Streetcar at night in the rain

Things to Do On A
Rainy Day in San Francisco

Rainy days aren't wasted days. Discover San Francisco activities like museums, experiences, restaurants, and more.

We're going to point out the elephant in the room: San Francisco is not like the rest of California in many ways, including its weather. In fact, San Francisco is notorious for its unpredictable weather (you can blame the fog for that). The day can start out beautiful with the sun shining and quickly turning to fog and rain. But a little rain doesn’t mean you won't enjoy your visit to San Francisco. Here are fun things to do on rainy days in the City by the Bay.

Local Tastes of the City Tours

Eat your way through San Francisco. With knowledgeable tour guides who know the ins and outs of San Francisco, you’ll visit the best food spots and learn about the rich history of different foods. This activity is a favorite of locals and tourists alike! Rain or shine, the food remains delicious!

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The Walt Disney Family Museum

104 Montgomery St.

Are you a Disney fanatic? A trip to The Walt Disney Family Museum, in the Presidio, will be sure to keep you and your kids entertained despite the gloomy weather. Here you’ll learn about the very beginnings of Walt Disney and see how his vision came to life.

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Aquarium of the Bay

PIER 39

Walk through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels filled with sharks, rays, and more than 20,000 other marine animals from the San Francisco Bay and nearby waters. Experience hands-on animal encounters, feedings, behind-the-scenes tours, and more. Wander the world of jellyfish and explore the grotto-like exhibits featuring Dungeness crabs and deep-sea isopods. A perfect rainy day activity for a young family and those young at heart. 

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Wine Down

685 Folsom St.

Join the folks at this fun bar in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood to really “wine down” your day. With a focus on local wine, beer, and food all at a good price, you can count on this spot to lift your spirits on a rainy day.

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Have a Spa Day

Who says you can’t pamper yourself on a rainy day? From massages to facials, yoga classes, and much more, you’ll feel refreshed after your visit to the spa. Check out the Womens only Pearl Spa or the co-ed Kabuki Springs & Spa in Japantown. Looking for a massage or manicure? Try SenSpa in the Presidio or Burke Williams, centrally located in Union Square.

Relax on a rainy day in San Francisco. 

Shopping at Union Square

Spend hours on end shopping at the Westfield San Francisco Centre, a nine-story shopping destination that offers more than 200 shops and restaurants for every shopaholic and foodie. From neighborhood nooks to large department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, Union Square has it all. Just be sure to wear your most comfortable walking shoes!

Explore Union Square

SPiN SF

690 Folsom St 

For ping pong lovers who are looking for a little friendly competition and an urban atmosphere, this is the spot for you. You’ll find a collection of street art, a house DJ, two full bars, and a private lounge area and patio. It’s time to get your pong on!

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Watch a Warriors game

1 Warriors Way

If you're in town during the season, watch Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Warriors fans are known to be some of the loudest fans in the NBA, so you’ll definitely have a night full of high-level energy at one of the numerous sports bars in SF!

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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA)

151 3rd St.

SFMOMA’s seven floors of modern and contemporary art will make you forget about the dreary weather outdoors. With more than 33,000 works featured in its gallery space, you’ll find awe-inspiring pieces from renowned artists like Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, and many more.

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California Academy of Sciences

55 Music Concourse Dr.

Explore earth, ocean, and space all in one place by visiting the "Greenest Museum" in the world. The California Academy of Sciences is Platinum LEED certified and the only place on the planet to combine an aquarium, natural history museum, digital planetarium, and four-story rainforest under a 2.5-acre living roof. Meet Claude the Albino Alligator and hang out with Pierre, Howard, Ocio, and the rest of the South African Penguin colony. The Academy will inspire lifelong curiosity for the natural world as you experience the depths of a Philippine coral reef, climb into the canopy of a Costa Rican rainforest, and fly to the outer reaches of the universe. 

If it's a rainy Thursday night, you have to check out Nightlife at Cal Academy. Explore the Museum in an adults-only way with a cocktail in your hand and no children are allowed. 

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Exploratorium

Pier 15

The Exploratorium at Pier 15, is nothing short of spectacular. The museum encourages guests of all ages to touch, explore, and play with more than 600 exhibits. Investigate the living world, experiment with thoughts, feelings, and behavior, explore the local environment, and much more. All this science making you hungry? The Exploratorium houses a cafe and a waterfront restaurant, both serving seasonal and sustainable cuisine prepared by local chefs.

Thursday nights The Exploratorium hosts After Dark, an adults-only evening with cocktails, beer, and wine. 

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de Young Museum and Legion of Honor

de Young
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.
 
Legion of Honor
100 34th Ave.

The de Young Museum, located in Golden Gate Park, is the nation’s fifth most visited art museum. It showcases American art from the seventeenth through the twenty-first centuries, international textile arts and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. Tickets include same-day general admission to the Legion of Honor. Once you've explored the impressive collections at the de Young, hop on over to the Legion of Honor to explore 4,000 years of ancient and European Art in an unforgettable setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Mini-Golf at Urban Putt

 1096 S Van Ness Ave.

Have you ever played mini-golf in a high-tech indoor facility? Well, today’s the day to check that off your list. Urban Putt, located in the Mission, has a 14-hole course inspired by iconic San Francisco landmarks and architecture. Don’t miss out on their mouthwatering fried chicken and waffle skewers. Not to worry; munchies and drinks on the mini-golf course are encouraged!

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The Escape Game

145 Jefferson St.
150 Kearny St.

Perfect for immersive fun with groups, The Escape Game challenges participants to solve intricate puzzles and unravel mysteries in various settings. With two different locations in San Francisco, there are plenty of themed escape rooms and difficulty levels to experiment with. You even get unlimited hints. 

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Eat, Drink, and Play at Detour

2200A Market St.

Detour, located in the Castro, has everything you need to ride out the storm. Order from their full bar and Pan-Pacific-inspired menu to accompany over 60 of their arcade games. They have every game imaginable including pinball machines, skeeball, Pac-Man, Rush San Francisco 2049, Mortal Kombatt III, and more! Ask about their video games on the big screen like Mario Kart & Super Smash Bros. Don't forget about both new and classic games like Battleship, Connect 4, Jenga, and more! 

Wait out the storm while you eat, drink, and play at Detour. 

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Boudin Bakery Tour

160 Jefferson St.

Learn some history behind Boudin’s sourdough French bread and why it just can’t be baked anywhere else on Earth other than right here in San Francisco. During this special tour, you’re even able to participate and roll bread with one of the actual bakers. Keep yourself warm with Boudin’s classic clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl to complete the experience!

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Madame Tussauds San Francisco

145 Jefferson St.

Meet the legends who have shaped the Bay Area. Shoot hoops with Steph Curry or jam on stage with Jimi Hendrix to experience the full "Spirit of San Francisco." Brainstorm with tech leaders Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates and feel the glitz and glamour with Beyonce and Adele. Go behind the camera with Steven Spielberg and cozy up to George Clooney on the sofa. Taking the perfect selfie with your heroes and idols has never been more fun.

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The Flyer

PIER 39

Even when it's raining, you can still explore all that San Francisco has to offer with The Flyer. It combines motion seats, live-action, and in-theater special effects to simulate flight, creating a sweeping experience for all of your senses. Launch over the Golden Gate Bridge, barrel down Coit Tower, zoom through Lombard St. and Chinatown, and soar through the Redwood National Forest.

They also have a 7D experience that is a movie, thrill ride, and laser shooting game all in one! 

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Aaron Danzig
Aaron Danzig

Aaron is the Manager of Digital & Social Media Marketing at San Francisco Travel. He has lived in San Francisco for over 9 years and has worked in Travel & Tourism for over 7 of those. He is usually exploring the Bay Area hunting for that new and unique experience and good food too!