Best of San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge and Cable Car1

As the final stop in American westward expansion, San Francisco has always been a sanctuary for those looking to escape the conservatism of both the East Coast and Midwest. The Summer of Love, 50's Beat Movement, and 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York are only a few of the historical moments that brought new, liberal thinkers to San Francisco. This culmination of social rebellion has ultimately led to the city's reputation as the Liberal bastion of the United States. A reputation which has consistently lured artists, authors and musicians to the city (most notable of these including Mark Twain, Jack London and Carlos Santana), creating a thriving cultural community, and contributing to the birth of the “coffee-house” scene unique to San Francisco.

Due to the distinctive personality of this Californian city, San Francisco has become one of the United States' major tourist destinations. The countless restaurants, shops, museums, festivals and other attractions, provide something for everyone visiting the city. With such a thriving historical and cultural scene, it is difficult to narrow down the very best of San Francisco's attractions, however, the following include some of its consistent highlights.

BEST SAN FRANCISCO ICON

Since its construction in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge, which spans 1.7 miles (2.73 km) across the opening of San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean, has become an international symbol for both San Francisco and California. Although neither the longest or highest bridge in the world, it is internationally acclaimed for its aesthetically pleasing appearance, often deemed one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. A combination of its signature “international orange” coloring, selected for its compatibility with the natural surroundings while remaining visible in fog, and Art Decor design contribute to this distinguished reputation. The beauty of this bridge is paralleled by the views that it offers. Breathtaking oceanic scenes, as well as the stunning San Francisco skyline, can be seen from the sidewalk that spans its length. An estimated nine million people visit the bridge each year to walk and cycle the length of the bridge, as well as visit the Golden Gate Bridge Gift Center located on the southeast side. This center, known as the “roundhouse”, offers historical information, photos, gifts, posters and other memorabilia.

BEST HISTORICAL SITE

	Alcatraz Island 2

Arguably one of the most notorious prisons in American history, Alcatraz stands no longer as a functioning detention center, but a San Francisco tourist must-see. Every year millions flock towards the isolated island, known to many as “the rock”, to stand amidst the deserted building that once housed America's most notorious and incorrigible criminals. The most notable of these being Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud. Although famous for its reputation as one of the toughest, maximum security penitentiaries, that was not its initial intention. Alcatraz was constructed in 1853 as a military fortification after the United States Army took notice of the island's geographical value; its rocky shores and minimal vegetation were fit for little else. Within decades of its completion, however, the need for Alcatraz as a military base faded, and in 1912 a three-story cell house was constructed. Since then, the mystique of this formidable building has only augmented through countless portrayals in both film and literature. Today tourists have many opportunities available to them when visiting Alcatraz Island. A number of city tours include a comprehensive trip to the island as part of the package. Otherwise, a short ferry ride, departing from Pier 39, takes visitors to the island where they are free to roam the grounds on their own.

BEST SAN FRANCISCO VIEW

View From Twin Peaks 3

Second highest in elevation (in the San Francisco area) only to Mt. Davidson, Twin Peaks stands 922 ft (281 m) tall in the geographic center of San Francisco. Due to their ideal location in the heart of the city, visitors can revel in the striking 360-degree views of one of America's most beautiful cityscapes. From their peaks, such San Francisco skyline icons as the Golden Gate Bridge, and with the help of telescopic viewers, Coit Tower and the Trans American Pyramid, can be seen. Although the summit parking lot offers a marvelous lookout over Market Street, trails between the two peaks will allow for even greater views and are well worth the half-mile (0.8 km) walk. For the avid hikers, there is the opportunity to walk from base to summit up either the road or hillside, although no designated hiking trails are currently available.

BEST “SPEND THE DAY” ATTRACTION

	Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park 4

Golden Gate Park is 1017 acres (411.5 ha) of public grounds that was landscaped in the 1870s to serve as a spacious urban sanctuary. Today it is the third-most visited of its kind in the United States, behind only Central Park in New York, and Lincoln Park in Chicago. Apart from walking the many paths throughout the beautifully landscaped terrain, which includes over one million trees, nine lakes, several fly casting ponds and a lily pond, this San Francisco must-see offers tourists a myriad of activities to partake in and sites to see, making it a location where visitors can easily spend the entire day. Various gardens scatter the park including the 55-acre (22-ha) Arboretum, home to over 7,500 plant species, the Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden. Golden Gate Park is also home to the California Academy of Sciences, one of the largest natural history museums in the world, De Young Museum, the AIDS Memorial Grove, and Kezar Stadium. A tradition of free public events within the borders of Golden Gate Park continues today with a number of annual festivals, including the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (previously known as the Strictly BlueGrass Festival).

BEST LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

The world's first ever cable car was built in 1873 by Andrew Hallidie in San Francisco, where its use flourished over the following fifteen years and prompted various other United States' cities to install their own. Since that time, most cities have replaced the cars as improved technology became available. San Francisco, however, maintained this traditional means of transportation and is now, fittingly, home to the last permanently operational, manually operated system of cable cars. These lasting cars have become an icon for the city of San Francisco. The first line was installed in 1873, with many following. However, due to the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and transition to electric streetcars, only three remain in use today. These existing cars are recognized as one of only two moving National Historic Landmarks in the United States. The cable cars, which were first introduced to cope with steep hills too dangerous for horse-drawn streetcars, are now primarily ridden by visitors to the city, who use them to travel between the tourist hot spots of Market Street, Lombard Street and Fisherman's Wharf in traditional San Franciscan style.

Fisherman's Wharf 5

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD

Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco. This waterfront neighborhood stretches from Ghirardelli Square to Pier 35, and offers an array of things to do and see. Many will even choose to stay in one of the 2,500 rooms available within the borders of the Wharf, ranging from full service hotels to smaller lodges and inns, in order to remain close to the bustling activity of the community. Unique shopping and spectacular attractions are all within walking distance of one another. Tourists can spend time roaming the specialty shops of Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, The Anchorage and The Cannery, visiting Ripley's believe it or Not Museum, the Wax Museum, Maritime Museum and Musee Mecanique and tasting a number of San Franciscan specialties; which include fresh seafood, Dungeness Crab and Clam Chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl. Fisherman's Wharf also boasts some of the most incredible views of San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful cityscape, and is the departure site for a number of city tours.

1. Golden Gate Bridge and Cable Car; San Francisco, CA, USA
2. Alcatraz Island; San Francisco, CA, USA
3. View From Twin Peaks; San Francisco, CA, USA
4. Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park; San Francisco, CA, USA
5. Fisherman's Wharf; San Francisco, CA, USA