San Francisco Travel Planner's Guide - 26/27 TPG
Sightseeing, San Francisco Style
2026-05-21 15:04:18
THE FABLED STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO OFFER MANY EXCITING SIGHTSEEING POSSIBILITIES. WHETHER YOU’RE WORKING ON AN ITINERARY FOR FOODIES, FAMILIES OR ART LOVERS, HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS FOR MEMORABLE EXCURSIONS IN THE CITY BY THE BAY.
A DAY OF ARTS & CULTURE
MORNING
No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Visitors will enjoy modern and contemporary artworks, six art-filled terraces, a sculptural staircase and a see-through bridge beneath its famous oculus.
AFTERNOON
Walk a block and a half west to grab lunch at Delarosa. Their thin-crust pizzas and tasty meatballs are perfect for sharing as you discuss what inspired you. If time permits, the Children’s Creativity Museum and the American Bookbinders Museum are both in close proximity.
EVENING
Programming at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), located opposite SFMOMA, often includes evening performances. Alternately, take in a performance at one of the city’s many theaters. The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center features opera, symphony classics and ballet. Broadway’s hottest musicals come to the Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran theaters on their national tours. The American Conservatory Theatre is known for its innovative stage works, while the New Conservatory Theatre Center welcomes premieres of dramas, comedies and musicals.
FOODIES FEAST FOR A DAY
MORNING
Jump-start a culinary adventure at the Ferry Building Marketplace. The restored historic structure is home to artisan producers, specialty shops, local favorites and restaurants. For breakfast, visitors can enjoy gluten-free baked goods at Mariposa Baking Company, artisanal coffee at Blue Bottle or playful pastry creations at Parachute.
AFTERNOON
Foodies can dig deeper into San Francisco’s local specialties with a guided food tour. Check out one of the tantalizing trips offered by Avital Experiences, Local Tastes of the City Tours or SF On Tap to eat around various neighborhoods. Edible Excursions visits several tempting locations in Japantown. To get a taste of Chinatown’s delicacies, try All About Chinatown Tours or Wok Wiz Chinatown tours. Or, plan a stop at China Live, an all-in-one marketplace and food emporium dedicated to Chinese cuisine.
EVENING
For some nighttime revelry, head to Barebottle Brewing Co., Magnolia Brewing or Standard Deviant Brewing for an ample variety of local craft brews.
A DAY OF FAMILY FUN
MORNING
Families can start their day in Golden Gate Park at the California Academy of Sciences. This massive, one-of-a-kind institution houses an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and four-story tropical rainforest all under one living roof that’s covered by 1.7 million native plants. Their Academy Café and The Terrace restaurant feature plenty of kid-friendly options, so lunch can be enjoyed without leaving the museum.
AFTERNOON
The Presidio features a 40,000-square-foot museum celebrating the life, art and imagination of famed animator Walt Disney. Walt Disney Family Museum includes a 13-foot model of Disneyland and a “Fantasia”-themed theater that screens Disney classics several days per week. In the late afternoon, families can head to the Exploratorium. Located on Pier 15, this unique museum blends interactive activities and thought-provoking exhibits.
EVENING
At PIER 39, families will enjoy watching the popular colony of sea lions and stunning waterfront views at sunset. There are also dozens of shops, restaurants and attractions, including the Aquarium of the Bay.
A DAY IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
MORNING
Start with a morning bird-watching expedition in the Presidio. Hundreds of migrating species use the Presidio for nesting, including Allen hummingbirds and belted kingfishers. El Polín Spring and Crissy Field are two other great places to spot feathered friends. Afterward, find a picnic spot with a view for lunch. Crissy Field's East Beach and West Bluff have picnic tables and grills, as does Baker Beach.
AFTERNOON
Golden Gate Park offers endless options for outdoor fun, with miles of green lawns, lakes, 7,000 kinds of plants and even a Japanese Tea Garden. A guided Segway tour from Electric Tour Company makes it easy to see a lot of the park in a short amount of time. They offer tours ranging from one-and-a-half to three hours and include some of the park's hidden gems, such as the Shakespeare Garden, Strawberry Hill, the Lily Pond and much more.
EVENING
Ocean Beach is a classic California beach that stretches along the west side of the city. Its dreamy views make it the ideal place to watch the sun dip into the Pacific. It’s chilly there most of the year, but a bonfire and s’mores make it much more cozy.
Visit San Francisco’s Must-See Museums
SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Founded in 1935 and extensively renovated and expanded in 2016, SFMOMA counts 33,000 modern and contemporary artworks among its incredible collection, with an entire floor dedicated solely to photography. Get free access to 45,000 square feet of ground-floor galleries for visitors 18 and younger.
151 Third St.
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Home to an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and world-class research and educational programs, the California Academy of Sciences is bursting with life. A four-story rainforest and awe-inspiring coral reef ecosystem delight visitors of all ages, while immersive planetarium shows transport you through space and time for a new perspective on our planet.
55 Music Concourse Dr., Golden Gate Park
The de Young’s centuries-spanning and diverse collection includes everything from American art to international textiles to photography. Be sure to visit the ninth-floor Observation Level of the Hamon Tower and enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., Golden Gate Park
Fresh off its centennial in 2025, the Legion of Honor houses European painting, sculpture and decorative arts, as well as graphic and contemporary arts. Perched on an overlook at the mouth of the Golden Gate, the views outside are as breathtaking as the art within.
100 34th Ave.
Dedicated to the life and work of Walt Disney, creator of some of America’s most beloved animation including Mickey Mouse, this museum features early drawings, cartoons, movies, music, listening stations and a spectacular model of Disneyland.
104 Montgomery St., Presidio
For more must-see museums, visit sftravel.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/museums-galleries
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