San Francisco is a city full of history and rich with quirks. As a result, it is a very popular city for tourism. Though it is absolutely packed with attractions for everyone to enjoy, 10 of them stand out.
Take a tour of the very famous (and potentially haunted) penitentiary that operated on Alcatraz Island between 1934 and 1963. Alcatraz was home to some of the most notorious inmates anywhere, including Al Capone and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud. You may need to book your tour before you visit San Francisco if you plan to go during a peak travel season.
The Castro District is known as the gay Mecca, but it is a great attraction for people of all orientations to visit. It happens to be filled with delicious bakeries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It is also home to the Castro Theatre, which screens old and indie movies from around the world.
The Exploratorium is more than just a science museum. Built beside a gargantuan dome left over from the San Francisco Pan Pacific Exhibition of 1916, the Exploratorium pays homage to scientific thought while also being a hands-on play place for children and adults alike.
This classic San Francisco attraction is full of vendors, museums, restaurants and shops for tourists to enjoy. See the sea lions at Pier 39, and do not forget to take a short walk to the nearby and ever-popular Ghirardelli Square. Though Fisherman's Wharf obviously caters to tourists, it is full of entertainment for all.
The Golden Gate Bridge is potentially the world's most recognized bridge. As it is quite large and brightly colored, it would be difficult to miss this spectacle even from afar. To get the full Golden Gate Bridge experience, you even can walk, bike, or drive across it.
This huge park, almost 20 percent larger than New York's Central Park, is actually full of its own attractions. You can choose to spend the day rollerblading through its winding paths, sip tea at the Japanese Tea Garden, visit the Conservatory of Flowers, or even see the de Young Museum of Art.
Haight Street (Haight-Ashbury) is the famous street that was home to hippie culture in the 1960s. Though you will probably run across some drug dealers and homeless folks, you will also get to see some of the remnants of the past: funky boutiques, piercing and tattoo salons, and dive bars.
No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Lombard Street, America's Crookedest Street. When San Francisco was being built, developers chose to navigate one steep hill by manufacturing a one-block, 40-degree stretch full of hairpin turns. The best way to experience this street is not to drive down, however. Park nearby and walk the staircase to avoid getting caught up in traffic.
North Beach is San Francisco's Little Italy. It is full of amazing Italian restaurants such as The Stinking Rose, an all-garlic-food restaurant. It is also home to the historic City Lights Bookstore and the old Beat hangout, Vesuvio Café.
Though Union Square is probably most beautiful when decorated for Christmas, it is a great place for shoppers to visit at any time of the year. Among its many, many stores are Macy's, Neiman Marcus, and Nike Town. The plaza is not just for shoppers, however. You can sip coffee in the plaza or just do some people-watching.
