Top attractions in San Francisco
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Top sights in San Francisco
Top 10 things to do in San Francisco
Once known as the "Paris of the West," the gold-rush population boom made San Francisco a polycultural hub long before its Summer of Love. Here are some of the top attractions of this iconic west coast metropolis.
1. Alcatraz
Alcatraz has had a colorful history but is most famous for being the prison that once held some of the US' most notorious gangsters, from Al Capone to Whitey Bulger.
2. Washington Square
The once-neglected Washington Square has evolved into an incredibly vibrant pocket of culture. It's now home to some of San Francisco's best restaurants and cafes.
3. San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay actually consists of several bays, and its windy urban beaches make it a popular destination for sailors and windsurfers, as well as those just there for the scenery!
4. Golden Gate Bridge
Standing proud between the Bay and the Pacific, the Golden Gate Bridge is considered by many to be the most beautiful bridge of the industrial age...
5. San Francisco Bay Bridge
...But the San Francisco Bay Bridge is a strong contender for that accolade when lit up at night!
6. Golden Gate Park
Inspired by New York's Central Park, the Golden Gate Park provides a leafy respite from the city, as well as attractions like the Academy of Sciences and Japanese Tea Garden.
7. Fisherman´s Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is the touristic center of San Francisco. It boasts seafood restaurants that go back generations, as well as museums, parks, and its own sea lion colony!
8. Stow Lake
Stow Lake is the largest and most scenic of the manmade lakes at Golden Gate Park. Its island, Strawberry Hill, offers spectacular downtown views over the treetops.
9. Alamo Square
Explore San Francisco's more affluent side with a jaunt around Alamo Square. The neighborhood's hilltop park looks over much of the city, and don't forget its "painted ladies!"
10. Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies are extravagant Victorian rowhouses which survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. It's astonishing to think so much of the city once looked this way!
Planning Your Visit
How many days?
Some would say for as long as you can, so bear in mind that it's a big and busy city with plenty to see and do. First-timers should consider spending at least a week there if possible, though even that might not be enough!
Where to stay?
Which of San Francisco's neighborhoods is best for you depends on the nature of your trip. Fisherman's Wharf will meet all the immediate needs of a fleeting visit, though Union Square is a more neutral and relaxed jumping-off point for tourists. Other neighborhoods each have their own personality so it's worth putting in the research, but high-crime areas to avoid include Bayview, Hunter's Point, Sunnydale, and Visitation Valley.
How to get around?
"San Francisco has one of the world's most unique public transport systems. As well as buses and trains, the city is mostly mobilized by its historic cable-car network. Although newer trams do operate, visitors may want to ride one of the older ones for the novelty. Be warned though, notable routes such as the F-Market & Wharves line tend to get very crowded!
The city is also very bike-friendly,with extensive bicycle lanes and even bike lockers!"
Good to know
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- Language
- English
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- Currency
- USD ($)
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- Time Zone
- UTC (-08:00)
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- Country Code
- +1
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- Best time to visit
- Summer, Fall
Top Attractions in San Francisco
- 1 Alcatraz
- 4 Pier 39
- 10 Ocean Beach
- 11 Twin Peaks
- 15 Union Street
- 24 The Castro
- 26 Sutro Baths
- 34 Cliff House
- 38 Stow Lake
Things to Do in San Francisco
Cities in United States
Other Sightseeing Options in San Francisco
Want to discover all there is to do in San Francisco? Click here for a full list.
What people are saying about San Francisco
I had a great time on this tour. I went with my boyfriend and another couple. We’re all in our early 40’s in various levels of fitness. This was a great ride for all of us. There were a few hills we had to go through but my friend and I just walked it. The guys were able to bike up. But our tour guide Steve was patient and didn’t rush us. I loved going around the city and learning about it’s history. Steve was very knowledgeable, easy to talk to and entertaining. We all clicked with him right away. It was more like we were in tour with a friend leading us.
We loved this tour! It was my daughter‘s first time to the city and we found a way to show her around while pointing out things that were of interest to her. It was basically a customized city tour. You can’t do better for the amount of time and money. Highly recommend it!
Very cool experience! Learned more about San Francisco ghostly history. For it just being my fiancé and I the tour guide kept it interesting. We especially liked how we could all relate on theories about certain stories. Would recommend to anyone seeking the experience!!!
My daughter and I had an awesome experience with GoCar Tour. The instructor was thorough, answered whatever’s questions we had prior to the tour. The only thing, the GoCars are noisy, but that did not take away from the good experience.
So much fun, can’t recommend it enough. I was a little worried if it would be hard to figure out the driving, but it wasn’t hard to adjust. Great verbal gps cues, and fun facts were learned. Got to see some really great views.
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