Some cities cannot be confined within one narrow attraction. This cultural, commercial and financial centre in Northern California holds out 28 charms that one can explore, at leisure, once travel opens up

One of the nicest things about visiting San Francisco is that, although the city is ‘big’ in terms of attractions and amenities, it is geographically small — only 49 square miles. That makes it very easy to see and do a great many things in a short period of time.

Here is a suggested list of the top 28 things not to miss in the city, according to the San Francisco Travel Association:

Walk Over the Golden Gate Bridge: The Golden Gate Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world, manages to impress even the most experienced travellers with its stunning 1.7-mile span. Approximately 1,20,000 automobiles drive across it every day. A pedestrian walkway also allows crossing on foot, and bikes are allowed on the western side. The Golden Gate Bridge is said to be one of the most photographed things on Earth, so get ready with your camera to shoot. #AlwaysSF.

Ride a Cable Car: Cable cars have been transporting people around the city since the late 19th century. The cars run on tracks and are moved by an underground cable along three routes. Their familiar bells can be heard ringing from blocks away. Tickets ($8 or `580 approx) may be purchased at the cable car turnarounds at the ends of each route. Each one-way ride provides spectacular views of the city’s celebrated hills, as well as an exhilarating ride. Please note: San Francisco’s cable cars are currently out of service.

Visit the Rock: Alcatraz, the notorious former prison, is located on an island of the same name in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Some of the United States’ most notorious criminals were incarcerated there. Though several tried, no inmate ever made a successful escape from ‘The Rock’. The prison was closed in the 1960s and stories about Alcatraz are legendary. A visit today is fascinating. Recorded cell-house tours are available which allow visitors to learn about the prison as they explore the buildings and grounds. To reach the island, take an Alcatraz Cruises ferry from Pier 33.

See the Sea Lions: Fisherman’s Wharf is also home to PIER 39, a festive waterfront marketplace, that is one of the city’s most popular attractions. A community of California sea lions has taken up residence on the docks in the PIER 39 Marina and visitors line the nearby railing to watch their antics. From there, it’s a short walk to area attractions such as the San Francisco Dungeon and Madame Tussauds, the Museum of 3D Illusions, the Cartoon Art Museum, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum, the historic Boudin Bakery and multiple food options, including crab vendors selling walk-away crab and shrimp cocktails.

Have a Picnic in a Park: Dolores Park is the perfect place to enjoy sunny afternoons. With nearly 16 acres of grassy areas, you can play, lounge and people-watch, all with a gorgeous view of the city. The Presidio is another San Francisco favourite. There are several places within its more than two square miles to lay down a blanket and enjoy a meal. You can also picnic in the iconic Golden Gate Park, where you’ll find scenic spots at the Conservatory of Flowers and outside the California Academy of Sciences.

Go to an Outdoor Festival: Outdoor festivals have been a popular activity for people of all ages in the city. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival from May to October has hosting dining, shopping and cultural activities for the whole family. The Stern Grove Festival, a tradition since 1938, is a free outdoor music festival that has welcomed performers like The Doobie Brothers, Talib Kweli and others. Visit Golden Gate Park for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival, which happens every October. Please note: Most major outdoor festivals have been postponed, cancelled, or turned into virtual events in the light of public health requirements.

Go on a Walking Tour: The best way to see and experience the place is on foot. Wild SF Walking Tours offers a food crawl, a tour of the Castro & Mission District and a Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour. Go Behind the Scenes at Oracle Park, the home of San Francisco Giants. You’ll have access to the player’s dugout, luxury suites and more. There are walking tours for foodies, too. Local Tastes of the City Tours lets you learn about the food history and culture in neighbourhoods such as North Beach, Chinatown and others. During the stops along the way, one can taste all the unique foods originating from different cultures.

See a Show: From rock and pop to hip hop and jazz, San Francisco is a hub for every music genre. Venues like The Fillmore, The Warfield Theatre, and The Masonic are some of the city’s most legendary music halls, welcoming musicians from all over the world. Past musical acts at these historic venues include MGMT, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and many more. SFJAZZ Center hosts concerts as well as classes and workshops designed for aspiring musicians. Please note: Indoor performances are not permitted under current public health guidelines.

Experience Illuminate SF: Want to know what’s glowing in San Francisco? Illuminate SF is an ongoing festival of light art that showcases over 30 installations scattered throughout 17 neighborhoods of San Francisco. Admire light art on buildings, sidewalks, restaurants, cars and more.

Visit the Historic Presidio: A former military base is now a national park and a National Historic Landmark District, widely known for its natural beauty, art and culture and more. If you’re visiting with kids, don’t pass on a visit to The Walt Disney Family Museum, which is full of interactive exhibits and Disney artifacts.

Explore Haight-Ashbury: Known as the centre of San Francisco’s hippie counterculture, the Haight-Ashbury district is a haven for vintage finds and 1960s nostalgia. You can walk in the footsteps of Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead on a Flower Power Walking Tour while learning about how music shaped the vibrant history of the Haight.

Explore the Mission: Founded in 1776, the Mission is the city’s oldest neighborhood, with some of its newest restaurants and art galleries. Popular food joints and Dolores Park are among the most popular attractions. However, many visitors come here to admire the murals that adorn the walls of buildings.

Sights on a Bike: Although driving around San Francisco is not encouraged, biking surely is. It’s an easy way to get to different attractions that are close to one another. The best part is, you won’t need to worry about parking. You can also bundle bike tours with attraction passes to make exploring the city even easier.

Locally Made Gifts: If you’re looking for goodies that are exclusively made in San Francisco, there are many local places to shop from. SFMade proudly works with other manufacturers that produce locally-made products, from clothing to coffee blends. At the Ferry Building Marketplace, you’ll find goodies from local merchants, sourcing from our neighbouring cities like Sausalito and Guerneville. Take home unique finds while supporting San Francisco small businesses.

Meet the LGBTQ Community: Since San Francisco is widely known for its diversity, it is no surprise that the Castro is a popular spot to explore. Its vibrant and lively atmosphere makes it a great destination. If you’re here in October, be sure to check out the annual Castro Street Fair.

Sip at a local brewery or winery: You’ll want to be in town for annual events like SF Beer Week. You don’t need to go to the wine country to enjoy a glass of wine as San Francisco has a handful of local wineries, including TANK18, The Press Club and many others.

Have Brunch: The city is widely known for its popular brunch spots. Places like Mama’s on Washington Square (1701 Stockton St) have been serving their famous fluffy omelettes and homemade jams for over 50 years.

See Wildlife: Take a nice boat ride around Stow Lake, where you can spot birds of different species and turtles along the way. Attractions like the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens and Aquarium of the Bay are perfect for families with kids who are eager to see and interact with wildlife.

Marvel at Scenic Beauty: Discover San Francisco’s beauty on the 49-mile scenic drive, which begins at City Hall and guides you to a number of popular historic and iconic landmarks. If you’re up for a hike, the Presidio has several art trails that are worth the stunning views. Urban Hiker SF offers itineraries for group hikes through popular urban destinations like the Castro, Twin Peaks, Coit Tower, and many more.

Learn About the History: There are many museums dedicated to the rich history of the city. The Wells Fargo History Museum invites visitors to use vintage bank machines, send telegraphs, and even ride in a replica stagecoach. If you want to learn about the city’s transit history, the San Francisco Railway Museum and the Cable Car Museum give visitors a chance to see and learn about the first streetcars here. Learn about California’s richly diverse past at the California Historical Society.

Water View: Want a different perspective of San Francisco? Kayak in the bay to get amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline, have a romantic dinner on a Hornblower cruise or take a ferry to visit Alcatraz.

Visit Famous Film and TV Locations: If you’re a movie buff, these locations should feature on your itinerary. The Rock (1996), starring Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage, featured shots of Alcatraz, The Fairmont, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Vertigo (1958), by Alfred Hitchcock, shot scenes at the Presidio and Fort Point, where Madeleine famously jumps into the bay. The Painted Ladies at Alamo Square is also a very familiar location for Full House fans.

Shop at Union Square: Major department stores and the most exclusive designer boutiques line the streets of Union Square. The Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre houses the largest Bloomingdale’s outside New York and the second-largest Nordstrom in the U S.

Explore North Beach: North Beach, the city’s Italian quarter, isn’t a beach at all. It’s a neighbourhood of romantic European-style sidewalk cafes, restaurants and shops centred near Washington Square along Columbus and Grant avenues. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is a landmark. Coit Tower, atop Telegraph Hill, offers a vantage point for photos of the bridges and the Bay. Inside the tower, floor-to-ceiling murals painted in the 1930s depict scenes of early San Francisco.

Explore Chinatown: The entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street is called the ‘Dragon’s Gate’. The 24 blocks of this city within a city are best explored on foot. Exotic shops, renowned restaurants, food markets, temples and small museums are all found within its boundaries. Visitors can buy ancient potions from herb shops, relax and enjoy a dim sum lunch or witness the making of fortune cookies.

Dine at World-Class Restaurants: Known as one of America’s best restaurant cities, San Francisco chefs excel at combining the freshest local ingredients, authentic international flavours and a touch of creative genius. Choose your cuisine: Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Moroccan, Indian, Malaysian, Mexican, Greek, Russian or ‘fusion’, a combination of any or all of these influences and you have options galore.

Celebrate Nightlife: Nightlife in the city is a constantly changing scene. From cocktails in Union Square, to the club scene in SoMa, there are neighbourhoods to experience all types of nightlife. For a different spin, several museums host 21 and up events that invite visitors to sip and see special exhibits.

Get Cultured: A visit to any city is incomplete without a cultural experience. The city is home to an internationally-recognised symphony, opera and ballet companies. Many playwrights introduce their works in San Francisco and avant-garde theatre and dance companies dot the city. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Asian Art Museum, the de Young Museum, the Legion of Honour, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, other institutions and galleries are devoted to the finest of classical and contemporary arts. The city is also home to the California Academy of Sciences, the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum and a four-story rainforest all under one roof.