Undeniably one of the greatest cities in The United States of America, the charm of the city of San Francisco is alluring to every kind of traveller. Beginning with the stunning Golden Gate Bridge to the sparking bay and cable cars, and of course the elegant Victorian homes through every street, San Francisco offers a little bit of everything to every kind of Traveller. Here’s an elaborate list of things that you must see while in the Bay city.
San Francisco – Points of Interest
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco is the most photographed city in the world and the Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the biggest reason why. The orange structure in the background of blue waters is the most iconic scene that this city boasts of. It is a sight to sore eyes during the day, but during the evenings it is even more spectacular. At a certain point in history, the Golden Gate Bridge was called the greatest man-made sight in all of U.S.
Golden Gate Park
The Golden Gate Park is home to some of the most important attractions in the city, such as the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the California Academy of Sciences Museum with Steinhart Aquarium, the de Young Museum and the Japanese Tea Garden. The park houses around 5000 varieties of plants. There are more than a dozen species of trees over a network of walking trails. You can also spend hours cycling around the paths in the park.
Alcatraz Island
One of the most infamous prisons in the whole world, the Alcatraz Island penitentiary was a prison that operated for almost thirty years. This landmark has history and notoriety written all over it. The most well-known criminals in America including Al-Capone and “The Birdman” were said to be inmates here. The only way to get to the Island is via a ferry ride. Interestingly, you learn history lessons over an audio tour guide recorded in the voices of former inmates and prison guards who have served at the prison.
Cable Car Ride
The City of San Francisco is built on many hills and the cable-cars were introduced in 1873, as a means of travelling up and down the hills. Today, only a few cable cars are operational in the city and are a great way to explore it in a historic fashion. Major attractions such as Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ghirardelli Square can be explored by taking a cable-car ride. The most scenic routes on this ‘historic’ means of transportation are the Powell-Hyde and the Powell- Mason.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most visited tourist areas. Popular for it great selection of restaurants, shops and a beautiful waterfront setting, it is the ideal place from where you can begin your tour of the city. Fisherman’s wharf is a great place for you to stroll around to get a taste of the city. At the Hyde-Pier street waterfront, you can see restored ships of the 19th and 20th century. The main attractions in this area are the Madame Tussauds Wax museum and the Ghirardelli square; a chocolate factory-turned shopping centre and a place of historic significance in the city.
Legion of Honor
The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is the most exquisite museum in San Francisco. The museum was designed to look like a replica of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris, and was given as a gift to the city by Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, a philanthropist, socialite and patron of the arts. The Legion of Honor museum in the city’s Lincoln Park has a superb collection of European sculpture, paintings, and decorative arts.
De Young Fine Arts Museum
One of the largest public art institutions in the city, the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, is a fine arts museum. The museum covers exhibits over various time frames and geographical locations. There are exhibits from Greece, Rome, Egypt, and the Near East. You will also find great representations of British, African and American folk art. The collection also features a strong influence of art and period interiors from North America.
Twin Peaks
To get the finest views of the city, make a trip to the Twin Peaks, the second highest hills in the city, after the Mount Davidson Peak. At a height of 900 feet, these unique and uninhabited hills are undeveloped, but very easy to access. The view is divine whether you choose to drive up the north peak and gaze at the view below, or consider taking a hike over both north and south peaks. The twin peaks are probably the only hills in the city on which there is no construction. They remain in their original state.
Day Trips to Napa and Sonoma Valley
While in the Bay City, take the weekend to tour the largest grape-growing areas in all of California; the Napa and Somona Valley. Situated at a distance of 52 miles from the main City, these wine counties are located in an incredibly scene area with a dry climate as compared to the humid city climate. Make a trip out of wine-tasting and bringing home to best grape-juice after exploring the counties.
While these are the main things to see in San Francisco, you must also take time to see other attractions such as San Francisco’s China-town which is the largest known Chinatown outside Asia, the California Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium, and the AT&T Park. Museum lovers can tour the many museums in the city including, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Asian Art Museum and the Palace of Fine Arts.
Set along the ocean, San Francisco is known as the Jewel of Northern California and is one of the most beautiful cities in the area. It is the ideal destination if you are looking for some history, great beaches and museums, colourful neighbourhoods and an array of entertainment and dining options. Make sure you follow this list of things to see in San Francisco before you make a trip there.
San Francisco – Photos (Pictures in HD)
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