Alcatraz

Once a federal prison housing dangerous and notorious criminals, Alcatraz (The Rock) now welcomes tourists into the cell blocks once occupied by the likes of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelley, and the Birdman of Alcatraz. Self-guided audio tours have dramatic narratives of Alcatraz’s grim history, including realistic sound effects one would hear in prison. Apart from the prison complex itself, Alcatraz Island essentially operates as a national park. You can spend a full day hiking, taking in the view from multiple observation points and appreciating the natural beauty.

• Web:

  www.nps.gov/alcatraz

• Address:

  Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA

• Phone:

  +1 415 561 4900

• Opening hours:

  The hours of operation vary with the season, so check the official website before you visit. Departures are available about every half hour throughout the day beginning at 8:45am.

• Subway:

  Alcatraz is reached only by ferry from Fisherman’s Wharf

Angel Island State Park

Taking a trip to Angel Island is not only great for hiking trails and breathtaking views, but also taking in a bit of local history: the Angel Island Immigration Station is also located here and offers a unique insight into the nation's past. Angel Island boasts expansive 360-degree views of the bay area–San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Richmond Bridge and Tiburon.

• Web:

  www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468

• Phone:

  +1 415 435 1915

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–sunset

• More info:

  www.aiisf.org

• Subway:

  Public ferries depart from San Francisco and Tiburon

Aquarium of the Bay

In addition to the expected displays of sea life, Aquarium of the Bay invites visitors into the hidden world of life under the San Francisco Bay and in the neighboring rivers. A moving walkway takes you through two crystal clear tunnels, 300 feet in length, surrounded by 700,000 gallons of filtered Bay water and more than 23,000 aquatic animals.

• Web:

  www.aquariumofthebay.com

• E-mail:

  info@bay.org

• Address:

  Pier 39, The Embarcadero & Beach Street, San Francisco, CA

• Phone:

  +1 415 623 5300

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–6pm, last entry at 5:30pm

Asian Art Museum

This is one of the largest museums in the world devoted exclusively to Asian art. It houses a collection spanning 6,000 years of history. Admire sculptures, paintings, ceramics, furniture and textiles and do not miss the amazing terracotta warriors from China.

• Web:

  www.asianart.org

• Address:

  200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA

• Phone:

  +1 415 581 3500

• Opening hours:

  Thu 1pm–8pm, Fri–Mon 10am–5pm, Tue & Wed closed

• Subway:

  One block from the Civic Center BART and Muni station and along numerous bus lines.

Cable Car Museum

The Cable Car Museum is a free museum in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, located inside a cable car barn and a powerhouse. Since its establishment in 1974, the museum has displayed various mechanical devices such as tracks, cables, tools, detailed models and a collection of historic photographs. There are also three antique cable cars from the 1870s. A must-see for fans of old technical marvels!

• Web:

  www.cablecarmuseum.org

• Address:

  1201 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA

• Phone:

  +1 415 474 1887

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Thu 10am–4pm, Fri–Sun 10am–5pm, Mon closed

• Tickets:

  Free

Chinatown

A walk through the dragon-adorned Pagoda Gates leads visitors into the colorful and exciting area of San Francisco known as Chinatown. It is tightly packed with exotic shops, ethnic food markets, and excellent restaurants. In February each year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated here with parades and dancing dragons. Chinatown in San Francisco is the biggest chinatown outside Asia. Always a good choice for a quick and budget-friendly meal, especially of you're craving dim sum.

• Web:

  www.sanfranciscochinatown.com

• E-mail:

  info@sanfranciscochinatown.com

• Address:

  Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

Alcatraz

Once a federal prison housing dangerous and notorious criminals, Alcatraz (The Rock) now welcomes tourists into the cell blocks once occupied by the likes of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelley, and the Birdman of Alcatraz. Self-guided audio tours have dramatic narratives of Alcatraz’s grim history, including realistic sound effects one would hear in prison. Apart from the prison complex itself, Alcatraz Island essentially operates as a national park. You can spend a full day hiking, taking in the view from multiple observation points and appreciating the natural beauty.

• Web:

  www.nps.gov/alcatraz

• Address:

  Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA

• Phone:

  +1 415 561 4900

• Opening hours:

  The hours of operation vary with the season, so check the official website before you visit. Departures are available about every half hour throughout the day beginning at 8:45am.

• Subway:

  Alcatraz is reached only by ferry from Fisherman’s Wharf

Chinatown

A walk through the dragon-adorned Pagoda Gates leads visitors into the colorful and exciting area of San Francisco known as Chinatown. It is tightly packed with exotic shops, ethnic food markets, and excellent restaurants. In February each year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated here with parades and dancing dragons. Chinatown in San Francisco is the biggest chinatown outside Asia. Always a good choice for a quick and budget-friendly meal, especially of you're craving dim sum.

• Web:

  www.sanfranciscochinatown.com

• E-mail:

  info@sanfranciscochinatown.com

• Address:

  Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

Ferry Building Marketplace

After its opening in 1898, the Ferry Building became the transportation focal point. At its peak, as many as 50,000 people a day commuted by ferry. An elegant two-story public area with repeating interior arches and overhead skylights, the Ferry Building is a great place to be whether you're looking to dine, shop for fresh and local produce, or just look around. You'll find lots of delicious seafood restaurants along the back of the building where you can overlook the harbor. Don't miss Hog Island Oysters, Cowgirl Creamery, and Gott's Roadside. The farmers market takes place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10am–2pm. As a city committed to environmental sustainability, every vendor here has adopted a sustainable mission, and therefore, sells mostly organic products. Speaking of eco-friendly practices, the Ferry Building has been working closely with the transit authority to support the revitalization of the waterfront and the wildlife that resides in the bay.

• Web:

  www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

• Address:

  One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

• Phone:

  +1 415 291 3276

• More info:

  https://cuesa.org/markets/ferry-plaza-farmers-market

Golden Gate Bridge

A marvel of modern engineering, the Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937 to become the world's most photographed bridge. Its red-orange towers and sweeping main cables glow in the sunshine, when they are not embraced by thick fog. Drive, walk or cycle across this man-made marvel — the views are just spectacular. The name Golden Gate was given to the strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean in 1846 by Captain John C. Frémont. He compared it to the Golden Horn of the Bosporus when he visualized precious cargo flowing to and from San Francisco. Here's where to take photos of Golden Gate Bridge: Battery Spencer (north side) It is probably the most classic angle from high above the road. Best reached by car. Golden Gate Overlook and Visitors Center Plenty of parking here. The best spot if you plan to cross the bridge on foot or by bike. Presidio, Marshall Beach The entire coastal side of the Presidio offers excellent views, but Marshall Beach wins. Marshall Beach is also a famous nudist beach so mind where you point the camera!

• Web:

  www.goldengate.org

• Address:

  Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

Haight-Ashbury

Still maintaining its reputation as the 60s psychedelic-hippie-counterculture capital, this quarter's streets are dotted with Victorian houses, piercing salons and vintage clothing shops. Music and bookstores are the biggest draws to this area.

• Address:

  1530 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA

Lombard Street

This steep and winding street is the most photographed street in San Francisco. Tourists come to the Russian Hill to see, drive or walk down the "crookedest street in the world," that has in total eight hairpin turns. The Hyde Street Cable Car makes a stop at the top of Lombard Street. From there, you can get amazing views of the Fisherman’s Wharf and the Bay.

• Address:

  Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA