San Francisco
All travel Destination Guide

Things to Do in San Francisco

Everything you need for an unforgettable San Francisco trip — skip-the-line tickets, airport transfers, hotels, car hire and cheap flights, all in one place.

San Francisco is one of the world's most rewarding destinations — and planning your trip is simple when tickets, transfers, stays and flights all live in one place. Below you'll find hand-picked San Francisco experiences and travel deals from trusted booking partners, refreshed regularly so you always see live availability and fair prices.

Where to stay

Hotels in San Francisco: see today's live prices

Browse every hotel in San Francisco on Trip.com with today's real prices, guest reviews and free cancellation on most rooms.

See hotels on Trip.com

Best areas to stay in San Francisco

Pick the neighbourhood that fits your trip, then compare live hotel prices.

Area photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

Union Square, San Francisco
1 Union Square$$
First-timers & sightseeing

Central, busy, shopping-focused, transit-rich

Great base for BART, cable cars, and museums, with easy access to Chinatown, Downtown, and day trips across the city.

Hotels in Union Square
Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
2 Fisherman’s Wharf$$$
Families & waterfront sights

Touristy, lively, waterfront, family-friendly

Close to Pier 39, Alcatraz ferries, and the waterfront, with straightforward Muni and cable car connections to other areas.

Hotels in Fisherman’s Wharf
North Beach, San Francisco
3 North Beach$$
Dining & relaxed exploring

Walkable, historic, food-forward, charming

Near Coit Tower, Chinatown, and the waterfront, with plenty of restaurants and easy walks to many central sights.

Hotels in North Beach
Mission District, San Francisco
4 Mission District$$
Food lovers & nightlife

Creative, colorful, local, energetic

Excellent for restaurants, murals, and BART access, with quick rides to Downtown and easy connections across the city.

Hotels in Mission District
In season now · November

Autumn wine & harvest tours in San Francisco

Harvest-season tastings, vineyards and fall colours. Book early, these sell out fast this time of year.

Before you fly

Your San Francisco trip checklist

0/3 done
  • Book with Airalo
  • Book with Kiwitaxi
  • Book with Viator

How much does a San Francisco trip cost?

Adjust your trip and the estimate updates instantly.

Nights

4

Travellers

2

Travel style

Currency

  • HotelTypical

    4 nights × 1 room

    $1,120
  • Airport transfersTypical

    Return trip × 1 car

    $260
  • Tours & ticketsTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $640
  • Food & drinksTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $680
  • Local transportTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $160

Estimated total

$1,430 per person

$2,860

Typical costs are researched estimates, refreshed monthly. "Live" prices come from current partner fares. Exchange rates update daily.

Things to Do in San Francisco

Tours, tickets and attractions

Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz
ExperiencesFree cancellation San Francisco
Viator

Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

4.9(1,473 reviews)· 6h

All of our tour guides are Bay Area Natives, which will help you understand what it’s like to grow up in SF and now live here as grown ups with our own families. You will enjoy an introduction to San Francisco on this 5 to 6 hour tour that includes Neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach, Pacific

from$119
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Tours & Day Trips in San Francisco
ExperiencesInstant confirmation San Francisco
KKday

Tours & Day Trips in San Francisco

Find tours, day trips and attraction tickets in San Francisco with KKday — instant confirmation on most bookings.

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Skip-the-Line Tickets in San Francisco
ExperiencesSkip-the-line entry San Francisco
Tiqets

Skip-the-Line Tickets in San Francisco

Museums, landmarks and top attractions in San Francisco — instant mobile tickets with Tiqets, skip the queue.

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Things to Do in San Francisco
ExperiencesBest-price guarantee San Francisco
Klook

Things to Do in San Francisco

Book top tours, attractions and activities in San Francisco with Klook — instant mobile tickets and a best-price guarantee.

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San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise
ExperiencesFree cancellation San Francisco
Viator

San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise

4.7(1,786 reviews)· 1h

Experience San Francisco’s iconic waterfront with the original San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruise company, family owned and operated since 1892. Departing from Pier 43½ at Fisherman’s Wharf, this one-hour cruise takes you beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island. Learn about the

from$39
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Muir Woods and Sausalito Small Group Tour
ExperiencesFree cancellation San Francisco
Viator

Muir Woods and Sausalito Small Group Tour

4.7(1,103 reviews)· 5h

This tour will visit Muir Woods and Sausalito. Note that this tour includes the Muir Woods entrance fee. We provide a boutique, personal experience with knowledgeable local guides in small groups. The 8:30am and 9:45am tour departs from 488 Post St. (look for a black Mercedes sprinter van parked ac

from$99
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San Francisco Bay Cruise
ExperiencesFree cancellation San Francisco
Viator

San Francisco Bay Cruise

4.5(435 reviews)· 1h

You haven’t fully experienced San Francisco until you’ve taken a Bay Cruise. This popular 1-hour excursion heads underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz Island, past Angel Island State Park, and alongside the city's waterfront. Take advantage of fantastic photo ops and panoramic views. An

from$39
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Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco
ExperiencesFree cancellation San Francisco
Viator

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

4.9(4,241 reviews)· 14h

Take a day trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park, described as the crown jewel of the country's many splendid national parks. You will be guided on a coach tour to highlights such as Bridalveil Falls, Tunnel View, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls, with a stop for a 1-mile (1.6-km) walk int

from$239
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San Francisco City Lights Cruise
ExperiencesFree cancellation San Francisco
Viator

San Francisco City Lights Cruise

4.5(2,176 reviews)· 2h

See San Francisco sparkle on the San Francisco City Lights Cruise, a relaxing 2-hour evening cruise on the Bay. Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, past Alcatraz Island, and along the waterfront for sweeping views of the city skyline. Unwind to pre-recorded music, enjoy a beverage available for pu

from$58
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Top attractions & tours in San Francisco
Experiences San Francisco
Trip.com

Top attractions & tours in San Francisco

Skip-the-line tickets, day trips and tours in San Francisco, with instant confirmation.

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Alcatraz Prison Tour with Self-Guided Audio Tour and Ferry Rides
ExperiencesSkip the line San Francisco
Viator

Alcatraz Prison Tour with Self-Guided Audio Tour and Ferry Rides

4.0(9 reviews)· 2h

The Alcatraz Island Tour offers a unique glimpse into the historic former prison, accessible via a scenic ferry ride from Pier 33 in San Francisco. This package includes admission to Alcatraz Island and an award-winning 45-minute audio tour of the prison, providing insights into the lives of infamou

from$89
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SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium After Dark Thursdays (18+) Admission
ExperiencesFree cancellation San Francisco
Viator

SKIP THE LINE: Exploratorium After Dark Thursdays (18+) Admission

4.6(54 reviews)· 2h

Escape to reality on Thursday nights at the Exploratorium After Dark. Get a little weird at Pier 15 for evenings worth talking about: explore science, art, and culture, then play like no one's watching with more than 650 hands-on exhibits spread across six indoor and outdoor galleries. Disappear int

from$23
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Airport Transfers in San Francisco

Get from the airport to your hotel, hassle-free

Airport Transfers in San Francisco
TransferFixed price, no surge San Francisco
Kiwitaxi

Airport Transfers in San Francisco

Pre-book a private airport transfer in San Francisco with Kiwitaxi — fixed price, flight tracking and no surge pricing.

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Where to Stay in San Francisco

Hand-picked stays and live rates

Hotels in San Francisco
HotelLive hotel prices San Francisco
Trip.com

Hotels in San Francisco

Browse every hotel in San Francisco with today's real prices, guest reviews and free-cancellation options.

from$79
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Car Hire in San Francisco

Compare rental cars at great prices

Compare Car Rental in San Francisco with Economybookings
CarNo hidden fees San Francisco
Economybookings

Compare Car Rental in San Francisco with Economybookings

Compare car hire from top brands across San Francisco, airport and downtown — all-inclusive prices, no hidden fees.

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Car Hire in San Francisco with GetRentacar
CarFree cancellation San Francisco
GetRentacar

Car Hire in San Francisco with GetRentacar

Compare rental cars from local and global suppliers in San Francisco, with free cancellation on most bookings.

from$40/day
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Cheapest car hire in San Francisco

Live rates at San Francisco International Airport, from US$41/day. Change the dates to compare every partner.

3 days
Cheapest
Toyota Yaris

Toyota Yaris

Small car · or similar

8.4
41Automatic
  • Includes Additional Liability Insurance
  • Instant confirmation
  • 0 excess
Europcar

Europcar

via Trip.com

US$41/day

≈ US$123 for 3 days

View deal
Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

Compact car · or similar

8.4
53Automatic
  • Includes Additional Liability Insurance
  • Instant confirmation
  • 0 excess
Europcar

Europcar

via Trip.com

US$42/day

≈ US$126 for 3 days

View deal
Nissan Versa

Nissan Versa

Compact car · or similar

8.4
52Automatic
  • Includes Additional Liability Insurance
  • Instant confirmation
  • 0 excess
Europcar

Europcar

via Trip.com

US$42/day

≈ US$126 for 3 days

View deal
Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen Jetta

Compact car · or similar

8.4
53Automatic
  • Includes Additional Liability Insurance
  • Instant confirmation
  • 0 excess
Europcar

Europcar

via Trip.com

US$44/day

≈ US$132 for 3 days

View deal
See all 45 cars and 5 partners

Compare car & bike rentals for San Francisco

5 trusted brands side by side. Check two or three to get the best deal.

QEEQ

Best for: Lowest price search

Cars · Worldwide

Low-price search

Economybookings

Best for: All-inclusive pricing

Cars · 30,000+ locations

No hidden fees

GetRentacar

Best for: Flexible bookings

Cars · 10,000+ locations

from $40/day

Free cancellation

Trip.com

Best for: Big-brand airport rentals

Cars · Worldwide airports

Free cancellation on most cars

Localrent

Best for: Islands & local deals

Cars · Europe, Asia & islands

Local prices

Find the cheapest eSIM for San Francisco

Real plan prices from each brand, cheapest first, for plans that last your whole trip.

Prices checked 5h ago on each brand's site. Prices may change at checkout.

San Francisco travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in San Francisco?

The most popular San Francisco experiences are skip-the-line attraction tickets, guided city tours and day trips. You can book them above with instant mobile tickets from trusted partners like Tiqets and Klook — no printing required.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel in San Francisco?

A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way to reach your San Francisco hotel. You'll find fixed-price, meet-and-greet airport transfers in the section above, so there's no haggling with taxis when you land.

When is the best time to visit San Francisco?

San Francisco rewards visitors year-round, but the shoulder-season months usually offer the best mix of pleasant weather, thinner crowds and lower prices. Compare live hotel and flight prices above to find the cheapest dates for your trip.

Do I need a visa to visit San Francisco?

Visa rules depend on your nationality and how long you stay, so always check your government's official travel advice before booking. Many travellers can enter visa-free or with a quick electronic authorisation.

How many days should I spend in San Francisco?

Most travellers spend 3–5 days in San Francisco to see the highlights without rushing. Booking your tours and transfers in advance helps you make the most of every day on the ground.

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