Many of San Francisco's iconic tourist attractions are best experienced during the day, from riding the cable cars to crossing the Golden Gate Bridge by walking or bicycling, or taking a cruise below it. The Conservatory of Flowers and Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz and the Aquarium by the Bay are also daytime spots, but the city also comes alive at night with a different energy.
Music Scene
Nightclubs come alive at night in San Francisco, with jazz, Latin music, pop and house music being some of the choices. You can dance or listen to live performances. In eco-conscious San Francisco, Temple Nightclub is a green club. Part of the Zen Compound, with a sustainable restaurant called the Prana Restaurant, Temple has an energy-generating dance floor, harnessing the energy from patrons dancing. Other initiatives include carbon-offset purchases, LED lighting, composting and recycling, and an on-site garden.
Walking Tours
While most walking tours are offered during the day, ghost tours more naturally occur at night. Chinatown Ghost Tours & Magic offers 90-minute walking tours on Friday or Saturday through San Francisco Chinatown. The family-friendly tours welcome kids, who pay a discounted price. Explore dark streets and alleyways in the oldest Chinese community in the United States. Learn about the Goddess Kwan Yin and the secrets of the magic moon cake.
Museum at Night
Fisherman's Wharf, a complex with restaurants and shops, is also home to San Francisco 's Wax Museum. Open daily until 9 p.m, the wax museum has a Chamber of Horrors, best experienced at night. You will also find Hollywood stars of the past and present, a Hall of Religions, sports heroes and historic figures. Leave several hours to explore the family-run, 100,000-square-foot complex.
Performing Arts
Theater, ballet and music all have multiple venues in San Francisco. The San Francisco Symphony performs classical music concerts from September through July at Davies Symphony Hall. The symphony, founded in 1911, has presented more than 230 world premieres throughout its history, commissioned almost 100 new works and received many awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Evening concerts start as early as 7:30 p.m. and as late as 10:30 p.m., accommodating people who want to eat before or after a show.
North Beach
San Francisco's Little Italy in the North Beach neighborhood has destination restaurants where you can enjoy dinner, then find a gelato parlor or Italian bakery for dessert. Sidewalk cafes offer a place to have an espresso and watch people go by. North Beach, between Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf, also has brew pubs and sports bars.
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