Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most recognizable bridges in the world connects the southern part of California’s Marin County and the city of San Francisco. The Golden Gate is a suspension bridge; its roadway is suspended using steel cables and ropes. The length of the bridge is 1970 meters.
There are two interesting facts about the famous symbol of the city – good and bad. A pleasant fact is that three babies were born here. The sad news is that the bridge has become a popular place for suicides and has cemented this association. One way or another, coming to San Francisco and not seeing the Golden Gate is a tourist crime.
You will be very lucky if you manage to catch it in a shroud of thick milky fog, because it is a very spectacular phenomenon.
Alcatraz
The notorious prison located on the island of the same name, which is notorious throughout the world, now functions as a museum.
This place became famous for the fact that famous and especially dangerous criminals were kept here under the strictest security. Until its closure in 1963, not a single person managed to escape from Alcatraz and survive. In 1969, the island was occupied by Indian leaders protesting against the government, who believed that the Americans had forcibly occupied their rightful lands.
Alcatraz is one of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco. Travelers from all over the world come to the island to see with their own eyes the place glorified in many films, television programs, literature and even music.
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Pier 39
San Francisco is a surprisingly contrasting city. To confirm these words, as if on purpose in a surprising contrast to Alcatraz, we will talk about Pier 39.
This place is a shopping and entertainment center located on a pier called Fisherman’s Wharf just opposite Alcatraz Island. This place is a favorite attraction not only for travelers from all over the world, but also for local residents.
The success of the pier is quite easy to explain – there are many opportunities for recreation and entertainment. What the pier does not offer its visitors is numerous shops with a wide variety of souvenirs, cinemas, attractions, and game centers. It’s also difficult to stay hungry here – Pier 39 has small and cozy cafes and restaurants. But the main attraction of this place is, of course, the California fur seals.
Union Square
Union Square is not only a square in the center of San Francisco, but also a fashionable area within a three-block radius. The most expensive department stores, boutiques, beauty salons and hotels are concentrated here.
Union Square is a popular shopping destination for wealthy city residents and tourists. Some restaurants and theaters do not close at night, so life in Union Square does not stop 24 hours a day. Even if you’re not in the mood to harm your wallet, it’s still worth visiting this iconic spot just to get a taste of the fashionable side of American life.
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is considered one of the most interesting attractions in San Francisco. Travelers and locals alike love this park, with more than 13 million visitors a year.
The park is also called the green lungs of the city, because it is the largest park in the city, its area is more than 400 hectares: from the city center to the ocean. Golden Gate Park is a true miracle of landscape design. It was founded back in the 19th century, so if you are looking for slowdown and comfort among the loud metropolis, feel free to go here.
Twin Peaks Hills
If you want to experience panoramic views of the city, head straight to the Twin Hills. According to many tourists and local residents, this is where the most beautiful views open up.
This place also often attracts fans of the Twin Peaks series, although other than the name it has nothing to do with it. The main observation deck is located on North Eureka Hill. There is a telescope here that you can use for free. And on holidays, when the city hosts fireworks displays, the hills are crowded with people wanting to see the glitter of San Francisco.
Photo by planetofhotels
Market Ferry Building
A vibrant food market is located in the former maritime terminal building. In its central part there is a 71-meter clock tower, which is visible from different parts of the city.
This place has long been one of the main attractions that you should definitely visit when coming to San Francisco. The market is replete with a variety of fresh produce. In addition, some stalls sell local and foreign cuisines.
Grace Cathedral
Construction of the temple began in 1906 after the earthquake and lasted more than 50 years. Due to the seismic instability of the area, the architects had to abandon additional decorative elements of the facade, since they could be destroyed during a natural disaster.
So the entire creative concept had to be transferred to the internal halls. The interior of the cathedral is made in the neo-Gothic style with numerous stained glass windows, frescoes and massive bronze gates.
Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is a monumental structure of amazing beauty. It was built in 1915 to serve as a museum. In fact, the Palace of Fine Arts is a more robust copy of an exhibit from the 1915 exhibition, which was called the “Tower of Gems.” The residents of San Francisco liked the design so much that they called it a palace and decided to preserve it for the city.
This amazing building is located on the shores of a picturesque lake, and a luxurious park is spread around it.
Cable trams
Arriving in San Francisco, you cannot ignore the historical public transport, which has been operating since 1873.
Cable trams have long been a symbol of San Francisco. They move according to the funicular principle – the engine is not in the car itself, but at the station. Thanks to this system, multi-colored carriages can travel without problems even on steep descents or ascents. A ride on the cable tram is another must-do when exploring the city.
Author of the photo – wiki
Painted ladies
An unusual name for residential buildings, right? Here’s the thing…
One of the city’s outstanding architects wanted to have something bright and cute near his home that would cheer him and his neighbors up. This is how a complex of six similar Victorian-style mansions arose, all painted in different colors.
It is quite surprising that after the disaster that befell the city of San Francisco in 1906, when the city was hit by a massive magnitude 8 earthquake and fire, these six wooden residential buildings were only slightly damaged and were completely preserved. So the attraction became popular throughout the city and far beyond its borders.
Chinatown
Once in San Francisco, you have the opportunity to visit two countries at once. The fact is that Chinatown is located here – little China, where you temporarily forget that you are in the USA.
There are signs with hieroglyphs everywhere, shops of ethnic products, houses stylized as Chinese pagodas and red hanging lanterns. There are also about 300 restaurants concentrated here. In Chinatown you can buy interesting souvenirs, taste authentic Chinese dishes and see how the largest Chinese community outside Asia lives.
Photo by inthetravellab
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is one of the most visited museums in San Francisco. More than a million people visit its exhibition every year, both ordinary tourists and scientists participating in major research conferences held by the museum.
The Academy of Sciences is developing in various fields, including marine botany, ichthyology, ornithology, paleontology, anthropology and other disciplines.
Walt Disney Family Museum
The museum opened to the public in 2009 thanks to the efforts of the daughter of a famous cartoonist. The building is located on the territory of Presidio Park. Here is a collection of personal belongings of V. Disney, his sketches and essays, models and other exhibits. One of the walls of the building where the exhibition is located is made of glass. Thanks to this, you can admire the picturesque views of the San Francisco Bay.
Angel Island
If you decide that you have already seen all the main attractions of San Francisco, head to neighboring Angel Island.
It is a national park and the largest natural island located in San Francisco Bay. It was once a military outpost and now it is a cozy natural corner with views of the city and surrounding area. The park still contains officers’ houses and abandoned buildings, filled with the spirit of history.