San Francisco Sightseeing Attractions and Travel Guide
San Francisco is famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars, Alcatraz Island and 49 Mile Scenic Drive. San Francisco is probably the most popular sightseeing destination in California. At times, it seems a little overrun with tourists especially in Fisherman's Wharf.
One thing you'll come to realise quickly when sightseeing in San Francisco is that the city is very expensive particularly for hotels and parking. Click here to find cheap deals on San Francisco hotels.
San Francisco lies about 120 miles north of Monterey in an attractive bay. Popular tourist areas include:-
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937 and stands 220 feet over the torrid waters of San Francisco Bay. Today, it's a major San Francisco sightseeing attraction. Painted in 'International Orange', the colour that most stands out in fog, the Golden Gate Bridge has great sightseeing viewpoints on both its north and south side entrances. Parking at the Golden Gate Bridge scenic vistas can be difficult at times. The Toll is $5 (one way).
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39
Fisherman's Wharf is an attractive pier and wharf with a varied selection of mixed-quality restaurants. Take San Francisco sightseeing ferries from Pier 39 to Alcatraz Island (tours available) and to Sausalito. Wrap up warm though as temperatures can be very cool on the boat especially if its foggy. Fog and cool conditions can happen unexpectedly year-round in San Francisco!
Cable Cars
San Francisco's cable cars mainly run along Market, Powell, Mason and Hyde Streets. Current prices are $3 for one ride. They're quaint and make for interesting sightseeing. The best place to catch one, whilst enjoying views of Museum ships and Alcatraz is Hyde.
Expect to wait about 30 minutes (minimum) to get a cable car ride. The tickets show some of the history behind your cable car ride.
Cable Car Travel Tips
One of the downsides of San Francisco's cable cars is that they drop you off a mile or two away from your car and there always seems to be another 45 minute wait to get on another cable car to take you back! In our case, we didn't even get that far, after our cable car broke down at Union Square the cable car service was suspended and replaced by buses! The lines were long, so we walked back. San Francisco has very, very steep hills, so you soon get fit!
Cable Car Museum
Twelve 14ft diameter pulleys and over 10 miles of cable drive San Francisco's cable cars. If you are interested in the history of the cable cars, which date back to 1873, visit the San Francisco cable car museum.
Shopping
For the best shopping try Union Square and surrounding area. The area around Union Square hosts the best and most upmarket shopping in San Francisco. You'll need lots of money!
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is a worthwhile San Francisco sightseeing trip. At 922 feet, Twin Peaks probably offers one of the best panoramic views of San Francisco on a clear day. From Twin Peaks you can see the Oakland Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and nearly all of the city to Fisherman's Wharf. Twin Peaks is located south east of the Golden Gate Park and is accessed by 7th Avenue / Clarendon Avenue. A good road takes you to the peak.
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, at 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide is one of the world's largest urban parks. Situated on the Scenic 49 Mile Drive, Golden Gate Park covers 1,000 acres and hosts several major museums and the California Academy of Sciences. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco hosts a variety of beautiful botanical gardens and plants are grown here from all over the world. There are lakes and even a couple of windmills (being restored).
Golden Gate Park is a top San Francisco sightseeing attraction. Highlights include the beautiful Japanese Tea Garden (small admission charge) with it's Japanese Style Pagoda, stream and Azalea bushes. Golden Gate Park is also a great place to escape the mayhem and congestion on San Francisco's roads and to find an hour or two unwind.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) of San Francisco covers over 70,000 acres around the hills of Marin County, to the north of San Francisco (accessed over the Golden Gate Bridge). There are attractive and secluded beaches too, like Muir Beach and Stinson Beach. Visit Muir Woods in the GGNRA to see some fine examples of coastal Redwood trees. The furthest sightseeing point of the GGNRA is Point Reyes National Seashore which sits on a pretty peninsula. Driving to Point Reyes takes about an hour from the entrance of the GGNRA and the road has sharp slow-speed bends.
Alamo Square
Alamo Square is probably most photographed San Francisco sightseeing view? Many San Francisco sightseeing pictures taken from this spot and yes, we went there too! Click here for the famous view of the Victorian houses with the Financial District backdrop (142KB). Access is from Fulton Street / Steiner Street. Parking here is almost impossible as, it has to be said, is parking anywhere in San Francisco without paying over $10 an hour!
Sausalito, Marin County
Accessed by ferry from San Francisco, or by car over the Golden Gate bridge (southbound toll $5) Sausalito in Marin County is a pretty place with some nice shops and a large harbour with impressive yachts.
San Francisco Hotels, Car Hire and Holidays
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San Francisco Resources
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Disclaimer
Information contained in this San Francisco sightseeing guide is provided in good faith. We cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions in content.