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Things to do in San Francisco

Things to Do in San Francisco: A Local’s Guide to the City’s Hidden Gems

San Francisco has plenty of postcard attractions, but if you want to experience the city the way locals do, skip the tourist traps and head to these cultural, natural, and culinary gems. This guide blends art, outdoors, and neighborhood character, with a special spotlight on one of the city’s most resilient theaters.

West Side Escapes: Forests, Cliffs, and Waves

Mount Sutro Open Space (Inner Sunset)
A eucalyptus forest in the middle of the city, with misty trails and surprising quiet.

  • Best Time: Mornings when the fog drifts through the trees.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Getting There: Muni 6 or 43 bus to Parnassus; enter via Medical Center Way.
  • Insider Tip: Rotary Meadow at the summit is a hidden native-plant garden.

Lands End Labyrinth (Outer Richmond)
A cliffside stone labyrinth built by artist Eduardo Aguilera, with sweeping ocean views.

  • Best Time: Sunset. Bring a wind layer.
  • Cost: Free, but trails are unpaved.
  • Nearby: Try Pearl 6101 or Aziza on Geary for dinner afterward.

Wave Organ (Marina)
A wave-activated sculpture that “plays” when the tide is high.

  • Best Time: Check the tide charts—go at high tide for full effect.
  • Cost: Free.

Art and Culture in the Neighborhoods

Balmy Alley & Clarion Alley Murals (Mission District)
Entire blocks painted with vibrant political and social murals that change over time.

  • Best Time: Early morning for the best light and fewer crowds.
  • Cost: Free; consider a donation-based walking tour for context.
  • Nearby: 24th Street is packed with taquerias and panaderías.

Roxie Theater (Mission District)
The city’s scrappy, independent cinema that screens documentaries, classics, and deep cuts.

  • Best Time: Weeknights or late shows. Buy tickets online—popular screenings sell out.

Minnesota Street Project (Dogpatch)
More than a dozen contemporary art galleries under one roof, always free.

  • Best Time: Afternoons Tuesday–Saturday.
  • Nearby: Have dinner at Piccino (casual Italian) or Hard Knox Café (soul food).
  • Insider Tip: Pair with a stroll along the Dogpatch waterfront.

Stairways and Skyline Views

Embarcadero Center Elevated Walkways (Financial District/Embarcadero)
A network of 1970s-era skybridges connecting the Embarcadero Center towers. These walkways are usually quiet, offering surprising vantage points over Market Street, the Ferry Building, and the Bay. It feels like a secret level of the city.

  • Best Time: Weekdays after office hours or on weekends, when the business crowds are gone.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Insider Tip: Bring a coffee and wander; the gardens and seating areas are often empty, making it a peaceful urban retreat.

16th Avenue Tiled Steps & Hidden Garden Steps (Golden Gate Heights)
Two intricate community mosaic stairways just a few blocks apart, leading to sweeping views at Grandview Park.

  • Best Time: Sunrise or sunset.
  • Cost: Free.

Bernal Heights Park (Bernal Heights)
A classic local sunset spot with panoramic views and a mellow neighborhood vibe.

  • Best Time: Late afternoon into evening.
  • Cost: Free.

A Night in Union Square: Theater and Dining

San Francisco Playhouse (Union Square)
One of the city’s cultural treasures, San Francisco Playhouse is known for intimate, high-quality productions that balance reimagined classics with bold contemporary works. In a time when many regional theaters are shrinking, the San Francisco Chronicle called it “an SF theater that’s actually growing.”

  • What to Expect: A lively pre-show “Happy Half-Hour” in the lobby, a welcoming atmosphere, and a house where every seat feels close to the stage.
  • Tickets: Available directly through the Playhouse; subscriptions and single tickets both sell quickly.
  • Getting There: 450 Post Street, 2nd floor of the Kensington Park Hotel. Powell Street BART is a short walk.
  • Nearby Dining: Bouche (French bistro) or Bartlett Hall (gastropub) for pre-show meals.

Practical Tips

  • Transportation: Use a Clipper Card (physical or mobile) for Muni, BART, and cable cars. Biking is easier with an e-bike (Bay Wheels). Avoid driving downtown if possible.
  • Weather: Always bring layers—summer can be foggy and chilly, while fall is the city’s warmest season.

Suggested Day Plans

  • Fog & Forest Loop: Morning hike on Mount Sutro → coffee on 9th Avenue → climb the 16th Avenue Steps → sunset at Lands End Labyrinth.
  • Mission Crawl: Mural walk in Balmy Alley → indie film at the Roxie → tacos or late-night pupusas nearby.
  • Dogpatch Afternoon: Contemporary art at Minnesota Street Project → dinner at Piccino → brewery stop nearby.
  • Union Square Evening: Cocktails on Geary → San Francisco Playhouse performance → post-show stroll under the lights.

Shopping Detours

Final Local Advice

  • Time your visit around tides, sunsets, or fog depending on what you want to see.
  • Book SF Playhouse and Roxie in advance—small venues fill fast.
  • Be curious: talk to artists, ushers, or baristas. San Franciscans love to share their city with visitors who look beyond the obvious.