Best Things to Do in San Francisco for Young Adults
San Francisco can be very overwhelming for young adults that want to experience everything that this city has to offer. From its standout attractions to its thriving neighborhoods, there’s plenty to see, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed!
But don’t worry! Whether you’re visiting this city for the first time or the fifteenth, it has something for everyone and there’s no need to empty your wallet in the process if you do some planning ahead of time. San Francisco gives you whatever you want, whether you love nature, culture or nightlife, and it doesn’t fold the wallet.
One of the first things about San Francisco that you learn is that it had such a weird blend of natural beauty and urban charm. There are so many things to do in San Francisco for young adults. You’ll find photo-perfect photo ops from the Golden Gate Bridge to the lively streets of Fisherman’s Wharf and everything in between.
Fun Activities for Young Adults in San Francisco
San Francisco is well known for its eclectic mix of fun for the young and energetic. One way to start your day is to bike or hike in Golden Gate Park, or just take in any of the attractions, including the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, or whatever takes your fancy. If you are a tech or an innovation person, there should be an Exploratorium trip to visit the interactive exhibits that test the mind and generate curiosity.
Fishrman’s Wharf is where you’ll want to make sure to stroll — sea lions, clam chowder, or for a chilling historical experience, take a ferry to Alcatraz Island. All of these would be fun things to do in San Francisco if you’re a young adult looking to get a good dose of education and adventure.
Best Nightlife Spots in San Francisco
San Francisco’s nightlife is at its peak, when the sun goes down. If you are young but want to go out late with plenty of lively nightlife options, then North Beach is the place for you as there are a great variety of lively bars and clubs like Monroe and Tupelo, the first of which is famously highly lively at night. Mission District is another hotspot, venues like Public Works host music from EDM to live artists in the Mission District.
SoMa (South of Market) is also kind of trendy cocktail bars and speakeasies but Polk Street has dive bars that are perfect for socializing. San Francisco has so much nightlife whether it’s time to dance the night away or to be around friends; the nightlife in San Francisco gives young adults a lot of options to choose from.
Top Attractions for Millennials in San Francisco
Tourists love visiting iconic places that offer adventure and great photograph opportunities. There are such must visits in San Francisco, such as the Golden Gate Bridge in which you can ride and walk the bridge itself, which has beautiful views of the bay. Haight-Ashbury is a throwback to and the vibrant neighbor hood of the hippie movement with vintage stores, murals and unique eateries.
Don’t miss the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square, the colorful Mission Murals, which show off San Francisco’s artistic spirit, or any of those Instagram worthy moments. Quintessential components of the city’s young adult appeal, these top attractions are what shape San Francisco.
Unique Experiences in San Francisco
San Francisco has lots of different that are unique to the city. If you want something that’s off the beaten path, head over to the Wave Organ (a strange art installation that creates music from the ocean’s tides). Alternatively, there’s the unusual visit to the Musée Mécanique, an arcade filled with old coin operated machines.
Try the GoCar Tours when you want a thrill seeking adventure that will allow you to navigate around the city in a small GPS guided car that will be narrating your way around. No matter what you’re up to, these are the unique things to do in San Francisco for young adults that you have to do if you visit the city.
Adventure Activities in San Francisco for Young Adults
Adventurous young adults will find that San Francisco is a haven. If adrenaline pumping activities are in your mind, do something as different as kayaking in the San Francisco Bay or surfing at Ocean Beach. One of the really great suggestions is hiking up to Twin Peaks to see what a panorama of the city is like.
Want to take it up a notch? Have a blast paragliding over the cliffs at Fort Funston if you dare: beautiful scene with the adrenaline rush of flying. These adventure activities are some must do in San Francisco for young adults who love adventure.
Budget-friendly Things to do in San Francisco
In no means is San Francisco expensive, but they’re not all run of the mill affordable either. You could treat yourself to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park or hit up free walking tours of up and coming cool neighbourhoods such as Chinatown or the Mission district. No cost provides scenic coast views and leads to the famous Sutro Baths ruins at the Lands End Trail.
Head to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum to find out all about the history of the city’s famous transportation system, all for free! Which activities prove that there are lots of entertaining and affordable things for young adults to do in San Francisco.
Outdoor Activities in San Francisco for Young Adults
With San Francisco’s natural beauty, naturally there is a wide range of outdoor activities. From hiking through Glen Canyon Park, to biking down the Embarcadero, or paddle boarding on the bay it’s no surprise we have plenty to choose from.
If you like a laid back style, settle in at Dolores Park to picnic, frisbee around or just soak up the sun with the locals who come out to hang. Some of the best things to do in San Francisco for young adults are outdoor activities, that combine nature with urban adrenaline.
San Francisco Events for Young Adults
There are a lot of things going on in San Francisco for young adults throughout the year. Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass gather big crowds with their convenient combination of music, art and food. It’s another huge, major event that celebrates diversity and inclusion through performances, street parties, as in the case of San Francisco Pride Parade.
The San Francisco International Film Festival is exciting because it has a lot of specialty of indie films and documentaries if you love the film. Some of these things to do in San Francisco for young adults are most anticipated of events.
Instagrammable Places in San Francisco
There is a lot of Instagram worthy spots in San Francisco. As well as old school tourist favourites like the Golden Gate Bridge or Lombard Street, there are also the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, a beautiful tiled staircase with marvellous mosaics. But the city is a great backdrop for selfies, especially from Bernal Heights Park, with views of the bay and the city.
If you seek beauty, thus one of the other hidden gems the Conservatory of the Flowers located in Golden Gate Park where beautiful blooms will make a picturesque background. These aren’t just anywhere to go; these are the places to visit in San Francisco for young adults that make it worth going including capturing memories.
Hidden Gems in San Francisco for Young Adults
Hidden Gems in San Francisco are a city full of hidden treasures and unique experiences in a space that’s not tourist friendly. A visit to Seward Street Slides in San Francisco’s Castro District is fun adventure for people seeking something off the beaten path. These concrete slides are perfect for letting loose, as designed by a local artist—don’t forget to bring a piece of cardboard for the ride down.
Jack Early Park is another small secluded viewpoint in North Beach, that is another hidden gem. With sweeping views of the city and bay, it’s a quiet escape or peaceful picnic. Another lesser known spot with beautiful, but quiet vantage point over San Francisco’s skyline is Ina Coolbrith Park.
There’s also a lot more artsy souls can get into in the Mission District with the Balmy Alley Murals with some vibrant, politically charged street art for the city’s history and cultural diversity. Exploring these hidden gems of the city is one of the better things to do with young adults in San Francisco, I think it gives an intimate connection to the city.
San Francisco Sightseeing for Young Adults
For young adults that like to sightsee, San Francisco is a sightseeing wonderland full of its rich history and culture. The Palace of Fine Arts is a must see and a great place to wander leisurely, or to snap some gorgeous photos. A walking tour of Chinatown, the largest and oldest in North America, will take you to herbal medicine shops, dim sum time and the Chinese American history.
For sightseeing junkies, Coit Tower is another highlight; a tower that allows you to see all of the city right from its top, with murals inside that depict scenes of California life during the Great Depression. A Bay Cruise is also a wonderful way to see the skyline of the city from the water, sailing by Angel Island and Alcatraz Island infamous itself. Included in the best things to do in San Francisco for young adults that want to see all is these spots.
Cultural Experiences in San Francisco
Being a melting pot of art, history, and traditions, San Francisco is your destination if you’re surprised to find someone sitting behind you eating a frog. An easy starting point is to see how one of the world’s largest collections of Asian art is housed at the Asian Art Museum. The Castro Theatre is another cultural treasure, a beloved film buff’s go to spot from sing along musicals to classic films and a landmark in the LGBTQ+ world.
To experience a more informed culture visit the Contemporary Jewish Museum, a celebration of Jewish history and culture through its cutting edge art exhibitions. An elevated experience for young adults who appreciate classical music, the San Francisco Symphony also offers another cultural experience for itself. They are great cultural activities that help make the list of things to do in San Francisco for young adults richer.
San Francisco Food Tours
San Francisco food tours are an exciting way for young adults with an interest in food to explore San Francisco’s diverse food culture. Enjoy world class burritos and artisanal ice cream on a food walk through the Mission District or sign up for a tour of North Beach, aka San Francisco’s Little Italy, where they rustle up authentic Italian dishes like pizza and cannoli.
Ferry Building Marketplace is another foodie hotspot with local artisan vendors with freshly shucked oysters … farm to table baked goods … it goes on. Chinatown food tours are also a must and will get to taste some traditional Chinese dishes like the dumplings, the mooncake and the Peking duck. One of the most delish and arguable things to do in San Francisco for young adults is to go on a food tour.
Live Music Venues in San Francisco
The live music scene in San Francisco is thriving and every type of music is catered to by young adults. Legendary performances have taken place at iconic venues such as The Fillmore, and The Fillmore is a killer place to see indie, rock and alternative bands. I also loved another favorite, The Independent, a very small, intimate venue in the Nopa district, where the lineups are always packed with up and coming artists.
You know The Chapel in the Mission District is more laid back and allowed to house live performances in a beautifully restored chapel setting. If you are a Jazz fan, you will love visiting SFJAZZ where you can see the local and the international jazz artist striking their instruments and packing the house. These are stops that lovers of live music must make when visiting the City of San Francisco for young adults.
Coastal Walks in San Francisco
There’s no shortage of scenic walks that take in the dramatic coast to the Pacific ocean in San Francisco. Winding along the jagged cliff and with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Mile Rock Beach, the Lands End Trail is one of the top walks on the coast.
The Baker Beach walk is another quiet one as you head to this north end beach and stare at the bridge from the bluffs, or head to Crissy Field for an easy one along the water with views of the bay and Alcatraz. These coastal walks are a must do, especially for young adults who love the outdoors and actually offer one of the most peaceful, scenic ways to get around in San Francisco.
Art and Entertainment in San Francisco
San Francisco has a variety of experiences for young adults who are ardent about art and entertainment. Check out World Series regular and frequent winner, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) with one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world. If you’re looking for something different, The Mission District is home to street art populated by murals that tell the story of the city’s social and political movements.
It is of course a place you don’t want to miss, especially if music is your focus, because the Orpheum Theatre enjoys hosting Broadway hits and popular musicals as well. Among the city’s experimentation with performance, visual art exhibition, and other cultural event, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts also offers experimental performances, visual art exhibition, and cultural events that reflect the city’s diverse communities. Exciting things to do in San Francisco for young adults include things like art and entertainment.
Young Adult Social Events in San Francisco
Social events in San Francisco cater to the youth young adults seeking fresh breath of atmosphere and young people around. There’s nothing about a mix of networking events for young professionals and meetups for outdoor enthusiasts that this city’s social scene doesn’t encompass. TechCrunch Disrupt draws tech obsessed people who gather to talk about innovation, and Young Professionals of San Francisco hosts happy hours, mixers, and volunteer opportunities for like minded people.
Organizations like Creative Mornings San Francisco provide creative or cultural social events for those hoping to attend a local art, music and design scene gathering. Some of the coolest things to do in San Francisco for young adults are these social events and they provide all sorts of opportunities to meet new people and take in the pulsing social culture of a city as vibrant as San Francisco.
Local Festivals in San Francisco
During the year, all sorts of festivals fill up San Francisco’s scene for young people, and most attendees are from far away. One of the largest of its kind outside Japan, here we find the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, with performances, food, and traditional art displays. The Bay to Breakers event, with its zany costumes and rowdy runners, is more of a marathon as a city wide party than a race.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is an annual ‘free’ festivals that features a diverse mix of folk, country, and bluegrass music, while Outside Lands is a much talked about summer festival that combines good music, art installations, great food, and a chilled out vibe. One of the most exciting things to do in San Francisco when you’re young is to attend these local festivals, to taste the city’s rich culture and living community spirit.
San Francisco Parks and Recreational Activities
There are many places to visit in San Francisco, but also tons to do outside the city that young adults can enjoy. Muir Woods are home to the towering ancient redwoods, a great place for hiking and photographers alike, and a short car drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. If you’re a wine lover, a trip to Napa Valley or Sonoma will give you the opportunity to tour world renowned vineyards and taste the best wine that California has to offer.
If you’re more into adventures, Santa Cruz is the place to go for surfing and general fun in the beach, or Point Reyes National Seashore for amazing coastal views and spotting the wildlife. If you are a young adult wanting to spend a whole day away from the city to see the nature that surrounds San Francisco, these day trips are perfect for you.
Final Thoughts
As a place full of things to explore, engage in, and have fun in San Francisco is a city full of opportunities for young people. In fact, this city is full of fun activities, amazing nightlife, unique experiences, and it’s not boring! With budget friendly outings, high energy festivals, and so much more for young adults to get involved with, San Francisco is one of the top destinations for millennials and Gen Z.
You’ll be drawn to the iconic landmarks, hidden gems, or the bustling social scene. San Francisco has it all with a beautiful balance of culture, entertainment and outdoor adventures that make you want more. San Francisco has plenty to offer young adults, no matter what your interests are, that there’s always something new and exciting to discover.
FAQs
Is San Francisco fun for young adults?
If you’re a young adult looking to see new culture, try new food, and see beautiful landscapes: San Francisco is the place for you. There isn’t a shortage of places to see and things to do as soon as you set foot from the landmark Golden Gate Bridge, to walking the bustling streets of Chinatown.
Is San Francisco expensive as a tourist?
Visiting and living here is expensive. However, SF remains in the top three ‘best’ vacation cities in every survey. In SF, if you go some place that’s touristy—Fisherman’s Wharf, The Presidio, Chinatown, North Beach, Golden Gate Park, the De Young Museum or the Legion of Honor—they’re tourists.
Is it safe to walk in San Francisco at night?
The thing about San Francisco is that you are safe to walk at night, but it is around the area you are in, and are you alone or with somebody else. Walk on busy streets, and do not walk down a side street alone. Many San Francisco safe neighborhoods and areas will be places where most people will feel comfortable walking alone.
Why is San Francisco so famous?
The Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets, Alcatraz, and you guessed it, dude! Full House. One of the thirteenth largest cities in the United States has some really interesting historical facts.
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