San Francisco, city of Rainbows
by Paul H. Green
San Francisco, California has been stealing hearts since long before Tony Bennett first belted out the song,"I Left My Heart in San Francisco". Plan a trip to this lovely coastal town and plan on leaving a little piece of your heart as well.
You can spend a lifetime wandering the streets of San Francisco and still be amazed at the new discoveries you'll find each day. If you only have a limited number of days, you won't want to miss the major attractions listed below.
San Francisco Must-See Attractions
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is certainly an engineering marvel as well as one of the world's most beautiful bridges. Nearly nine million people visit the bridge each year. You can choose to drive across, bike across, walk across, or simply view it from the many vantage points throughout the city. The bridge spans 1.7 miles so if you're walking, wear good shoes and dress in layers.
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is clearly one of the most popular destinations. Here you'll find the historic waterfront and plenty of activities to keep your attention. Enjoy some of the best seafood you'll find anywhere including Dungeness crabs and a loaf of San Francisco's favorite bread, authentic Boudin Sourdough Bread.
While there, you'll see fantastic views of the famous Golden Gate Bridge and be close to a variety of other must-see attractions including the Maritime Museum and Alcatraz.
Follow a self-guided walking tour around Fisherman's Wharf and learn about the history of the area and various stops along the way. Thirty interpretive signs lead the way.
Spend some time exploring the National Maritime Museum located at the foot of Polk Street. This cruise ship-shaped building offers a variety of exhibits and is completely free. Continue on to the Hyde Street Pier and explore the huge collection of historic ships. Finally, go to Pier 45 and go below deck by touring a World War II-era submarine, the U.S.S. Pampanito. This fully-restored WWII submarine is open for self-guided, audio tours where you can view the control room, submarine crew quarters, and see the torpedoes.
Alcatraz
Alcatraz is a tough island surrounded by shark-infested waters and plenty of legends. Notorious criminals, including Al Capone, stayed at this federal prison from 1934 to 1963. They said escape was impossible. Take a chartered cruise to the ruins and see for yourself. Not only will you learn about this legendary prison, you'll also see rare flowers and plants, nesting birds, and Civil War era buildings.
Aquarium of the Bay
This unique aquarium replicates a dive under the waters of San Francisco Bay. You'll start by getting an introduction to the bay and its key features before descending into a series of underwater tunnels surrounded by 700,000 gallons of water and over 23,000 aquatic animals. Next, you'll travel to the tide pools where you can see and touch a variety of animals including leopard sharks and bat rays. Finally, you'll learn how to save the bay and its fragile habitats.
Chinatown
San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest one you will encounter outside of Asia. If you love Chinese food, this is the place to go. In addition, you'll see temples, dragons, shops, and much more.
Cable Car
No trip to San Francisco is complete without a ride in a cable car. The Powell-Hyde line is a particularly scenic ride offering panoramic views of San Francisco and San Francisco Bay as it winds its way along its route.
The Presidio of San Francisco
This national park was once a military post. Today, 1,500 acres surround the Presidio of San Francisco featuring eleven miles of trails for hikers and fourteen miles of paved roads for bicyclists. You'll find scenic trails including the Anza National Historic Trail, the Golden Gate Promenade, and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Other fun can be had here including golfing, tennis, fishing, and windsurfing.
Museums
The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is a beautiful art museum featuring over four thousand years of art. You'll find precious art works from masters such as Monet, Picasso, and Rembrandt. In addition to the beauty inside, you'll enjoy the outdoor views of San Francisco and its iconic Golden Gate Bridge. If you can visit on a Tuesday, enjoy free admission.
Another free Tuesday deal occurs on the first Tuesday of the month where you can enter the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for free. From pop art to modern sculpture and both expressionism and post-impressionism, you're sure to find something that captures your imagination.
Another palace, the Palace of Fine Arts, features an Exploratorium with over 650 interactive art, science, and human perception exhibits.
Whether you spend your time in San Francisco above the bay or below it, you will find a city with a character all its own. Explore the streets, museums, and piers and get a taste of this city that has seduced thousands of hearts.
For more information:
www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/
www.aquariumofthebay.com/aboutus/default.asp
www.fishermanswharf.org/