The Best 11 Indoor Activities in San Francisco For When it Rains

It doesn’t happen very often, but when storms blow through the Bay Area, having a go-to list of entertaining indoor activities in San Francisco will come in handy. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun things to do on a rainy day in SF.

man with umbrella
Rain or shine, there’s no shortage of fun things to do and experience in the City by the Bay. Photo Credit: Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas

From leisurely activities like a soothing spa day or an upscale afternoon tea to more physical ones like rock climbing or disco roller skating, we’ve selected 11 of our favorite indoor activities in San Francisco to help you keep busy on a rainy day.

Visit the Academy of Sciences and De Young Museum

Golden Gate Park is home to the California Academy of Sciences, whose natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest thrill kids (and adults) of all ages. Check out the towering T. Rex in the main lobby, watch African penguins get fed, and visit Claude the albino alligator in the swamp area.

Then walk across the Music Concourse to tour the stately de Young Museum, which hosts temporary exhibits and permanent fine arts collections, from costumes and textiles to graphic arts and photography.

Fishes swimming
Be sure to also explore the Steinhart Aquarium, which houses 60,000 live animals. Photo Credit: Michael Fraley

Indulge in the Palace Hotel’s Signature Tea Service

When it’s a rainy day, San Francisco is almost always better spent indoors. Especially if you spend that time in the Garden Court, a gorgeous historic landmark housed in downtown SF’s almost 150-year old Palace Hotel. Every Friday and Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., the Garden Court features a luxurious signature tea service, complete with high quality hand-blended teas and an impressive assortment of homemade scones, pastries, and tea sandwiches—with options to add on a glass of bubbly or caviar, if you’re so inclined.

Looking for accommodation in SF? Check out our guide on the City by the Bay’s most unique boutique hotels.

cookies, scones, muffins
Indulge in Garden Court’s top notch pastry selection. Photo Credit: Leigh Patrick

Related Read: Discover some of San Francisco’s most Unique Boutique Hotels.

Shop at the Westfield SF Centre

From Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Sephora to H&M, Zara, or Kate Spade, you’ll find over 80 retailers at the nine-story Westfield San Francisco Centre, located near Union Square. After a couple hours browsing the shops, head over to the food court for a quick bite to eat—Ajisen Ramen and Shake Shack are good choices—then wind down after a long day of shopping at the shopping mall’s top-floor movie theatre.

burger shake shack
The Westfield food court has something for everyone —from veggie burgers to Brazilian churrasco. Photo Credit: Angela N.

Knock Down Some Pins at Presidio Bowl

What’s always a good thing to do in San Francisco when it rains? Bowling!

Head on over to Presidio Bowl, which is smack dab in the center of the scenic Presidio National Park. Take your family or a few of your friends and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

With just 12 lanes, Presidio Bowl is snug in size—reservations are recommended—but it comes with all the bells and whistles, including a full bar and dining menu.

Bowling
Bowling is the perfect activity to escape the rain. Photo Credit: Skitterphoto

Insider Tip: Presidio Bowl is a great spot for parties, rain or shine.

Explore SFMOMA

With close to 33,000 pieces housed in 170,000 square feet, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) could easily eat up your entire day. The first West Coast museum dedicated to 20th century art, this monolithic space underwent a $305 million facelift several years back that bumps this widely respected institution into a league of its own.

Meander along the museum’s bright and airy halls, and grab a caffeine pick-me-up at Steps Coffee on SFMOMA’s second floor.

Museum SF
The SFMOMA is one of the United States’ largest museums of modern and contemporary art! Photo Credit: Naotake Murayama

Roller Skate at the Church of 8 Wheels

There really aren’t any indoor activities in San Francisco quite like the one at Church of 8 Wheels (554 Fillmore Street). Roller skaters of all abilities cruise around the large space—which was once a house of worship—boogying under the rainbow lights to disco, pop, and soul music. If you’re a newbie, you can take lessons on Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m.

While all ages are welcome in the early hours, when the clock strikes 8 p.m., the Church is just for those 18 and up.

Disco
Grab your friends and spend your afternoon skating under disco balls and neon lights. Photo Credit: Neosiam

Relax at the Kabuki Springs & Spa

Get some serious pampering at the full-service Kabuki Springs & Spa, which “elevates the act of bathing to an art.” Located in SF’s Japantown, the spa offers treatments such as facials and massages. You can pair the treatments with a visit to the communal bathing facilities for some relaxing “me” time in the hot and cold pools, sauna, and steam room.

Just be sure to check the website for when all gender, men, and women’s bathing days are scheduled.

spa
Pamper yourself at this Japanese-inspired bathhouse. Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio

See a Show at Alamo Drafthouse

Movie-watching at the Alamo Drafthouse in the Mission is quite the cinematic experience. Reserving seats ahead of time is a cinch as is ordering a craft cocktail or beer along with a full plate of tasty food to dine on while taking in your show. Once the movie ends, stroll on over to Alamo’s Bear vs. Bull bar, which opens at 5 p.m. daily and 3 p.m. on Sundays, for a post-picture beverage or two.

gold-moscow-mule-mug
Be sure to try at least one of Bear vs. Bull Bar’s excellent hand-crafted cocktails. Photo credit: Denys Gromov

Climb the Walls at Mission Cliffs

As far as indoor activities in San Francisco go, rock climbing at the city’s oldest climbing gym Mission Cliffs is one you’re bound to remember. With 23,000 square feet of climbing terrain, you and your partner can take turns belaying each other while scaling the five-story walls. If you’d rather forego the ropes and harnesses, then try bouldering at Mission Cliffs.

Either way, you’ll get your mind and body moving, while having fun.

rock climbing wall indoors
Mission Cliffs also offers lead climbing, where you tie into a rope on the ground that isn’t attached to an anchor point. Photo Credit: Alan Mas

Experience the Exploratorium

Spending the afternoon at the Exploratorium is one of the best things to do on a rainy day in San Francisco. With over 600 exhibits scattered throughout several galleries at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero, the science, technology, and art museum encourages visitors to play and interact with their collections. From its anti-gravity mirror and distorted room to its tornado and shadow box exhibits, the Exploratorium is a source of endless fascination.

San Francisco Exploratorium
More than a museum, the exploratorium is a public learning laboratory where you can explore the world through science, art, and human perception. Photo Credit: Harsh Light

Tour Anchor Brewing Company

Go with a group of friends on a one-hour tour of the iconic Anchor Brewing Company, which got its start in San Francisco in the late 1800s. Admire Anchor’s copper brew kettles and classic art deco architecture, while your guide regales you with the company’s history including its claim as the birthplace of craft brewing. The tour finishes up in the taproom where you’ll get to sample 12 brews on draught.

Feel free to stay awhile and enjoy another pint of your favorite brew.

toast beer
Bring your buds and discover America’s oldest craft brewing company. Photo Credit: Elevate

Want to spend your rainy day in SF honing your culinary skills and eating good food? Try one of these hands-on cooking classes.