Is San Francisco Worth Visiting in 2025? Best Places & Things to Do

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Seeing the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time was a dream, but instead of a clear postcard view, only the tops of its towers rose above the fog. It was almost better than I had imagined to see this mysterious view, and it also served as a reminder that San Francisco isn’t just a place to visit, but an experience.

Moments later, I was cradling a warm sourdough bread bowl overflowing with creamy clam chowder from Boudin Bakery and watching the sea lions bark and play with each other on the pier and I was completely enchanted.

So, is San Francisco still worth visiting in 2025? Absolutely! This is a city of timeless landmarks, fresh foodie finds, quirky neighborhoods and gorgeous views. In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do, where to stay and practical tips to help you decide if San Francisco deserves a spot on your travel list this year.

Why San Francisco is Still Worth Visiting in 2025

San Francisco is one of those rare cities that manages to feel both timeless yet ever-changing. The Golden Gate Bridge still rises proudly above the Bay, the cable cars still clang their way up impossibly steep hills and the scent of sourdough still drifts from Boudin’s ovens. But look a little closer in 2025 and you’ll also find a city evolving with massive clean-up efforts, additional Police Officers, new foodie tours, and neighborhoods buzzing with art and culture.

Yes, San Francisco has its challenges and travelers sometimes wonder if the magic is still there. But spend even a day here and you’ll see why this city continues to capture hearts. It’s the way the fog rolls in like a curtain on the Bay, the way history whispers through Alcatraz’s crumbling walls and the way every neighborhood feels like its own world, waiting to be explored. In 2025, San Francisco is worth visiting!

Best Things to Do in San Francisco

1. The Golden Gate Bridge

No matter how many times you’ve seen it in photos, nothing compares to your first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge in person. For me, that moment came when the entire bridge was shrouded in fog, leaving only the tops of its towers visible like red-orange crowns above the mist. It was both eerie and breathtaking as well as a reminder that San Francisco loves to surprise its visitors.

2. Alcatraz Island

History comes alive the moment you step off the ferry and onto the island. On my visit, I’ll never forget listening to a former inmate share his story, which transformed Alcatraz from just another tourist stop into a place layered with human history and haunting truths. The audio tour is excellent, but if you’re lucky enough to hear from someone who lived through it, the experience is unforgettable.

3. Fisherman’s Wharf & Boudin Bakery

Fisherman’s Wharf is touristy, but it is iconic and not to be missed. The salty sea air, the barking sea lions and the comfort of warming up with a creamy clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl from Boudin Bakery is the perfect San Francisco moment. I love to top it off with a chocolate sundae from Ghirardelli just down the street.

You may be wondering if Fisherman’s Wharf is safe, and this guide addresses that, while also providing information on where to eat, stay, and what to do at the Wharf.

4. Ride a Cable Car

Hanging onto the side of a cable car as it clatters up the hills is pure magic. Sure, it’s a bit old-fashioned as these lines have been running since 1873 and the lines from the Wharf can be long, but once you’re aboard, you’ll understand why it’s such an enduring tradition It’s part sightseeing, part history lesson and part thrill ride.

I also highly recommend visiting the Free Cable Car Museum to watch the massive wheels that pull the iconic cable cars.

➡️Here’s a map of where all of the Cable Car lines are and where the Cable Car Museum is.

5. Chinatown & North Beach

One of my family’s favorite San Francisco memories was eating our way through Chinatown and North Beach, also known as Little Italy, on a guided food tour. We sampled dim sum, sipped tea, savored gelato, nibbled on cannoli and a Nepalese pizza that we all agreed was one of the most delicious things we had ever eaten. Foodie walking tours are one of the best ways to experience San Francisco, as they lead you off the main streets and into hidden kitchens, bakeries, and neighborhood gems that you might otherwise miss.

6. Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is one of those places where you can spend an entire day and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface. Stretching over 1,000 acres, even larger than Central Park in New York, this urban oasis blends gardens, museum, lakes and trails.

Start your morning wandering through the Japanese Tea Garden, where koi ponds and pagodas transport you to another world. I love eating Udon noodles and drinking tea for lunch while overlooking the gardens. Stroll over to the Conservatory of Flowers to see rare blooms or rent a paddle boat on Stow Lake for a leisurely ride surrounded by ducks and turtles.

Art and science lovers can dive into the de Young Museum or the California Academy of Sciences, where a rainforest dome and planetarium make you feel like a kid again. If you’re visiting on a sunny day, don’t miss the side-open meadows for a picnic or the windmill and tulip garden at Queen Wilhelmina’s Garden. One of my favorite spots in the park is the Bison Paddock, where a small herd of bison has been roaming since the 1890s—a quirky reminder that even in the heart of San Francisco, surprises await.

7. Ferry Building Marketplace

While food is definitely the star here, not every vendor is edible. Most stalls and shops focus on Bay Area flavors, think artisan cheeses, farm-fresh produce, oysters, handmade chocolate, sourdough, wine and small-batch coffee, but you’ll also find unique shops selling kitchenware, cookbooks, local crafts and even home goods. You can snack your way through the market, then pick up a thoughtful souvenir. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Cowgirl Creamery– famous for their Mt. Tam triple cream cheese and other artisan favorites.
• Hog Island Oyster Co.– slurp fresh oysters while overlooking the Bay.
• Acme Bread Company– classic San Francisco sourdough and crusty loaves perfect for picnics.
• Blue Bottle Coffee– locally roasted brews to fuel your market stroll.
• Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream– eat wild flavor combinations like bourbon + cornflakes)
• Dandelion Chocolate– small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate crafted in San Francisco.
• Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant– curate California wines with tastings available.
• Book Passage– beloved indie bookstore, perfect for picking up a vacation read.
• Health Ceramics– stylish, handmade pottery from a popular California designer.

8. Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower & the Parrots

High atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower offers sweeping 360-degree views of San Francisco and the Bay from its observation deck. Inside, colorful 1930s murals show what everyday life was like during the Great Depression. While you’re there, keep an eye out for the city’s famous wild parrots, a noisy flock of cherry-headed birds that often gather in the trees around Telegraph Hill and nearby Pioneer Park. If you can spot them, they’ll be almost as memorable as the tower itself.

9. Lombard Street

Lombard Street, often called the “crookedest street in the world,” is one of San Francisco’s most iconic attractions. Located in the Russian Hill neighborhood, this steep block features eight sharp hairpin turns lined with colorful flowers and charming houses. Whether you drive down its winding path or stroll along the sidewalks, the views of the Bay and city skyline make it a must-see stop on any San Francisco itinerary.

If you aren’t driving down the twistiest street, then you can take a cable car and walk up and down the twistiest street. There are two cable car lines that you can take: The Powell-Hyde line stops at the top of the street and the Powell-Mason line stops a few blocks away at the intersection of Lombard Street and Columbus Avenue.

10. The Painted Ladies

The Painted Ladies are one of San Francisco’s most iconic sights, showcasing a row of colorful Victorian and Edwardian houses against the city skyline. Located across from Alamo Square Park, this picture-perfect spot is often called “Postcard Row” and has been featured in countless movies and TV shows, including the opening credits of Full House.

11. Twin Peaks

If you want the best panoramic view of San Francisco without hiking miles uphill, Twin Peaks is your spot. Rising nearly 1,000 feet above the city, these iconic hills offer sweeping 360° views from the Golden Gate Bridge to downtown’s skyline and out to the Bay. On clear mornings, you can watch the fog roll in and at sunset the whole city glows in shades of gold and rose.

It’ s an easy drive up, but if you’re feeling adventurous, there are short walking trails that wind along the peaks, perfect for stretching your legs and snapping photos. Be sure to bundle up as winds can whip even on Summer days.

Practical Tips for Visiting San Francisco

San Francisco is one of those places where a little planning goes a long way. It’s a city full of magic, but it also has a few quirks that can catch first-time visitors off guard. Here are some practical tips to help you enjoy it fully.

1. Pack for all four seasons (sometimes in one day)

I’ll never forget one of my early trips to the city, where it was hot just 30 minutes away from where I had traveled from that morning. However, as soon as I stepped off the cable car, I was shivering in the middle of July, and I ended up purchasing a sweatshirt to keep warm. It is one of my favorite sweatshirts to this day. San Francisco’s weather is famously unpredictable, with fog in the morning, sunshine by afternoon, and chilly winds by evening. Layers are your best friend here, no matter the season.

2. Get around like a local

Driving and parking in the city can be expensive (and a little stressful), so I recommend mixing public transportation with walking. The cable cars are a must for the experience, but BART, Muni, and even ferries are easy ways to get around. If you’re brave enough to go in a driverless car, then you can download the app and order a Waymo. Many neighborhoods are surprisingly walkable, just be ready for those hills.

3. Budget Smartly

San Francisco isn’t the cheapest destination, but you stretch your dollars with a little planning. I listed a bunch of free things to do above and I recommend balancing splurge meals with neighborhood gems like dim sum in Chinatown or a Mission-style burrito.

4. Safety in the City

Like any big city, San Francisco has areas that feel more comfortable and are safer than others. While San Francisco has added more Police Officers this year, you should still stick to well-traveled spots, especially in the evening, and use common sense just as you would anywhere else. The good news is that many of the city’s main attractions, such as Golden Gate Park and Fisherman’s Wharf, are areas where you’ll feel secure exploring. I have no issues walking around those areas as a solo female traveler and with my family.

5. Timing your San Francisco Trip

Late Spring and early Fall tend to be the most pleasant times to visit, with clearer skies and fewer crowds. If you’re traveling in peak Summer, you should expect and embrace the fog, as it’s part of the city’s charm. If you’re still wondering when the best time to visit San Francisco and what things to do during different seasons, check out my guide.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still wondering if San Francisco is worth visiting, the answer is a resounding yes! When I think back on my time in San Francisco, it’s the moments that stay with me most—standing at the bay and watching the Golden Gate peek out from a blanket of fog and warming my hands and my soul with a clam chowder bread bowl at Boudin Bakery. Talking to a former inmate on Alcatraz and realizing that history isn’t just something you read in books. Laughing with my family as we ate our way through Chinatown and Little Italy on our food tour, only to unanimously agree that the Nepalese pizza was the best bite of the day. Also, being amused by the barking sea lions as one of them tried to squeeze itself onto an already crowded pier. Make that postcard view come to life and enjoy the stories that only San Francisco can offer. This City’s mix of history, color and quirky charm is always worth the trip.