Don't Miss
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the world’s most famous bridges, this 4,200 foot span linking San Francisco with Marin County was a major engineering triumph when it opened in 1937. With its two 746-foot Art Deco towers and its trademark red paint job, it’s the indelible symbol of San Francisco. Walking or riding across the Golden Gate Bridge is a very worthwhile experience (but be prepared for high winds), and the views of the Bay and city from the center of the span are spectacular.
Alcatraz
Site of the infamous federal penitentiary, Alcatraz Island is a testament to the icy currents of the Bay – though only 1.5 miles offshore, escaping from the prison was nearly impossible. The federal prison operated from 1934 until 1963, housing such famous inmates as Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly. Daily tours of Alcatraz include a fascinating and atmospheric cellhouse audio tour, featuring the voices of former prisoners and guards. Guided night tours are also available Thu-Mon. Tickets sell out days in advance, so be sure to plan ahead.
Cable Cars
San Francisco’s iconic cable cars were inspired by a horse-drawn streetcar accident witnessed in 1869 by engineer Andrew Hallidie. Using his ingenious wire-rope technology, cable cars were climbing the hills of San Francisco by 1873. The system was widely used until buses began taking over in the early 20th century. In 1947, a bid to dismantle the system was met by a huge public outcry – a handful of lines were maintained, and San Francisco's cable car system was designated a special "moving" National Historic Landmark in 1964.
Today, three lines are in operation – the Powell-Hyde route, the Powell-Mason route, and the California Street route. Of the three, the Powell-Hyde line is most popular with tourists, and deservedly so – hanging on to an outside pole, as the car crests the hill and begins its descent towards the Bay and the driver cheerfully clangs the bell, is a quintessential San Francisco experience.
SFMOMA
Founded in 1935, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art was the first West Coast museum dedicated to contemporary art. Today, it contains one of the finest collections of modern art in the world, with over 26,000 artworks and objects in its possession. The current SFMOMA building, with its signature black-and-white turret, was opened in 1995 and soon became a city landmark – a rooftop sculpture garden was added in 2009.
Ferry Building
This building, with its famous clocktower modeled after the Giralda in Seville, has been a focal point of the San Francisco waterfront since it was opened in 1898. It was a very busy transportation hub until the 1930s, when the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges opened. The building was little used until highway congestion created a resurgence in ferry traffic in the 1970s. It regained its landmark stature in 1991, when the earthquake-damaged Embarcadero Freeway that had obscured it from view was demolished. Now restored to its former glory, the Ferry Building is home to a bustling farmer’s market and a range of excellent restaurants and specialty food purveyors.
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco’s major green space, Golden Gate Park covers 1,013 acres at the western edge of the city. Within its grounds are nine lakes, a botanical garden, a Japanese Tea Garden, two renowned museums, and recreational facilities including tennis courts, paddle boats, fly-fishing pools, a children’s playground, a polo field and a golf course. The park is dotted with unexpected gems like the Victorian Conservatory of Flowers, the buffalo paddock, and two historic windmills, as well as picnic facilities, walking trails, and a beachside restaurant.
De Young Museum
Located within Golden Gate Park, this fine arts museum has been holding major exhibitions since 1921. After it was severely damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the museum was nearly demolished; private funds were raised for the $190 million renovation, and the de Young reopened 2005. With its striking observation tower and perforated copper façade, the new structure was controversial, but has since been embraced as a new San Francisco icon. The museum houses a renowned permanent collection of African art, art of the Americas and contemporary American art, as well as traveling exhibitions.
California Academy of Sciences
This venerable institution across the concourse from the de Young has also been recently transformed. Established in 1853, it was the oldest institution of its kind in the western United States. Beloved by generations of visitors for its wildlife dioramas and live penguin and alligator exhibits, it was heavily damaged in the 1989 earthquake. The fish, reptiles and other animals were moved to a temporary facility – meanwhile, the Academy took the opportunity to rebuild using the latest in green technologies. Reopened in 2008, the new structure features a living roof and a water reclamation system, and houses a state-of-the-art planetarium, the world’s deepest coral-reef exhibit, a natural history museum, and a four-story rainforest, all under one roof.