San Francisco in Fall – 26 Fun Things To Do From A Local (2026)

Want to know why you should visit San Francisco in fall?

I’m guessing you’ve heard the famous quote “the coldest winter I ever spent was the summer in San Francisco.” While apparently this quote is falsely attributed to the great Mark Twain, the content of the quote is not false at all. 

Summer in our lovely city can be very chilly and really foggy. I had a San Francisco rooftop deck at one point and we could literally watch the fog roll in and cover the city. 

Why am I mentioning summer when this post is about the fall? Because the fall is so much warmer than the summer! This makes fall an awesome time to visit!

We’ll experience temps in the 70’s fahrenheit during the months of September and October with virtually zero threat of rain. In November, temps drop a bit into the 60’s and we typically have some rainy days as we head into winter.

San Francisco is always a great idea, regardless of the season, but I’m pretty sure most people will tell you the fall is an ideal time of year to explore the city by the bay.

The guide will give you my top picks for things to do in San Francisco in fall.

Here are the Top 25 Things to do in
San Francisco in Fall

Use this guide to plan your itinerary for your fall in San Francisco visit. Don’t forget to check out all my other San Francisco guides for more itineraries and inspiration! Whether you have one day in SF itinerary, 2 days in SF itinerary, or 3 days in SF itinerary, you can customize your fall activities with the help of this list.

Pro Tips:

• Wear the most comfortable shoes you have when visiting San Francisco.
• Have your Uber or Lyft app ready to access on your phone.
• Keep your portable charger with you because you’ll be taking a lot of pics and videos during your visit.
• Download the Clipper Card on your phone for easy access to public transportation.
• Get the City Pass for entrance to all the museums and attractions.

And, if you’re short on time, here’s a quick look at my Top 5 Picks:

• Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
• Explore Fort Funston/Ocean Beach
• Spend time in Golden Gate Park
• Ride a Cable Car
• Climb the Greenwich Steps over Telegraph Hill to North Beach

#1 Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge

A visit to the world’s most iconic bridge is a must to any San Francisco visit, especially in the fall. Why? Because you are likely to get some blue skies instead of fog. No guarantees, but it’s a great walk either way! The bridge itself, its history and its sheer beauty are unsurpassed. The views from the bridge, however are unlike any you’ve ever seen of the Bay Area. You’ll love the contrast of the blue water, green hills of Mt. Tam, and the classic orange of the bridge.

I suggest this route below:
It’s 2 miles to reach the bridge and then the 1.7 miles if you walk across the entire bridge. This makes for a 7.4 mile round trip walk if you complete the entire bridge. 

(If this is too far, then simply turn around after you experience some of the thrill of being on the Golden Gate Bridge.)

Start at the boat marina adjacent to the Marina Green, near the Palace of Fine Arts.

• Follow the path along the water on Crissy Field Avenue
• Slight right onto Battery E Trail
• Turn left onto the Coastal Trail until you come to the steps on your left
• Climb the stairs up to the Golden Gate Bridge

For a shorter walk, follow these directions to drive to the bridge, park or get dropped off,  and walk the bridge from there.

• Drop off point at the south end of the bridge.
• If parking, use the lot at the Southeast end of the bridge. There are only 26 general spaces in that lot, but people are often leaving, so be patient and you’ll eventually find a spot.
• Sometimes an additional lot is made available up the hill. 
• It is strongly recommended by the Transportation District, and me, not to drive if you can be dropped off instead. There are a lot of tour buses and cars making it inconvenient for parking.

#2 Walk through Golden Gate Park

The crown jewel of San Francisco is the gorgeous Golden Gate Park, part of the Golden Gate National Park Region. It’s 1000 acres of trails, gardens, meadows, lakes and museums bordering the Pacific Ocean that are stunning in the fall. The reds and yellow colors of the ginkgo trees, dogwoods, and maples are visible throughout the park. 

There is an All Garden Pass for entrance to the Conservatory of Flowers, the Botanical Garden, and the Japanese Tea Garden for $12.75 – $36.75 depending on the age of the visitor. Tix available here.

Here’s a list of the highlights for autumn in Golden Gate Park:

• Conservatory of Flowers: A historic greenhouse with a vast collection of rare and exotic plants. With 5 galleries of plants and flowers to explore, you’ll see the changes of the seasons in plants from around the world. This is a beautiful building and the oldest glass flower conservatory in all of North America! It’s free on the first Tuesday of the month. Prices range from $6.75 – $17.75 depending on age of visitor.

• California Academy of Sciences: An innovative natural history museum that includes an aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest all under one roof. The fall on the roof garden is particularly beautiful and gives you views of the whole park in its fall glory! Prices range from $31.95 – $40.95 depending on the age of visitor.

• De Young Museum: An art museum showcasing American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles, and costumes. Prices range from $11 – $20 depending on the age of visitor.

• Japanese Tea Garden: The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States, offering a peaceful landscape of paths, ponds, and a teahouse. The Japanese Maples are especially striking this time of year. The deep reds and bright yellows are great for photo ops. Prices range from $6.75 – $17.75 depending on age of visitor.

• San Francisco Botanical Garden: Home to over 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. Within the SFBG are some of the most colorful trees in the park.Prices range from $6.75 – $17.75 depending on age of visitor.

• Stow Lake: A popular spot for paddle boating and leisurely strolls, with picturesque views and the famous Strawberry Hill Island.

• Golden Gate Park Windmills & Tulip Garden: Two historic windmills surrounded by a tulip garden, near the park’s western edge.

• Buffalo Paddock: A field where a small herd of American bison live, symbolizing the Wild West.

#3 Take a Cable Car Ride

No one will argue that a cable car ride is a special and really fun way to transport from one part of town to another. The fall is probably the best time to ride because the warm breeze, and the possibility of fewer people, make waiting in line and the ride more pleasant.

My Instructions for how to ride the Powell/Hyde cable car: 
Get in line up the hill from Ghirardelli Square, and just across the street from the famous Buena Vista Cafe, at Hyde and Beach Streets at the Powell/Hyde Cable Car. 
Buy your tickets at the booth or online with the Clipper Card. 

Wait in the queue for the next car. The best positions are to catch a seat facing the outside of the car. These are the popular seats so they fill up first. Do your best, but don’t stress, you’ll enjoy the ride no matter what!

#4 Explore Fisherman’s Wharf & Ghirardelli Square & Pier 39

The Fisherman’s Wharf area includes the famous former chocolate factory of Ghirardelli Square and the tourist attractions at Pier 39. This whole section of the city is always bustling, but since the tourist season tapers off in the fall, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and warm, summer-like weather as you hang out by the water. 

This is the area for clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, or fresh crab, and everyone’s favorite fish & chips. It’s all about tourist shops, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and street performers. Definitely worth the visit and always fun on a sunny afternoon. Be sure to spend time watching San Francisco’s most famous sea lions at Pier 39. They soak up the sun on the docks and are fun to visit.

#5 Walk the Beach at Fort Funston

I love the beach any time of the year, but you can’t beat the fall sun and blue skies with a crisp breeze at the beach. While Ocean Beach and Lands End are terrific, a favorite hidden gem is Fort Funston, a little further south on Highway 1.

Fort Funston is a former military installation and is now part of the National Parks Conservatory. The bluffs above the beach have views and a bunch of dog friendly trails, with a long hike down to the beach.

It’s a tremendously windy spot, that is famous for hang gliders to launch from. Watch them as they take off and fly over the ocean.

#6 Climb the Hidden Steps of San Francisco

San Francisco is known for its hills, obviously – and one of the best features of this hilly city is that artistic, charming, and hidden steps have been built to help you navigate the steepest of inclines. I’m on a bit of a mission to climb all the stairs of SF because the rewards for getting to the top are the breathtaking views. A great time to see these views with less chance of fog is in the fall. Plan on a climb, bring your camera and enjoy!

Here are three favorite staircases in SF:

16th Street Tiled Steps -Moraga Street & 16th Avenue. This Inner Sunset/Golden Gate Heights staircase is tiled with the most exquisite colors and design that was funded by the neighborhood and includes gardens on each side of the staircase that are lovely in the fall.

Lyon Street Steps – Lyon Street & Green Street below, Entrance to the Presidio at Lyon Street & Broadway above. The gardens surrounding these steps and the Presidio trees make this a beautiful fall excursion.

Greenwich Street Steps – Find these staircases across from the Embarcadero at the corner of Greenwich St. & Sansome St. in the cul de sac. This is a fantastic walk from The Embarcadero to North Beach over Telegraph Hill. You’ll discover the most charming and hidden homes of the city, the iconic Coit Tower and its famous murals, and then descend into North Beach.

#7 Wander and Dine in North Beach

If you’re looking for a little European vibe this fall, then come to San Francisco’s North Beach along Columbus Avenue. This is the Italian heritage neighborhood, filled with the best restaurants, bars, and comedy clubs. It’s also home to the original Beat Generation writers, the world famous City Lights Bookstore, trattorias, and Vesuvio Cafe. Perfect for a fall evening with outdoor cafes, string lights, and cozy fireplaces.

October is Italian Heritage month, so you’ll see the colors of the Italian flag lighting up the neighborhood.

#8 Visit the World Famous Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is not only beautiful and rich in color and culture, but it is one of the oldest and most lively in the country. You’ll find traditional shops, markets, temples, and great restaurants. Look for these highlights:

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory: At 56 Ross Alley, where fortune cookies are made and you can create your own fortune.

Dragon’s Gate: The beautiful entrance at Grant Avenue and Bush Street.

Grant Avenue: The main street with stores selling Chinese souvenirs.

Portsmouth Square: The center and heartbeat of Chinatown.

#9 Check Out the Fall Gardens on Lombard Street

I’m sure you’ve heard of the “crookedest street in the world,” AKA Lombard Street. This is a big attraction in San Francisco, and one you should experience at least once. Drive down, or walk down and enjoy the scene in fall, hopefully with fewer tourists slowing down the traffic.

One of the coolest things about this adventure are the gorgeous garden beds along the street. There are 10 of them and they are each meticulously cared for by just one person! The neighborhood and community fund the gardener job all year long. Look for the hydrangeas, roses, poppies and the signature knobby sycamore trees.

#10 Discover San Francisco’s Haunted Past

You may not know about San Francisco’s sketchy past and all the ghosts that continue to haunt the city! A San Francisco haunted ghost tour is the perfect opportunity to take an evening stroll through San Francisco’s downtown, North Beach, and Chinatown neighborhoods and learn all about it.

A guided tour gives you historical context and many chances to feel or experience paranormal activity!
Check out tours here.

#11 Visit the Superior Museums of San Francisco

Stepping inside for a museum is always a great choice in San Francisco in the fall. San Francisco has some of the most impressive and exciting museum opportunities in the country.  Here is a list of my favorite art museums in the city. These are all family friendly and have excellent permanent collections as well as world class exhibits.

Palace of Legion of Honor: 100 34th Ave. This is my favorite museum in San Francisco for a lot of reasons – it’s small and manageable in one visit, its location is gorgeous, and it has a stunning sculpture collection. The Palace of Legion of Honor is located in Lincoln Park, in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

De Young Museum: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. The De Young is San Francisco’s premiere art museum with a huge permanent collection and the best visiting exhibits from around the world. Situated in Golden Gate Park, the De Young Museum features American art, contemporary art, textiles, and costumes in a beautiful setting.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MoMA): 151 3rd St. The SF MoMA is a contemporary art museum of perfect size in downtown San Francisco. The SF MoMa is known for its sophisticated collection of contemporary art, engaging exhibits, and modern architecture.

California Academy of Sciences: 55 Music Concourse Dr. This cool science museum in Golden Gate Park blends an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a rainforest in one of the greenest buildings in the city.

Exploratorium: Pier 15, The Embarcadero & Green St.. The Exploratorium is another perfect family activity. It’s an interactive science museum on the waterfront of the Embarcadero.  Filled with hands-on exhibits that explore art, science, and human perception.

#12 Take a Drive to Napa Valley’s Wine Country

Northern California is world renowned for its incredible wine country and tasting venues. I’m going to narrow it down for you a little because the delicious possibilities are endless! The most popular places to visit are Napa and Sonoma. I’m going to suggest a perfect day in Napa, about an hour and a half from San Francisco. Driving to and through the Napa Valley is so beautiful and the fall season is gorgeous. 

Plan on lunch at the lovely Brix Restaurant, 7377 St. Helena Highway. Perfect for the fall because the gardens and outdoor seating area are exquisite, not to mention the food is amazing! Then head down the road to the Clos Du Val Winery, 5330 Silverado Trail for a tasting. We enjoyed a package that included several tastings paired with charcuterie!

#13 Take a Cruise to Alcatraz Island 

Fall is everyone’s favorite time for a Bay cruise to Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz is famous for being a historic federal prison that once held notorious criminals. Now a national park, Alcatraz tours are one of San Francisco’s most popular activities. You take a ferry from Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy the tour of the former prison. Definitely buy tickets here, in advance, to guarantee the day and time that you want. 

#14 Spend a Fall Day at the San Francisco Zoo

Sloat Blvd & Great Highway 

Across from Ocean Beach, this great for fall activity is one of the nicest zoos around. The setting, by the beach, makes it a great outdoor activity for the whole family. The Zoo is home to over 1,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals representing 250 species its wildlife conservation setting.

Special Fall Events in San Francisco

#15 Listen to Free Concerts at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell

SF Live and the SF Parks & Recreation Department host a free concert series to bring live music to the community at the Golden Gate Bandshell which is in Golden Gate Park at Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive between the Japanese Tea Garden and the Academy of Sciences. The schedule includes lots of great local bands playing all kinds of music.

• Singer/Songwriter Wednesdays 4 – 7 p.m.
• Friday Happy Hour 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
• Crucial Reggae Sundays 4:20 – 7:30 p.m.  (+ select Saturdays)
• For more info, check their website here.

#16 Free Family Friendly Outdoor Movie Nights!

Bundle up with a picnic dinner for free movie nights hosted by the SF Parks Alliance Sundown Cinema. They host fall movie nights in different parks around the city. The movies start at sundown and it’s totally free. Expect pre- show food trucks, music, and entertainment when you go! Here’s a line up for the fall 2024:

• Friday, September 6: SF’s Lost Landscapes, Found Home Movies at Duboce Park
• Friday, October 4: The Princess and the Frog at India Basin Waterfront
• Friday, October 18: The Nightmare Before Christmas (sing-along and costume contest) at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park

#17 Fall at Filoli Gardens

86 Cañada Road, Woodside

This requires a little trip, about 35 minutes south of San Francisco to the famed estate in Woodside, California.

Filoli may be best known for its extravagant holiday celebrations and light show, but going in the fall is magical in a different way. The fall fruits in the orchard will be available for sampling – apple, pear, plum, and walnut trees and more are part of the Filoli estate.

The Filoli estate is on 654 acres that includes a mansion, formerly a private home. The residence and gardens have been open to the public since 1975, as part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The mansion is a 54,000 square-foot Georgian revival-style home with 16 acres of English gardens, a 6.8-acre Orchard, and acres and acres of Natural Lands.

#18 What’s Fall without a Pumpkin Patch?

If you’re like me and love to carve pumpkins, (yes I still do this even though the kids are grown and gone), then you’ll want to find a pumpkin patch in SF. Head to Fort Mason for the Guardsmen Pumpkin Patch in October. The Guardsmen raise money to support underprivileged youth in connecting with outdoor programing and activities.

Another awesome Pumpkin Patch is across the Bay on the Alameda Point (former army base) at Speer Family Farms. This patch is open September through November and has jumpy houses, slides, games, a train, a petting zoo, a carousel and so much more! Worth the trip on the ferry to visit the east bay!

#19 Enjoy the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival in Chinatown

September 14 & 15 2024

The Harvest Moon is an important time in many cultures and in Asian culture this is a time of exciting celebration. Of course the incredible community of San Francisco’s Chinatown does it up big! Each year, there are parades, street dancers, Dragon performers, mooncakes for eating, and lots of celebrating.

#20 The Annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

October 4 – 6, 2024

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is known for its annual music festivals. The Outside Lands Music Festival is a pricey and very popular event in the summer, but the fall is saved for The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Founded by the late SF venture capitalist, Warren Hellman, the festival has maintained its original concept and continues to be free for all to attend. You’ll find the line up and schedule here.

#21 Don’t Miss Fleet Week!

Oct. 7-14, 2024

Since 1981, Fleet Week has been a fixture of the San Francisco fall schedule. This is the week of spectacle and celebration of the US Navy and features the hugely popular Blue Angels. They perform an incredible air show each year flying between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. You can see the show from many locations, but the best viewing is at Aquatic Park, Crissy Field,and Pier 39. They are super loud, so be prepared. We hear them no matter where we are in the Bay Area!

#22 North Beach’s Italian Heritage Festival & Parade

Oct 13, 2024

San Francisco’s Italian American community celebrates for the whole month of October. Many traditions celebrate Columbus the explorer and Queen Isabella. The most popular of all the events is the parade.

Beginning at 12:30 in Fisherman’s Wharf and continuing through North Beach on Columbus Avenue, and ending In Washington Square at Saints Peter and Paul Church. You’ll find music, food, and plenty of celebrating to keep you busy all weekend!

#23 Bavarian Oktoberfest by the Bay!

Sept 27 – October, 19, 2024

San Francisco hosts a massive Oktoberfest each year with all the beer, music, and festivities you can imagine. Put on your lederhosen and get down to the Embarcadero Pier 35 to enjoy all the bratwurst you can handle! Ticket prices and info to be announced soon.

#24 The Annual Ocean Beach Leap Sandcastle Classic

Oct 26, 11- 3:30  Ocean Beach

For over 40 years, the Leap Sandcastle Classic has raised funding to support arts education for over 8500 students each year in 30 different schools.The teams who build these unbelievable castles are engineers, designers, contractors, and children who create massive sand sculptures. Expect to find food trucks, live music, and thousands of people who come out to watch the process.

#25 A San Francisco Crawloween

San Francisco, as you can imagine, goes nuts for Halloween. Kids, adults, everyone is in on the fun! Neighborhoods are decorated to the hilt and families have plenty of opportunities for safe trick or treating activities.

For the grown ups who use this as an excuse for a wild time, there are pub crawls on the weekend prior to Halloween. Look for the list of participating pubs on crawloween.com. You buy a ticket which lets you into a long list of clubs for free!

#26 The Mission’s Annual Dia De Los Muertes – Day of the Dead Celebration

Nov 2, 25th Street and San Bruno Avenue

San Francisco’s Mission District celebrates the Day of the Dead to honor ancestors in the most special and spiritual of ways. This free cultural celebration is open to all people to come to the Mission for art, music, culture, food, and healing.

Where to Stay In San Francisco in Fall

Finding you the safest and best places to stay is my thing! So, here are a few spots from my more comprehensive list of safest places to stay in San Francisco.

Best Bargain Boutique Hotel In San Francisco
The Hotel Triton
In the heart of Union Square next to the gates of Chinatown is this hip hotel with unique rooms and an artistic vibe. They are known for their great service, terrific location, and the best French restaurant in town, Cafe De La Presse.

---

Best Comfy Boutique Hotel in San Francisco
Hotel Zeppelin
This is in the beautiful Nob Hill neighborhood and is a good bargain. The Zeppelin celebrates San Francisco’s avant garde style. This is a comfy and affordable hotel in a great location.

---

Best Mid Range Boutique Hotel in San Francisco
1 Hotel San Francisco (formerly Hotel Vitale)
The 1 Hotel San Francisco is across from the Ferry Building with views of the skyline and the Bay. This hotel is known for its natural materials, sustainably sourced linens, and beautiful decor.

---

Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in San Francisco
Hotel Drisco

This is a luxury boutique hotel at the top of the Pacific Heights neighborhood. The Drisco is an Edwardian style hotel with superb service, complimentary breakfasts and wine time!

Getting Around San Francisco

OK, so it’s kind of a thing to complain about public transportation in San Francisco. It’s a fine system if you know how to navigate it, but as a visitor, you may not find it very convenient.Here’s some info to help you out.

WALK!!! As much as you can. You’ll see more and get lots of exercise. Bring good shoes, there are plenty of hills! 

San Francisco’s Public Transportation System

BART, Bay Area Rapid Transit, is a rail system transporting people from the East Bay and Peninsula in and out of the city. This is primarily for commuters.

MUNI, Municipal Transit Agency, includes the buses, electric bus trolleys, light rail trains, cable cars, and street cars. These are the transports to use for getting around the city. Load the MuniMobile App to plan your route and pay for your tickets. A 3 day visitor Pass on Muni Mobile is $31.

The Clipper Card is available for download on your phone, or you can purchase a physical card. The beauty of the Clipper Card is that it is good for ALL Bay Area transit – BART, Muni, and even the Cable Cars.

Enjoy San Francisco in Fall! You won’t be sorry!

In a nutshell…

Visiting San Francisco in the fall is considered by many to be the best time of year to be in the City by the Bay. It’s a delightful season that enhances the best of what the city has to offer. With warmer temperatures, fewer crowds, and an exciting array of seasonal activities, you’ll be able to explore iconic landmarks, stunning parks, and cultural neighborhoods in city setting.

Whether you’re walking across the Golden Gate Bridge under clear skies, enjoying the colorful foliage in Golden Gate Park, or soaking in the festive atmosphere of events like Fleet Week and the Italian Heritage Festival, fall is truly the perfect time to experience the charm and beauty of San Francisco.

What are you waiting for? Pack your bags, put on some comfortable shoes, and get ready to discover the city by the bay in its most pleasant season!

xx,
Carrie