As winter ends, San Francisco's colorful spring energy can be felt all around the city. The spring months come with magnetic energy, from Bay Area skaters taking over the San Francisco hills to the locals relaxing on the rolling green grasses of Mission Dolores Park. Located in Northern California, San Francisco differs from the typical city tourists associate with California. San Francisco is colder, wetter, and gloomier. However, as the spring months come rolling in, locals take back the streets, spring festivals begin, and outdoor activities are more practiced with the sunnier days.
Although the spring weather can be arbitrary in the Bay Area (the daytime is typically warmer, with some days of rain), Spring is one of the best seasons in San Francisco, with many possibilities and events in the city. Whether visiting the city for the first time or simply looking for the best things to do in San Francisco, people will realize how much this historical city truly has to offer.
10 Mission Dolores Park
There are many super fun things to do in San Francisco; however, spending a day at Mission Dolores Park in the spring is one of the best experiences. On the sunnier days, people from all over the city come to this park to sunbathe, picnic, listen to music, spend time with friends, and have fantastic city views. This park embodies San Francisco's energy and is the perfect spring activity. Bring snacks, a picnic blanket, and speakers, and soak in the sun at Mission Dolores Park.
9 Haight-Ashbury
Haight-Ashbury is one of the unique neighborhoods in San Francisco. It is famous for its "hippie" aesthetic and is the birthplace of San Francisco’s hippie movement in the 1960s. The area is filled with history from the time and was home to the famous band The Grateful Dead in the mid to late 60s. Today, the Haigh-Ashbury streets are filled with record stores, thrift stores, various shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, Victorian-style homes, and so much more.
8 City Lights Booksellers And Publishers
When in San Francisco, City Lights Bookstore is a must-visit place. It is a historic bookstore founded in 1953 and offers a wide range of literary pieces ranging from poetry, classics, second-hand books, and much more, with three floors of gems to find for any reader. The bookstore's history is unique and cherished in the city, and there are many interesting facts about the City Lights Bookstore. This is a great place to grab a new book and take it to one of San Francisco’s parks in the spring for some outdoor reading.
- Address: 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
7 The Castro
The Castro is a neighborhood in Eureka Valley and is one of San Francisco's most historic districts. It is known for its nightlife scene and for being a safe space for the LGBTQ community. The Castro district is one of the most vibrant areas in the city, with numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants and home to the famous Castro Theatre.
6 Lombard Street
Visiting Lombard Street in the spring is a great way to soak in the city's unique design. Lombard Street is famous for its one-block winding road with eight sharp turns. It is known to be one of the most crooked streets in the United States, and there are many fun facts about Lombard Street that most do not know. It is the perfect way to walk through the city's history while soaking in the sun.
5 Ferry Building Marketplace
The Ferry Building Marketplace is located in the historic Ferry Building and is one of the best farmers’ markets to visit in the Bay Area. The Ferry Building Marketplace is the perfect place for foodies and is a must-visit place in San Francisco. The market is known for its sustainable food, local farmers, and independently owned food businesses, so there is a vendor for everyone's taste buds.
- Address: 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105
4 Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights is a neighborhood in San Francisco known for its panoramic views of the city and its surrounding architecture, and it is a great place to get a picture of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The area blooms with magnolia flowers in the spring and is a great outdoor activity to see the city's most breathtaking views.
3 Golden Gate Park
Take a trip to Golden Gate Park to see the cherry blossoms in the spring. There are many reasons to visit Golden Gate Park in San Francisco because of the park's attractions. From a Japanese Tea Garden to the de Young Museum, there's an activity suitable for every visitor. With the warmer days approaching, spending a day in Golden Gate Park will be fun and relaxing.
2 San Francisco Flower Market
One of the best ways to welcome spring is by immersing in the colorful flowers. The San Francisco Flower Market is perfect for seeing and buying all the spring flowers. With various vendors, there are many flowers to choose from, and all the choices will brighten the day. However, the market has wholesale and public hours, so check out the official San Francisco Flower Market website for hours.
- Address: 6th & Brannan Streets, 640 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107
1 Japantown
Japantown is a neighborhood in San Francisco that is lively and vibrant in the spring. Many indoor and outdoor spaces exist for shopping, dining, and drinking. One of the best reasons to visit in the spring is to catch the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, where people come together to embrace Japanese culture!