15 Places to Visit in San Francisco
Have you heard of the infamous song "I've Left My Heart in San Francisco" by Tony Bennett? Well, this actually happened to me. I visited San Francisco in October while the weather was more to my liking. The city struck me with its vibrancy, friendly people and endless places to explore. I only spent over a week there but I wished I had stayed much longer. In the ten days there, I managed to pack in a Hop-on-Hop-off tour, visits with family, a history of San Francisco underground tour and also took time to enjoy the many treats that it offered. Here are a list of my favourite places to visit.
1. Golden Gate Bridge
There are two viewpoints to take your touristy pics of this iconic bridge from. The Northern point has several view points to take various pics from. It also houses the Lookout store where you can purchase almost anything you would want regarding the Golden Gate Bridge. I was able to pick up a Golden Gate Bridge metal cutout bookmark for $5.99 US. There is a replica of the actual cable used on the bridge to give you some perspective in the lookout area. The other viewpoint is on the way to Saulsilito. You get a fantastic view point from there as you can drive up the mountain for more viewpoints of the bridge. Great place to get your selfie on!
2. Sutro Bath House Ruins
The Sutro Bath House Ruins are located in the Richmond District also known as Lands End, named after the former mayor, Adolph Sutro. The Sutro Baths were once the largest saltwater swimming pool enclosed in a glass house open to the public. It once housed 8 swimming pools, concerts, talent shows and restaurants. You can explore the ruins and the caves where saltwater was used to funnel into the swimming pools at high tide. The Cliff House Restaurant sits atop the edge overlooking the ruins and also houses the history of the former Bath House. The ruins were ravaged by a fire in the 1960's. leaving behind crumbling ruins. Great place to explore on your own.
Location: 1004 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA
3. Coit Tower
Coit Tower sits atop a hill and can be a challenge to get to if you plan on taking the stairs from street level. Most people drive up to the iconic structure but I chose to walk up the million wooden stairs from Filbert Street. The other set of stairs is at Greenwich Street. The reason I wanted to walk up is because there are wild parrots in the trees and around Coit Tower that live in the area and you might have a chance to see them. I saw about 10 of them circling the Tower from the stairs as I was coming up, however, only 1 stayed behind in the tree when I reached the top. I later saw these parrots flying around the city from tree to tree. The tower itself is a great place for views. You can take the elevator up after paying a fee of $10 and walk up a set of stairs to the top of the tower. Beautiful tower. Great statue of Christoper Columbus outside of the tower. Also visit at night as the tower lights up in a florescent glow.
Location: 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA
4. Take a Tour of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
This is a free tour and a great way to see how fortune cookies are made. Did you know that fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco? It is located in an alley in the heart of Chinatown. The alley looks a bit shady but once you start walking, you realize its safe and the fortune cookie factory is easy to find. The door is wide open. There is a small area for guests to watch the cookies being made. For a small fee, you can pay $0.50 to take a picture of the lady making the cookies. I purchased some chocolate covered fortune cookies and was given a handful of cookie samples from the gentleman who works there. You will still get a free cookie without any purchase. Very friendly and a great experience.
Location: 56 Ross Alley, Chinatown, San Francisco, CA
5. Moraga Tiled Stairway
The Moraga Tiled Stairway is a bit of a challenge to get to. Located on between 15th and 16th Ave, these beautiful mosaic tiles is a sight to behold. Its starts at 16th and the climb goes up to 15th Ave. The 163 mosaic steps have pictures of the sea to stars embedded on each vertical side giving it wonderful artistic vibe. More than 220 neighbors sponsored this artistic visual and many visitors come to walk on them. There are no tour buses or vans allowed and vehicles are not to block driveways. There are no restrooms around either so make sure you visit the restroom before you head up here.
Location: Moraga and 16th Ave, San Francisco, CA
6. Pier 39
For those who like the night life, Pier 39 is wonderful to visit during the day but it seems to come alive at night. The Pier is a great place if you are looking to find that kitschy souvenir of San Francisco to take back home. No shortage of places here. There is a beautiful carousel in the middle of the pier if you are looking for something fun to do. The Bubba Shrimp Company restaurant is located there as well. I was tempted to go in for some shrimp but then I heard barking at the end of the pier. Of course it was the famous seals of Pier 39. It was so dark you couldn't see them but you could definitely hear them. I went back in the morning to find them lying on the floating marina and playing in the water.
Location: Beach St and The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
7. Take a Ball Park Tour of AT&T Park
At home, I work at a stadium that houses a soccer and football team so I am familiar with those sports and enjoy watching them. However, I don't like to watch baseball as it makes me sleepy, which made me want to take this tour. This way, I was able to see what a baseball stadium is like without having to watch an actual game. The tour guide, Connie, was great. Her enthusiasm for the team really showed through as she talked about the team. The tour took an hour. I bought tickets from the team store, Dugout, for $22 USD before heading in through the gates. The tour hits every level and you get spectacular views from the Tony Bennett suite which overlooks the bay area.
Location: 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA
8. Take a Ride Down Crooked Hill
Lombard Street is one of the most famous streets of San Francisco. This is where you will find "Crooked Hill" named aptly because of the winding stretch of road coming down Lombard Street. Easily accessible by tram, trolley and cars. Its more fun to actually experience the ride going down the hill but you can get off at the bottom and get a picture of the cars driving down. Just be careful of cars going through the intersection as tourists tend to cluster there for a picture of the hill and block cars from going across.
Location: 1070 Lombard St. (Between Jones and Hyde St.), San Francisco, CA
9. Visit the Full House Park at Alamo Square
If you grew up in the 80's like myself, then you do not need an explanation as to why this is a must see. Uncle Jessie , DJ Tanner and the whole gang got into a car and headed to Alamo Square where they had a picnic in the opening credits of Full House. These Victorian style houses across the street are referred to as Painted Ladies. Great place to visit if you feel nostalgic, like myself. I took a hop-on hop-off tour bus to get here. It does tend to get crowded with all the tourists though. Still worthwhile seeing.
Alamo Square Location: Between Hayes and Steiner St, San Francisco
Full House Location: 1709 Broderick St, San Francisco
10. Visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park
Location: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA
11. Presidio Park
Persidio Park is easy to get to by bus or car. This was one of my hop-on hop-off stops. Presidio Park is great to check out because it has a place that not many star wars fans know about. Lucas Films studio is just a five minute walk from the gate entry shown here. Outside of the studio, there is a water fountain with who else, but a large Yoda at the top. When you walk into the lobby of the studio, you can look around and check out some memorabilia. There is a life-sized R2D2 and Darth Vadar there. Some of the props like light sabers and other weapons are on display. Great place to see if you are a fan of Star Wars and really, who isn't?
Location: Building B Courtyard, 1 Letterman Dr, Presidio Park, San Francisco, CA
If you walk 5 mins through the gardens behind the studio, you will come across an ancient Roman Greek structure called the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. Its surrounded by a lagoon with exotic birds. Watch out for the swans, they bite! You can walk around the giant structure and take in the details of roman and greek influences embedded into the palace. The theatre is mainly used for concerts and art exhibitions, however, its a favourite location of the locals to use for weddings and wedding party photos.
Location: 3301 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA
12. Saulsilito
Saulsilito is a great little town on the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge. Its a touristy town with unique shops you can find great sales in. Its also a little more expensive if you are planning on buying souvenirs so you might want to save that for better deals on Pier 39. You can drive over the bridge or take a ferry over from Pier 39 for $15 USD one way or $30 USD roundtrip. Have lunch, shop around a bit, chill in the park and feel the wind in your face. I found a store that sold $1 USD bills with faces of your favourite Star Trek, Star Wars and other celebrities on them. They were all legal tender. Go to Saulsilito and find your little treasure.
13. The San Francisco Dungeon
If you'd like to experience what San Francisco was like many years ago, visit the Dungeon. It recreates history with sets, special effects and live actors. It take you underground and into a dark room. Lights go up and the action starts! You can be in a courtroom, a row boat or in a haunted jail cell at Alcatraz. If you scare easily, beware, as they will pounce on you the most. However, it was fun to go through and experience everything on the tour. It ends with a ride you strap into and jump the Alcatraz wall. Its located on 145 Jefferson Street, next to Madam Tussauds Wax Museum.
14. Muir Woods
Muir Woods is a 20 mins drive from Saulsilito. It has the tallest and widest redwood trees in California. Famous for the tree that is wide enough to drive a car though it. I didn't have time to go to Muir Woods so it is still on my bucket list. There is a tour bus that leaves from downtown San Francisco to Muir Woods on City Tours tour bus to help you get there if you don't have a vehicle. There is a trail leading through the big redwoods if you want to stretch your legs.
15. Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is a very vibrant part of the city. From the street entertainment, restaurants, unique shops and kitschy tourist shops lined up along the street, its a great place to hang out and kill some time. Walk around to see the little fisherman boats and experience what Fisherman's Wharf has to offer.
Location: Jefferson St (Between Hyde and Powell Streets), San Francisco, CA
Comments
Post a Comment