What To Do Your First Day in San Francisco
You’ve landed in San Francisco and checked-in to your hotel. It’s your first day visiting San Francisco….what now? We’ve got you covered! There are plenty of things to see and do along the Wharf and nearby Pier 39 from activities to some of our favorite restaurants.
Musée Mécanique
If you are into the strange, the odd, and the old, then do we have a treat for you! The Musée Mécanique is one of the largest, privately owned collections in the world of coin-operated antique games and artifacts.
Creepy — I mean — cool puppets.
Get a psychic reading.
There are around 300 machines in working condition, which are on display and ready to be played with at the museum at Pier 45. Come discover a blast from the past! Click here to visit The Musée Mécanique website.
Drop in a coin and make this antique game come alive!
Sea Lions at Pier 39
Pier 39
You cannot visit San Francisco Pier 39 and not see the Sea Lions — we’re sure that’s a city crime.
Now, it will depend on the season you are visiting SF. Sometimes there’s an abundance of Sea Lions sunning themselves at the pier…
Sea Lions Galore!
…and other times there’s only a few in sight.
Sea Lions…Ga-little…
We suggest checking out the Live Sea Lion webcam before you head over to the pier, just to be sure. Click here to visit the Pier 39 website to view the Live Sea Lion Cam!
Ghirardelli Square Subpar Mini Golf
900 North Point St
Ghirardelli Square is a definite must-see! Tucked into the historical chocolate factory, there are restaurants, breweries, and a lot of tasty chocolate! In the lower part of the square, there is also a Miniature Golf Course called Subpar Mini Golf. If you’re looking for ways to entertain your teens and kids (and burn off all that sugar), this activity is a ball of fun and might be just what you need!
900 North Point
For more information and Subpar’s daily hours, click here to visit the Subpar Mini Golf website.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Visitor Center
499 Jefferson Street
The National Park Visitor Center (located in the old Cannery building that is now The Argonaut Hotel), has exciting exhibits for all things naval in San Francisco. It is worth a stop-in to soak up all the maritime history of San Francisco’s historic seashores. For more information, click here to visit the National Park Service website.
The Cable Car Museum/Riding The Cable Car
One-of-a-kind museum: 201 Mason St
And finally, a visit to San Francisco would not be complete without a ride on the famous Cable Car to San Francisco’s Cable Car Museum. This “Working Museum” lets you see how the cable car system work, and offers a collection of historic cable car models, photographs, and a gift shop!
The Famous SF Cable Cars.
Catch a ride on either the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason Cable Car Lines. Both will take you to the the Cable Car Museum located on Mason Street. Along the way, you’ll pass by Chinatown and North Beach. If you take the Powell-Hyde line you’ll even catch a glimpse of some of SF’s iconic landmarks, such as, Lombard Street.
Map of the three Cable Car Lines.
We recommend purchasing a one-way Cable Car ticket towards the Museum, and then walking back (it’s a relatively short distance.) This way you can stop in Chinatown, North Beach, or any other restaurants and shops at your leisure. Click here to purchase Cable Car tickets!
Speaking of Food…
Views & Noms…what could be better?
We can’t talk about what to do in SF without mentioning food. Below are some of our handpicked favorite restaurants, all featured on our “Restaurants We Love” page.
Scoma’s is a local favorite with fantastic views of docked boats and the surrounding Bay!
Pescatore Trattoria is located inside the Zoe Hotel and offers a newly expanded and elevated menu — we ate there recently and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Fog Harbor Fish House has some of the best clam chowder in San Francisco. Also the views are to die for!
Cioppino’s is one of those Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants that draws tourists and locals alike. Their specialty is a mix of Italian and Seafood, and the service is always lovely.
Boudin Bistro is the original sourdough makers of San Francisco. They’ve been baking sourdough from the same mother dough since 1849 — astounding! Their upstairs dining room offers great food.
And that, my friends, ends a perfect first day in San Francisco!