Get ready to bundle up—it’s summertime in San Francisco! And Karl the Fog has really been working overtime this year. But the gloomy days and windy nights have never stopped the intrepid residents of this city from having an epic good time, no matter the season. Here are some of the best summer destinations in San Francisco.
- The Stern Grove Festival
Flickr/Jari Salomaa Every summer sees an even more impressive lineup of artists and dancers performing amid the eucalyptus trees in Stern Grove on the western edge of the city. It kind of feels like a camp performance — on a totally epic level. And it’s all free! Check out the lineup here.
- Any (Or All) of Our Favorite San Francisco Ice Cream Shops
Yelp/Peter C. Who cares if San Francisco’s summer is the coldest winter you ever spent; ice cream is always a good idea!
- An Amazing Outdoor Patio For Food & Drinks
Yelp/Virgil’s Sea Room Plop your booty down at one of these 13 outdoor patios for eating, drinking, and pure al fresco lazing.
- Take To One Of These 10 Gorgeous Hiking Trails
Flickr/Robert Thompson There are nearly 30 miles of trails weaving their way throughout San Francisco, which is pretty impressive given its small 7×7 landmass. Every one of these trails has something incredible to see, from fertile forests to lush parks to sweeping city views.
- Golden Gate Park
Flickr/Louis Raphael This enchanting plot of land is actually 20% larger than New York’s Central Park! There are so many things to explore here, from the De Young Museum to the Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden to the Conservatory of Flowers. There’s also the Dutch windmills, Stow Lake, and the bison. It’s also the destination for music fans in early August for the Outside Lands Music Festival.
- A Stop At One of These Dozen Hidden Gems
Flickr/Heather Philips There are so many small, secret refuges speckled throughout the city, from mini-parks to mystical forests to POPOS (privately-owned public open spaces) to hillside slides!
- The New SFMOMA
SFMOMA After a long three years, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art finally reopened its doors to the public. Explore the revamped space and collection of modern and contemporary art that includes pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and other iconic creative.
- AT&T Park
Yelp/Mychael H. See the World Champion Giants play, but more importantly, stuff yourself silly with gourmet hot dogs, garlic fries, beer, and wine.
- Sausalito
Flickr/Miwok Get out of the city for a bit and either bike or ferry across the bay to the charming Marin town of Sausalito. Browse cute boutiques and art galleries, load up on saltwater taffy, and sit serenely on the dock of the bay.
- Half Moon Bay & Pescadero
Flickr/Rick Schwartz For another quick and easy escape from the city limits, head south to the quaint coastal city of Half Moon Bay and then to the beaches and tiny downtown of Pescadero, where you can meet seals and goats in one day! Learn more about this fun day trip here.
Looking for more ways to pass the time? Check out our San Francisco Summer Bucket List and this very cool road trip on one tank of gas.
Flickr/Jari Salomaa
Every summer sees an even more impressive lineup of artists and dancers performing amid the eucalyptus trees in Stern Grove on the western edge of the city. It kind of feels like a camp performance — on a totally epic level. And it’s all free! Check out the lineup here.
Yelp/Peter C.
Who cares if San Francisco’s summer is the coldest winter you ever spent; ice cream is always a good idea!
Yelp/Virgil’s Sea Room
Plop your booty down at one of these 13 outdoor patios for eating, drinking, and pure al fresco lazing.
Flickr/Robert Thompson
There are nearly 30 miles of trails weaving their way throughout San Francisco, which is pretty impressive given its small 7×7 landmass. Every one of these trails has something incredible to see, from fertile forests to lush parks to sweeping city views.
Flickr/Louis Raphael
This enchanting plot of land is actually 20% larger than New York’s Central Park! There are so many things to explore here, from the De Young Museum to the Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden to the Conservatory of Flowers. There’s also the Dutch windmills, Stow Lake, and the bison. It’s also the destination for music fans in early August for the Outside Lands Music Festival.
Flickr/Heather Philips
There are so many small, secret refuges speckled throughout the city, from mini-parks to mystical forests to POPOS (privately-owned public open spaces) to hillside slides!
SFMOMA
After a long three years, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art finally reopened its doors to the public. Explore the revamped space and collection of modern and contemporary art that includes pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and other iconic creative.
Yelp/Mychael H.
See the World Champion Giants play, but more importantly, stuff yourself silly with gourmet hot dogs, garlic fries, beer, and wine.
Flickr/Miwok
Get out of the city for a bit and either bike or ferry across the bay to the charming Marin town of Sausalito. Browse cute boutiques and art galleries, load up on saltwater taffy, and sit serenely on the dock of the bay.
Flickr/Rick Schwartz
For another quick and easy escape from the city limits, head south to the quaint coastal city of Half Moon Bay and then to the beaches and tiny downtown of Pescadero, where you can meet seals and goats in one day! Learn more about this fun day trip here.
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