Best islands in San Francisco
Check out the top islands in San Francisco, reviewed and ranked by the city’s locals
1. Alcatraz Island
1. Alcatraz Island



222 local reviews
Natural featurePoint of interestEstablishment

Alcatraz was the site of the first lighthouse in the Western United States but became a federal penitentiary…

Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US built fort on the West…

Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles (2.01 km) offshore from San Francisco, California,…
1. Alcatraz Island
1. Alcatraz Island



222 local reviews

Narasimha
Alcatraz was the site of the first lighthouse in the Western United States but became a federal penitentiary from 1934-1963, housing famous…

Jon
Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US built fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal…

Heather
Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles (2.01 km) offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small…
2. Ferry Bldg Marketplace
2. Ferry Bldg Marketplace



514 local reviews
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Open · Closes 6:00 PM
+1 415 983-8030
Market

Even if you don't buy anything, the gourmet food stalls and shops here are a feast for the senses. Gorgeous…

Indoor marketplace. Artisan breads, cheeses, meats, ice cream, Blue Bottle coffee, specialty items. Famous SF…

Farmer's Market on Saturdays, great gourmet shopping and eating every day of the week. Smashing views of the…
2. Ferry Bldg Marketplace
2. Ferry Bldg Marketplace



514 local reviews
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Open · Closes 6:00 PM
+1 415 983-8030

Kimberly
Even if you don't buy anything, the gourmet food stalls and shops here are a feast for the senses. Gorgeous architecture and views. Take the…

Olivia
Indoor marketplace. Artisan breads, cheeses, meats, ice cream, Blue Bottle coffee, specialty items. Famous SF experience - take the Ferry…

Jamey & Carole
Farmer's Market on Saturdays, great gourmet shopping and eating every day of the week. Smashing views of the Embarcadero waterfront and the…
3. Forbes Island
3. Forbes Island



10 local reviews
Point of interestEstablishment

Excellent restaurant Totally San Francisco Make reservations, closes early It is a little floating man made…

An island restaurant, complete with palm trees, sand and beach, and a light house. 2 group dining huts on the…

Forbes Island takes waterfront dining to an extreme! It is located on its own private island just off of Pier…
3. Forbes Island
3. Forbes Island



10 local reviews

Saul
Excellent restaurant Totally San Francisco Make reservations, closes early It is a little floating man made island at pier 39 Park at pier…

Ken
An island restaurant, complete with palm trees, sand and beach, and a light house. 2 group dining huts on the beach; other dining lies…

Victoria
Forbes Island takes waterfront dining to an extreme! It is located on its own private island just off of Pier 39 and smack-dab in the middle…
4. PIER 39
4. PIER 39



180 local reviews
Shopping mallPremisePoint of interest

From amazing views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread bowls and California wines, your visit to San…

From amazing views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread bowls and California wines, your visit to San…

Lots of restaurants and the origin for ferry rides to various places: Tiburon, Sausalito, Angel Island,…
4. PIER 39
4. PIER 39



180 local reviews

Narasimha
From amazing views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread bowls and California wines, your visit to San Francisco starts at PIER 39. PIER…

Natsuki
From amazing views and a sea of sea lions to chowder bread bowls and California wines, your visit to San Francisco starts at PIER 39. PIER…

Minette
Lots of restaurants and the origin for ferry rides to various places: Tiburon, Sausalito, Angel Island, Alcatraz etc. There are often life…
5. Treasure Island
5. Treasure Island



36 local reviews
Treasure Island, San Francisco
NeighborhoodPoliticalNatural feature

Treasure and Yerba- Buena Islands, often referred to collectively as "former Naval Station Treasure Island" or…

Treasure Island is a bizarre holdover from a bygone age. It used to be military property but has since turned…

For a unique experience, try a hike or picnic on Treasure Island. Stunning views of San Francisco. Small…
5. Treasure Island
5. Treasure Island



36 local reviews
Treasure Island, San Francisco

Roberto
Treasure and Yerba- Buena Islands, often referred to collectively as "former Naval Station Treasure Island" or "Treasure Island", are home…

Len & Irina
Treasure Island is a bizarre holdover from a bygone age. It used to be military property but has since turned residential, except for that…

Olivia
For a unique experience, try a hike or picnic on Treasure Island. Stunning views of San Francisco. Small wineries. This is the place to…
6. Stow Lake Boathouse
6. Stow Lake Boathouse



63 local reviews
StoreRestaurantPoint of interest

Stow Lake is a picturesque man-made waterway in the heart of Golden Gate Park, which offers hourly rentals of…

A beautify small lake in Golden Gate Park, where you can rent a paddle boat that you can take around the lake…

Beautiful lake, walk, sit, picnic, or rent a boat. Climb up the island hill for views, explore the Chinese…
6. Stow Lake Boathouse
6. Stow Lake Boathouse



63 local reviews

Will
Stow Lake is a picturesque man-made waterway in the heart of Golden Gate Park, which offers hourly rentals of rowboats, paddle boats, and…

Lisa
A beautify small lake in Golden Gate Park, where you can rent a paddle boat that you can take around the lake. You can also hike to the top…

Ilka
Beautiful lake, walk, sit, picnic, or rent a boat. Climb up the island hill for views, explore the Chinese Pagoda. Blue Herons nest on…
7. Fisherman's Wharf
7. Fisherman's Wharf



343 local reviews
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
NeighborhoodPolitical

The world famous Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is located at Pier 39. Lots of restaurants, and aquarium…

The world famous Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is located at Pier 39. Lots of restaurants, and aquarium…

A multitude of seafood fare! Sightseeing options include the historic waterfront, sea lions and aquarium, boat…
7. Fisherman's Wharf
7. Fisherman's Wharf



343 local reviews
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

David & Nicole
The world famous Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is located at Pier 39. Lots of restaurants, and aquarium and several souvenir shops…

Steven
The world famous Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is located at Pier 39. Lots of restaurants, and aquarium and several souvenir shops…

Lisa
A multitude of seafood fare! Sightseeing options include the historic waterfront, sea lions and aquarium, boat trips around the bay, and the…
8. Ferry Building
8. Ferry Building



45 local reviews
1 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Premise

Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero to the Ferry building. With Farmers Markets on the weekends and…

Uniquely San Francisco Bay Area treats - artisan foods, gifts, and restaurants. Hog Island Oyster Depot,…

Great place for farmer's market, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Local farmers, great coffee. Lots of…
8. Ferry Building
8. Ferry Building



45 local reviews
1 The Embarcadero, San Francisco

Angela
Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero to the Ferry building. With Farmers Markets on the weekends and locally made food vendors inside…

Sarah
Uniquely San Francisco Bay Area treats - artisan foods, gifts, and restaurants. Hog Island Oyster Depot, Slanted Door, ice cream,…

Lihua
Great place for farmer's market, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Local farmers, great coffee. Lots of restaurant. View of Bay Bridge…
9. Hog Island Oyster Co.
9. Hog Island Oyster Co.



26 local reviews
Hog Island Oyster Co., San Francisco
Closed · Opens in 12 minutes
+1 415-391-7117
BarRestaurantPoint of interest

Outstanding oysters, seafood, views of the Bay Bridge. Energetic bustling atmosphere. Run by chef/fisherman/ow…

Take the muni train from our loft to Embarcadero and enjoy the best of the bay, Hog Island Oysters and…

Taking the ferry into the city? You owe yourself a stop at Hog Island Oyster Company. Ranked one of the best…
9. Hog Island Oyster Co.
9. Hog Island Oyster Co.



26 local reviews
Hog Island Oyster Co., San Francisco
Closed · Opens in 12 minutes
+1 415-391-7117

Sarah
Outstanding oysters, seafood, views of the Bay Bridge. Energetic bustling atmosphere. Run by chef/fisherman/owner of Hog Island Oyster…

Catherine
Take the muni train from our loft to Embarcadero and enjoy the best of the bay, Hog Island Oysters and Mimosa's. Recommend sitting at the…

Kushal
Taking the ferry into the city? You owe yourself a stop at Hog Island Oyster Company. Ranked one of the best places for oysters in the US.
10. Stow Lake
10. Stow Lake



25 local reviews
Stow Lake, San Francisco
Natural featureEstablishment

A man-made lake with over a century of rich history, Stow Lake is a great place to rent paddle boats and…

Walk the lake, see ducks, turtles, hang out in the lake side pagodas, hike the inner island or rent a boat and…

Stroll around this man-made lake (more than 120 years old) and feed the ducks, Canada geese, squirrels, koi,…
10. Stow Lake
10. Stow Lake



25 local reviews
Stow Lake, San Francisco

Rob
A man-made lake with over a century of rich history, Stow Lake is a great place to rent paddle boats and rowboats. Be sure to check out…

Kirk
Walk the lake, see ducks, turtles, hang out in the lake side pagodas, hike the inner island or rent a boat and cruise the lake. Great…

Alexina
Stroll around this man-made lake (more than 120 years old) and feed the ducks, Canada geese, squirrels, koi, and enjoy nature in the middle…
11. de Young Museum
11. de Young Museum


554 local reviews
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco
Open · Closes 5:15 PM
+1 415-750-3600
MuseumPoint of interestEstablishment

Start your exploration with a trip up the elevator to Hamon Observation Tower, 360 degrees of glass walls…

Start your exploration with a trip up the elevator to Hamon Observation Tower, 360 degrees of glass walls…
11. de Young Museum
11. de Young Museum


554 local reviews
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco
Open · Closes 5:15 PM
+1 415-750-3600

Igor
Start your exploration with a trip up the elevator to Hamon Observation Tower, 360 degrees of glass walls providing views of Cal Academy of…

Nadine
Start your exploration with a trip up the elevator to Hamon Observation Tower, 360 degrees of glass walls providing views of Cal Academy of…
12. Huntington Falls
12. Huntington Falls


4 local reviews
Huntington Falls, San Francisco
Natural featureEstablishment

On to the island and climbed to the top of the hill overlooking Huntington Falls (kind of like Tom Sawyer…

On to the island and climbed to the top of the hill overlooking Huntington Falls (kind of like Tom Sawyer…
12. Huntington Falls
12. Huntington Falls


4 local reviews
Huntington Falls, San Francisco

Nadine
On to the island and climbed to the top of the hill overlooking Huntington Falls (kind of like Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland but…

Igor
On to the island and climbed to the top of the hill overlooking Huntington Falls (kind of like Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland but…