Best Things to Do Indoors in San Francisco on a Rainy Day
Visit a Museum
If you’re looking for a chill museum day indoors, you have to visit some of the iconic ones:
de Young Museum (Current exhibition: Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm , on view through 7/6)
Legion of Honor (Current exhibition: Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes from Art, on view through 8/17).
SFMOMA (Current exhibition: Ruth Asawa: Retrospective, on view through 9/2)
Visiting the main galleries at the Legion of Honor
For a more lively museum night out with DJs and drinks, check out these nightlife events:
Cal Academy NightLife - every Thursday 6-10pm
Exploratorium After Dark - every Thursday 6-10pm
San Francisco also welcomes pop up museums, the most recent being Emotion Air by the Balloon Museum at the Palace of Fine Arts.
Drink at a Chill Plant-Centric Bar/Shop
There’s something comforting about being surrounded by plants with the sound of rain outside. Some of my favorite plant-themed bars are:
Arcana in the Mission (Live music during the week,natural wine, and vegan/vegetarian food)
Propagation in Lower Nob Hill (Comfy couches and creative drinks like a beet-based cocktail)
Macondray in Russian Hill (Chill bar with hanging plants and a hot food menu)
Also, check out The Mellow , a coffee/plant shop with a main stage for live music! I went earlier this month and it’s such a vibe in Haight-Ashbury.
Live music at Arcana in the Mission
Play an Indoor Recreational Sport
For all the bowling fans, Mission Bowling Club is a fun bowling spot with a bar! It’s a great spot, especially if you plan to bar hop in the MIssion. They also have a space to host live music nights that bring in a local crowd. If you’re looking for a more chill family friendly spot, The Presidio Bowl has tons of arcade games for kids and bowling lanes for large groups. Love the curly fries here! You can also visit Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center to enjoy ice skating year-round- not just during the winter,
Watch a Movie
For traditional theatres, the AMC Metreon and AMC Kabuki are both theatres next to many restaurants and shopping centers. You just purchase your food and drinks before entering. However, if you want food and drinks served to your seat while you’re watching a movie, visit Alamo Drafthouse in the Mission! It’s my favorite theatre- there’s a bar, pinball machines, and tables inside the theater so you can have food and drinks delivered to your seat (even after the movie has started). Some theaters offer more than just movies- take Presidio Theatre for example. Built in 1939 and beautifully restored, it now hosts a variety of movies, musicals, comedy shows, etc.
Catch a Show
On rainy days where you want to go watch a fun musical or play, there are many great theatres around Civic Center worth checking out. BroadwaySF hosts many performances like Six the Musical coming to the Curran theatre (4/8-4/20), Mama Mia! coming to the Orpheum Theatre (4/30-5/11), and Nurse John coming to the Golden Gate Theatre on 5/17. Also worth visiting: San Francisco Playhouse (Next up: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time from 5/1-6/21) and the American Conservatory Theatre (Next up: Two Trains Running from 4/15-5/4).
Treat Yourself to the Spa
Cold plunge and huge sauna at Alchemy Springs
Finally, for the wellness warriors, treat yourself to the spa. One of my favorites is Archimedes Banya down near India Basin that is co-ed, clothing optional, and has a variety of fun things to do: steam room, cold plunge, pool, rooftop yoga, chess nights, etc. They also have Open Women nights and Men’s nights. Another iconic spot that many of my friends love is Kabuki Springs in Japantown. They have similar offerings as Archimedes Banya with steam rooms, cold plunges, saunas, etc. It feels like a zen-inspired oasis right in the middle of the city.
Finally, for a more newer and modern spa, visit Alchemy Springs in Lower Nob Hill. They not only have outdoor cold plunges and a huge multi-person sauna (honestly perfect for rainy days so you can cool off after), but they also offer wellness classes like yoga and breathwork. I came here once for a plunge party pop-up- the backyard is a dreamy place to relax (they even have outdoor showers!). Rain or shine, there are plenty of fun indoor things to do in San Francisco.
