This is one of the handful of tourist traps in San Francisco that natives still flock to. The legendary prison has a chilling and educating self-guided tour. The island has one of the best views of the San Francisco skyline. And the local plants and natural beauty of the island are not to be missed either. When you are planning a trip to San Francisco, buy your tickets to this popular attraction before you leave as admission to the island sells out early.
Alcatraz Ticket Sales:
Alcatraz Cruises
Pier 33, Hornblower Alcatraz Landing
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 981-7625
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/
Golden Gate Park offers visitors a variety of gardens, museums, playgrounds and sports fields. The famed buffalo in the park are an unexpected surprise for many out-of-towners, and the California Academy of Sciences is a new, environmentally sustainable museum adored by locals and tourists alike.
Golden Gate Buffalo:
John F Kennedy Dr. & Chain of Lakes Dr. E
San Francisco, CA 94122
California Academy of Sciences:
55 Music Concourse Dr.
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 379-8000
http://www.calacademy.org/
The best known icon of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. This landmark is stunning in itself and offers a wonderful view of the city. While you can choose to drive across the bridge, crossing via car will cost you $5 and the constraints of driving limit your view. Instead, pull over before the bridge starts and walk across the bridge to get an unbelievable view and you will enjoy feeling the wind ripping wind through your hair and the gentle sway of the suspension bridge.
The Golden Gate Bridge:
End of Highway 101 and Highway 1 in San Francisco
The Land's End Trail is just beyond the historic Sutro Baths. This striking natural park has an array of local flora and fauna, an unbelievable view of the Golden Gate Bridge and a picturesque rocky beach abundant with local tide pool inhabitants. Few locals even know about this path and it is an unexpected treat for any visitor to get to enjoy the natural beauty of the city.
Land's End Trail:
East end of Point Lobos Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94121
http://sutrobaths.com
Union Square is a shoppers' paradise, loaded with expensive boutiques and high-class chain stores. Tiffany & Co., Levi's and Neiman Marcus are only a few of the major stores in the area. One of the highlights is a seven-story Macy's with a separate building for men's clothing. At the top of this Macy's is a Cheesecake Factory with a large patio featuring a view of the chic square below.
Macy's Union Square:
170 O'Farrell St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 397-3333
http://www.unionsquareshop.com/pages/macys.html
This area is famous for its place in the hippie movement of the '60s. Everyone from Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane spent time in Haight-Ashbury, and the presence of these rock icons can still be felt all along the street's used clothing stores, boutiques, restaurants and tourist shops.
Haight-Ashbury:
Haight Street near the Ashbury crossing
San Francisco, CA 94117
Chinatown is a favorite locale amongst tourists as it allows them a glimpse into San Francisco history and Chinese culture all at once. The area offers an array of cheap souvenir shops, delightful Chinese bakeries and delicious Asian restaurants. If you're up for a taste adventure, try a fruit-flavored tapioca tea, also called boba tea, to enjoy one of the biggest flavor trends in modern Asian culture.
The Chinatown Gates:
Bush Street and Grant Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
The Castro District is only enjoyable to people who feel comfortable with their sexuality. This is the gay capital of the city and you are certain to see men kissing and women holding hands as you walk through this area. If you do take a trip to Castro, stop by Hot Cookie and enjoy some of the most delightful baked goods in the entire city and grab a few erotic cookies to bring home as gifts for your dirty-minded adult friends.
Hot Cookie:
407 Castro St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-2350
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are generally avoided by locals, as there is little to them other than tourist attractions. However, both areas still deserve a visit. Grab some clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf. Head to the Musee Mechanique and enjoy video games and penny arcades of old. Then take a walk to Pier 39 and enjoy the barking and howling of the native sea lion population as they sun themselves on the docks.
Fisherman's Wharf is at:
Jefferson Street, between Hyde and Powell streets
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 674-7503
http://www.fishermanswharf.org/
Musee Mechanique:
Pier 45 Shed A,
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 346-2000
www.museemechanique.org/
Pier 39:
Beach Street and The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
http://www.pier39.com/
The Mission District is largely overlooked by tourists but offers some of the most uniquely San Francisco attractions of the entire city. Stop by 826 Valencia, also known as The Pirate Shop, to enjoy the weird attractions only available at a writing workshop cleverly disguised as a pirate haberdashery to meet the street's retail requirements. Go next door to Paxton Gate and enjoy a fresh brewed cup of tea as you explore bizarre taxidermy experiments and exotic plants in this one-of-a-kind house décor shop. Then head farther down Valencia and enjoy purchasing some used clothing by the pound at Clothes Contact.
826 Valencia:
826 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-5905
http://826valencia.org
Paxton Gate
824 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-1872
http://paxtongate.com
Clothes Contact:
473 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 621-3212
