San Francisco Historic Sites
Historic Sites in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Historic Sites
Category types
Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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68 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Recommended Sightseeing Experiences (623)
Revenue impacts these recommendations, learn more.
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Alamo Square
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
Fisherman’s Wharf
Historic Sites • Missions
Mission District
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Open now
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Haight-Ashbury
Speciality & Gift Shops • Historic Sites
Chinatown
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Open now
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Haight-Ashbury
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Pacific Heights
Historic Sites • Government Buildings
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Haight-Ashbury
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Chinatown
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Chinatown
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Pacific Heights
Historic Sites • Castles
Hunters Point
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Haight-Ashbury
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Financial District
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Chinatown
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Jackson Square
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Haight-Ashbury
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Embarcadero
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Embarcadero
What travellers are saying
- TravelerGabeWellington, CO141 contributionsIt is very interesting being able to get on a ferry and approach the island. Once you are on the island you can explore various parts and take an audio tour of the cell house. Just note that most of the island is off-limits as it is a bird sanctuary.
I especially found exploring the cell house pretty neat as it is pretty quiet due to everyone listening to the audio tour in their headset. You can go in the solitary confinement cell for example, which was cool.
Overall the experience was great! Even better if you go when the marine layer comes into the bay area!Written 24 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - HeatheryBroken Arrow, OK65 contributionsIt's a bucket list thing. Not much to see. Yep, it's a bridge. But it's cool to say you saw it. There's a good pulloff spot for photos.Written 20 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Victoria DEl Centro, CA15 contributionsI first heard of The Painted Ladies 3 years ago and had been wanting to visit since. I finally did with a friend December 1, 2024. We viewed them from the park across the street although there is a sidewalk in front of the houses we could have walked on to take a closer look
The houses are so pretty, but the paint on them is faded or painted such light shades that the colors all looked pastel. Might have been due to the suns position. We were there at 1:30 PM. It was nice to sit in the park and look at them and imagine the people who lived and now live there.Written 10 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - publiussullaSeattle, WA316 contributionsWe had visited this place before but it was closed, a holiday most likely. The place is open the rest of the time and free to enter. We walked the walls which have incredible views of the bay and the Golden Gare Bridge is right over head. Not too crowded and we spent probably 30 to 40 mins checking out the exhibits which were quite interesting and scaling the stairs to get to the roof for the amazing sweeiping views! Highly recommended to check this place as I don't think folks know about it.Written 26 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adventure DivaManchester, CT2,779 contributionsLocated at The Embarcadero at Pier 35, I'm told this vessel is the only active Liberty Ship in the U.S. Glad I got to visit to hear all the historic stories. There are also volunteer opportunities and a youth overnite program to participate in. Check out their website for upcoming events.Written 24 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lina EKuala Lumpur, Malaysia3,707 contributionsThe Mission Dolores Basilica offers a fascinating glimpse into history with its stunning architecture and beautiful stained glass windows, some of which date back to the 1700s.
A self-guided tour costs just $10, granting access not only to the basilica itself but also to the adjacent small museum and peaceful cemetery, where you can immerse yourself in the mission’s rich past.
During my visit, the atmosphere was serene, with fewer than a dozen people inside, allowing for quiet reflection and an uninterrupted experience. You’ll enter and exit through the gift shop, which offers a variety of unique souvenirs to commemorate your visit.Written 8 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - betsnowTucson, AZ2,233 contributionsJust do it. If you are a fan of classic rock, or just nostalgic and wanting to immerse yourself in the areas history, why not just pop by and take a photo of yourself by the house? We were careful to be respectful given there are people who live there and own the house (and are probably inside rolling their eyes at us) but it was fun to see where the Grateful Dead once lived and made music and likely did lots of other naughty things!Written 7 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Neil BAuckland, New Zealand1,494 contributionsIf you’ve been at Golden Gate Park, it’s well worth a short walk along Ocean Beach to have a look at the Sutro Baths. A fascinating glimpse into the remains of a substantial Victorian era bathing complex. Free. Good view from above. If you want to walk down to the baths, thee are a lot of steps.Written 12 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- maxpasteMechanicsburg, PA1,150 contributionsWe loved this bookstore and appreciated the eclectic variety of authors and topics. It’s reasonably well organized and easy to navigate.Written 12 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- misopiso88Seattle, WA24,069 contributionsIf you are in the neighborhood, it is worth a stroll by to check out the San Francisco Armory. The building was constructed in the early 1900s and designed with a castle-like appearance in a Moorish Revival style. Just the brick work alone is worth the side trip!Written 28 November 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Escape-overseasStevenage, UK1,704 contributionsFor those that love the music legend no doubt the house in Haight Street would be something of a pilgrimage. To me it was an interesting property with an historical significance, adding to the eclectic mix of buildings and people that make up the area. Thoroughly enjoyed my visit along the street.Written 9 October 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nikos TOrlando, FL527 contributionsOne of the few houses of that style that you can visit. The tour guides are very knowledgeable, so I would put it on my list of things to do if there is extra time.Written 20 November 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DebbieSan Francisco, CA51 contributionsMany people know about Ellis Island, but the Angel Island Immigration Station is not as well known. This site processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants from 1910-1940. Due to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, many of the Chinese immigrants who came to this station were unfortunately subject to grueling interrogations and lengthy detentions.
To get to the immigration station from the ferry dock at Ayala Cove, one can walk uphill 1-1.5 miles (depending on the trail). Alternatively, there is also a shuttle available, but it runs on a very limited schedule. We took the 10:30 am shuttle (which we had prepaid online) from Ayala cove. The shuttle brought us directly to the immigration station which opened at 11am. We were able to take a guided tour (7$/person) which began outside by the large fog bell and later went inside the detention barracks. The excellent tour was led by long time volunteer Joe.
There are over 200 poems etched into the walls of the barracks by detainees. This was sobering to see. The poems are beautiful, haunting, and sad.
This is a somber, dark part of American history.Written 24 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Thomas VOakland, CA19,509 contributionsSo I note this building whenever I emerge from BART at the Powell Street station. I find it nice to ignore the honky tonk all around, the buskers and the beggars and just focus on this lovely architecture which has long been a landmark.Written 21 November 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TAMAN1951Liberty Lake, WA8,913 contributionsJust a house in the Haight Ashbury area but si significant to the music of the times. A great neighborhood chocked full of stars of the time.Written 6 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
