10 Things to Do in San Francisco in Summer

With its steep streets, beautiful Victorian architecture and myriad attractions, San Francisco is a city not to be missed. There is truly so much to see and do in San Francisco. If you add to that touring the bay, Golden Gate Park and Chinatown with one of the best temperatures you could ask for, the result is unbeatable.

In this article I will tell you what are the best things to do in this beautiful city in summer. San Francisco is full of outdoor activities and the weather is great for walking or riding the picturesque trams.

There's nothing like touring a city by bike. The pleasant summer weather invites you to enjoy the green spaces, and believe me San Francisco has some of the most beautiful ones. Can you imagine crossing the Golden Gate Bridge by bike?

I recommend it, and then you can even go to Golden Gate Park, one of the most incredible green lungs of the city that you can't miss.

It is one of the largest parks in the United States, even bigger than Central Park in New York. Here you'll find some pleasant surprises, such as the Conservatory of Flowers, the California Academy of Science and the Deyoung Museum of Art, beautiful places you can't miss.

Note that during the summer, some of San Francisco's best museums are absolutely free, which is all the more reason to pay them a visit.

If you're in good shape, you can cycle to the bay itself and enjoy some of the best views in San Francisco, or ride to the town of Sausalito and take a break for a rest. As you can see, San Francisco is much better in summer.

Another good opportunity to enjoy the city in summer is to go see the San Francisco Giants, the local baseball team.

If you've never seen a baseball game in the United States, you can't miss a visit to Oracle Park, where you'll feel part of the fervour of the thousands of fans. You will be able to live the experience of watching live one of the most typically American sports.

Baseball, along with basketball , ice hockey and football, are Americans' favourite sports, and having the chance to spend an afternoon out doors watching a game and savouring a classic hot dog is truly unparalleled.

Summer is the ideal time for this activity, as temperatures are optimal and very occasionally it rains.

This is an ideal plan to enjoy with the whole family.

San Francisco is one of the forerunner cities in the LGBT equality movement and that's why you can't miss the incredible Pride Parade that takes place every year, during the last weekend of June.

At this colourful party you can celebrate diversity while enjoying various performances, live music, street vendors and much more. The parade starts at Market and 2nd and goes all the way to 8th.

Believe me, experiencing the LGBT Pride Parade in San Francisco is a truly unique experience, where the party takes over the streets to shout loudly that we are all equal and different at the same time.

Enjoy one of the most important outdoor art events in the United States: the Sausalito Arts Festival. For two days artists from all over the country and the world come together in an unprecedented event.

Here you can enjoy art exhibits, great food, drink and music shows, all in a truly beautiful setting. Take the day to tour Sausalito, this charming seaside town.

In addition to the outdoor art show, there have recently been several new art shows at the Sausalito Center for the Arts building downtown. It's well worth a visit.

Useful Info

• Location: 2400 Bridgeway, Sausalito
• Price: Free
• Date: Labor Day weekend

Visiting this charming neighbourhood in summer is a great idea, as you can enjoy its streets, parks and shops to the fullest in the pleasant temperatures that San Francisco offers at this time of year.

This is one of the most traditional and historic Chinese cultural neighbourhoods in the United States. It has often been compared to New York's Chinatown, but it must be said that both are truly beautiful and picturesque.

The streets and alleys, the typical architecture, the spicy smell in the air and the thousands of Mandarin signs are all part of the beautiful chaos that is impossible to miss.

Ross Alley and its traditional charm

I can assure you that walking through places like Spofore Alley or Ross Alley in summer will transport you to Beijing. Ross Alley is the oldest alley in the neighbourhood, extremely narrow, and its walls are covered with incredible murals depicting the life of the Chinese community in the city. It has been perfectly preserved since the time of the famous gold rush.

Also, in this alley is the classic fortune biscuit factory, where for a few dollars they can make personalised biscuits, with the message of your choice.

Visit the Cathedral

There is a lot to see and do in San Francisco's Chinatown. Here you will find, for example, California's first cathedral, Old Saint's Mary Cathedral, which survived the successive earthquakes that hit the city.

Its neo-Gothic style is truly beautiful, and it is crowned by large crucifixes. One of the most striking details is the inscription on the clock tower, which reads: Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.

Visit Tin How Temple

Another must-see, which should only take a few minutes, is Tin How Temple, the oldest temple in the city.

It is a beautiful Taoist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, whose name in Cantonese is Tin How.

Although you are not allowed to take photographs, I can assure you that walking around it is like being in China, its decorations and the feeling of peace that can be perceived inside it are something truly unmissable.

Walk around Portsmouth Square

With the pleasant summer temperatures, parks are always a good option. In Chinatown I recommend you head to Portsmouth Square, where you'll see crowds of people gathered to play a variety of games.

From Go to Xiàngqí to Mahjong, here in this little China, board games are a social event. Don't be surprised to find a group of more than ten observers discussing a game that is taking place right there, as if they themselves were part of the game.

If you enjoy good jazz, San Francisco has one of the best festivals of the genre, the Fillmore Jazz Festival. Held in the Pacific Heights neighbourhood since 1986, it welcomes more than 100,000 jazz enthusiasts each year for two days of jazz.

It's the West Coast's largest jazz festival, with performances by some of the biggest names in jazz, good food and drink, as well as free art exhibitions and jam sessions.

The festival always coincides with the weekend of the United States Independence Day (4th of July), so if you're in San Francisco around this time, you can't miss this traditional event.

It takes place on Fillmore Street (hence the name), along 12 streets, between Eddy Street and Jackson Street.

San Francisco has something for everyone: gastronomy, beautiful green spaces, art, music and, of course, sport. The San Francisco Marathon has been held every year since 1977.

With a total of over 42 kilometres (26.2 miles), you'll get a great workout while enjoying some incredible views of the entire bay.

The San Francisco Marathon is a much-anticipated event for sports enthusiasts, so you'll find that it brings together many enthusiasts. Along the route you'll pass by the bay, Sausalito, see the imposing Golden Gate Bridge, and visit some of the most interesting sights in all of San Francisco.

Don't worry if you're not in the best of shape, you don't have to complete the course, as there are also shorter sections for those who want to join in for 5 or 10 kilometres.

This is a highly recommended experience, to feel part of the community and enjoy a day of healthy living in the open air. You can register through the official race website. The event is completely free.

Join one of the most important celebrations for Americans: Independence Day.

Celebrated on the 4th of July, every year across the country there are a host of celebrations and festivities.

I recommend spending the day outdoors in the Fisherman's Wharf neighbourhood, where you can enjoy entertainment, musical shows, food and drink.

But of course, in San Francisco, the jewel in the crown is the traditional fireworks display over the bay. I advise you to get a blanket and some food and drink to improvise a picnic, and enjoy one of the most American events of all.

You'll get tired of seeing flags everywhere. The American people are one of the most patriotic.

The North Beach Festival is the oldest street festival in the United States. It is held in the North Beach District, known as Little Italy because of the large number of Italian immigrants it once received. It is one of San Francisco's most historic neighbourhoods.

This is where the so-called Beat Generation flourished, with figures such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, transcendental not only in the panorama of 20th century American literature, but also in all subsequent world literature.

An ideal event to visit with children, as it is two days full of shows, fun, good weather, a festive and cheerful atmosphere, several stages with musical acts of different styles, and much more.

The festival takes place mainly in Columbus and Grant Avenue, although it extends to several streets around it.

One of the largest and most important music festivals that take place in San Francisco during the summer. The Outside Lands Festival takes place over three days in the huge Golden Gate Park.

Featuring artists such as Mumford & Sons, Elton John, Weezer, Post Malone and Green Day, this event takes place every year, bringing together a huge crowd of music lovers. You can enjoy the most incredible national and international stars, delicious food and drink, fairs and stalls.

The event has different stages with the most varied musical styles, including a sector with dj's and the most select of electronic music. This is an excellent event to enjoy alone, with friends or with the family.

Useful info

• Location: Golden Gate Park
• Hours: 12pm to 10pm
• Price: US$175 per day or US$409 for three days
• Date: Early August

Before I say goodbye, I would like to leave you with some useful tips to keep in mind when planning your trip to San Francisco.

What kind of weather can I expect in San Francisco in summer?

The weather in San Francisco in summer is extremely pleasant, with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and almost no rain. It is the ideal time to visit this beautiful city on the west coast of the United States. The days are quite long, so you can enjoy them to the fullest.

What should I pack for a summer visit to San Francisco?

With such a mild climate you won't need to pack warm jackets or jumpers, that's for sure. You could include some light jackets, T-shirts, jeans and some shorts or light dresses if you're a woman.

You'll have noticed that in San Francisco it's best to walk everywhere, so if you don't have comfortable shoes, you're in trouble.

What is the best way to get around San Francisco?

San Francisco is a walking city. Although if walking is not your thing, there are many means of transport, from buses and taxis, to cable cars and the traditional trams.

I recommend mainly the latter for a different and very scenic experience. Check out the San Francisco tram network map to find out how to get around the city aboard these charming vehicles. Tickets start at US$2.50 and there are several lines.

Is it expensive to stay in San Francisco in summer?

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, so yes, staying in this West Coast city will cost you a few dollars.

However, let me tell you that there are always options for all budgets. You may have to move a little further away from Downtown or stay in a hostel instead of a hotel. It's all about finding a way to fit your budget.

Keep in mind that summer is considered high season, so I recommend that you book your accommodation well in advance, as June, July, August and September are very crowded.