San Francisco Attractions

Posted by admin in San Francisco, Uncategorized on 04 11th, 2010

San Francisco is a city full of life and there is quite a bit to experience when you visit. Here are a couple of key places you should add to your roster when visiting this golden city.

Pier 39 is a festival market place that is jam packed with things to do for the whole family. There are over 100 specialty shops and 12 restaurants where you can choose anything from fresh seafood to Cali inspired cuisine to everything in between. There is a sea lion show located at K-Dock, live entertainment to include musicians, jugglers, magicians and comedians whose shows occur throughout the day. Take in a show at Theater 39, Cruise around the bay, take the kids to the arcade or carousel. All this in one place right on the bay! Best part is that it is close to other must see SF attractions, like Fisherman’s Wharf.

Fisherman’s Wharf: This is a working wharf where you can walk down “Fish Alley” to see fisherman at work and buy fresh fish or shellfish from the vendors. The Wharf is full of shops, museums and entertainment. There is the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum, the Red & White Fleet, the Wax Museum and the SF Maritime museum. Also, the USS Pampanito is docked at Pier 45.

Golden Gate Bridge: You can walk, bike or drive over this 2 mile suspension bridge. Or, check it out from below from the tide pools at Bakers Beach. If possible, check it out at night as it is breathtaking!

Golden Gate Park: This 1,000 acre park is jam packed with things to see and do. There are botanical gardens which hold over 6,000 plant species, including California redwoods. Check out the Japanese Tea Garden, Children playground, Asian Art Museum, the aquarium, planetarium, laserium at the California Academy of Sciences. There are also tennis courts, baseball diamonds polo grounds, croquet and lawn bowling greens, archery field, golf course and fly fishing pool.

Alcatraz Island: A short boat ride will get you on the 22 acre island which held famous prisoners like Al Capone and Robert Stroud. But did you know that it also held the first lighthouse on the west coast? Feel free to wander about on the island but there is also an audio tour through the prison. It is recommended that you buy your tickets well in advance and show up early for the ferry ride as this is a very popular tourist attraction.

Take a ride in one of the Cable Cars: There are several lines that you can take, depending on where you want to end up. There is the Powell-Hyde line that will take you from Powell and Market Streets to Victorian Park (near Maritime Museum and Aquatic Park). There is also the Powell-Mason Line that will end at Bay and Taylor (near Fisherman’s Wharf). Also, the California Street line runs from California and Market Streets to Van Ness Avenue.

Baker Beach: Best known for it’s nude beach goers but this beach also has fantastic tide pools, steep bluffs, climbable rocks and close shore breaks. Due to the rough breaks, it’s not great for swimming but the view of the Golden Gate bridge makes up for it.

The Presidio: Once occupied by the military forces and turned into a forest, it is now a place where you can lay on the beach, hike or bike through the forest, check out the plant nursery, or even go bowling! This is a great day trip and there is a lot to do and see.

Coit Tower: 180 feet tall and gives a 360 degree view of the city. You can see Embarcadero, Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Sutro and the Financial District. It is an amazing view!

Union Square: If you like shopping, this is the place for you! Some of the shops include Macy’s, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nike and Levi. A block or so away and you will find the Virgin Megastore, FAO Schwartz, and boutiques for Coach, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Emporio Armani, Prada, Gucci, Hermes and so much more! Of course there are fine restaurants and cafes to keep you fueled up and ready to shop.

There are cultural districts that are worth visiting as well….
Castro District: Predominantly home to the gay and lesbian community. There are fantastic bakeries, cafe’s, restaurants, bars and boutiques. While there, check out the infamous Castro Theater, which shows independent films from around the world.

Chinatown has restaurants, shops, street vendors and temples. It is busy and fast paced.

Mission District: A predominantly Latino neighborhood which has authentic restaurants, bakeries, markets and shops. Check out the oldest structure in San Francisco while in the Mission District at Mission Dolores.

North Beach: Also known as Little Italy for it’s Italian inspired ambiance. Check out the restaurants, outdoor cafe’s and boutiques.