If you are looking for things to do San Francisco is the city for you. This cosmopolitan city is roughly 48 square miles, set directly on the Pacific Coast, nearly centered on edge of the state of California. The city has a rich and vibrant history that dates back all the way to the times of the Spanish settlers.
Best known, perhaps, for the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island - the inescapable prison that housed death row inmates in the early 1900s - there is much more to see and do when you travel to San Francisco aside from these few marvels. Make sure to add some of these great San Francisco tourist attractions to your list of things to do when you visit the City on the Bay.
Things to Do San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge: Originally constructed in 1937, this amazing Wonder of the World spans more than 4,200 feet and is still one of the largest suspension bridges in the entire world. Even seventy years later, this bridge is considered to be a modern marvel of engineering. Featuring several lanes on each side-typically crowded with back and forth traffic and several pedestrian walkways and bike lanes, and large, angled peaks that comprise its structure. Make sure that you don't miss this amazing site when you vacation in San Francisco.
Alcatraz Island: One of the most notorious prisons to ever be built, in the mid-portion of the 1900s Alcatraz prison held some the deadliest inmates in the US. It was closed down years upon years ago and now serves as a hot tourist destination. It can be very windy on Alcatraz island, and inside of the prison is very damp and musky. This inescapable prison is very dreary inside, and offers plenty of photo-ops for tourists, so don't forget your digital camera when here.
Haight-Ashbury: Perhaps one of the most musically famous staples of this fine city, today the Haight-Ashbury district comprises crowded townhouses and narrow streets, filled to the brim with head shops and hippie-related memorabilia stores, as well as plenty of boutique shops and eateries. Made famous by the 1960s 'Summer of Love' hippie movement and bands like The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane, don't forget to walk this famous street when you are in the City on the Bay.
Japanese Tea Garden: The coolest sight to see when you are here is the authentic pagoda, and the waterfall. However, after catching a cup of hot, steamy tea, make sure that you take the time to walk the five acres that comprises this amazingly landscaped marvel. This is one of the most pristine gardens that you will ever see, which offers some of finest teas in the entire world, and a rich taste of the Far Eastern culture.
Fisherman's Wharf: As was aforementioned in the introduction to this guide, this city is well known for hosting some of the tastiest, and freshest, most authentic seafood in the world. So when you are here, this place is must-see. It is one the hottest tourist attractions in the city and features tons of restaurants that line the pier, serving up amazing eats that are hard to find nearly anywhere else in the United States.
Exploratorium: This cool place was the brainchild of physicist Frank Oppenheimer and was originally opened during the late 60s. It is one of the coolest science museums that you could ever see and features plenty of interactive and very interesting, hands-on exhibits that breach the boundaries of perception and modern science, and of course, physics.
Lombard Street: Considered to be the most twisty and turn-filled street in the entire city, made famous by many Hollywood Films that have depicted the typically cluttered traffic that clogs this thoroughfare which offers eight different turns on one single street. If you come here, it is advised that you take a cab ride through it, as it can be rather daunting if you don't know your way around.
Grace Cathedral: Make sure you head to Nob Hill where you can find this awesome gothic cathedral that was constructed during the early 1900s after the great earthquakes that nearly leveled the entire city. If anything, this church's architecture will daftly remind you of the many ancient places of worship that populate the older districts found in New York City; a true wonder for the eyes with a bit of rich history attached.
Palace of Fine Arts: Built in 1915, this awe-inspiring palace is truly decadence at its finest. Over the years, donations have enabled this place to be restored and preserved. Once inside, you will quickly realize how impressive the structure and design is of this nearly one hundred year old wonder in San Francisco.
Mission Dolores: Father Junipero Serra was the founder of this mission that was originally opened in the late 1700s as a means for the Catholic church to spread their ministries in the Newfoundland. One can really get a rich dose of history and imagine what it was truly like to be a Spanish settler during the origination of this fine city.
San Francisco, a city known for great weather and cloudy mornings, steep, hilly streets that offer crowded parallel parking and some of the best and freshest seafood that you will ever taste. Indeed, if you are looking for interesting things to do San Francisco is the place to be.
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