Golden Gate Bridge takes first place on the list of best things to do in San Francisco. The Golden Gate Bridge, which spans San Francisco Bay, is a California landmark. It is the city's most photographed location, with the orange structure backed by blue water or, in many cases, peaking through low lying cloud. The flood-lit structure is equally impressive at night. The Golden Gate Bridge, which connects San Francisco to Marin County and other districts further north, was once named the best man-made sight in the United States by the United States Travel Service. The bridge, which opened on May 28th, 1937, took four years to build and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its completion, measuring approximately two miles in length.

The road over the Golden Gate Bridge is US Highway 101, or SR 1, and pedestrian and cyclist walkways are available on both sides of the bridge. The walk starts at the bridge's beginning (via the Presidio shuttle) and ends at a viewpoint in Marin County. Many residents enjoy riding their bikes across the bridge to the nearby waterfront town of Sausalito. The East Sidewalk is for pedestrians, and the West and East Sidewalks are for bicycles. The bridge is only accessible to pedestrians and cyclists during the day.

There are several ideal vantage points for a great view of the bridge or for anyone interested in photographing the bridge. From the San Francisco side, Nob Hill, known for its opulent old mansions, provides some stunning views of the bridge. Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Marin County, on the other side of the bridge, is also worth a visit. There are also completely open views from the boat and island if you plan on taking a tour to Alcatraz.

Location: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

One of America's most infamous prisons is the historic and notorious Alcatraz penitentiary, located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. It was in operation for nearly three decades, closing in 1963 and reopening as a tourist attraction in 1973. Some of America's most well-known criminals were imprisoned here, including Al Capone and the "Birdman," who inspired the fictional film The Birdman of Alcatraz. You can take a ferry to the island and tour the site while listening to an excellent audio recording that provides a glimpse into life in the prison rather than a historical list of facts. Former Alcatraz inmates and guards even provide narration.

During its 30-year history, the penitentiary received a total of 1,576 convicts. Even though there were 450 cells measuring about 10ft by 4ft, there were never more than 250 at any given time. At times, the number of guards and staff outnumbered the number of inmates. While most visitors come for the history or the novelty of seeing a former prison, the island is now a popular nesting site for seabirds.

A combined Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour is an easy, convenient, and time-saving way to see Alcatraz and some of San Francisco's other highlights, such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge. If you only have one day to explore the city and want to see Alcatraz, this guided tour is the best option. Alcatraz frequently sells out, so making a reservation in advance is strongly advised.

Location: San Francisco

Fisherman's Wharf is a popular tourist destination in San Francisco. If you're visiting the city for the first time and only have a day or two to see the sights, Fisherman's Wharf is one of the best places to go. This historic district, formerly known as San Francisco's Little Italy, is known for its shops, restaurants, and picturesque setting along the waterfront. The views back towards the city from Pier 39 are spectacular.

It's a pleasant place to walk around and get a feel for the city. You can also organize a fishing charter or take a sightseeing cruise from here for spectacular views of the city. The docks near Pier 39 are among the best places in town to see sea lions. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Musée Mécanique, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, and Ghirardelli Square are some of the area's main attractions. The Hyde Street Pier, which is now the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, is lined with restored 19th- and 20th-century ships. The USS Pampanito is a WWII submarine that is a national historic landmark and part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Pier 39, which is located in this general area, is home to over 50 stores and unique dining options.

Location: San Francisco, California

Golden Gate Park ranks 4th in the list of best things to do in San Francisco. Golden Gate Park, home to gardens and museums, is a fantastic green space in the heart of San Francisco, often referred to as the city's "lungs." This was an area of arid dunes before development began in 1871. The park now has a network of walking trails and cycling paths, over 5,000 different plant species and dozens of tree species, several lakes, bridle paths, and a buffalo paddock. The de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences Museum with the Steinhart Aquarium, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden are among the main attractions.

Golden Gate Park is one of those places that can easily fill a couple of hours as well as a couple of days. Bike rentals are available, and instead of trying to do everything on foot, this can be a good way to explore the park. Alternatively, take a 2.5-hour Segway Tour with a local guide to see all of the major highlights.

Location: San Francisco, California

Chinatown ranks 5th on the list of best things to do in San Francisco. You may have visited Chinatown in other cities, but San Francisco's Chinatown is in a league of its own. It is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest in North America. Chinatown, which was almost completely destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, was rebuilt entirely in Chinese style and quickly became even more appealing than before the disaster.

Visiting Chinatown has become one of the top things to do in San Francisco, with its temples, theaters, workshops, small businesses, stores, antique and souvenir shops, teahouses, and traditional pharmacies. If you happen to be in San Francisco during a major Chinese holiday or event, you can expect to see a lavish celebration. Chinese New Year celebrations are frequently regarded as the best in North America. Grant Avenue is the main street in Chinatown for tourists, with the Chinatown Gateway at Grant Avenue and Bush Street.

Location: San Francisco, California

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is San Francisco's most exquisite museum, housed in an impressive Neoclassical Beaux-Arts building in an incredible setting. Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, a socialite, philanthropist, and arts patron, presented the Legion of Honor. Because of her passion for all things Parisian, the museum was designed to be a replica of Paris's Palais de la Légion d'Honneur.

The Legion of Honor museum houses an outstanding collection of European decorative arts, sculpture, and paintings, as well as antiquities from the Mediterranean and Near East. This museum admission includes same-day admission to the de Young Museum. The museum is located in Lincoln Park, a beautiful green space with a golf course and coastal woodlands that is ideal for a leisurely walk.

Visitors can follow the path along Lincoln Highway just outside the museum, which offers spectacular ocean views and perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Land's End Trail is ideal for those looking for a more challenging hike. This winding cliffside trail in wild, rugged terrain offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Address: 100 34th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

In Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is both an architectural marvel and a multifaceted museum. This cutting-edge "green" building has a 2.5-acre Living Roof covered in native plants and even rolling hills to match the natural surroundings. Solar panels on the roof generate electricity, and the soil acts as natural insulation. The walls are mostly made of glass, allowing for plenty of natural light.

There's a fantastic natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, and more inside. The Steinhart Aquarium houses 38,000 live specimens as well as a 25-foot-deep coral reef. The Osher Rainforest is four stories tall and has a fantastic layout for animals and amphibians. You can descend to the deepest depths in a glass elevator and look up through an acrylic tunnel to see fish swimming overhead in the flooded forest. The Kimball Natural History Museum houses T-Rex and blue whale skeletons, as well as a variety of interesting exhibits.

Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118

Twin Peaks ranks 8th on the list of best things to do in San Francisco. These two uninhabited hills, over 900 feet high, offer some of the best views of the city and bay. You can drive to the north peak parking area, park your car, and enjoy the breathtaking views. Hike along the trails that run between the north and south peaks for some exercise. This is some of San Francisco's best hiking. While you're up here, you could be forgiven for thinking these are the highest of San Francisco's 43 hills; however, Mount Davidson is 33 feet higher.

The Twin Peaks are the only hills in San Francisco that have not been built over and have retained their original appearance. The Spaniards dubbed them "Los pechos de la Chola," or "Indian Maiden's Breasts." Even on hot days, strong, cool breezes from the Pacific blow in, especially in the late afternoon.

Address: 501 Twin Peaks Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94114

The Asian Art Museum is without a doubt one of San Francisco's most important museums. The museum opened in 1966, with Avery Brundage's collection serving as the foundation. Brundage amassed a private collection, which he offered to the city of San Francisco in 1959 in order "to bridge the gap between East and West." The museum building was built, and after his death in 1975 at the age of 88, the museum received the remainder of his art collection as a legacy.

Building on this, the museum has amassed a large collection of sculptures, paintings, bronzes, ceramics, jade carvings, and architectural fragments from Japan, Korea, China, India, Iran, and other Asian cultures. The works date back over 6,000 years. A significant expansion, including the construction of a new pavilion, is in the works.

Address: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California

Take a 25-minute ferry ride from Pier 41 to Angel Island State Park for a wonderful escape to nature if you're looking for a non-touristy thing to do in San Francisco. Angel Island, the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding bay. Hiking or biking on the well-kept trails allows you to take in the beautiful scenery.

It is possible to hike up to Mount Caroline Livermore, the island's summit at 788 feet, where the views are spectacular. There are also five picnic areas, eleven campsites, and several sandy beaches for walking and sunbathing. The island is well-designed for visitors, with a café open all week during most of the year (except winter) and a casual restaurant open on weekends from June to October that features live music performances.

Location: San Francisco, California