San Franciscans tend to either thrive in the rain or complain extensively about it. Whether you decide to get outside and explore or stay inside and watch a movie is up to you, but in a city of hidden wonders, it’s hard to go wrong. We list the best ways to enjoy it here when it rains.
Go shopping
Most San Franciscans will hole up with Netflix and hot chocolate on a rainy day, so if you have some shopping you want to get done, you will pretty much have the area to yourself. Union Square and Westfield Centre tend to be the most popular shopping areas, but there are plenty of other spots to get your shopping fix. The Ferry Building is another wonderful place to spend a rainy afternoon, as the enclosed building offers shelter from the rain as well as a variety of local shops selling wares from glass candle holders to vegan donuts.
Get some coffee
Cafe, Patisserie, American
Philz, various locations
Go for a hike
Natural Feature
Go to a museum
The Aquarium of the Bay is located right on the water, and while it is not a huge building, it has some beautiful exhibits, including tunnels that go through their Under the Bay habitat. The Exploratorium will bring out your inner kid, and the Legion of Honor will bring out your knowledgeable art critic.
Get a workout in
It can be hard to get motivated to exercise in the rain, so do something a little different from your normal routine. Planet Granite, a climbing gym in the Presidio, is a great way to get exercise in while trying something new and different. Right next door is the House of Air, an indoor trampoline park where you can really shake up your routine.
Watch a movie
Theater, Movie Theater
Get creative
There’s nothing better than beginning a new project on a rainy day, so why not try taking the creative route? Beyond Canvas offers everything from painting with wine (both as a drink and as a paint) to Shibori dyeing classes, which you can sign up for online. If you are looking for something edible, the San Francisco Cooking School has many classes that will truly immerse you in cooking and give you a better understanding for the kitchen.
About the author
Adriana is a Bay Area native and a freshman at the University of San Francisco, currently studying International Relations with a focus in Peace and Conflict studies in Latin America and Europe as well as a minor in Journalism. Besides her work at the Culture Trip, Adriana is also an editor at the USF newspaper, the Foghorn, and works part time at Nike. When she is not studying, working, or otherwise academically occupied, she can usually be found either at the climbing gym or searching for boba tea and vegan donuts. She also loves to travel and can often be found searching for cheap flights or staring longingly at photos of beaches.
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