19 Unique Indoor Activities In San Francisco To Try Next Time It Rains
- Date: April 17, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Peerspace
Despite its famous fog, San Francisco is a fairly sunny place. With an average of 260 days of sunshine per year, it’s no worse than most other major US cities. When the rain comes it can put a damper on any outdoor plans, however. So it’s always good to have a list of indoor activities in San Francisco when you don’t want to reschedule!
NorCal’s second-largest city has a lot to check out when the weather isn’t cooperating. From international fine dining to rooftop dance floors, it’s easier than ever to book a special events space in San Francisco. Peerspace has one of the largest collections of event venues in the nation, giving you even more variety to consider for the inevitable rainy day!
1. Throw an afternoon tea party
Afternoon tea is a chance to have a classy late lunch event that’s fun as a standalone experience or a delightful add-on to a baby shower, bachelorette party, or other special event. San Francisco has several delightful tea houses, including Crown & Crumpet, a cozy tea salon in Japantown. Enjoy afternoon tea or tea-based cocktails alongside scones, crumpets, sandwiches, and other traditional English pairings!
2. Reserve an art studio for a class or project
Staycations are a great opportunity to take a class on watercolor, sculpture, painting, photography, or some other art form you’re passionate about. You can also book a studio full of amenities for a personal project. Instead of a day-long Airbnb rental, consider this Tenderloin district studio, bookable through Peerspace by the hour. The venue includes seven distinctly decorated spaces, an infinity screen, accessory lights, and more for a portrait or lifestyle photo session!
3. Go to prison at Alcatraz Island
Originally the first lighthouse in the Western United States, Alcatraz Island became a famous prison from 1934 to 1963. Al Capone and other famous convicts were held here over the decades. Now it’s a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. National Park Service. You do need to take a ferry to the island, which may mean a bit of rain exposure. But once inside you can take an audio tour or sightsee at your own pace.
4. Visit the Aquarium of the Bay
Learn more about marine life at San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay, one of Fisherman’s Wharf’s star attractions. Daily feeding programs, hands-on interactive exhibits, and 750,000 gallons of saltwater displays provide hours of educational entertainment!
5. Explore the Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum is a top Indoor activity in San Francisco for lovers of culture and history. A collection of over 18,000 sculptures, vases, paintings, and other art pieces spanning 6,000 years of history awaits you. The Museum also hosts special exhibitions, public programs, cultural celebrations, and other events each year!
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6. Visit the California Academy of Sciences
Lovers of the natural sciences shouldn’t miss the California Academy of Sciences for their next staycation. This Golden Gate Park educational institution includes the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Osher Rainforest, and Kimball Natural History Museum.
7. Enjoy the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers
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The Conservatory of Flowers is an indoor activity in San Francisco where you’ll get to explore rare blooms and trees in North America’s oldest wood and glass conservatory. It’s also a prime photo destination for selfies and portraits, so bring a camera! Pose alongside and enjoy the aquatic plant ponds, potted plants, and the only Highland Tropics display in the country.
8. Pick a new restaurant to explore
San Francisco is one of the top food cities in California so new dining experiences aren’t hard to come by. Its strong Asian heritage means you’ll find some of the best pan-Asian cuisine this side of the Pacific. New American, Mediterranean, and other cuisines also find their place here. Be sure to look into one of the several Michelin0star restaurants in SF, including Atelier Crenn. This sustainability-focused seafood establishment is the only 3-star restaurant in the city!
9. Catch a Broadway Musical
Broadway SF hosts original and current performances year-round at the Orpheum and Golden Gate Theatres. The Orpheum is one of San Francisco’s architectural wonders, modeled after a 12th-century Spanish palace. Built in 1926, it has hosted thousands of plays, silent films, movies, and other events, making it a top destination for indoor activities in San Francisco!
10. Roller skate at The Church of 8 Wheels
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Roller rinks have a way of looking all alike. That’s what makes the Church of 8 Wheels so special. This former 120-year-old church has been converted into a roller rink while retaining the stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings! You can come to open skate hours or book the venue for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events.
11. Buy tickets to a Golden State Warriors game
If the weather isn’t cooperating outside, head to the Chase Center for a Golden State Warriors game. With seats for over 18,000 guests, each game is an intense affair!
12. Sample choice wines at the Chronicle Wine Competition
February in San Francisco is prime time for one of the top wine events in the country: the Chronicle Wine Competition. Thousands of entries are sampled by professional wine tastes offering awards in over 100 categories. But you don’t have to be a judge to sample the offerings. The largest wine-tasting event in the USA happens every year at the San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf.
13. Party at an arcade or arcade bar
Rainy days are a great time for hopping into an arcade to play some classic games! You can even find arcade bars where games and drinks go hand in hand. Emporium is one of the city’s top arcade bars, with innovative cocktails, a DJ, and table games. You can even bring your own food or have it delivered to the San Francisco location!
14. Join a rock climbing gym
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Looking to get some exercise but are bored by a traditional gym? Climbing gyms provide an alternative to rocks and boulders while still providing you with a full-body workout. Check out Movement Bay Area, a climbing, yoga, and fitness facility with classes for beginners and memberships for more experienced climbers.
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15. Have a spa day
A spa day is one of the best ways to relax and renew yourself indoors. San Francisco’s spa options include boutique facilities and resort hotel spas. Reméde Spa at the St. Regis San Francisco is a local favorite, with an infinity saltwater swimming pool, massage tables, eucalyptus steam rooms, and clothing-optional whirlpools.
16. Take a day trip to a museum
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From iconic paintings to an indoor rainforest San Francisco is hard to beat when it comes to museums and educational institutions. You’ll find more niche exhibitions like The Museum of Craft and Design as well as classical exhibitions at de Young, the city’s oldest museum. Many SF museums also have free admission days at certain times during the year with reservations made online in advance, making it easier than ever to learn new things!
17. Plan a dance party
Indoor activities are a chance to get wild with a well-planned dance party! All that’s needed is the right venue and amenities. Instead of bumping elbows with the public at a downtown dance club, Peerspace has multiple private event venues in San Francisco that come equipped for a dance party, like this downstairs private bar in North Beach. Think what you could do with a projector screen, DJ mixer, and a personal bartender!
18. Visit the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building has a long history as one of San Francisco’s busiest areas. It was once one of the busiest transit points in the city until the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge allowed automotive traffic to take over. It’s now a thriving marketplace where you can enjoy seafood and milkshakes at a sit-down restaurant or explore the adjacent farmer’s market for fresh produce and artwork!
19. Have a sports day at an indoor sporting arena
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Rainy days don’t mean you can’t be physically active. San Francisco has several indoor sporting arenas for basketball, volleyball, skating, table tennis, and more, and the Moscone Recreation Center has all of these. For even more options, check out the Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center instead!
Indoor activities in San Francisco: conclusion
This list of unique indoor activities in San Francisco includes something for everyone! Whether you enjoy late-night parties or quiet days at the museum, you’re sure to have a good time indoors. Peerspace makes that easier than ever thanks to its collection of venues in San Francisco for any special event!
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