Whether you’re planning several days or a quick weekend getaway, we’ll show you our favorite San Francisco sites. San Francisco is one of our favorite cities to explore on foot. From just about anywhere in the downtown area, you can easily access all of these locations.
Plan on spending several hours at Fishermans Wharf, as there is plenty to see within walking distance. This landmark San Francisco site, and tourist attraction has the super touristy places like Ripleys Believe it or not museum and endless souvenir shops to world class art galleries, retail stores and a wide variety of restaurants and live music clubs. There really is something for everyone here. Ghirardelli Square is a short walk and a visit to the chocolate factory will satisfy any sweet tooth.
The central location offers a great jumping off spot to so many San Francisco sites and adventures. Tours leave from here for visits to Alcatraz and bay tours. You can drop into the Blue Mermaid Chowder house for some of the best corn and crab chowder ever. A short walk up the street to The Buena Vista for an Irish coffee or jumping on the Powell-Hyde cable car are all easily accessible from the Wharf.
One of the best experiences the Bay city has to offer is a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can rent an electric bike at www.blazingsaddles.com. The path from there is easy to access and has minimal car traffic. The electric bikes make the hills easier to navigate and make this ride available to all levels of athletic skill. The ride will take you past the marina, Fort Point and over the bridge into Sausalito. From here you can either grab a ferry ride back to the city. Or if you’re up to it, do the return trip over the bridge. Be sure to budget plenty of time so you can stop along the bridge to enjoy the view and take some pictures.
So many people visit San Francisco and never make it to Alcatraz Island. Do yourself a favor and make this a priority for your visit. Not only is the historic component compelling, the view from the island looking back at the city offers a unique perspective you can’t get anywhere else. Alcatraz was once home to the likes of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelley, and Robert “The Birdman” Stroud. The audio tour that guides you through the federal prison will give you the background of these criminals and allow you to experience what their lives were like in lockdown. There are lots of great places for a picnic on the island. One of our favorite spots is just across the “yard.” There is a small door with a walkway and the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from here is magnificent.
Mission Dolores is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco. The chain of Missions in California are such an important part of this states history. Located in the northwest area of the neighborhood, the mission was founded on June 29th, 1776 by Father Serra just days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The culture and history are incredibly rich in this neighborhood. And then, there’s the world class Mexican food! A favorite is the 50 year old La Taqueria, they basically invented the local taco and burrito style found here.
One of the more emotionally moving sites in all of SF is here in Clarion Alley. Located between Mission and Valencia Streets and 17th and 18th Streets, the murals are painted by the Clarion Alley Mural Project. This space of free expression is a grass roots project started in 1992 and produces art that is socially engaging, controversial and powerful.
One of our favorite hotels in SF is the Hilton Financial District. Not only because it has a foot bridge to Portsmouth Square in the center of Chinatown but also because of the views of Alcatraz, the San Francisco Bay, and Coit Tower. It’s less than a mile from the Ferry Building, Union Square and Coit Tower. The Italian restaurants, the iconic City Lights book store and North Beach are just three blocks away.
There is an unending amount of history in Chinatown, SF. The Golden Gate Fortune cookie factory is said to be where the cookie was invented and the machines used to make them are from another era as are the ladies working them. The buildings along Grant street still retain some of the magnificent Oriental architecture that built this community. The herb and produce stores feature items that are rare to see in an American city and the likes we’ve only seen in Chinatown, Honolulu. Dig deep and venture into the fish markets, food plazas and herb stores and you will get a truly memorable experience of this amazingly rich culture.
Check out our blog on our favorite places to eat in SF!