Table of Content
San Francisco | Introduction
San Francisco, located in Northern California, is one of the most iconic cities on the west coast of the United States, with its unique culture and history, and its multicultural fusion is one of the city's most distinctive features. This highly developed city has a rich cultural heritage and is representative of America's liberal and hippie culture.
The weather and topography of San Francisco is quite special, with the summers being particularly cool and foggy, where you can enjoy some of the most beautiful bays in the world, as well as the famous Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars. San Francisco is famous for its hilly terrain and mix of architectural styles. Because of the terrain, walking around downtown San Francisco is often a climb, with the undulating terrain being a feature of downtown San Francisco. However, if you have the stamina to walk, the reward for your hard work is the beautiful street view from above.
San Francisco | Downtown Transportation
In terms of transportation, downtown San Francisco is easily accessible by public transportation, including BART and many bus routes. If you're planning on traveling on sightseeing routes, consider purchasing a tour bus ticket that includes a guided tour of the city and travels between attractions.
If you want to drive, because San Francisco is an early developed city, the roads in the city are relatively narrow and the traffic is more congested, even on weekends when you enter the city, traffic congestion still starts, so you have to calculate the traffic time when arranging the route.
San Francisco | Accommodations
There are many options for lodging in San Francisco, but since traveling to and from attractions usually takes a lot of time, the best place to stay is based on the location of the attractions you want to visit. Generally speaking, the most convenient places to stay are near Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf, with more people choosing to stay at Union Square. The main reason is that there is a Bart near the Union Square which leads to the SFO airport, and there are also more Muni routes.
Looking for a price comparison for San Francisco accommodations?
San Francisco | Downtown Attractions
San Francisco is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and is a highly developed city with numerous attractions. If we look at the map, we can see that the city can be divided into three areas: the northeast corner, the northwest corner, and the Mission District, which is closer to the center of the city. The Northeast corner is home to the famous Fisherman's Wharf, Ferry building, Embarcadero, and a little closer to the mainland, Chinatown, and the financial district with its many skyscrapers are also located here. The northwest corner is dominated by the Golden Gate Bridge, and the nearby coastline has ocean view attractions such as the Presidio, Land's End, and Ocean Beach, as well as a large city park, Golden Gate Park. The Mission District and The Castro in the center are great places to see San Francisco's diverse culture, including City Hall, museums, and the city's high point, Twin Peaks.
If this is your first time here, it will take you at least three days to go through the most popular attractions. If you have very little time, it is recommended that you buy a day trip, otherwise you will spend a lot of time just on transportation between attractions.
Attractions | Ferry building
Ferry buildingLocated in the heart of downtown San Francisco, this historic and unique building combines classical and modern elements. It combines classical style with modern elements, most notably the clock tower and the clock on its façade. Once one of the busiest piers in the San Francisco Harbor, it has been transformed into a culinary and cultural center with an indoor market and weekend outdoor market featuring fresh local seafood, coffee, pastries, and more.Alcatraz IslandIf you are interested in the famous sights such as the Angel Island, you have to buy the tickets early, but if you want to buy them on the spot, there is a high chance that they will be sold out long time ago.
We bought coffee and muffins from Blue bottle coffee in Ferry building as our favorite brunch. The coffee is very good, we ordered a cup of New Orleans Iced Coffee, which is very strong and fragrant, and an affagato, which is basically coffee + ice cream, and it's very tasty too. The best part was the muffin, which was different from the ordinary muffins, it had a special flavor like soufflé and chicken cake, which made me appreciate it even if I don't like muffins.
On weekends, there is a farmer's market outside, and I recommend buying the delicious Roli Roti pork chop sandwiches. This restaurant is also affordable and delicious. The juicy pork chop with crispy grilled skin is very similar to western style barbecue.
You can also try the local Fort Point beer or buy the famous Acme Bread. This bread is so famous that many sandwich stores in the San Francisco Bay Area specify that they use it.
If you like shopping, you can go to the Embarcadero center opposite the Ferry building or walk around the coast. At night, the view of the Bay bridge is also amazing.
Attractions | Coit Tower
Standing 210 feet tall atop the North Coast Mountains, Coit Tower is one of San Francisco's most famous landmarks. Built in 1933, the tower was designed by architect Arthur Brown Jr. in honor of a philanthropist named Lillie Hitchcock Coit. Upon entering the tower, you can see murals that illustrate what it was like to live and work in California at the time, and the Coit Tower also has an observation deck from which visitors can get a great view of the city. From here, you can see the city from a distance.Alcatraz Island.
Attractions | Filbert Steps
Filbert Steps is a beautiful San Francisco trail located just a short distance from the Coit Tower that consists of 418 steps along one of the steepest hillsides in San Francisco. Walking on this trail, you can experience the daily life of the hillside residents and enjoy the amazing views. As you descend from Filbert steps, you are surrounded by beautiful hillside homes. The wooden staircases are very atmospheric, but I always wondered how the residents in the neighborhood carry their groceries up here!
Attractions | Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf, located at the northeastern end of San Francisco Bay, is a harbor area that combines shopping, entertainment, dining and sightseeing. With over 90 stores, 30 restaurants and entertainment facilities, the harbor area attracts millions of visitors each year. The busiest area is Pier 39, which is home to a large number of restaurants and stores. There is a wide selection of restaurants, from traditional American to exotic.
Pier 39 is home to hundreds of California sea lions. We can watch these adorable sea lions from the platform, where they usually sunbathe or play on the shore.
Attractions | Ghirardelli Square
Ghiradelli Square is a square a little bit west from Fisherman's Wharf, and if the name sounds familiar, it's the famous chocolate brand Ghiradelli. If the name sounds familiar, it's the famous chocolate brand Ghiradelli, whose history dates back to 1852, when founder Domingo Ghirardelli immigrated from Peru to California to start a chocolate manufacturing business. The original Ghiradelli site was a woolen mill, but in 1882, Ghirardelli moved his factory from North Beach, San Francisco, to establish his modern chocolate factory. 1893, Domingo Ghirardelli built Ghirardelli Square next to his chocolate factory, transforming the area into Ghirardelli Square. In 1893, Domingo Ghirardelli built Ghirardelli Square next to his chocolate factory, expanding the area into a business district and park. The area was loved by the local residents for its luxurious architecture and beautiful landscape. However, in the 1960s, the Fisherman's Wharf area suffered a commercial downturn and Ghirardelli Square fell into decline. In 1964, in an effort to preserve Ghirardelli Square, William Roth assumed ownership, preserving the square's historic architecture and landscaping while transforming it into a commercial center with a gourmet shopping area. Since then, Ghirardelli Square has become a famous landmark and a tourist attraction.
Ghirardelli's chocolate store is of course the highlight of this place, where you can try different flavors of Ghirardelli's chocolate products as well as see how chocolate is made.
Attractions | Lombard Street
Nine Streets of Flowers, also known as Lombard Street, is a famous street in San Francisco. Why is this street famous? Because of the high terrain of Lombard Street, the slope is so steep that it is designed with eight unique curves for safety, but the visual effect seems to be more exciting. The street is lined with high-class residential buildings.
If you come by car, some people will deliberately challenge themselves to drive down from the top. You can find a parking space in the nearby residential area, park your car, and look down from the high point, but it is still very steep. Driving down the hill is also a challenge.
Attractions | Chinatown | Little Italy
San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the oldest, largest and most iconic Chinatowns in the United States, and a major tourist attraction in San Francisco. It is the center of San Francisco's Chinese community and is filled with traditional Chinese culture and architecture.
Chinatown's architecture and decorations are part of its charm. There are many beautiful Chinese door signs and traditional Chinese buildings, such as the Dragon Pillar Gate and Chinatown Gate, as well as richly decorated murals and artwork. During Chinatown's annual Lunar New Year celebrations, visitors can enjoy traditional Chinese performances such as the Dragon Dance and the Lion Dance to get a taste of the Chinese culture and atmosphere.
Coming here is like coming to another country. The main streets of Chinatown are the famous Grant Avenue and Stockton Street, where there are many Chinese stores, restaurants, teahouses and cultural institutions. Visitors can enjoy authentic Chinese food, such as roast duck, steamed dumplings, and fried spring rolls. There are also many traditional Chinese pharmacies, bookstores and art galleries where visitors can experience the depth and diversity of Chinese culture.
The commercial area north of Chinatown leads all the way to Little Italy, where the streetscape is full of San Francisco's characteristics, and you'll pass by many buildings and stores with San Francisco's cultural flavor, such as San Francisco's famous independent bookstore, City Lights Bookstore. All of these places are representative of San Francisco's cultural perseverance, and are worth savoring.
Attractions | Financial District
In the Financial District, you can experience what it's like to walk among the tall buildings. San Francisco's Financial District is known as the Wall Street of the West Coast and has its own style of architecture.
One of the most famous buildings is the Transamerica Pyramid, a unique triangular cone shape that is considered one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Built in the 1960s by American architect William Pereira and completed in 1972, the Transamerica Pyramid caused a stir when it was constructed because its unique shape and modern style didn't fit in with the architectural styles of the time, but over time it has become an iconic landmark in downtown San Francisco. But over time, it has become an iconic landmark of downtown San Francisco, and for a long time was the tallest building in the city.
The newest and tallest building in recent years is the Salesforce tower, a 326-meter skyscraper that is currently the tallest building in California, with a total of 61 floors. Mainly an office building, the first floor can be accessed for a tour, and you can go up to the observation deck and green space on the middle floor to enjoy the view of the city.
Attractions | Union Square
Union Square is a plaza in downtown San Francisco, located next to the Financial District, and is one of San Francisco's most famous and popular landmarks. The plaza is named after a rally held by supporters of the federal government during the Civil War, symbolizing the unity of the nation. Surrounded by upscale hotels, fashion brands, boutiques, restaurants and cafes, it is also one of San Francisco's shopping havens, attracting tourists from all over the world. With famous department stores such as Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as international luxury stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, there are endless options for shoppers.
Attractions | San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Founded in 1935, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MoMA) was one of the first modern art museums in the United States. It is the largest modern art museum on the West Coast and one of the most influential art museums in the world. The city park across the street from the museum is also worth a visit.
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Tickets (Klook)
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Tickets (KKday)
Attractions | Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the landmarks of San Francisco, California, United States, and one of the most iconic bridges in the world. Built between 1933 and 1937, the bridge was recognized as a marvel of modern engineering. It spans San Francisco Bay, connecting the city of San Francisco to Marin County, and is approximately 2.7 miles (4.3 km) long, with towers 227.4 meters high.
橋面由兩條寬達6車道的道路和兩條行人和自行車道路構成。金門大橋周圍有不少適合踏青的觀光景點，如Presidio of San Francisco，包括橋東南方的Crissy Field、西南方的Land’s End等，租自行車作為交通工具再適合不過，可以一路騎車穿越金門大橋，再從Sausalito坐渡輪回到舊金山。
From Crissy Field, you can pick up the trail and walk or bike across the bridge, all the way to the viewpoint north of the Golden Gate Bridge for a beautiful view.
After crossing the bridge, Golden Gate Viewpoint on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge is the best place to see the night view of San Francisco.
景點 | 藝術宮
藝術宮最初是為1915年的巴拿馬太平洋國際博覽會而建，後來用於藝術和文化活動。建築是古羅馬和希臘風格，具有壯觀的圓頂、大理石柱和雕塑，呈現出古典的氛圍。
Attractions | Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. At over 1,000 acres, it's larger than New York City's Central Park 20%. There are many facilities and attractions, including several artificial lakes, a Japanese garden, botanical gardens, and museums, as well as plenty of green space for recreation. It is almost impossible to visit Golden Gate Park in one day.
If you plan to visit more than two attractions, such as the Science Museum and the Zoo, you can use the San Francisco City Pass, which is a better deal.
Attractions | Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is located on the northwest side of San Francisco, near the west side of Golden Gate Park. At 3.5 miles long, it is one of the longest beaches in San Francisco. At Ocean Beach, you can walk or jog along the beach and enjoy the view of the ocean and sunset. It's not uncommon to see locals surfing, picnicking on the beach, or playing beach volleyball, but due to the cold water and strong waves, it's not recommended for experienced surfers.
Attractions | San Francisco City Hall
San Francisco City Hall, the seat of San Francisco's city government, is located in the downtown Civic Center district and is considered the most beautiful city hall in the country. The building was designed by architect Arthur Brown Jr. and completed in 1915 in the Beaux-Arts style. One of the most striking features of City Hall is its 93-meter-high clock tower, adorned with a 5-meter-high bronze statue of the goddess of freedom and progress. The interior is adorned with many fine works of art, including murals, sculptures and stained glass windows. The Civic Center area, where City Hall is located, is also a cultural center that includes many notable cultural institutions such as the San Francisco Opera House, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Asian Art Museum.
Attractions | Castro District
Castro is a neighborhood in San Francisco that is representative of the city's multiculturalism, Castro has a vibrant arts and culture scene, and is still often considered the center of the gay and lesbian movement in the United States. In Castro, you can find many cafes, bars, restaurants and stores.
Attractions | Mission Dolores Park
Dolores Park is one of the most popular parks in San Francisco and is located in the Mission District. With its rich cultural offerings and relaxing atmosphere, residents enjoy sunbathing, dog walking, and a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Each summer, Dolores Park hosts a number of free cultural events, including concerts, movie screenings and art exhibits.
Attractions | Twin Peak
Twin Peak is one of the most famous viewpoints in San Francisco. It consists of two hills located in the middle of downtown San Francisco. From the top, you can see the entire city, including the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, downtown and the surrounding mountains. The scenery is so spectacular that it is often used as a filming location for movies and television, and is also one of the most sacred places to see the night view of San Francisco. If you drive directly up the mountain, you can take a shorter trail to the top of the two hills. From Twin Peaks to the bottom of the hill is a 3-kilometer trail called the Twin Peaks Trail, which is a bit steeper and more strenuous in places, but offers more breathtaking views along the way.
San Francisco | Nearby Attractions
There are many attractions in the vicinity of the San Francisco Bay Area, the following is a list of the closest and most suitable for the day trip, for more information, please refer toNorthern California Related Articles.
Nearby Attractions | Alcatraz
Alcatraz Island is very close to downtown San Francisco, and it takes about 10 minutes to get there by boat. Alcatraz is actually a small island with beautiful scenery, but due to the dangerous environment of the surrounding waters, the location is relatively isolated. During the 30 years from 1933-1963, it was a U.S. federal prison specializing in the detention of felons, and was known as the strongest prison in the United States.
Nearby Attractions | Angel Island
Also from San Francisco, Angel Island has a unique natural landscape and cultural history, it has played the role of immigration checkpoints, military bases and other roles in the history of the United States, and now it is a natural history reserve, in addition to reviewing the history of the island, but also for tourists have the ability to see the San Francisco neighboring areas of the perfect location for viewing, the small island in just half a day can be completed the circle, a 360-degree panoramic view of the Bay Area.
Nearby Attractions | Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods national monumentIt is a forest park in the northern suburbs of San Francisco, with a huge California redwood forest, beautiful scenery, young and old. It's about a half-hour drive from San Francisco when there's no traffic, so it's a popular destination for many San Francisco tourists.
Nearby Attractions | Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount TamalpaisNorth of the Golden Gate Bridge, about half an hour to an hour's drive away, there is a picturesque hiking trail that offers spectacular views of San Francisco Bay.
Nearby Attractions | Napa Valley
Napa Valley is a must-visit destination for wine lovers and is rich in natural beauty, about two hours from San Francisco.
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