Top 15 Attractions And Things To Do In San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
San Francisco is one of California’s principal cities, the focus of the Bay Area. The city is recognized for its liberal viewpoint, social diversity, scenic hills and stunning landmarks.
While San Francisco offers a multitude of sights, the city is a compact location on the end of a peninsula flanked by the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific shoreline. The city is divided into neighbourhoods or districts which offer travellers insight into its history and culture.
City view of San Francisco, California
The historical centre is near the waterfront and Market Street and has cable cars that reach Nob Hill. The Western Additions withstood the San Francisco earthquake and encompasses the remaining Victorian homes.
San Francisco, California skyline
Getting to San Francisco, California
Travelers can fly into three airports in the San Francisco area. San Francisco International, or SFO, 10 miles south, is the main international airport with many passenger services including cafes, shops, a medical clinic, and aid for travellers and military. It is the hub for United and Virgin America and offers direct service to Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Aerial view of San Francisco, California, USA
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International, OAK, is located in Silicon Valley, a one hour trip from San Francisco.
Volaris, Alaska Airlines and Nippon Airlines fly internationally from this airport. Oakland International, OAK, is situated on the East Bay. This airport has flights to stops in the United States as well as Scandinavia and Mexico. It is Southwest Airline’s Hub.
San Francisco, CA, USA
Getting Around Francisco, California
San Francisco is easily navigated by various means of transportation. The city has one of the most inclusive transportation systems in the country with three major transportation systems with interchanges. Tickets are not transferrable between the three systems.
San Francisco tram car
The three main transportation systems are the Muni, which provide subway, buses, street cars, cable cars and trolley buses inside San Francisco. BART, which is the district subway service within the Bay area, and Caltrain that offers the commuter rail to San Jose.
Downtown San Francisco, California
Travelling by taxi in the city is expensive. They are readily available in the area around Union Station. If planning to traverse by taxi to the airport, it is wise to call in advance to schedule the trip. It is very easy to pre-arrange your car rental pickup at the airport before you travel.
Skyscrapers in San Francisco, California
Where to Stay in Francisco, California
San Francisco’s accommodations vary from hostels to upscale hotels in the centre of the city. Many of the hotels are in the northeastern part of the city near Chinatown, Downtown and Fisherman’s Wharf as well as the districts.
San Francisco, California
You can easily find hotels close to the San Francisco International Airport in nearby locations such as Burlingame, Brisbane, Millbrae and San Bruno.
Pier 14, San Francisco, California
You can easily find the best hotel deals in San Francisco by using our hotel comparison tool, which allows you to compare on stars, location, ratings and much more.
San Francisco, California at night
Attractions and Things to Do in Francisco, California
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco has an array of unique attractions and things to do. The most identifiable one is the Golden Gate Bridge, which traverses the Golden Gate. It rises over the Presidio, an earlier military fort and picturesque park.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
The Palace of Fine Arts, constructed for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, is inside the Presidio.
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, California
Fisherman’s Wharf
Visitors can ride the cable cars on the hills between Fisherman’s Wharf and Market Street. The Santa Clara Stadium is host to the San Francisco 49ers home games.
Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California
Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
San Francisco cable car system
San Francisco cable car system
Coit Tower
Two renowned towers dominate the landscape. The first is the Coit Tower, built to recognize firefighters, stands on Telegraph Hill.
Lillian Coit Memorial Tower (Coit Tower, San Francisco, California
Transamerica Pyramid
The second tower is the Transamerica Pyramid, which is San Francisco’s tallest building, which rises among the skyscrapers in the Financial District.
Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, California, USA
Alamo Square Park
The city’s skyline is prominently viewed from Alamo Square Park.
Lombard Street
The most crooked street in America is Lombard Street on Russian Hill.
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay
Visitors to San Francisco will find numerous activities. Taking a Boat tour is the primary way to view San Francisco including the bridges, the bay, the shoreline and the island of Alcatraz.
Sailing ships in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco’s Theatre and Arts
San Francisco’s theatre and arts diverse offerings are listed in the San Francisco Classical Voice, the Friends of Chamber Music and Music Examiner.
The varieties of performances include the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, concerts by the Lyric Opera and musicals from Los Angeles and Broadway at the Orpheum and Golden Gate Theater. Folk, jazz and rock music are presented at the Fillmore Auditorium and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
Museums
Legion of Honor (museum), San Francisco, California
The San Francisco zoo
Another of San Francisco’s main attraction is its zoo. The San Francisco Zoo gets approximately 3,000,000 visitors yearly. This is the largest zoo in northern California with its location along the Pacific Ocean offering a spectacular view.
Restaurants
San Francisco has a wide variety of restaurants with a widespread price range. Popular choices are vegetarians and vegans. Other favourite cuisines are Sushi and Asian cuisine including Thai, Korean, Indian, Japanese, and Chinese.
The biggest Chinatown in North America has many excellent restaurants that serve up dim sum and other Chinese specialties.
Panorama view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
City centre, San Francisco, California
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California
Festivals
San Francisco hosts a multiplicity of events and festivals. Cultural events include the Cherry Blossom Festival in April, the Fringe Festival of theatrical presentations after Labor Day, the Haight Ashbury Street Fair in June, the LovEvolution, an electronic music festival in October, the San Francisco Blues Festival in September, TET Festival in January and February and the Union Street Art Festival in June.
Union Square in San Francisco, California
For fun, excitement, a multitude of things to do and lifetime memories, the unique San Francisco visit is a must!
Aerial view of San Francisco, California
San Francisco City Hall
