The city of San Francisco has long captured the hearts of all who have journeyed here. It’s featured in films and TV shows, gained a reputation as one of the world’s most progressive cities, and risen as a global tech hub thanks to Silicon Valley. If it’s your first time traveling to San Francisco, you might not know where to begin with so much to see and do!
We at Incredible Adventures are here to help. Our team has called San Francisco home for years, leading excursions in the city and Tours from San Francisco. This city has a special place in our family-run business and we love to share it with as many people as possible.
So if you’re wondering what are the best tourist spots in San Francisco, keep reading our blog below! This offers an excellent starting point to your journey in the Californian city. If you have any questions about our San Francisco tours, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is certainly the most famous tourist attraction in San Francisco. This feat of engineering has been synonymous with the city ever since it opened in 1937. With its bright red color and striking design, few bridges are as iconic as the Golden Gate. You can walk or drive across the bridge for exceptional views of the city and bay, or you can join our Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour for an incredible ride across it!
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is one of San Francisco’s most infamous tourist spots. This island grew in notoriety as a result of the former prison located on it, which once held criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. It’s possibly most well-known for its escape attempts, including the attempt by Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin in 1962. While the three prisoners managed to break free of Alcatraz through an elaborate scheme, their bodies were never found.
Alcatraz is today a popular tourism destination, with tours offering more insight into its legendary history. Have a look at our Alcatraz Island Tours, which often include other exciting activities like a boat cruise.
The Painted Ladies
Known for their striking colorful facades, The Painted Ladies have featured prominently in pop culture. These Victorian houses are scattered throughout San Francisco, but the most well-known is the row of homes located on Steiner Street opposite Alamo Square. Many may recognize them from the opening credits of “Full House”. While these are private residences, you can admire their beauty on a walking tour or during a picnic in the park.
Learn more about their fascinating history with our blog about Why Houses in San Francisco are Colorful.
Lombard Street
Lombard Street is one of San Francisco’s quirkiest landmarks. This avenue is famous thanks to its one block consisting of eight incredibly tight hairpin turns. Known as the “Crookedest Street in the World”, it was in fact designed this way for added safety. Lombard Street is also one of the most picturesque in all of San Francisco, lined with beautiful mansions and flowers while providing views of the city.
PIER 39
With its seafood eateries, waterfront views, and lounging sea lions, PIER 39 is a hit with locals and tourists alike. The pier is always buzzing with action, as street performers put on shows, kids play at the arcade, and boats set off sailing. The Aquarium of the Bay, located on PIER 39, is home to over 20,000 marine animals, from sharks to jellyfish. Outside, the sea lions tend to steal the show. These animals have visited the pier since 1989, and their numbers have grown to just over 2,000!
Golden Gate Park
Spanning over 1,000 acres, Golden Gate Park is a green oasis in the city. Here, you can stroll along lush gardens, take a boat out on the lake, or picnic in the meadows. The park is a hotspot for sports and recreational activities, with everything from an archery field to a skate park. You can also enjoy segway tours or bike rentals to see more of the park in less time, visiting attractions from the windmills to the Japanese Tea Garden. Golden Gate Park is also home to the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the de Young Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences, meaning there’s something for everyone!
Muir Woods
Just under an hour’s drive from San Francisco, Muir Woods is one of California’s most phenomenal natural wonders. The Muir Woods National Monument is home to towering redwoods with over six miles of hiking trails to explore, ranging from half-hour loops to longer day hikes. Be astounded by the ancient trees, which are between 600 and 800 years old, and reach heights of up to 250 feet.
Muir Woods is a highlight of many people’s travels to San Francisco, and we arrange an easy Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Tour, ensuring people can experience it without the hassle of organizing transport.
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley has become world-renowned in recent decades as a global hub for tech development. Big companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook have all made their name here and start-ups continue to break new ground in Silicon Valley. With our Silicon Valley Tech Tour, you can discover stories of intrigue, visit the Computer History Museum, and explore the Apple Visitor’s Center, where you can buy some new tech, of course.
Discover More of San Francisco with Incredible Adventures
Are you ready to discover San Francisco? The team at Incredible Adventures have plenty of tours on offer that will show you the best of the city and its surroundings. We also offer Yosemite National Park Tours from San Francisco, giving you a comprehensive Californian experience. If you have any questions about our tours, contact us and we’ll get right back to you!
