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San Francisco with Withlocals

Top 3 things to do in San Francisco

Make your stay in San Francisco complete with these things to do

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We did our first Withlocals tour when arriving to the city and can highly recommend people to do the same.

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Explore San Francisco with our incredible locals

Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore San Francisco with locals

Things to do in San Francisco

Our locals will give you the best experiences that San Francisco has to offer

• Choose your local

  Highlights & Hidden Gems of San Francisco

  4.8

  40 reviews

  3 hours • city highlight tours

  from €74.20 per person
• With Michael

  The 10 Tastings of San Francisco

  4.6

  27 reviews

  3 hours • food tours

  from €128 per person
• Choose your local

  City Kickstart Tour: San Francisco

  4.8

  42 reviews

  1.5 hours • city highlight tours

  from €30.10 per person
• Choose your local

  Treasures of San Francisco: Golden Gate Park Tour

  4.8

  35 reviews

  2.5 hours • city highlight tours

  from €50.16 per person
• Choose your local

  City Kickstart Tour: The Castro & Mission District

  4.8

  42 reviews

  1.5 hours • city highlight tours

  from €30.10 per person
• With Agatha

  Presidio Park to Palace of Fine Arts & the Beach Tour

  5.0

  17 reviews

  2.5 hours • city highlight tours

  from €40 per person
• With Michael

  Drinks & Bites in San Francisco Tour

  4.6

  9 reviews

  2.5 hours • food tours

  from €121 per person

Top 10 Things To Do in San Francisco

Explore the most iconic landmarks, hear the scary tales of the prison’s past and its most infamous residents of the past, or take in the imagery of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge as you cruise along the bay. Enjoy San Francisco's must-see sights, hidden gems and local hotspots.

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  1. Discover San Francisco’s Local Food Scene

  Eager to savor all the tasty food in San Francisco? This city is celebrated for a large variety of cuisines hailing from different cultures. Go on a personalized food tour with your host and discover where the locals wine and dine!

  Enjoy a cozy waterfront dining experience and taste the best clam chowder in the city. Good news for sushi-lovers, San Francisco has some of the most authentic Japanese food outside of Japan, from raw fish to ramen. For fast food, check out food truck parks where you can try curry, pizza, and pork buns all in a casual and fun setting. Craving tacos? Follow your personal host to mouthwatering taquerias that will leave you wanting more. From seafood to vegan dishes, beer tastings to dim sum, San Francisco is a food haven that appeals to all foodies.

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  2. Explore The Unexpected Chinatown

  For a fun and offbeat experience, go to San Francisco’s Chinatown, one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States. Comb through the main streets for kitschy souvenirs, cute trinkets, and tasty snacks, but don’t forget to check out the side alleys for other intriguing finds too.

  Ask your host for the address to a famous bakery in this neighborhood. Discover tea shops or go browsing in the grocery stores where locals frequent for fresh produce. If you enjoy Chinese cuisine, this is the best place to tuck into some authentic dishes, and if you like, why not sing your heart out at one of the karaoke bars? You can easily spend an afternoon wandering in this Chinatown soaking up the local vibe while admiring the rows of red lanterns hanging from typical Chinese-style buildings.

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  3. Visit the “Painted Ladies” at Alamo Square

  For a hidden gem with an amazing view, head over to Alamo Square and check out a postcard-worthy row of old Victorian and Edwardian buildings known as the “Painted Ladies”. These statement houses are washed in bright colorful shades, making them perfect for photos, especially during sunset. Want to hear the stories related to this interesting architecture? Seek out a knowledgeable local host who will share the history of San Francisco with you.

  At the picturesque Alamo Square, you will see the old and the new come together, as modern skyscrapers in downtown San Francisco form the skyline of this unique neighborhood. Movie-enthusiasts might find this square familiar because several TV shows and movies have been filmed here. Feel free to stroll around this scenic hilltop park to take in its idyllic vibe.

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  4. Walk On The Golden Gate Bridge With A Local

  The most famous landmark in San Francisco has to be the Golden Gate Bridge! No trip to the city is complete without going on it. There are many ways to get to the bridge and you will have different options to cross it. Join a local host to discover the most authentic route and explore the surrounding area. Want to browse for souvenirs or grab a quick bite to refuel? Let your host lead the way.

  Go to the best spots for photos known only to true locals and there is no need to be alarmed if you are caught in the middle of a fog, which San Francisco is well-known for. In fact, your local host probably knows when is the best time to get on the bridge to avoid the fog as well as the touristy crowds.

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  5. Go For A Cable Car Ride

  There is so much history surrounding the cable cars in San Francisco and you can learn all about it from your personal host. Being the world’s last manually operated cable car, everyone wants to go for a ride in these vintage carriers. Not only is this a special way to explore the city, it’s also very romantic. Get to know which are the best seats from your local host and be onboard to experience the cinematic journey, where your cable car travels along the hills, just like in the movies!

  Want to avoid the crowd? Ask your private host for insider information on the best stops to board the cable car. Go where the lines are much shorter and have your host personalize a scenic itinerary just for you that includes must-see sights, hidden gems and local hotspots.

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  6. Tour The Legendary Alcatraz

  Hop on a ferry and visit the Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, an abandoned prison where infamous criminals like Al Capone, Bumpy Johnson, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert "The Birdman" Stroud used to be housed at.

  Alcatraz started out as the base of the oldest lighthouse on the West Coast before being transformed into a federal prison. Get to know its winding history and go on a tour to see how the inmates used to live. View important exhibits and trace the development of this haunting island. Hear stories from your personal host that will give you local insights and discover the prominent movies and TV shows that were filmed here. Tickets to Alcatraz tend to sell out quickly. Skip the queue and avoid the disappointment of missing out by letting your host manage the ticket reservation for you.

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  7. Shop At A Local Farmer’s Market

  For a quintessential activity in San Francisco, go shopping at a farmer’s market. There are many scattered around the city on various days so it’s handy to let your host bring you to some of the livelier venues.

  The outdoor organic food market at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is one of the most popular options, drawing a large local crowd all the time. Visit this market for the amazing seasonal produce and tour the indoor Ferry Building Marketplace, which offers one of the city’s most exuberant food experiences. Sample artisanal products, meet passionate makers, and taste everything fresh and local. Let your host fill you in on food anecdotes unique to the city as you discover the interesting history of this building, along with its hundred-year-old clock tower that is modeled after a 12th century bell tower in Seville.

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  8. Experience Japan In The City

  To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, step into a serene world of koi pond, drum bridge and pagoda shrine at the Japanese Tea Garden, nestled in the Golden Gate Park. You will feel as if you have wandered into Kyoto in Japan! Take a leisurely walk around the garden to admire the many religious statues and sculptures, observe native Japanese plants as well as to enjoy a moment of tranquility.

  Get to know the fascinating origin of this garden from your local host over a cup of tea at the rustic tea house, while sampling snacks that range from green tea cheesecakes to traditional fortune cookies. After that, why not stroll towards the nearby Stow Lake where you can circle the water in a rented paddle boat?

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  9. Visit The Iconic Fisherman’s Wharf

  Once the home to fishing boats, Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most renowned areas today and it’s constantly buzzing with people and activities. Explore this area through the eyes of a local by getting personalized recommendations from your host.

  Go beyond the souvenir shops, crab stalls and bakeries selling sourdough bread and you will be surprised by the colony of sea lions suntanning lazily on the docks of Pier 39, a family-friendly entertainment centre. You can tour the Aquarium of the Bay, visit museums or go on a cruise to see the Golden Gate Bridge from the waters. Keen to discover more? Venture further to Ghirardelli Square, a landmark which used to be a famous chocolate factory. The area has been converted into a food and retail hub where locals hang out, but you can still learn how chocolate is made here and buy some as souvenirs.

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  10. See The Best of San Francisco On A Bike

  Get to know the real San Francisco with your local host and experience the city on a bike. Ride through the cosmopolitan Union Square, see the classy Nob Hill, and explore The Castro, a culture-defining district. You can easily navigate your way around the city and get to know each neighborhood intimately through a bike tour.

  Feel free to request for your host to customize the itinerary so you can enjoy the city just the way you like and include activities that interest you. Scoot by the Mission District for its hipster vibe, then pedal to Haight-Ashbury for its historic architecture. If you enjoy nature, zip through the Presidio National Park, visit a beach or go off the beaten track to tour Angel Island. Feel the wind in your hair as you head for Sausalito, a coastal town that lies across the Golden Gate Bridge, unique for its relaxing Amalfi coast vibe.

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• Food Tours in San Francisco
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