Top Things to Do in San Francisco
Where to Go and What to Do in San Francisco, California
Jan 19, 2009
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed bridge in the world and is visible from most elevated parts of San Francisco, when the fog allows. The ochre coloured towers and cables were completed in 1937 and span the two-mile mouth of the bay. The bridge is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset and the best way to enjoy it, and the views it provides, is to stroll along the east sidewalk, 65 storeys above the water (although heavy winds can sometimes make this a challenge).
Relaxing in Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is one of the biggest urban parks in the world and stretches from the old hippy area of The Haight to the Pacific, offering visitors a selection of trails, gardens, museums, sports facilities, beaches and lakes. Some of the highlights in the park include the Japanese Tea Garden, the Children’s Carrousel and the California Academy of Sciences which includes an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum. Although entrance to the park is free, some of the park attractions do charge an entrance fee.
Exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz
Bustling and often overcrowded, Fisherman’s Wharf offers shops, restaurants, a weekly Farmers Market, and of course a chance to photograph the hulking sea lions at Pier 39. One of the most popular destinations in the city, Alcatraz Island (also known as “The Rock”) can also be reached from here by boat.
Set in the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz has a rich and varied history. Most well known as a maximum security prison, the island also has the distinction of housing the first lighthouse and US fort on the West Coast and is home to protected bird colonies. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour or self guided audio tour of the prison which was once home to the likes of Al Capone and Robert Shroud, the famous “Birdman of Alcatraz”. The spectacular Aquarium of the Bay, with over 20,000 aquatic animals, is also conveniently located next to Pier 39.
Riding Cable Cars to Chinatown
One way to get around in San Francisco is by the impressive network of 130-year-old cable cars that negotiate the steep hills. Though not the quickest, the cable cars offer a unique way to travel and the open sides allow for great photo opportunities. Catch a cable car through the various neighbourhoods, stopping for a stroll in the city’s historic Chinatown, the largest outside of Asia. Restaurants, shops and fresh food stalls rub shoulders with temples and museums such as the Chinese Historical Society of America,and offer a tantalising blend of sights, smells and sounds.
Visiting The Legion of Honor and Mission Dolores
For those seeking more history and culture, don’t forget the Legion of Honor. With a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, the building is home to 4,000 years worth of ancient and European art and sculpture, including Rodin’s famous Thinker that dominates the Beaux-Arts building's entrance. Another integral part of San Franciscan history is the Mission Dolores (or Misión San Francisco de Asís), the oldest building in the city, founded in 1776 and nestled in the heart of the Mission district. Beautiful stained glass, a tiny museum and the cemetery can all be explored.
Planning a Visit to San Francisco
Much of San Francisco and its attractions can be reached by public transit or by car, but it is also an easy city to explore on foot. From museums to churches, forests to islands, there is something for everyone. For the most economic way to sightsee in the city, try the Go San Francisco card which provides visitors with preferential access and a range of discounts.
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