & Corona Heights) Panoramic views of the city.

  1. 56.

(Alameda) See SF skyline from the East Bay

  1. 57.

(Presidio) Southern side just under Golden Gate and is very photogenic. There are ranger-led candlelit tours for free but reserve in advance. Also, high five hopper’s hands on the fence and surf here when the conditions are just right.

  1. 58.

(Sherwood Forest) The highest point in the city at 928 ft. It gives you views of Twin Peaks and downtown.

  1. 59.

(Marin Headlands, Sausalito, Golden Gate NRA) The “secret” swing is no longer there. Great camping spot and recreational area with a view of Golden Gate.

  1. 60.

(Pacific Heights) Run, walk, enjoy the view from the top for a workout.

  1. 61.

(Castro) Pick up a burrito, a cone at Bi-rite, Pizzeria Delfina, or Tartine Bakery and bring it for a picnic. The view NE over Dolores park offers a great view of the greenery and urban skyline.

  1. 62.

(Mill Valley, Marin County, North Bay,14.1 mi / 30 min no traffic)Hike or mountain bike over 100 miles of trails. It’s the highest point in Marin County. Mt Tam is sometimes referred to as the mountain biking birthplace. It’s also great for beginner rock climbing with views of the Bay Area.

  1. 63.

(Golden Gate NRA, Mill Valley) Check out the Dipsea Trail. It has some of the last remaining coastal redwoods.

  1. 64.

    Go Boating Under the Golden Gate Bridge

Go boating in the Bay and see the Golden Gate Bridge from under it.

  1. 65.

(Bernal Heights) Lovely view of the city, and there are secret slides (Esmerelda Street Slides).

  1. 66.

(Berkeley,19.3 mi / 49 min by car) Hike or drive up to the lookout to see the entire Bay Area. Another great sunset spot.Get AllTrails+for offline maps.

  1. 67.

(Point Reyes, Olema,32.2 mi / 1 h away) Drive up to watch the sunset

  1. 68.

(Golden Gate NRA, Lakeshore) Popular for hiking, horseback riding, and one of the top hand gliding launch points in the US.

  1. 69.

(Diamond Heights) In town bouldering.

  1. 70.

(Clayton, East Bay) The highest point in the Bay Area at 3849 ft. On a clear day if you bring binoculars you can see Half Dome. You can also find trad, top rope, and sport climbing routes.

  1. 71.

(Pacifica) Go to the fanciest Taco Bell and surf. Mori Point Trail is a cool hike and not crowded. It’s far from the city, so it’s more worth it if you’re into surfing or really into Taco Bell, since the beach isn’t much diff from Ocean Beach.

  1. 72.

(Inverness) Take your gram at the tree tunnel, kayak, hike to Alamere Falls, bike, camp. Other points of interest: Point Reyes Lighthouse, Tomales Bay – Oyster Farm, Point Reyes Shipwreck.

  1. 73.

    Treasure Island

An artificial island with great skyline views.

  1. 74.

    Whale Watching Cruise

Near the Farallon islands, which are called California’s Galapagos. Not great for swimming, but you can see the islands on clear days. Also, it’s known to be a popular Great White Shark feeding grounds.

The Ultimate SF Bucket List - 101 Things to Do in San Francisco (2024)

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