A photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on a bright, sunny day.

Things To Do On a
Sunny Day in San Francisco

By Carol High

San Francisco doesn't take its sunny days for granted.

Once the sun comes out and the temperatures rise, everyone races to grab a spot to take in an unbelievable city view (before Karl the Fog crashes the party) or heads to one of their favorite attractions.

Explore Angel Island

Angel Island is often considered the “less famous” Alcatraz, but this simply means that it’s less crowded and less expensive than its counterpart. It’s also the one-stop-shop for day trippers. Historical tours, hiking, biking and a cute café by the water--this island’s got it all, and it’s easy to do most of it in a single day.

Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour with Big Bus

The Hop-On/Hop-Off Big Bus San Francisco is one of the best ways to get to know the city and see all the top sights, including Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, North Beach, Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury and the Golden Gate Bridge. Most buses have a professional guide on board providing live commentary. Each tour features entertaining pre-recorded narration in 10 languages, so you’ll learn all about the city’s history, culture, and famous neighborhoods while your attention is directed at the landmarks you along the way.

Buy Big Bus Tickets

Ride A Bike Over the Golden Gate Bridge

Explore the beautiful, bike-friendly streets and waterfront paths of San Francisco all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge with an all-day bike rental from Blazing Saddles. Their easy-ride bikes, combined with their new, free mobile app full of helpful tips and sightseeing suggestions make the self-guided tours easy and fun for everyone.

Rent A Bike With Blazing Saddles

Explore the USS Pampanito and Fisherman's Wharf

Visit the legendary USS Pampanito, a World War II submarine, memorial and National Historic Landmark. Take an audio tour and learn about the on-going preservation efforts. Just steps away is the heart of world-famous Fisherman's Wharf, perfect for strolling among seafood stalls, souvenir shops and many more attractions.

Cruise on the Bay

Sail under one of the "Modern Wonders of the World." Glimpse sea lions and seals at play. Get an up-close look at Alcatraz, where Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly spent their final days. And learn all the secrets of the fascinating City by the Bay. You can do this through Blue & Gold or Red & White Fleet.

Tour Oracle Park

It's home to the San Francisco Giants from April to October every year, but you can take a an unforgettable tour inside Oracle Park any time for a “player’s eye view." You'll have access to the infield warning track, the dugout, batting cages, the visitors’ clubhouse, the press box and a luxury suite.

Book An Oracle Park Tour

Dine Al Fresco

When the weather heats up, everyone flocks to the nearest park with a gorgeous city view or a patio to have a delicious meal. We wouldn't want you to miss out on these places when the temperatures finally rise.

Dine Outdoors

Tour the City by Foot

One fabulous way to get out and about in San Francisco is to try a food tour. You can sample a wide variety of treats, plus go behind the scenes to learn a bit more about the folks making that delectable chocolate or incredible pasta.

Visit Alcatraz

Located one-and-a-half miles from Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz is one of the city's most popular attractions. A visit to the island includes a tour of the cell house where visitors can see where the prisoners lived. Although the last inmates were transferred off the island in 1963, the main prison block with its steel bars, claustrophobic cells, mess hall, and library are still structurally intact.

Buy Alcatraz Tickets

Check Out Sutro Baths and Lands End

For decades, the Sutro Baths were an iconic part of San Francisco and defined the grand vision that prominent San Franciscans had for their burgeoning city. If you're planning a visit to San Francisco's Richmond District, it's worth visiting the ruins of the Sutro Baths, both for their breathtaking views and rich history. Here's how to make the most out of your trip there.

Stroll Farmers' Markets

Every day of the week, there is a farmers' market happening somewhere in the city. With fresh produce year-round and plenty of farms nearby, it's literally farm-to-table every day. That's something not every destination can lay claim to (we're looking at you Midwest and East Coast). While it would be impossible to feature all of them (many are small neighborhood markets), here are some of our favorites.

Visit a World-Famous Farmers Market

Check Out the View from Dolores Park

Dolores Park is always packed with San Franciscans old and new. From the southwest corner, you can get a heartbreaking view of downtown San Francisco, with the Bay behind the skyline and palm tree-lined Dolores Street stretching out in front of you like a California dream.

Carol High

Carol is a digital marketer creating media-rich content for global audiences covering travel, San Francisco and the Bay Area, food & drink, outdoor experiences, and cross-cultural storytelling. Her work is found in the San Mateo Daily Journal and The Skyline View (Skyline College). Before travel writing, her professional background included working internationally in business, nonprofits, and government. She lives in San Francisco with her family and regularly explores the parks in her city, especially untamed McLaren Park.