Best Things to Do in San Francisco: Iconic Views, Hidden Gems & First-Timer Favorites

Chelsea Little
May 6
5 min read

San Francisco is full of iconic landmarks, plenty of local gems, and breathtaking views. I decided to spend my birthday in San Francisco, and it was definitely one of my favorite trips of all time. Keep reading to learn the best things to do in the City by the Bay!

Pier 39

A perfect place to stroll around and take in the cool breeze from the bay. There are so many cool stores to pop in and see some unique pieces, different cultural pieces, and souvenirs. While walking along the Pier, I was able to see both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from a distance. Of course, I had to stop for coffee at Biscoff's and grab a photo of the famous sea lions relaxing on the Pier. Pictured below are donuts from Trish's Mini Donuts, which were warm and delicious! I also enjoyed some fried shrimp, fish, and calamari as I took a break from exploring!

***A warm sourdough bread bowl filled with rich, creamy clam chowder — a true San Francisco classic at Boudin Bakery.***

Alcatraz

The infamous Alcatraz was once a military prison and maximum-security penitentiary, home to dangerous inmates such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. It is a small island in the middle of the Bay, right off Pier 33. Although it has been shut down, it has become a popular tourist destination to hear stories from former inmates and experience life as they knew it behind bars. To get to the island, you have to take a short ferry ride that is about 15 minutes. The good thing about the Alcatraz tour is that there are boats that travel back and forth every 20 minutes, so whether you want to spend 2 hours or 5 hours, you can take your time exploring the island. While on the island, you will receive a small hand-held audio player to guide you during your tour. The cost it around ~$48 for adults. For a more immersive and thrilling experience, sign up for a night tour!

***Tuning into history, one story at a time.***

Life behind bars on the Rock

***Enjoying the ferry ride to Alcatraz island.***

Lombard Street

Also known as “The Crookedest Street in the World,” it was jam-packed with people, both viewing from the sidelines and trying to navigate the winding road. It is known for its really steep make with 8 sharp turns. The original thought when creating the street was to make it safer for pedestrians. I’m sure it’s less busy during a different season, as when I visited in early August, with the summer crowd. Be sure to remember to be respectful of the homes

Golden Gate Bridge

The most iconic landmark in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is a little over a mile and a half long. You can walk or ride a bike across the bridge for a bucket list moment. There is also a nice souvenir shop to grab some items for remembrance. The day that I went, the sky was pretty hazy, so some of the bridge was hidden with the foggy shots. The best times to go are going to be around sunrise and sunset!

Chinatown

Stepping into Chinatown feels as if you are across the globe in China. The streets are usually pretty busy, filled with people shopping for produce, indulging in culinary delights, and sightseeing.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest one in the nation. Start at the iconic Dragon Gate, then wander down Grant Avenue to explore lantern-lit streets, herbal shops, and colorful murals. IF you are hungry, you can grab some food from one of the local places! I had some Ramen that was extremely flavorful!

Beyond the main streets, Chinatown’s side alleys hold hidden treasures — from tucked-away temples and historic murals to tea shops pouring centuries-old brews.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is home to the first fortune cookie factory in the U.S.! (which unfortunately I did not get to visit!)

Alamo Square – Painted Ladies

The Painted Ladies face Alamo Square Park and are also referred to as “Postcard Row”. It gained popularity after being featured in the opening of the show Full House. Grab some pictures of these beautiful Victorian-style homes painted in pastel colors. Also, if you’ve been walking, it is a great place to rest in the park for some people-watching.

Yosemite

So I saved the best for last (in my opinion), which is Yosemite National Park. If you are a lover of nature and inspired by God’s beautiful creation, a day trip to Yosemite is a must-see.

I traveled solo, so I booked a day trip with Viator. (I will talk more about them in another blog post, highly recommended for solo travelers.) For this day trip, passengers were picked up from designated locations, and we spent the entire day in Yosemite. The ride from San Francisco to the park was about 3.5 hours. The cost of this tour was $199 per person. I could write pages about Yosemite’s granite cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, and ancient sequoia trees. It is home to landmarks such as El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. The tour stopped at important and popular landmarks and then gave us time to explore on our own.

Surrounded by towering cliffs, whispering pines, and the steady rhythm of rushing waterfalls, I couldn’t help but feel God’s presence woven into every detail. It is a quiet reminder of the beauty and peace found in His creation. It’s the kind of place that fills your lungs and your spirit at the same time. It was breathtaking!

Here are a few other recommendations that I enjoyed:

Ride the Cable Car

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a ride on one of the city’s historic cable cars

Shopping in Union Square

Union Square is a great area to get some retail therapy with a host of department stores, high-end retailers, and restaurants.

Visit the Salesforce Tower

The Salesforce tower was cool to visit as I was working as a Salesforce admin, and the Ohana family is amazing! Catch the outdoor elevator to the beautiful garden on the upper-level patio! Enjoy a nice cup of coffee and enjoy some sunshine!

Other Foods I tried:

Son & Garden - This was a cute and whimsical brunch place filled with floral decor and pastel colors, perfect for photos. I went on my actual birthday, so the staff sang Happy Birthday! The drink that I got was called Cloud Nine! Be sure to make reservations in advance!