We love this City we call home. For those of you who haven’t been here before, or haven’t been to San Francisco often, we compiled this guide of some of the popular spots and things to do in the City.
Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach
Alcatraz
The infamous federal penitentiary that was in operation from 1934 to 1963. Alcatraz may seem like one of those cliché touristy things to do while you’re here. And sure, it is. But take it from those of us who’ve actually done the tour–it’s well worth it. Strap on the provided headphones, start the audio, and tour around at your own pace. Word of caution: this tour often sells out, sometimes months in advance. It’s wise to buy tickets in advance if you want to go. As of this writing, the Blue and Gold Fleet is still the company that offers the tours, but we hear they’ve lost the exclusive contract. So it’s possible this may change by the time our wedding rolls around.
Pier 39
Photo credit: Ashleigh Nushawg
Home to entertainment, shopping, dining, and high-priced clam chowder served in a classic sourdough bread bowl. Lots of fun with the kids, including a carousel, interactive arcade, and entertainment stage toward the end of the pier featuring magic and juggling shows. Don’t miss the famously loud California sea lions off the end of the pier to the left-hand side.
Ghirardelli Square
Shopping, waterfront dining, entertainment, and sweet temptations. Ok, so truthfully… if we were wanting good local chocolate, we’d stop into a See’s Candies store. But Ghirardelli chocolate is known the world over as a San Francisco treat, and the square is a beautifully restored outdoor mall of boutique stores and several restaurants with great views of the Bay.
Coit Tower
Photo credit: Bryan Siders
Built in 1933 with funds donated to the City by eccentric volunteer firefighter, Lillie Coit. Views from the observation deck are incredible, especially at sunset. Note: The road up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower is often congested during the summer with cars waiting to reach the top, where parking is limited. Public transportation is strongly recommended.
North Beach Jazz Festival
North Beach is San Francisco’s Little Italy. Each year in July, North Beach is home to one of San Francisco’s favorite neighborhood celebrations featuring local Bay Area jazz talent performing in bars, cafes, restaurants and other venues throughout the North Beach district. And the festival in 2006 was happening the same weekend as our wedding. If you’re into jazz, check this out.
415-252-8773
Downtown and Financial District
SFMoMA
Photo credit: Ben Stanfield
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the top modern art museums in the country. The SFMOMA also sits inside one of the most interesting buildings in the South of Market Area (SOMA). The permanent collection includes works by Pollack, Warhol, Matisse, Picasso and O’Keeffe, as well as artists with a connection to the Bay Area, such as Diebenkorn and Thiebaud.
415-357-4000
Union Square
San Francisco’s primary shopping district, with all the big stores within a few blocks of each other: Macy’s, Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Williams Sonoma, Tiffany, Borders, Niketown, Levi’s, and Luis Vuitton
Cable Cars and Museum
Photo credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas
Catch the City’s most famous mode of transportation at Powell and Market. Not everyone likes them. But we think a visit to San Francisco isn’t complete without experiencing the steep inclines in the open-air cars. Catch them on a weekday, especially earlier in the morning, and you’ll avoid the one- to two-hour-long lines on weekend days. Cable Car rides (one-way) are $5.00 for adults and youth (ages 5 and up). Seniors 65+ can ride for $1.00 before 7am or after 9pm. The Cable Car Museum is a great stop if you bring the kids. It’s at 1201 Mason Street at Washington Street, and admission is free.
Haight-Ashbury/Mission/Castro Districts
The Haight
The intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets is forever written into the history of counterculture in the 60s. This area still has the free, independent spirit galvanized by the 1967 Summer of Love. Here, you can find lots of second-hand clothing stores, used CD exchanges, and the occassional tie-dyed shirt. Note though, a stroll down Haight Street is not for the faint of heart.
Mission Dolores
Photo credit: LFL16
The oldest building in San Francisco and one of the oldest missions in California. In addition to the glorious, intricate detail in its stained glass, alter and murals, the Mission also includes a museum and historic graveyard. This mission is one of the many famous SF scenes appearing in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, Vertigo. Be sure to walk two blocks south of the Mission to Dolores Park, walk to the top of the park, and enjoy glorious views of downtown.
Twin Peaks
Known for its unparalleled, 360 degree views of the City and the Bay. Can be accessed by car or steep hike for those looking for a great work out. We hiked up here our first Thanksgiving together, but Cam would recommend driving to everyone else. If our thick fog is in, don’t bother going up to Twin Peaks, you won’t see more than ten feet in front of you.
Haight Ashbury Flower Power Walking Tour
Discover why San Francisco’s vibrant Haight-Ashbury, rich with history and Vicorian history was home to free love, rock ‘n’ roll communes, and cults during the colorful ’60’s. Two-hour walk at 9:30am on Tues and Sat.
415-863-1621
Cruisin’ the Castro
Photo credit: davitydave
Award-winning tour: learn gay history, enjoy entertaining vignettes starting with 1849, visit the one-of-a-kind, Pink Triangle Park Memorial, Harvey Milk’s camera shop, Castro Theater. Community welcomes everyone. Tues-Sat 10am-2pm, lunch included. Reservations required.
415-225-1821
Pacific Heights and Marina
Fillmore Street
Part jazz and part java, the clubs and coffeehouses of Fillmore Street combine for a day-long adventure. During the summer and fall, “Fillmore Fridays” bring out the best of local jazz artists to the Fillmore Preservation Jazz District, and the nearby patisseries, cafes, and bistros couples with an alluring mix of boutiques and galleries are a year round draw.
Palace of Fine Arts
Photo credit: Scott Yee
Dominated by a striking rotunda built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. Originally built to deteriorate after a year, the structure was restored soon after the Exposition. We love this picturersque location, and remember it fondly as the starting point of our first weekend walk together.
Exploratorium
Situated in the Palace of Fine Arts, this interactive science museum offers hundreds of learning opportunities for kids and adults alike. Call for admission pricing. If you go, ask Cam afterward about her shocking experience here.
415-561-0360
Sail San Francisco
Photo credit: Jean Sini
This triennial event showcases tall ships, working ships, and training ships from around the world. The event has expanded to include a Global Diversity Forum with music, dance and art exhibitions. You can see photos of our experience at Tall Ships 2005.
415-447-9822
Victorian Home Walk
We haven’t done this one. But if you want a guided tour of Pacific Heights, this one looks like the one we’d choose. Explore Pacific Heights where tour buses are prohibited. Tour a period Victorian interior. See row houses, famous mansions, and beautiful gardens. The walk is easy, and there no hills to climb. Tours depart daily.
415-252-9485
Golden Gate
Conservatory of Flowers
Photo credit: David Ohmer
Thousands of plants and flowers as well as special exhibits are housed in this stunning structure, resembling a large glass birdcage. Includes one of the world’s most notable collection of orchids. In Golden Gate Park. Admission $5 adult, $3 youth, children under 4 free.
415-666-7001
Japanese Tea Garden
Just past the pagoda-roofed gate, a giant Buddha beckons visitors to walk through this corner of tranquility dating back to 1894. The breathtaking and peaceful area boasts both wet and dry gardens, pavilions, a tea house and a system of bridges. Also in Golden Gate Park. Tea Garden hours: 8:30am-5:30pm. Tea House hours: 10:00am-5:15pm. Admission $3.50.
Golden Gate Bridge
This landmark is the crown jewel of the Bay, and our greatest visual identifier. The bridge took four years to build and has hosted nearly 2 billion drives in its Lifetime.
The Presidio
Photo credit: Tinou Bao
We chose this location for our wedding because we think it’s one of the most beautiful locations in all of San Francisco. Not only can you find breathtaking views from many spots within the Presidio, the current national park also has a rich history. Used as a military post for Spain, Mexico and the United States, the Presidio is a 1500 acre compound including miles of hiking and biking trails and various buildings and fortifications of military significance.
Crissy Field
Photo credit: Salim Virji
If you’re looking for a walk or jog or bike ride along the Bay, head to Crissy Field. Start at the Marina Green, stroll past sailboarders in the Bay, all with unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy the results of a recent $34 million environmental restoration by the Golden Gate National Parks Association. The former military airfield now offers picnic areas, beach access, a restored tidal marsh, a marine sanctuary, and a large plot of lush open space.
And more…
For anything not covered above, or for more detail and resources, check out the SF Gate’s comprehensive Visitor’s Guide, or for an interesting tour by neighborhood, their SF Neighborhood Guide. Some of the descriptions on this page were borrowed from The San Francisco Book, and SFGate.com.
For a general overview map showing some of these locations, as well as the hotels we recommended, see our Directions page.
Last udpated on December 11, 2006