Voted America’s top city in numerous surveys, colorful and cosmopolitan San Francisco invariably charms visitors.
Ever since the Gold Rush, hill-sloped and breezy San Francisco has
attracted those free-spirited types who have an eye for edgy art, a
taste for imaginative cuisine and a zeal for adventure. Here, you’ll
discover a mish-mash of culture — from Hispanic to LGBT — flourishing
throughout San Francisco’s many colorful quarters. Yes, follow the
crowds to the touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area (which offers spectacular
views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz), but don’t forget to save
time for districts like Mission and The Castro, where much of the
city’s history and culture can be explored.
San Francisco Skyline at Night
It’s really not surprising that songwriter Tony Bennett left his
heart here: The city is home to jaw-dropping sights, world-class
cuisine, cozy cafés and plenty of booming nightlife venues — there are
no shortage of ways to stay busy here. Spend an hour or two sunning
yourself alongside sea lions on the bay or engaging in conversation
with one of the many art aficionados who call the Golden Gate City
home. For an authentic tour, enjoy a ride on a cable car.
Despite the opinions of some locals, there’s nothing wrong with
being a tourist. Especially in a city like San Francisco, where
there’s so much to see and do. So how to pare down what’s worth your
time in this vibrant city that’s so full of icons worth seeing? Just
refer to our list below.
Golden Gate Bridge
Its 1.7-mile-long Golden Gate Bridge — one of
America’s top ten construction marvels — is a must-see. Celebrating
its 65th anniversary, this graceful span (which connects to Marin
county) is an unforgettable icon to drive, walk, or cycle across. In
1937, it cost $0.50 to cross this globally recognizable landmark by
car. The toll has since changed, but the bridge’s awe-inspiring
architecture has not. Experience it for free by walking or biking its
1.7-mile length.
San Francisco, CA 94901 goldengatebridge.org
Fisherman’s Wharf
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Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf
Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf satisfy tourists in
search of food, shops, entertainment, and maritime views. Savor clam
chowder in a bread bowl or watch as street performers of all kinds
entertain. The real stars of the show, though, are the hundreds of
lively sea lions on the marina’s western docks. The city’s most popular
destination, Fisherman’s Wharf overlooks San Francisco Bay and the
Golden Gate Bridge. Nearby San Francisco attractions Pier 39, The
Cannery, and Ghirardelli Square are touristy, but prove irresistible
to many visitors.
Sea lions at Pier 39, San Francisco
San Francisco's famous delicacy, Dungeness Crab at Fisherman's Wharf
Cable Car: San Francisco's moving historic landmarks
Moving historic landmarks, the Cable Cars of San
Francisco operate seven days a week along century-old routes. The
trolleys operate today as more as a tourist attraction — and they’re
worth the experience. For a unique tour of the city, take the California
Street line, which runs from the Financial District, through
Chinatown, and over Nob Hill. The Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines
both terminate near Fisherman’s Wharf. Board in San Francisco wherever
you see a brown-and-white stop sign. Sit outside and hang on tight.
Alcatraz Island was home to the infamous maximum security prison
Alcatraz prison wasn’t always a place people
wanted to go, but today it’s one of the city’s most popular sights. Do
some time on “The Rock:” where you’ll stand in the prison cells of
notorious criminals like Al Capone. Reach the island by ferry from Pier
33 (the fee includes an audio tour) and visit daytime if you prefer a
self-guided experience, or in the evening for a more formal guided
tour.
Union Square Times Square of San Francisco, a shopper's delight
Situated north of SoMa and south of Chinatown, the Union Square
neighborhood is a fun and funky rest stop for travelers and locals
alike. And at its epicenter is the eclectic Union Square Park, an open
space decorated with palm trees. The park is also home to loads of art
installations, like the heart-shaped sculptures created by local
artists for the
Hearts in San Francisco project. Union Square is
also popular spot with Broadway babies thanks to the nearby theater
district. If this is you, recent travelers recommend you visit the Tix
Booth — it’s a great resource for half-price tickets to performances,
not to mention free area maps, transit passes and even foodie tips.
Union Square is also a shop-a-holic’s delight: Nearby are high-end
shops like Prada and Tiffany & Co. among others. And when you’ve
shopped until you’ve just about dropped, take a break at the park’s
Emporio Rulli Café, which features plenty of open-air seating.
You can find parking in the garage directly underneath the park as well as throughout the neighborhood, but recent
Yelp.com
travelers advise against driving altogether. The roads around the Union
Square area can be quite congested. Luckily, the BART rail system and
the Muni-run buses and cable cars all have stops in the area.
Picture-postcard-worthy views of Victorian homes at Alamo Square
San Francisco's crookedest Lombard Street
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Alamo Square and Lombard Street
Picture-postcard-worthy views include Alamo Square, where San
Francisco’s circa-1900 Victorian homes are juxtaposed against the
towering backdrop of downtown’s skyscrapers (Webster, Broderick, Oak,
and Golden Gate streets), and
Lombard Street between
Hyde and Leavenworth streets comprises what’s known as the world’s
“crookedest” street (though it’s not). Created in 1922 with eight
hairpin turns to manage the hill’s steepness, it’s lined with flowered
walkways and ornate houses — and throngs of picture-snapping tourists.
Photos are best from the bottom looking up.
Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill offers amazing views
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Coit Tower and North Beach
North Beach: In between appointments, stroll over to
North Beach, San Francisco’s Italian neighborhood, for a snack. The
espresso is strong and the cannoli sweet at Caffe Trieste, and
century-old Molinari’s deli appeases the hungry. Once fortified, pay a
visit to City Lights Bookstore, Mecca for bohemians and serious
book-lovers alike. In the morning practice tai chi with the regulars in
Washington Square and from here, catch the No. 39 bus to the top of
Telegraph Hill. Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill offers amazing views.
Thirty local artists painted murals on its ground floor walls in
1933. This hill is also home to a flock of wild parrots and is laced
with stairways off Filbert and Greenwich streets as well as lush
gardens.
Coit Tower, piercing the skyline from the top of
Telegraph Hill, is where to get a bird’s-eye view of the city. Built in
1933 at the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, some say the 210-foot
tower resembles a fire-hose nozzle that stands in tribute to
firefighters. The lobby’s vibrant murals depict scenes from the 1930s,
and an elevator goes all the way up. If you’re feeling hearty, take the
nearly 400 steep steps up and down — and look for the green parrots
chirping along the way.
Coit Tower, Telegraph Hill Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94133; 415-362-0808
San Francisco's Chinatown is not only the oldest but also the most famous and largest in the US
A dragon-draped archway at the intersection of Bush
and Grant streets announces the entrance to Chinatown in San Francisco.
Chinatown’s 24 blocks are San Francisco’s most crowded; they’re densely
packed with fish and vegetable stalls, herbal shops, temples, and
eateries. (Lichee Garden, Hunan Home’s, and R&G restaurants all
rate high with diners.) Don’t miss the Golden Gate Cookie Factory (on
Ross Alley), where every day, two women make 20,000 fortune cookies by
hand. Museums include the Chinese Historical Society of America and
Chinese Culture Center.
AKA the Victorian Vase - Golden Gate Park's Conservatory of Flowers
Contemplate your next move in Golden Gate Park. Three miles long by a
half mile wide and larger than New York City’s Central Park, Golden
Gate Park is the city’s largest outdoor spot. Within its thousand-plus
acres are gardens, lakes, bridal, museums and walking paths, California
Academy of Science, de Young Museum, Strybing Arboretum and Botanical
Gardens, and the tranquil Japanese Tea Garden, originally part of the
1894 World’s Fair Exhibit. Tea drinkers overlook a waterfall and pond
framed by fragrant wisteria. Be sure to visit the Conservatory of
Flowers (closed Monday), which is the oldest Victorian greenhouse this
side of the Thames, and the carousel on Kezar Drive, both on the eastern
edge of the park.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94122 nps.gov/goga
Conservatory of Flowers,San Francisco, CA 94122; 415-666-7001 conservatoryofflowers.org
Golden Gate Park Carousel, Kezar Drive & MLK Jr. Drive, San Francisco, CA 94122 parks.sfgov.org
Palace of Fine Arts is the only original structure left from the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition
Named San Francisco’s best museum, the Exploratorium (in the Palace
of Fine Arts) is a fun, quirky museum of science, art, and human
perception that features some 650 “please touch” exhibits. Its
pitch-black Tactile Dome may inspire you to approach challenges in a
whole new way.
3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123; 415-397-5673 exploratorium.edu
Getting Around San Francisco
The best ways to get around San Francisco are on foot or by public
transportation. Most of the popular attractions are within walking
distance of the city center, and the large municipal transportation
system — called the Muni — operates bus and streetcar lines, leaving
little need for your own set of wheels. You can also travel by cable car
(also operated by Muni), which is a more entertaining — albeit slower —
way to see the city. To get into the city from the San Francisco
International Airport (SFO), you can use the Bay Area Rapid Transit
(BART) commuter rail or you can take a taxi for around $40 one way.
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