13 Things to Do in San Francisco (Other than ISCT’s CT Symposium)

things to do in san francisco (other than ISCT's ct symposium)

San Francisco has a lot to offer people with all different tastes. When you come to ISCT’s 18th Annual CT Symposium, be sure to add a few extra days to your trip so you can explore all that San Francisco has to offer. We’ve broken down some of the best places to go and things to do, to make everyone in your group happy.

For the Tourist:

  • Alcatraz – Don’t forget to book this early, if you try to go day of, you’ll be disappointed when it is all booked up!
  • Fisherman’s Wharf – Plenty of restaurants to eat at and plenty of seals to see.
  • Ride the Cable Cars – It may seem touristy (and it is) but it’s worth the ride.

For the Adventurer:

  • Hike Lands End to view Golden Gate Bridge – This isn’t a tough hike and the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean are worth the trip to San Francisco on their own.  
land's end hiking san francisco

For the Foodie:

  • Eat Breakfast at Top of The Mark – This view is amazing, it is one of the highest points in the city and the rotating restaurant gives you a 360 degree view of the whole city. It gets a little pricey though.
  • Starbelly – This outside restaurant screams ambience. If you’re looking for a place to go with a group, this is also great because the whole menu is meant for sharing.
  • Devil’s Acre – Owned by the same people as Bourbon & Branch and Rickhouse, this less crowded option is known for their specialty cocktails and enormous menu. This is a small venue, but they also have a hidden bar in the basement.

For the Instagrammer:

  • 16th Avenue Tiled Steps – No filter needed, these are just as beautiful in person.
  • San Francisco’s Botanical Garden – Located inside Golden Gate Park, you can go relax in the park for a while and then venture upon this huge (and free) botanical garden.
  • Lombard Street – This zig zag road is quite the site to see, but don’t even bother driving down it. A local tip is to just drive around the block and look up at it.
  • The Painted Ladies – Also known as the “Full House” row of houses, with a beautiful park right across the street.
alamo square san francisco

For the Shopper:

  • Haight-Ashbury Vintage Shopping – Known for it’s music history (and the birth place of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream), Haight-Ashbury has some of the best vintage shops around. You can peruse old vinyls, find awesome vintage clothes and discover some of the coolest home décor.
  • Designer Boutiques at Hayes Valley – For those looking to spend some extra cash on a designer splurge, Hayes Valley’s unique boutiques are where you want to go.
Adminthings to do in san francisco, ct symposium