Speciality Museums
Presidio
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Open now
Admission tickets from ₹2,101
Best San Francisco Hidden Gem Attractions
THE 10 BEST Hidden Gems & Unique Experiences in San Francisco
Best San Francisco Hidden Gem Attractions
Category types
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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73 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Speciality Museums
Fisherman’s Wharf
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Open now
Art Museums
Lincoln Park
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Open now
Admission tickets from ₹1,681
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Golden Gate Heights
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Open now
Historic Walking Areas
Financial District
Military Museums • Speciality Museums
Fisherman’s Wharf
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Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Lake Street
Dinner Theatres • Comedy Clubs
Tenderloin
Admission tickets from ₹4,621
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Mission District
Historic Walking Areas
Telegraph Hill
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Pacific Heights
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Open now
Mountains • Points of Interest & Landmarks
West of Twin Peaks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
South Beach
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Temporarily closed
Speciality & Gift Shops
Chinatown
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Open now
What travellers are saying
- dustythoughtsManchester, CT2,295 contributionsThis museum is jam-packed with interesting information, memorabilia, and other assorted items associated with Walt Disney and his family - sketches, pictures, miniature trains, and video reels. It's amazing how much they were able to squeeze into this museum without making it overwhelming. Two floors of exhibits took us two hours to view, and even then we missed a few things. This museum really highlighted how much Walt Disney was able to accomplish in his 65 years!Written 18 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Simon K. NuttHaywards Heath, UK531 contributionsI enjoyed exploring this attraction. It was a very grand structure that was visually very impressive. You should definitely visit if you're in San Francisco!Written 11 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rene C4 contributionsClose business merchants residential economically,commercially development financially,culturally, stoically friendly atmosphere surrounding surroundings area clcik on website INFO on my TripAdvisor .plote coutesou. Family fun up forthe day thank you forthe experienceWritten 11 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Usia2014Calgary, Canada1,953 contributionsThis “museum” is a real working machine shop that runs the cables for the city cable cars. It was loud with the wheels turning and quite fascinating to watch the operation. There were some plaques to read about the history and a short movie to watch. It also has a gift shop. Entrance is free.Written 29 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tanner W4 contributionsCool and unique experience on thr bay area, popular place, all machines are coin operated but most are only 25c to use. Only complaint was some didn't seem to work but there is only 2 I used with that issue.Written 2 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jaseatonSilver Spring, MD2,762 contributionsWe decided to take in the special exhibit of Mary Cassatt paintings at the Legion of Honor Museum. She was a terrific -- and most unusual American impressionist artist living in Paris who worked & palled around with Degas, Monet and others. For the most part, her subjects were upper middle class women and/or mothers with their children, and her methods were sometimes subtle and sly. The museum itself is spacious; the permanent exhibits a selection of European art from centuries past.Written 22 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MJArmstrongPiercePalo Alto, CA13 contributionsI LOVE SF Playhouse. Every production features great actors. I’ve seen full blown Broadway musicals, classic plays and modern offerings. Every production has been worth seeing, even if I didn’t like the play. I go to three or four shows every year. I love that the theater operates year round. Great theater!Written 11 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CRLFWeymouth, MA27 contributionsThis is a beautiful place with amazing views. It's also a sobering place in our country's immigration history. I appreciated the chance to experience both sides of Angel Island. The ferry trip from Tiburon was only 15 minutes and provided a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the fog. It is about a 30 minute walk / climb (1.3 miles one way) from the dock to the area with the Barracks Museum and the Immigration Station Museum. Immigrants were held in the barracks for weeks or months in crowded rooms, where they carved emotional poems in Chinese into the walls. The exhibits provide a lot of information about discrimination against Asian immigrants. The building has only been preserved versus restored, so it felt authentic and you can really imagine the conditions faced by the immigrants. If coming from Tiburon, note that you'll have to park in one of the public lots in town for at least $5 and allow extra time to walk to the dock. We took the 11:00 ferry there and the 1:20 ferry back, which wasn't enough time to see both museums. I'd recommend taking the 10:00 instead.Written 23 September 2023This 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.
- Jay_as_tripvisorDenver, CO1,229 contributionsThe 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project has been a neighborhood collaboration to create a sea to stars themed mosaic flowing up a 163-step stairway located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood. It offers a unique artistic perspective. It is one of the several mosaic steps in SF. You can have great views from atop. It's an easy climb for healthy people of all ages. Best time to visit is on a weekday between 10am-4pm to avoid crowds. You can continue from atop to grand view park, another 140+ steps for even better views.Written 11 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA19,478 contributionsI always take visitors here to this unique corner of the city. Start at the top, up Telegraph Hill and slowly walk down enjoying the views of the Bay and the unusual houses along the way. Marvel at how people get their groceries to their front doors. There are a few benches for sitting along the way.Written 1 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- The Winded Traveller64 contributionsLittle over priced. But pretty neat if you’ve never been in a submarine. Your is self guided/ on your phone. If you have mobility issues this is not the place for you.Written 5 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Montreal_nativeEdmonton, Canada1,550 contributionsPast by randomly and the stagecoach caught our eye. Its free to walk around and they had some pretty interesting displays about the history of Wells Fargo and San Francisco. Worth a look if you have the time.Written 11 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Heather SPurcellville, VA9 contributionsBeautiful. Peaceful. Go in the early morning, and though you’ll have to dodge out of the way for a bike or two, it’s mostly empty outside if that. Well worth it.Written 10 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter ZGuelph, Canada93 contributionsThis is one of a few painted steps in San Francisco and we really wanted to see them. We took the N bus to the corner of 16th and Irving and walked uphill the couple blocks to the painted steps. Further uphill there is a secondary steps. Took lots of photos then made our way down to the main part to see Japanese Gardens and Botanical Gardens. A good bit of walking but fun.Written 15 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
