By J.C. Lewis
San Francisco is a very popular tourist destination for good reason. The picturesque City by the Bay can be explored easily on foot, by car or by public transportation and provides ample attractions and monuments, both historic and modern, to keep visitors of any age entertained.
1. Fisherman's Wharf
The maritime heritage of San Francisco remains reflected in Fisherman's Wharf with its restaurants and seafood shacks. Whether you want an elaborate sit-down meal overlooking the often foggy Bay scenery or just want to grab a snack from one of the competing shacks that line the Wharf, you will find some of the freshest seafood at Fisherman's Wharf. Pier 39 provides gift shops and other attractions, and hundreds of sea lions resting on the docks delight tourists.
fishermanswharf.org
Between Jefferson, beach, Hyde and Taylor streets
2. Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge is a photographer's dream. The monument creates a spectacular scene when peeking out from under a bed of fog, and its elegant lines and gleaming color make the Golden Gate Bridge a world-famous icon of the city. You can bike, walk or drive across the bridge to see the monument up close. The bridge is part of U.S. Highway 101 so follow signs for that route from anywhere in the city.
goldengate.org
(415) 921-5858
3. Alcatraz
Alcatraz is one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. It is accessible only by boat and you need to buy tickets from tour companies located at Fisherman's Wharf. Tickets should be purchased in advance if you are visiting during a busy time. Alcatraz has a long history: It was the first West Coast lighthouse and fort, was most famous as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, and was occupied by Native Americans from 1969 to 1971. A self-guided audio tour and museum collections provide plenty of information about the Rock and its infamous former residents.
alcatrazcruises.com
nps.gov/alca/
Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Fort Mason, B201
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 561-4900
4. The Academy of Sciences
The Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park is a great place for families--and anyone interested in nature and natural history--to visit. It combines an aquarium, a natural history museum, a planetarium and an interactive living rain forest exhibit. Its new building is notable as a pioneering work of "green" engineering.
calacademy.org
55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000
5. Chinatown
San Francisco's busy, bustling Chinatown area is a great place to eat, shop and discover the impact of the large Chinese community on the city. Restaurants are authentic, with some displaying the various creatures you can order for dinner in tanks in their dining rooms; stores display hanging ducks, exotic fruits and dried shellfish among other exotic offerings.
sanfranciscochinatown.com
Chinatown Gate is at Grant Avenue & Bush Street.
6. Cable Car Ride
San Francisco residents are familiar with the "ding" of a cable car going by. Aside from being a tourist attraction and a national historic landmark, cable cars provide a good way of crossing the hilly streets and a picturesque one, too. As the cable car is winched to the top of each hill, a new view of the city appears, framed by quaint rows of buildings at each side.
sfmta.com/cms/mfleet/cablecar.htm
Routes are Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason and California Street
7. Conservatory of Flowers
For nature-lovers and gardeners, a visit to the historic Conservatory of Flowers is a must. Within the 1879 glass structure--the oldest public conservatory in North America--five galleries are packed with more than 2,000 specimens of tropical and aquatic plants. A fine collection of orchids and a giant imperial philodendron that is more than a century old are some of the highlights.
conservatoryofflowers.org
Conservatory of Flowers
JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA
(415) 666-7001
8. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
San Francisco's Fine Arts Museums comprise the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park; their collections include many fine works of art. A major highlight is the huge Rodin sculpture "The Thinker," which greets visitors to the Legion of Honor.
famsf.org
(415) 750-3600
9. Japanese Tea Garden
For a serene break from the tourist hustle and bustle, visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. The beautifully landscaped grounds, statues, gates and buildings reflect traditional Japanese styles, and the tea house provides a place to relax and enjoy the scenery while sipping a cup of tea.
sfpt.org/japanese_tea_garden.html
7 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco
(415) 752-1171
10. Musee Mechaniques
This interesting little museum at Fisherman's Wharf exhibits old-fashioned mechanical arcade games and musical instruments as well as more modern games, too. The machines all remain in working order and have been adapted to accept today's coins. Entry is free.
museemecaniquesf.com
Pier 45 at the end of Taylor Street
Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 346-2000
Resources
About the Author:
J.C. Lewis is the editor and co-owner of a weekly newspaper, as well as a staffer and regular contributor to a group of three newspapers in Los Angeles, Calif. Her writing has appeared on USAToday.com, Hotels.com and various other websites. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in politics from the University of Bristol, England.
