The first association with San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge and the famous Alcatraz prison in which the gangster Al Capone lived out his life. I will try to expand the associations and offer the top 20 best places visit in San Francisco. The most striking places and attractions, what makes San Francisco - the favorite city of all travelers to the United States.
See also: San Francisco city: travel Guide
20 Best places to visit in san francisco bay area:
1.Golden Gate Bridge
 |
| (Golden Gate Bridge) |
The Golden Gate Suspension Bridge is the # 1 attraction in San Francisco, which needs no introduction and has collected all the titles of the "best-of-the-best" category.
See also: Golden Gate Bridge | Construction, history, facts and information
Someone called it "a bridge that cannot be built" - the most famous monument of San Francisco, which opened back in 1937 after 4 years of literally deadly struggle with winds, fogs, tides and geometric dimensions. The length of the bridge is 2.7 miles, 6 car lanes, pedestrian and bicycle paths. This bridge is another reality, to cross it is like a flight into space. There will definitely be a detailed story about the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Address: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Contact : +1 415-921-5858
- Website: https://www.goldengate.org/
2. Golden Gate Park
 |
| Stephen Kelly/ flickr |
- Address: San Francisco, CA, United States
- Contact : +1 415-831-2700
- Website: https://sfrecpark.org/770/Golden-Gate-Park
- Opening hours : open 24 hours
3. De Young Museum
 |
| Caitlin Childs/flickr/share & like |
Golden Gate Park - 1,000 acres of manicured lakes, gardens, bike paths and jogging trails - also boasts two of the city's finest museum de Young and the California Academy of Sciences. The de Young Museum houses world-class contemporary art and fashion. Do not miss the observation tower, which offers a beautiful view. On Fridays, from 5 pm, the museum hosts evenings of live music, poetry, dance and art events.
- Address : 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
- Contact : +1 415-750-3600
- Website: https://deyoung.famsf.org/
- Working hours : 9: 30-17: 15 (Tuesday-Sunday), 9: 30-20: 45 (Friday)
4. Fisherman's Wharf
 |
| (Fisherman's Wharf) |
Fisherman's Wharf is San Francisco's main waterfront. Previously, there were customs warehouses and customs offices. Now they are open to museum, restaurants, cafes and shopping centers. And the embankment is the most popular place in the city, it is from here that you should start sightseeing in San Francisco. On July 4, on the Independence Day of the United States, a magnificent festive fireworks are arranged on the embankment.
- Address: San Francisco, CA, USA
- Website: https://fishermanswharf.org/
- Working hours : every day
5. California Academy of Sciences
 |
| Dennis Jarvis/flickr/share & like |
Within walking distance of the de Young Museum is the California Academy of Sciences, which is the greenest museum in the world. The construction of the building by Italian architect Renzo Piano, cost US $ 500 million and was completed in 2008. Its characteristic attractions include the Living Roof, a 21st century planetarium, an aquarium, a rainforest and a natural history museum.
- Address : 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park
- Contacts : +1 415-379-8000
- Website: www.calacademy.org
- Working hours : 9: 30-17: 00 (Monday-Saturday), 11: 00-17: 00 (Sunday)
6. Ferry Building
 |
| (Ferry Building) |
Built in the 19th century, the port building was renovated in 2004 and turned into a gourmet Mecca - now there are dozens of shops and stalls selling food and everything related to it. Several excellent cafes and restaurants are also located there. Particularly noteworthy are the Healthy Ceramics Store, Culinary Antiques, Cowgirl Dairy and Slanted Door Restaurant. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the market outside on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 14:00, and on Saturdays from 8:00 to 14:00.
- Address : One Ferry Building, San Francisco
- Contacts :+1 415-983-8000
- Website: www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
- Working hours : 10: 00-18: 00 (Monday-Friday), 9: 00-18: 00 (Saturday), 11: 00-17: 00 (Sunday)
7. Lombard Street
 |
| (Lombard Street) |
The most curved and steepest street in the world in the literal sense of the word. Located in San Francisco on the Russian Hill. You must first drive along it, then park your car and walk - crazy serpentine, beautiful houses with gardens and a view of the bay and Alcatraz and the Coit Tower skyscraper.
- Address: San Francisco, CA, USA
8. Alcatraz Island
 |
| (Alcatraz Island) |
In the United States, it is better known as The Rock - it was once a prison for especially dangerous criminals. Geographically, Alcatraz is located on an island in the bay. His most famous prisoners include Al Capone, Doc and Ma Baker, and Robert Stroud ("The Birdman of Alcatraz"). No one has ever escaped from there, although 34 people tried and the legend says that three of them still succeeded, but "the authorities are hiding." Please note that there is only one official operator allowed to organize cruises and excursions to the former prison - Alcatraz Cruises. The tour, by the way, includes listening to audio interviews with former prisoners.
- Address : Pier 33, Hornblower Alcatraz Landing, San Francisco
- Contacts : +1 415-561-4900
- Website: http://www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm
- Opening hours : 9: 10-16: 20 (Thursday-Monday), 9: 10-13: 55 (Tuesday-Wednesday)
9. Crissy Field
 |
| wikiphotographer/flickr/share & like |
The former military airfield hosted the first intercontinental flight in 1920. Today, this place is popular with walking, jogging and cycling enthusiasts. The restored salt marsh and beach area stretches from the bay to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Bay is also home to the Exploratorium ( www.exploratorium.edu ), an innovative science, art and human perception museum and the Palais des Fine Arts. The latter is a monumental relic from the 1915 Panama – Pacific International Exposition.
Address : Visitors Center, Officers Club, Building 50, Moraga Avenue, San Francisco
- Contacts : +1 415-561-4323
- Website: http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/crissy-field.html
- Opening hours : park around the clock, visitor center - 9: 00-17: 00
10. Asian Art Museum
 |
| angela n./ flickr |
One of the largest museum dedicated to Asian art in the West boasts a collection of over 17,000 items dating from the last six centuries. The Italian architect Gae Aulenti (who also had a hand in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris) carried out a delicate operation on this building, created in 1917 - she opened the patio and added atmosphere to the interior.
- Address : 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco
- Contacts : +1 415-581-3500
- Website : www.asianart.org
- Working hours : 10: 00-17: 00 (Tuesday-Sunday); from February to September on Thursdays - until 21:00
11. Pier 39
 |
| (Pier 39) |
The most famous and most visited pier on the San Francisco waterfront, there are even more people here than on the observation deck in front of Machu Picchu, but this is not a reason to miss such a sight.
The pier 39 is famous primarily for the fact that there is the largest fur seal rookery in the big city. For them, special pallets are installed on which they live. Prepare for the characteristic pungent smell.
Pier 39 offers the best views of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and Angel Island. In addition to the cats and the view on the Pier, there is a cafe, a souvenir shop. If you are not embarrassed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, have a glass of local Californian red wine, the best time to visit is immediately upon arrival in San Francisco.
PIER 39 is located in the Fisherman's Wharf area on Beach Street. They also sell street food at Fisherman's Wharf. How about a freshly grilled crab?
- Address: The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
- Contact : +1 415-705-5500
- Website: https://www.pier39.com/
- Opening hours : Open Every days/11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
12. San Francisco Cable Car Museum
 |
| Pargon/ flickr |
Cable cars have been running the hilly streets of San Francisco since 1873. Today, only three lines with a total length of 30 kilometers have survived in working order. The Powell Hyde Line will take you down Lombard Street (famous for its roller coaster chases in several iconic films) to Nob Hill and past the Cable Car Museum. The best place to drive is the wide side steps on the outside, which are officially allowed to stand on while driving.
- Address : Market Street tram turning circle
- Contacts : +1 415-474-1887
- Website: www.cablecarmuseum.org
- Opening hours : open every days
13. Misión San Francisco de Asís
Dating back to 1776, this cute little church sits in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District and is considered the oldest building in the entire city. It is the only surviving chapel, although a total of 21 such chapels were built by Spanish Catholics in California between 1769 and 1823. Like all others, it was used by missionaries as a "base" in attempts to convert American Indians to Christianity, but these attempts invariably ended in failure.
- Address : 3321 16th Street (at the corner of Dolores Street), San Francisco
- Contacts : +1 415-621-8203
- Website: missiondolores.org
- Opening hours : 9: 00-16: 00
14. SFMOMA - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
 |
| Jeremy Thompson/ flickr |
The Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco has a 75-year history and is considered a pioneer in this field, it was here that Jackson Pollock's works were first exhibited. Today, the museum exhibits works of various types and eras - design, architecture, photography and contemporary art. Details information available here➡️
- Address : 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
- Contract: +1 415-357-4000
- Website: www.sfmoma.org
- Working hours : 11: 00-17: 45 (Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday), 11: 00-20: 45 (Thursday)
15. Coit Tower
 |
| (Coit Tower) |
This 65-meter Art Deco tower on Telegraph Hill is a tribute to volunteer firefighters. The construction of the tower at the beginning of the 20th century was paid for by the eccentric wife of the millionaire Lily Coit, who herself was engaged in extinguishing fires in her free time. Inside the tower are the works of 26 artists and the opportunity to enjoy excellent views of San Francisco, the Bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Address : 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
- Contract: +1 415-249-0995
- Website: https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Coit-Tower-290
16. Angel Island - Angel Island State Park
 |
| kirkkohler/flickr/share & like |
(Angel Island)
Historically, Angel Island had an immigration station that opened in 1910 and closed in 1940 due to a fire. During this time, more than 1 million people have passed through the station.
You can get to the island in the bay by ferry, which is accessible from the Fisherman's Wharf.
- Address: Tiburon, CA 94920, United States
- Angel Island State Park website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/
- Contact: +1 415-435-1915
17. Sonoma and Napa valleys
 |
| (Napa valley) |
Even if you don't like wine, the breathtaking beauty of California's wine region, Sonoma and Napa valleys, is well worth the short trip. Both regions are a few hours away. Please note that some top wine producers, such as Cakebread Cellars, require you to book in advance. If you do not want to drive on your own and reserve the opportunity to taste wine, you can use the services of the wine bus tour operators. Details at www.napavalley.com and www.sonomavalley.com .
18. Muir Woods Shuttles and Tours
Muir Woods is one of the few surviving sequoia forests in the world, located just 20 kilometers north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The park is home to 600-year-old trees, and there are paths with a total length of 10 kilometers.
- Address: 747 Greenwich St, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
- Contract: +1 415-932-6693
- Website : https://www.muirwoodsshuttlesandtours.com/
19. San Francisco Zoo
 |
| Michael Fraley/ flickr |
(San Francisco Zoo)
The main mission of the San Francisco Zoo is to restore the disappearing connection between humans and the animal world. There are thousands of animals of 250 endangered species. In addition to traditional walks, there are numerous attractions and educational programs that are typical for America.
Of course, this is not all, and the main attraction of San Francisco is, of course, people. There is no other city in the United States, not even Las Vegas, so many eccentric freaks, punks, gays, harsh rockers and just bright people.
- Address: Sloat Blvd &, Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States
- Contact : +1 415-753-7080
- Website: http://www.sfzoo.org/
- Working hours : Daily/ 10:00 AM - 5:00PM
20. Chinatown
 |
| (Chinatown) |
If you want to see something different in the city, welcome to Chinatown of San Francisco. You will be greeted with joy by red lanterns, pagodas, the famous Dragon Gate. By the way, this is the oldest Chinese region in North America. The first inhabitants settled here in the middle of the 19th century.
It has its own hospitals, theaters, temples, parks, malls, souvenir and antique shops, tea houses and traditional pharmacies - this explains the huge popularity of Chinatown among tourists who come to San Francisco. During major Chinese holidays, such as the Eastern New Year or the traditional autumn Moon Festival, you can admire the colorful mass celebrations with fireworks and carnivals that take place in Chinatown.
Address: Chinatown, San Francisco, California, USA.
How to get there:
• San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city. Oakland International Airport is 32 km away and San Jose International Airport is 70 km away.
• You can get there by car or by MUNI bus # 23, # 18 or by L Taraval (light metro that connects Embarcadero with Taraval street)
Thanks for reading......
