Skip the main aquarium if you hate crowds and hit the water instead. Book a catamaran sailing cruise for a chill afternoon or grab a whale watching tour to spot humpbacks in the wild. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch sea otters chilling in the kelp forests right off the pier. Aim for a weekday morning departure to avoid the weekend tourist swarm. Bring a thick windbreaker; the Pacific breeze hits hard even in summer.
Get your bearings with a classic open-top bus tour of the city. · See the skyline sparkle from the water on this evening cruise.
Walk across the world's most famous orange suspension bridge. · See the whole city in one day with a comprehensive guided tour. · Visit the historic waterfront for sea lions and sourdough bread.
