San Francisco Sightseeing: 10 Best Things to Do

Welcome to San Francisco, one of the most beautiful and charming cities in the US. Set along the pacific ocean, with a high hills and pleasant weather. With its modern buildings and lovely urban atmosphere, San Francisco is an attractive city for sightseeing and attracts many tourists every year. Here you can experience a variety of recreations and see the most amazing sights in San Francisco. Walking on the Golden Gate Bridge, considered one of San Francisco’s most famous attractions, is an experience not to be missed.

A city that offers history, art, science, beach, and much more. San Francisco is famous for Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and its Chinatown. But there are many more attractions and things to experience in this jewel city of Northern California. Below I will list “Top 10 Tourist Attractions in San Francisco”.

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World Famous Golden Gate Bridge is at the top of “San Francisco Top 10 Tourist Attractions. Its orange color with water blue color in the background and peaking to some low altitude clouds is staggering. The beautiful and iconic structure is the most photographed place in the city. It is almost two miles long and was the longest man-made bridge in the world in 1937. There is a walkway on the bridge and you can simply walk or bike and enjoy the view of the city.

Alcatraz Island is where the world famous Alcatraz prison is located. This prison was in operation for 30 years and finally was closed in 1963 and then opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1973. Some of the most dangerous criminals like Al Capone and Birdman were inmates here.

The best way to visit this island and the prison is from Fisherman wharf, where you take the ferry with guided audio about the history and stories of this notorious place. The audio guide is with some of the former Alcatraz Guards and inmates.

The tickets get sold out soon on some days, so I highly recommend to book the ticket in advance.

Fisherman’s Wharf is one the must see places in San Francisco. Pier 39 is where you can have some tasty treats, shops and beautiful view of the city. You will see the sea lions on the dock of Pier 39. The USS Pampanito, a World War II iconic submarine landmark is also here. Some other attractions in this area are: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Musée Mécanique, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, Ghirardelli Square, and National maritime Museum.

The San Francisco iconic cable car, is the only public transport to be assigned as a historic monument. These cable cars were introduced in 1873 for locals to help them get though steep hills of the city. Two of the best routes for the tourists to ride the cable car are: Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason routes. You will have stop to get to Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli’s Square, Ferry Building and Lombard Street.

Have you visited any Chinatown in other cities? San Francisco Chinatown is something you cannot find anywhere else. The largest Chinatown outside of China, the oldest and the largest of its kind. San Francisco Chinatown has temples, traditional pharmacies, tea-houses, shops, workshops, Souvenir Stores, restaurants, etc. If you happen to visit San Francisco Chinatown during Chinese New Year, you will be amazed of what it’s considered as the best of its kind.

Are you a museum lover? Then “San Francisco Top 10 Tourist Attractions” must have museum. San Francisco has several very top rated museums, each is unique and attractive. If you are a fan of museums, you will love them, I highly recommend Asian Art Museum, De Young Fine Art Museum, San Francisco Museum of Fine Art. Legion of Honor is the museum was designed as a replica of the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris. This was a gift to Alma de Bretteville Spreckels’s love to all things Parisians. This building is impressive neoclassical style, including excellent collection arts, antiques from Europe, Mediterranean region and near Asia.

Number 7 in “San Francisco Top 10 Tourist Attractions” is a recreational area.These two areas are totally different. Do not confuse them with each other.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area: This huge area is just across the downtown and lie by the shores of Golden Gate. Some beaches in this area offer some beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. You will enjoy the walking trails, picnic areas, beaches and campgrounds.

These two uninhabited hills in the whole region of San Francisco, has the best to the city. The access is very easy and you can up to the peak, park you vehicle and just enjoy the spectacular view. The is nice trail if you like to hike and burn some calories. The cool breeze even in the warm days makes it a pleasant spot to enjoy. The Spaniards call these hills: “Los Pechos de la Chola” or the Breasts of the Indian Maiden”.

If your schedule permits, take a 1.5 hour drive to Napa valley, one of the nation’s largest well known areas of growing grapes and vineyards. Drive about 52 miles from San Francisco and enjoy this incredible weather and enjoy the scenic drive. Make some stops along the ways and simply enjoy it.

Last name among “San Francisco Top 10 Tourist Attractions” is full of fun. Take a 25 minutes ferry ride from Pier 41 to Angle Island State Park. This is the largest island in the bay area and non touristy. You can easily hike to the summit peak and simply relax in several picnic areas. There are some campsites available as well. The Angle Island State Park has beautiful nature and beaches for sunbathing.