Top 20 Things to See & Do in San Francisco
There is enough to experience and explore in San Francisco to fill a hundred itineraries, but most visitors want to see the more famous sites right away. Here is a basic list of the city’s "must-see" attractions and neighborhoods.
1. Cable Cars–There are three lines for this famous transportation system, Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason and the California Street Line.
2. Golden Gate Bridge– Explore on foot or by car, bicycle, tour bus or fire engine tour. Travel under the bridge on a bay cruise or soar over it by helicopter or seaplane. This famous landmark is celebrating its 75th anniversary in May 2012.
3. Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf–Fisherman's Wharf is the most visited section of San Francisco. Enjoy street performers, fresh seafood, unique shops and visit the Boudin Museum and Bakery Tour to see loaf after loaf of San Francisco's famous sourdough French bread baked. Take in the fresh sea air as you watch fishermen coming and going from their daily journeys. Visit the sea lion colony on the west side of Pier 39, home of the Blue and Gold Fleet and Aquarium by the Bay. Alcatraz, the former federal prison, once housed some of the most notorious criminals. Today, it’s a national park, reachable by a brief boat ride from Alcatraz Landing.
4. Chinatown–The entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street is called the "Dragon’s Gate." Inside are 24 blocks of hustle and bustle, most of it taking place along Grant Avenue, the oldest street in San Francisco. This "city within a city" is best explored on foot; exotic shops, renowned restaurants, food markets, temples and small museums comprise its boundaries. Visitors can buy ancient potions from herb shops, relax and enjoy a "dim sum" lunch or witness the making of fortune cookies. For a more "local" scene, walk one block over to Stockton Street.
5. Union Square–The landmark park is the heart of the city and is known for fantastic shopping. Sporting new granite plazas, a new terraced stage on Post Street, light sculptures designed by artist R.M. Fischer, a café, the TIX half-price ticket center and four grand entrance corner plazas bordered by the park's signature palms, the remodeled landmark pays tribute to the Square’s distinctive history and captures the unique flavor and beauty of San Francisco.
6. Asian Art Museum–Located across from City Hall, this is one of the largest museums in the world devoted exclusively to Asian art with a collection of nearly 15,000 works spanning 6,000 years.
7. Civic Center–Be inspired by the architectural beauty of San Francisco's City Hall and attend a performance by the San Francisco Symphony, Opera or Ballet.
8. Ferry Building Marketplace–Remodeled and repurposed in 2003, this gourmet galleria celebrates regional purveyors and cuisine. The Farmers Market is a spirited gathering of local farmers, high-quality artisan producers and independent food businesses, catering to food connoisseurs alike.
9. Mission San Francisco de Asis and the Mission District–The heart of San Francisco's predominantly Hispanic neighborhood is 24th Street, a colorful collection of restaurants, taquerias, Mexican bakeries, fresh produce markets and specialty shops. Mission Dolores at 16th and Dolores streets is the oldest structure in San Francisco. The largest collection of murals in the city, each reflecting the pleasures, passions and pitfalls of their respective creators, adorns buildings, fences and garage walls throughout the neighborhood.
10. North Beach–Rich in Italian heritage, San Francisco’s version of "Little Italy" compresses cabarets, jazz clubs, galleries, inns, family style restaurants and gelato parlors into less than a square mile. Bakeries and delicatessens serve up traditional Italian delicacies. A perfect spot for cappuccino and espresso, North Beach is transformed into one of San Francisco’s most electric playgrounds by night; live music and dancing keep the streets swinging.
11. Haight Ashbury–The "Summer of Love" lives on mainly in stores throughout this charming Victorian sector; vintage clothing, books and records are abundant along Haight Street, the neighborhood’s busiest stretch.
12. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art–One of the world's most innovative museums of modern and contemporary art is the anchor of the Yerba Buena Gardens district where almost a dozen museums are located including the Museum of the African Diaspora and Contemporary Jewish Museum.
13. Castro Street–Steep streets and brightly painted Victorian houses give a distinct San Francisco look to this upper Market Street neighborhood, famous as the "Gay Mecca." The Castro is a series of imaginative boutiques, bookstores and bars. Novelty items abound in shops at the end of Market Street between 16th and 17th streets.
14. Japantown–The heart of Japantown is Japan Center, a five-acre complex of shops, sushi bars, restaurants, hotels and theaters at Post and Buchanan Streets. A five-tiered pagoda, a symbol of eternal peace, crowns it. Locals call this sector "J-Town." More than 12,000 residents of Japanese descent call it home.
15. Union Street–The first neighborhood in San Francisco to convert its gingerbread Victorians into popular boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, Union Street's distinct turn-of-the-century atmosphere makes a walk along its streets a delightful journey back in time, at least from an architectural perspective. The attitude along modern day Union Street, however, is anything but old-fashioned. This is where some of the city's most fashionable and upscale citizens live and play.
16. Exploratorium and the Marina District–Experience exciting and interactive exhibits that make learning fun, regardless of your age or familiarity with science at the original hands-on science museum, the Exploratorium. Off Marina Boulevard, grand stucco houses and flats dominate streets. Chestnut Street brims with inviting stores, restaurants and watering holes.
17. Golden Gate Park–Take a picnic, try fly fishing, see the bison, rent a bike or skates or play golf. Visit the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco Botanical Garden and pedal a boat on Stow Lake.
18. Presidio of San Francisco–Founded in 1776, the Presidio became a national part in 1994. Pristine meadows, breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay, walking trails, Fort Point and the Walt Disney Family Museum are but a few of the things to see here.
19. San Francisco Giants Game at AT&T Park–The crowning jewel of San Francisco sports, AT&T Park boasts sweeping views of the city and bay, with many modern amenities.
20. Legion of Honor Museum in Lincoln Park–One of San Francisco’s most beautiful museums displays an impressive collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art in an unforgettable setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. See the nearby Holocaust Memorial. Play Lincoln Park Golf Course with its lush grounds and spectacular views.
To learn more about San Francisco and what you should see and do while attending ATS 2012, please visit www.sftravel.us/groups/thoracic_112111.asp. You can also get more insider tips from Facebook fans who left their hearts in San Francisco at facebook.com/onlyinSF.
