100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10

If New York is the city that never sleeps, San Francisco is the city with the best views (thanks to all our giant hills!) and the best fresh eats. This list began because we had friends visiting us in San Francisco and they were looking for trendy and photogenic places to see, while still staying on a budget. And the more I started thinking about it, the more ideas and places kept popping into my head. I grew up in Half Moon Bay, a beach town 45 minutes south of San Francisco and I’ve been exploring the city for years. We even had our own apartment right in downtown for a year, and we could walk to pretty much everything.

If you’re already spending a bundle on hotels and plane tickets, at least you can have a full itinerary that makes your visit full of adventures without spending a ton. With the options I’ve listed out, you could totally plan it out and only spend around $30 a day for meals and sightseeing. At most restaurants in San Francisco, one sit-down meal will set you back around $30! But these places are full of atmosphere, charm and totally Instagrammable! This list covers almost every neighborhood in San Francisco (I left out the sketchy ones) and will really give you a feel to what the city has to offer.

While providing gorgeous scenery and endless things to do, most attractions will post you a pretty penny. Believe it or not, there’s still plenty of fun things to do in San Francisco while on a budget. It may be one of the most expensive cities in the whole country, but you can totally get full experience if you’re savvy to all these hidden gems I’ve listed below.

 
Tea and avocado toast from Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

Tea and avocado toast from Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

Interior decor inside Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

Interior decor inside Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

 

Boudine’s Clam Chowder

Eat clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Fisherman’s Wharf. Boudin’s is the original and their very filling chowder or tomato soup in a sourdough bread bowl will cost $9.99. They have several locations around the city, the most popular is at 160 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 at Fisherman’s Wharf.

 

Seals at Pier 39

See the seal colony perched up on the docks at Fisherman’s Wharf. They are easy to find because you can usually hear them from far away. Find them hanging out at Pier 39

 

Red’s Java House on Embarcadero

Walk along the Embarcadero and enjoy stunning bridge and bay views. Take a lunch break and dine at Red’s Java House, most menu items are under $10.

 

Bridge Light Show on Embarcadero

If you walk the Embarcadero at night, the bridge provides a whimsical light show.

 

San Francisco Cable Cars

Ride the cable cars for $7 dollars. My favorite route begins at Powell and rides Hyde St until it ends up at Ghirardelli Square. It takes the biggest hills in San Francisco which provides the best skyline views.

 

Ghirardelli Square

Eat free chocolates at the gift shop in Ghirardelli Square. Or indulge in an authentic Ghirardelli hot fudge sundae with a cherry on top!

 

Salt & Straw Ice Cream

Get an ice cream cone at Salt & Straw. Try the funky flavor Mt Tam Cheese with Toasted Acme Bread. $5 for a single scoop, $7 for a double.

 

Bay Area Rapid Transit

Ride BART a couple stops. Always an adventure with lots of people watching!

 

Tacolicious Modern Mexican Eatery

Eat tacos at the hipster approved joint Tacolicious (see photos from our lunch in this blog post). There’s multiple locations throughout the city.

 

Golden Gate Bridge

Take a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge, 1.7-miles from end-to-end to be exact. If you’re driving, you have to pay a few dollars to park in the lot on the San Francisco side. If you cross over to the Marin side, parking is free but you have to pay a $8 Golden Gate Bridge toll (pay via their online app, don’t forget because it will cost you much more). I personally feel that the views from the Sausalito side are better, see my photos from our day sailing in Sausalito.

 

Market Street

Window shop on Market Street until you hit the Flatiron Building at 540 Market Street at Sutter Street and take an Instagram photo.

 

Castro Gay District

Try to ignore and giggle at the naked men at the Castro rainbow flagpole (located at Castro St & Market Street).

 

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Enjoy a Cruffin and take the famous “I Got Baked in San Francisco” Instagram photo at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse.

 
Windows filled with light inside Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

Windows filled with light inside Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

Wine bar inside Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

Wine bar inside Tartine Manufactory in the Mission District.

 

California Street

Get a serious calf workout walking up California St (it’s super steep!). You’ll be rewarded with awesome city views at the top.

 

Golden Gate Park Rose Garden

Walk through the Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park.

 

Full House Red Door

Take a touristy photo in front of the “Full House” house. Fun fact, the house seen in clips on the show with the red door is not one of the Painted Ladies. It’s actually located at 1709 Broderick.

 

Rainbow Latte from Home Cafe

Enjoy a fancy rainbow latte at Home Cafe. Two locations, one at 2018 Clement St and the second at 1222 Noriega Street.

 
 

Mission District Murals

Walk through Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley in the Mission District for a free public art show filled with colorful murals. Enter 50 Balmy St, San Francisco, CA 94110 into your GPS.

 

Church from Sister Act Movie

If you’re a fan of the movie Sister Act (with Whoopi Goldberg), the church where it was filmed is located at 221 Valley St, San Francisco, CA 94131. In the film it looks like a sketchy neighborhood but in real life it’s an affluent neighborhood, very safe for walking around.

 

Alamo Square & Painted Ladies

Walk Alamo Square and see the famous Painted Ladies victorian row of houses. Parking is surprisingly easy to find in this neighborhood because most people park for a short just to take photos and then head off. The street parking is mostly marked as 2-hour parking.

 

Dolores Park

Set up a picnic at Dolores Park and on a clear day to can see the city skyline.

 
 
Avocado toast from Tartine Manufactory.

Avocado toast from Tartine Manufactory.

Rainy day in Alamo Square with the Painted Ladies.

Rainy day in Alamo Square with the Painted Ladies.

 

Lombard Street

To get the best view of Lombard St (aka the crookedest street in the world), stand at the Hyde St intersection . You've never seen curves like these! This street feels like it's straight out of a fairytale book with tight twists through tiny streets filled with blooming flowers.

 

Telegraph Hill & Coit Tower

For some serious views (and a serious workout!) climbs the Filbert Street Stairs of Telegraph Hill. When you reach the top, you’ll have an unclose look at Coit Tower. Staircase begins at 281 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA 94133.

 

Ferry Building Farmer’s Market

Grab some fresh fruit and snacks at the Ferry Building Farmers Market. Open Tuesday 10am - 2pm, Thursday 10am - 2pm, Saturday 8am - 2pm. Ferry Building is located at One Ferry Building, San Francisco, California 94111.

 

Biscuit Bender Bakery

Head inside the Ferry Building and munch on a Mexican Hot Chocolate biscuit from Biscuit Bender. Or you can opt for a more classic biscuit topped with lavender butter, yum!

 

De Young Museum

The first Tuesday of every month is free admission day at the de Young Museum (admission normally costs $15). You can redeem your free admission by visiting the Ticketing and Membership Desks. De Young is located at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118.

 

Good Vibrations

For adults only, Good Vibrations offers free admission and free guided tour of the Antique Vibrator Museum. Open 12:30-6:30 daily (late night Thursdays till 8:30), free docent tours every 3rd Sunday at 3:00 pm. For the tour you must RSVP at least 72 hours in advance by calling the Polk St. store location at (415) 345-0400. Museum is located at 1620 Polk Street San Francisco, CA 94109.

 

Levi’s Plaza

If you’re a fan of the original denim brand Levi’s, the first floor of the headquarters Levi’s Plaza is open to the public and has a mini museum and shopping available. Located at 1155 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111.

 

San Francisco Zoo

Free Zoo days for San Francisco residents happen occasionally on the first Wednesday of the month, but not every month. Be sure to check the bottom of the Tickets & Hours page. Admission on other days and for non-San Francisco residents is $19 for adults.

 

Lover’s Lane Trail in Presidio

My favorite area of the Presidio is walking down the tree-lined Lover’s Lane Trail. It’s a popular photography spot and a great place to get your fill of nature in the city. A good place to start is the Presidio gate entrance at 547-529 Presidio Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94129. On the other end of the trail is the YMCA parking lot at 185-175 Presidio Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94129.

 
Close-up details of San Francisco's famous Victorian architecture.

Close-up details of San Francisco's famous Victorian architecture.

A rainy day stroll through Alamo Square with the Painted Ladies in the background.

A rainy day stroll through Alamo Square with the Painted Ladies in the background.

 

Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line

Continue walking down Lover’s Lane Trail and you’ll surely run into Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line natural art installment, a real sight to see in-person! If you’re heading straight to this spot, put the address 730B Liggett Ave, San Francisco, CA 94129 directly into your GPS.

 

Fortune Cookies from Chinatown

Did you know that the fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco’s Chinatown? The original factory Golden Gate Fortune Cookies is still open and making these lucky cookies. If you want to take the full fortune cookie factory tour, it’s a bit on the pricey side (about $74 a person!). But you can visit their shop and pick up all kinds of fortune cookie gifts and treats. Located at 56 Ross Alley in Chinatown.

 

Golden Gate Park’s Grand Outdoor Amphitheater

Walking through the grand outdoor amphitheater in Golden Gate Park which lies adjacent to the de Young museum is worth every step. Throw a quarter into the fountain and make a wish.

 

Crissy Field

Crissy Field is personally my favorite spots for Golden Gate Bridge views. We took our Galentine’s Day photos here and they turned out great! If you’re looking for a dog friendly activity, you can also walk the trail along Crissy Field all the way to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. I took my Black Labrador Holly and she loved it.

 

Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is always an impressive sight to see and it is a photography favorite. If you’re a fan of the comedy film Five Year Engagement, one of the wedding scenes was filmed here. No admission is charged to enter.

 

Vista Point in Sausalito

There’s 3 lookout points to the Golden Gate Bridge, one on the San Francisco side and two on the Sausalito side. The lesser known Vista Point on the Sausalito side has the best views. If you’re driving on the bridge from SF towards Sausalito, take the second exit on the left. Trust me!

 

Weed-Infused Food & Beverages

Getting your buzz from booze is so yesterday. With the legalization of marijuana in California, in San Francisco you can buy weed-infused food and beverages.

 

North Beach

North Beach pizza by the slice, prices average around $5 a slice. Walk down Columbus and Broadway streets and there are plenty of fresh pizza joints serving by the slice.

 

Breakfast at Proper Hotel

If you’re feeling fancy and want a place to soak up art and classy surroundings, try the Proper Hotel (see photos in this blog post). For a budget friendly breakfast, order the Pain Au Chocolat for $7. Located at 1100 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.

 

Polk Street

If you’re looking for a nightlife scene, Polk Street has all kinds of bars serving up cocktails. Each cocktail will run you about $10 a pop. For a fun bar crawl, start at Polk and Washington and head towards Clay Street.

 
Stunning lobby inside the Proper Hotel on Market Street.

Stunning lobby inside the Proper Hotel on Market Street.

Eclectic modern decor adorning the Proper Hotel on Market Street.

Eclectic modern decor adorning the Proper Hotel on Market Street.

 

Ampersand Flower Shop

The most Instagrammable flower shop in San Francisco is by far Ampersand, it has a turquoise barn door in the city! Located at 80 Albion St San Francisco, CA 94103 in the Mission District.

 

Le Marais Bakery

Le Marais is a favorite Instagrammable cafe with multiple locations throughout the city, all are adorable. See my complete blog post on their newest location on Sutter Street.

 

Twin Peaks

You’ve most likely seen city skyline photos taken at Twin Peaks, shutterbugs love the twisted roads and sparkling city lights from Market Street. To give you an idea of the photos you can take, check out this San Francisco photography guide with photos taken at Twin Peaks.

 

Tartine Manufactory

Full disclosure, Tartine Manufactory is a pricey spot to eat. But I have discovered that their avocado toast is only $9 (see image) and it’s worth it to sit and enjoy the atmosphere of this ultra hip and modern local favorite. Located at 595 Alabama St in the Mission District.

 

Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

On the wooden steps near Coit Tower, you might catch a glimpse of a flock of wild parrots. Yes, you read that correctly. I’ve actually seen the famous wild parrots of Telegraph Hill on a few occasions and it’s definitely a fun sight.

 

Transamerica Building

The Transamerica Building is visible from many viewpoints in the city and it takes a great picture. If you walk towards North Beach up a hill, you can snap a great photo like this one.

 

Cupid’s Span

Take a romantic photo in front of art installation Cupid’s Span. The bow and arrow eternal symbols of love are located at The Embarcadero & Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94117.

 

The Palace Hotel

The Palace Hotel is a holiday favorite because of the grand and ornate details inside. The Garden Court Restaurant is a beautiful place to enjoy a cup of their signature tea. To give you an idea of the kind of photos you can take, we shot this entire blog post at The Palace Hotel.

 

Noe Valley

In a hustling and bustling city, Noe Valley is a calm and trendy area where you can leisurely stroll the city streets and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

 

Fort Mason

An underrated photography location in San Francisco is Fort Mason. While it may cost you more than $10 to attend an event inside, it’s perfectly free to walk the area and take beautiful sunset photos like this one.

 
Street and skyline views from Vallejo Street in North Beach.

Street and skyline views from Vallejo Street in North Beach.

Ferry Building on Embarcadero in San Francisco.

Ferry Building on Embarcadero in San Francisco.

 

Castro District

If you aren’t familiar, the Castro is the gay district in San Fran and the streets are literally painted with rainbows. It won’t cost you a penny to walk across the Rainbow Crosswalk at 4114 18th Street San Francisco, Ca, 94114.

 

Vallejo Street Steps in North Beach

The silver lining to all those pesky hills in SF are all the lookout points scattered throughout the city. The view from the top of the Vallejo Street steps in North Beach is a good one. I took this Instagram photo super early at sunrise and this one on a bright sunny day. The stairs begin at 400-432 Vallejo St, San Francisco, CA 94133.

 

San Francisco Street Cars

If you’ve been to San Fran before, you’ve probably noticed the vintage looking green streetcars that ride around downtown (see it at the bottom of this photo). These historic streets cars are referred to as the E-Line and F-Line and only cost $2.75 a ride. You can get complete route info here.

 

Fancy Ramin Noodles

We often think of ramin noodles as the cheap college meal, but in San Francisco these noodles get fancy (and pricey). It was a big task to find a spot that had authentic ramen noodles for less than $10. A Bite of China has 4 locations in San Francisco and has a at least one ramin noodle entrée for $8.95.

 

Kombucha

Kombucha is a San Fran popular fizzy beverage, made from fermented tea. While you can find it available all over the city, I like to enjoy a tall glass at Split cafe in Russian Hill. Located at 2300 Polk Street at the corner of Green St.

 

City Lights Books

These days the classic book stores are disappearing, but City Lights Books in North Beach is an oldie but a goodie going strong. This is a great place to explore, shop and take a few fun photos.

 

MOMA - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

While the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) doesn’t have regularly scheduled free admission days, they will periodically offer free days announced in advance. But the hidden secret is that they do have over 45,000 square feet of “Free to See” public art space. Located at 151 Third Street, San Francisco.

 

Legion of Honor Art & History Museum

Legion of Honor Art and History Museum offers stunning classic art and an awe-worthy view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Admission is free the first Tuesday of every month and beginning April 6, 2019, SF residents get free admission on Saturday. Located at 100 34th Ave, San Francisco.

 

Pacific Heights

One of the most sight-worthy neighborhoods in San Francisco is Pacific Heights because of all the jaw-dropping mansions. Be prepared to walk some steep hills which will provide great city views. A great starting point is Alta Plaza Park, located at Jackson St. & Steiner St.

 
Mexican horchata beverage and menu from Tacolicious restaurant in North Beach.

Mexican horchata beverage and menu from Tacolicious restaurant in North Beach.

Taco plate from Tacolicious restaurant in North Beach.

Taco plate from Tacolicious restaurant in North Beach.

 

Amoeba Music at the Haight-Ashbury

Transport yourself back to the 90’s with Amoeba Music, an old-school DVD and CD store. Back in the day before Netflix, we used to love hitting up these spots in search of new flicks to watch. Heading to Amoeba is a great excuse to check out Haight-Ashbury. Located at 1855 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117.

 

MLB Giants Baseball Stadium

While you can’t buy Giants baseball tickets for less than $10, I’ve got a trick to make it feel like you’re right there at the game. If you grab a drink at MoMo’s across the street from the stadium while the game is being played, you can hear the roar of the crowd live in person. The MoMo’s bar atmosphere is lively and modern and they have the game televised. We did this during the World Series and it was super fun!

 

Chestnut Street in Marina District

Another great street to take a leisurely stroll and do some quality window shopping is Chestnut St in the Marina. In the daytime you’ll find lots of fresh restaurants and boutiques, in the evenings there’s a lively nightlife scene.

 

Union Street in Cow Hollow

Same goes for Union Street in Cow Hollow. A trendy neighborhood with good eats and pleasant surroundings.

 

Castro Theater Drag Queens

If you’re in the mood for some San Francisco counterculture, the Castro Theater in the Castro District offers fun and quirky shows and movies alongside its traditional movie theater. A popular attraction is the “Sing Along” movies where the audience is encouraged to sing along with the music in the films. Attendees love to dress up in character and you’ll even see appearances from drag queens. The Bargain Matinee at the Castro Theater is $10 admission fee. Located at 429 Castro Street. Instagram pro tip - the old school marquis is a popular spot to snap a memorable photo.

 

Esmeralda Stairs of Bernal Heights

As you’ve probably figured out by now, San Francisco has a lot of very big hills. And sometimes these hills are so steep that you can’t have a traditional walkway and you have to climb stairs to make it up the block. The Esmeralda Stairs of Bernal Heights take the steps to a new level with a portion of the staircase has a slide! The first flight of stairs picks up on Coleridge Street, just one block east of Mission Street.

 

Loving Cup Frozen Yogurt

Loving Cup is the perfect spot to satisfy your afternoon sugar cravings. With 3 frozen yogurt locations in San Francisco, these swirl shops are totally instagrammable. Try the rice pudding too, it’s delicious!

 

Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley

Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley is an awesome spot to meet up with friends and explore. The area is filled with benches, picnic tables and modern public art. So many noteworthy restaurants and shops are within walking distance. There’s even a little dog-friendly patch carved out for our canine friends. Located at 300 Octavia Blvd.

 

Ritual Coffee Roasters

If you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur, Ritual Roasters offers you an opportunity to seriously custom build your coffee experience. For starters, they’ve got at least 6 different ways you can brew your coffee. With five locations throughout the city, there’s surely bound to be one in an area near you.

 

Union Square

A San Francisco classic destination is Union Square, especially during the holidays when there’s ice skating and the giant Christmas tree. There’s plenty of shopping in Union Square and the surrounding area, particularly if you’re looking for luxury brands.

 
Interiors inside Split Cafe in Russian Hill.

Interiors inside Split Cafe in Russian Hill.

Drink menu from Split Cafe in Russian Hill.

Drink menu from Split Cafe in Russian Hill.

 

Anchor Steam Beer

Anchor Steam Beer made history in San Francisco. Founded in 1896, it is America’s first and oldest craft brewery. A few days a week there’s food trucks that come to the brewery and you can enjoy a meal and a beer at the Anchor Public Taps.

 

Spinnerie on Polk Street

When I lived in SF, Spinnerie at Polk and Pine was a favorite spot to pick up fresh eats for a lighter meal. The restaurant has a fun vibes and airy vibe, you can totally take Instagram pics here.

 

Pho at Kevin’s Noodle House

A San Francisco foodie favorite is pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and Kevin’s Noodle House is a great inexpensive place to try the real deal. Most items on the menu are less than $10. Located at 1833 Irving St. San Francisco, CA 94122.

 

Mitchell’s Ice Cream in the Mission District

Mitchell’s Ice Cream in the Mission District serves up its famous avocado ice cream daily. The purple ube ice cream is also a total gem! Located at the corner of 29th St. and San Jose Ave. in the Mission, exact address is 688 San Jose Ave.

 

Dog Patch

Dog Patch is one of the newest trending neighborhoods. If you’re tired from walking all those hills, this very flat district will give your feet a break. Head over to Third Street to walk the main drag and do some window shopping.

 

Urban Air Market

One of my most memorable days in San Francisco was walking through the Urban Air Market in Dog Patch. This traveling artisan market has the cutest vendors, I seriously want to buy everything! The market bounces around to different San Francisco neighborhoods throughout the year. Check their website regularly to find the next upcoming event.

 

Mount Davidson

Mount Davidson is the tallest point in San Francisco and there’s a 40 acre park located at the top. For the adventure seeker, the area has multiple trails and has been dubbed “San Francisco’s Rainforest.” The trail head starts at 39 Dalewood Way, San Francisco, CA 94127.

 

MMclay Pottery Shop

MMclay in Hayes Valley is an adorable pottery shop that sells directly from an airstream (think of the Instagram photos!). Support a woman owned small business and buy yourself a little souvenir.

 

Ocean Beach

When it comes to beaches in California, Southern California usually gets all the glory. But on a warm sunny day in the bay, Ocean Beach is the place to be! The sandy beach stretches for three miles and is perfect to lay out and catch some run rays.

 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

If live music is your jam, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass open air concert is free to the public and a favorite among many San Franciscans. It takes place in October inside Golden Gate Park.

 
San Francisco mural inside Le Marais Cafe.

San Francisco mural inside Le Marais Cafe.

Baked goods and coffee from Le Marais Cafe.

Baked goods and coffee from Le Marais Cafe.

 

Fillmore District

In the Fillmore District there’s a farmer’s market every Saturday morning at the Fillmore Center Plaza. The market is open year round and you can pick up fresh grown California produce. Located at 1475 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115.

 

Off the Grid Food Trucks

An SF hipster favorite is Off the Grid, a massive gathering of fancy food trucks all over the city. Every type of food you can think of is offered, including food fusions you didn’t even know existed. Check the website regularly to see where and when the events are happening.

 

The Presidio Picnic

Off all the 50 Off the Grid food truck events held in the city, The Presidio Picnic is one of the most popular. Some of the Off the Grid spots take place in concrete jungles without much scenery or comfortable spots to enjoy your meal. At the Presidion Picnic, there’s a large lawn and you can bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a relaxing meal with friends and family. As an added bonus, you get beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Be sure to bundle up because San Francisco’s weather is unpredictable and chilly. No admission is charged, it’s free!

 

Nob Hill

Nob Hill is known for sitting high on a hill with luxurious hotels and pricey eateries. But it won’t cost you a thing to walk the neighborhood and take it all in. A great place to start is Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral Episcopal Church, located at 1100 California St.

 

Matador Mexican Eatery

At first glance you’d think the hype around Matador was all about the decor. But then you try the food and then you really understand why San Franciscans love this new spot. For Mexican food that packs a big flavor punch, plan your lunch or dinner at Matador, located a couple blocks away from Union Square at 679 Sutter St.

 

National Fitness Campaign’s Outdoor Gym

If you’re looking for a free way to have a gym fitness experience, National Fitness Campaign built a modern outdoor workout space in the Marina. Located on Marina Blvd down the block from the Safeway. It’s completely free and fun to use!

 

Fort Funston

Fort Funston is a super windy beach that is perfect to watch hang gliders takeoff in the air. It’s also known as a doggie beach paradise because there’s a very large off-leash area where our furry friends can run free. I’ve taken my dog Holly here and she had a blast running around with the other dogs. Parking is also free! The dog beach is located at 206 Fort Funston Rd, San Francisco, CA, US, 94118.

 

Walt Disney Museum

Every year on December 5th, Walt Disney’s birthday, the Walt Disney Museum is free to the public. This beautiful and quaint museum is located inside the Presidio and it’s such a lovely way to spend an afternoon and great for taking photos. Admission regularly costs $25. Museum is located at 104 Montgomery Street in the Presidio.

 

Honey Creme Ice Cream

Another great spot to get your sugar fix is Honey Creme in the Inner Sunset district. This soft serve ice cream has the perfect balance of chic and wacky toppings you can use to deck out your cone. Check out the giant organic cotton candy topper! Take your cone on a walk and explore the main strip of Inner Sunset by walking down Irving St to the center at Ninth Avenue. The famous 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are close by too! Honey Creme is located at 839 Irving Street.

 

POPO Roof Garden in Downtown

If you’re looking for an epic garden with skyline views, try this POPO (Privately Owned Public Space) Roof Garden centered in the heart of downtown. Located on the roof of 100 First Street's parking garage, building hours are Monday-Friday: 7 am – 6 pm but I’ve read online that the terrace is open 24/7. If you have questions about how to access the garden, the management office is located at 100 First Street, Suite 150, San Francisco, CA 94105. The actual garden is located at 100 First Street, 100 1st St, San Francisco, CA 94105.

 
Vintage inspired floor tiles inside Le Marais Cafe.

Vintage inspired floor tiles inside Le Marais Cafe.

Brunch spread at Le Marais Cafe.

Brunch spread at Le Marais Cafe.

 

16th Avenue Tiled Mosaic Steps

The famous 16th Avenue Tiled Mosaic Steps are located on Moraga St. between 15th & 16th Ave. This spot is especially awesome because the photos from far away are cool and then detailed close-up pics are even cooler! Search the hashtag #16thavetiledsteps for over 1,000 posted photos of this popular spot.

 

Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden

The Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden is a beautiful place in San Francisco. This windmill and tulip garden looks like you’ve been transported straight to Holland (it’s named after the most famous queen of the Netherlands!). The tulips are at their most vibrant in early spring so plan accordingly. Search the hashtag #queenwilhelminagarden to see some great photos taken by visitors. Located at 1690 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94121.

 

Yerba Buena Gardens

Spark joy in your inner child (or take your actual children) to ride the carousel in Yerba Buena Gardens. There’s plenty to see and explore in this area, attractions for both adults and children alike.

 

Japantown

Japantown is a great place to get a taste of some authentic Japanese food, shopping and ambiance. When I visited Japan several years ago, mini photo booths known as Pika Pika were all the rage. If you head to the second level in the Kinokuniya Mall, you can find these little booths and take some fun photo souvenirs.

 

California Wine Country & Napa Valley

If you’ve got a car to take day trips out of the city, Napa Valley is a 1.5 hour drive up north. There’s so many beautiful wineries and scenic areas to explore. See our photo diary from a day exploring the Sonoma Lavender Barn and Chateau Montelena.

 

Highway 1 Road Trip to Half Moon Bay

Another great day trip from San Francisco is Half Moon Bay and driving down Highway 1. Located 45 minutes south, it’s nice to take a break from the city’s hustle and bustle. Check out my blog post highlighting some hidden gems as you head into the coast and countryside.

 

Buena Vista Bar in Russian Hill

At the Buena Vista historical bar in Russian Hill, the famous Irish coffee that we know today was born in 1952. After a day of climbing city hills, take some time to relax with an authentic Irish coffee and some great views. Located at 2765 Hyde St.

 
Ice cream cone from Salt and Straw in San Francisco.

Ice cream cone from Salt and Straw in San Francisco.

Gennifer-Rose-100-Things-To-Do-in-San-Francisco-Under-10-Dollars-2.jpg

Ice cream cups from Salt and Straw in San Francisco.


 

San Francisco Hotels with Style:


 

San Francisco Inspired Shopping Guide:


 
100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10
100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10