Best Tourist Spots in San Francisco

A magical place – San Francisco or SFO as locals would love to call it, is one of the most eclectic cities of the United States. Alcatraz, Golden Gate, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cable Cars, De Young Fine Arts Museum and the list is endless! It's worth delving about in San Francisco.

Golden Gate Bridge - Seven Wonders of the Modern World

Image taken by Daniel Schwen (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Welcome to San Francisco's masterpiece, that captures the spirit of the entire city. If you have just heard about this magnificent bridge till date, it is a high time you get the first hand experience of this 746 feet, single-suspension, 1.7 miles span bridge. Once it was known as "the bridge that couldn't be built," but today it is SFO's most famous landmark.

Address:
Golden Gate Bridge, California, United States
Phone: 1 415-921-5858
Website: www.goldengatebridge.org

Golden Gate Park - Tranquil and peaceful amidst the greenery

The Golden Gate park is San Francisco's most treasured recreation and park that encompasses gardens, lakes, museum, monuments, play area, picnic groves, walking and biking trails. This is a place for you to cut loose and breathe in the fresh air and indulge in the varied fun recreational activities. A trip to SFO, without visiting this beautiful park is an incomplete one.

Address:
San Francisco, CA, United States
Phone:1 415-831-2700Website: www.sfrecpark.org/

Contact Permits & Reservations Division at(415) 831-5500 Regular Hours: Monday – Saturday (9:30 am – 5 pm); Sunday (11 am – 5 pm)
Members’ Hours: Tuesday (8:30 – 9:30 am) and Sunday (10 – 11 am)
Special Hours: Thursday Nightlife Hours: 6 pm- 10 pm
Admission for Nightlife Thursdays: $10 for members; $12 for non-members

Fisherman's Wharf - A picturesque waterfront

Image By Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

At first sight, the waterfront with the illuminating backdrop and playful sea lions, look like an artist's work. The place will give you a glimpse of SFO's past and yet, you can participate in today's wide range of land, sea, and air activities. While in the vicinity, you can explore the indoor and outdoor shopping centers and one cannot simply leave Fisherman's Wharf, without having a taste of its best seafood platters.

Address:
Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association
47 Pier, Suite 2
San Francisco, CA 94133-1035
Phone: (415) 674-7503Website: www.fishermanswharf.org

Alcatraz Island - A beautiful Island with a twist

In your SFO's trip itinerary, by all odds, you must include an unconventional adventure trip to Alcatraz, which is located one-and-a-half miles from Fisherman's Wharf. A visit here, not only lets you tour the enthralling island, but you get to see the famous lighthouse that became a federal prison, keeping famous convicts such as Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. A must visit island, to have an exhilarating first hand tour of the island's cell house, which houses some of the famous convicts. Did You Know? Some of the movies that featured Alcatraz, include The Rock (1996), Escape From Alcatraz(1979) and Birdman of Alcatraz (1963).

Address:
Alcatraz Cruises, LLC
Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing
San Francisco, California 94133
Website: www.alcatrazcruises.com

For more information, routes and schedules, Call 415.673.6864

Coit Tower

Image By JaGa (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you ever wonder where to get the city's best view, Coit Tower is the place. It is a simple fluted tower which is built on the summit of Telegraph Hill. The murals inside the tower are exquisite and will give you good insights of life during Great Depression. You will be charged a fee of $3.00 for the elevator ride up, but it is worth it, as it offers a magnificent 360 degree bird's eye view of the city. This famous tower is also featured in some movies, like Dr. Doolittle (1998) and The Enforcer (1976). You can also visit its surrounding neighborhoods, such as North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf.

Address:
1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
Phone:(415) 249-0995
Hours: 10am-6pm May through October and 10am-5pm November through April.

The California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a place where you can spend your day with your kids. The museum's exhibitions include the giant Pacific Octopus, Claude the albino alligator, and view the magnificent 2.5 acre Living Roof. The museum is open twice a week, of which one day is exclusively opened to adults only. The adult only day exhibits the Morrison Planetarium, the Steinhart Aquarium, the Kimball Natural History Museum, and the four-story rainforest harboring many live butterflies.

Address:
55 Music Concourse Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
Phone:1 415-379-8000Website: www.calacademy.org

The De Young Museum - Delve in Intriguing Art

The de Young museum is a huge museum with an extensive collection of African Art, Oceanic Art, Textile Arts, Photography, Sculpture, American Paintings, and American Decorative Art. If you think art does not intrigue you, wait until you take the elevator ride up to the Hamon Tower Observation Floor of the museum. The bird's eye view of the buzzing city, over viewing the Golden Gate Bridge, will leave you jaw dropping.

Address:
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
Phone: 1 415-750-3600Website: www.deyoung.famsf.org
Open: Tuesdays–Sundays: 9:30 am–5:15 pm
Open Late Fridays (Apr 17–Nov 27): 9:30 am–8:45 pm
Closed most Mondays and select holidays

Mission Dolores and The Mission District

Image By Anke Meskens (Own work) [Copyrighted free use, CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

This is a famous place which is linked to Spanish missionaries and all important political declarations of the history of San Francisco. Do not be mistaken that this place is conventional or boring. A tour around the Mission Dolores's cemetery and the city's oldest preserved building, will be an alluring experience to connect you better with the city. While visiting the district, one may explore the lively Latino arts community and also learn about the culture of the Ohlone people who lives nearby. The district also lets you relish on great food served by many good restaurants nearby, such as taco shops, Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley murals.

Address:
3321 16th Street
Phone:1 415 621 8203Website: www.missiondolores.org

Open daily (except holidays)
Timing: 1 May-31 Oct, 9am-4.30pm and 1 Nov-30 Apr, 9am-4pm

Presidio of San Francisco - The recreational paradise

This was a former military base which is currently transformed into a park, that has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Presidio encompasses many green spaces, business organizations, restaurants, hills and recreational venues and vistas that overlooked the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. This beautiful town will give you simple joy just by sitting on a bench and watching the boats. While in the park, hike up the amazing trails or set off for a jog or biking.

Address: Presidio of San Francisco
103 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 561-5444Website: www.presidio.gov

City Lights Booksellers and Publishers - Enlighten your Knowledge

Map data: Google, DigitalGlobe

This is the literary Landmark of all book lovers and is the first all -paperback bookstore in the United States. If you are a book lover, the City Lights is where you belong. A must visit place where visitors from all over the globe flock to explore books of all genres and topics. The City Lights Booksellers and Publishers specializes in the arts, world literature and progressive politics.

Address: 261 Columbus Ave. San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-362-8193 website: www.citylights.com