Fisherman’s Wharf was originally constructed as long row of fishing piers. Today it is mainly used a wonderful walking path with gorgeous views and tourist attractions along certain piers, specifically Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39, and Pier 45. Parking can be difficult, so taking a cable car or Ferry to the location is preferred. Renting bikes to cruise along the path is also available.

http://www.fishermanswharf.org/Directions.htm

The original Ghiradelli chocalate was founded here, for chocolate lovers this is a must. There are also a few exquisite restaurants serving California and Asian cuisine. Numerous gift shops, galleries and places to check-out, but the bottom line is the chocolate…mmhmm!

Located at Fisherman’s Wharf

This is Fisherman’s Wharf’s main attraction, filled with numerous unique gift, trinket, jewelry and toy shops. Of course there’s also great snack shops, restaurants, desert shops, and yes ice-cream. Kids can enjoy the carousel, and teens can play some arcade games at the large arcade arena. Sea Lions are just off the dock, and people gather around to take pictures of them barking at you. If you’re lucky, you can see the sea lions bump eachother off their platforms, and then they’ll start barking at eachother. Great views of Alcatraz, and also the place to buy tickets for numerous cruise rides including seeing Alcatraz or Angel Island. Free to walk around.

At Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, near the Embarcadero

Awesome place just to walk around, chill, enjoy the windy weather, enjoy the views, and listen to sea lions. Try some traditional clam chowder soup in S.F. trademark sourdough bread bowls. Eat the bowl after your done with the soup!

A must see!! This island used to serve as a prison for America’s worst criminals and mobsters. It’s now a museum that you can take your kids to check out the actual prison cells and also enjoy jaw-dropping views of the San Francisco bay area. Feel free to take the audio tour and be sure to where warm clothes on this cold weather-ridden island. Alcatraz is a member of the National Park Service. Admission: $13.25 Adults, $11 Seniors, $8 Kids

This one-of-a-kind museum has really interesting trinket syle stuff you’ll never see anywhere else. Old antique pinball machines, amazing penny structures, and even a toothpick amusement park that was built by San Quentic inmates. Admission: Free

The Golden Gate bridge serves as the grand entrance to the Golden State of California. Spanning over 4,200 feet, and constructed in 1937, it is as much an engineering masterpiece as it is a beatiful piece of artwork. The suspension bridge has one of the longest spaces between arches of any bridge in the world. The views are unparallel and the memories are ever-lasting at this magical bridge. Visitors can walk across the bridge only to find even more breath-taking views on the other side. Be sure to check out the gift shop and take plenty of photos.

This is the main, central park for San Francisco, stretching out over 1,000 acres of land there is space and fields for almost all outdoor activities, including horesback riding, baseball, jogging paths, soccer, and grand open areas of lawn. Families can enjoy the playgrounds, carousel and the live buffalo reserve. Be sure to check out the California Academy of Sciences and the Japanese Tea Garden, both located within the park.

Stanyan Street to the Pacific Ocean

This historical building was opened June 10, 1966 as a wing of the de Young Museum, but now currently sits across from City Hall. There is vast array of all kinds of exhibits and galleries from the far east. Definitely worth the visit for San Francisco tourists and museum enthusiasts. Admission: $10 Adults, $7 Seniors, $6 Students, Children under 12 Free, $5 Thursdays after 5pm, Free first Tuesday of every month.

Located near city hall, the cross street is McAllister

Simply gorgeous neo-Gothic cathedral featuring stunning stained glass windows, frescoes depicting San Francisco culture and history, and both an indoor and outdoor labyrinth. The site was formerly the Crocker Mansion, but following the 1906 earthquake the site has since been used for this magnificent cathedral.

Nob Hill

This landscaping Japanese garen masterpiece covers five acres inside Goldent Gate Park. Filled with traditional authentic Japenese Buddha monuments, koi ponds with mini-waterfalls, beautiful trees all topped off with a unique arch bridge and a Japanese-style tea house. Feel free to check out the gift shop. Admission: $4 Adults, $2 Children/Seniors, Free first Wed. of each month. Cash only.

This is a hilarious performance, filled full of laughs and great comedy. Performers where outrageous costumes (the hats are unbelievable) and the audience gets to enjoy contemporary hip comedy with characters such as Governor Schwarzenegger, Marth Stewart, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and even a look alike crew from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Performance, humor and costumes are continuously changing and being updated. It’s just knee-slapping comedy that’s a must see!! Prices: $25-$75

A very popular tourist attraction, Lombard Street, designed in 1922, is titled the curviest street in the world. The street has eight very sharp angles that wind down a steep hill at 16% grade. If there is a long line to take a drive down the street, and if the weather permits, feel free to get out and have a nice walk down the path.

The panoramic views at the Coit Tower are some of the best in the Bay Area, with sites of both the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge, as well as the San Francisco skyline, the East Bay and Marin Headlands. The tower was originally constructed in 1932 atop Telegraph Hill, and named after Lilly Hitchcock Coit, a particular individual whom took great interest in the San Francisco Fire Department. Admission: $3.75 adult, $1.50 child, cash only

The San Francisco cable cars are one of the most popular and favorite traditions for tourists. Back in the day, the cable car used to act like a bus, with riders hopping on and off, sometimes while even in motion! Regardless, it is a very convenient and fun way to get around to many of the main tourist attractions in San Francisco. There are three lines, and passes can be purchased from the conductor or the booths at Powell and Market in Union Square, or at Hyde and Beach near Fisherman’s Wharf. Admission: $5

Originally built in 1915 in Greecian temple style architecture, it served as a location for the Pan-Pacific International Exhibition. This place has been slowly restored over many years, and now serves as one of those peaceful serene spots in San Francisco, where you can catch your breath and kick your shoes off just to gaze into a bright blue sky. Swans and ducks swim together in the pond, feel free to bring some bread crumbs, the birds just love it. Take the short walk around and through the dome, and then relax and enjoy a nice picnic on the lawn. Beware on weekends you might see numerous wedding photo shoots taking place! Admission: Free

Definitely one of the coolest museums in San Francisco, the Exploratorium is meant to be a hands-on, interactive style museum where families can really have a good time. Located directly behind the Palace of Fine Arts, visitors can enjoy all the art, science, technology, human-perception this museum has to offer. Admission: $8-13

Directly behind the Palace of Fine Arts

Union Square’s main indoor shopping mall. Any store that does not have it’s own outdoor shop in the main square area, can probably be found inside this multi-storied mall. Countless typical and unique shopping mall stores, most notable is the Nordstrom on the top few floors, which is enormous and worth seeing, especially if they have the live piano person playing near one of the escalators!

Located at Union Square on Market Street

Drive around town and see San Francisco at the pace that’s right for you. Visit San Francisco highlights such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Palace of Fine Arts and more. All you’ve got to do is follow the ‘Seagull’ street signs posted around town, they are visible and easy to follow. The 49 mile drive will take at least an afternoon, but can easily be turned into a whole day if you stop and walk around.

The Drive is marked by blue and white signs that lead you through the city. It all begins at the intersection of Hayes Street and Van Ness Avenue, near City Hall.

The Transamerica Tower is the tallest building in San Francisco standing at a soaring hight of 853-feet. By far it is the most prominent and memorable structure of the San Francisco skyline. Unfortunately visitors are no longer allowed to take the elevator to the top floor. Nevertheless, visitors can still enjoy a live video feed from the top floor as well as a beautifully built park in the structure.

This relatively new museum was opened in 1995, and designed by renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta. The museum has a wonderful permanent collections on exhibit including works of Diebenkorn, Dorothea Lange, Klee, Matisse and Cindy Sherman to name a few. Check out the large lobby area, huge exhibition rooms and interior sculptures that hand from above. Admission: $12.50 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Students, Children under 12 free. Half price on Thursday evenings, and free first Tuesday of each month.

Check out the Metreon for some high-end shopping, restaurants, IMAX theatre, arcade games, and various other attractions. Home to Sony, the Sony store is huge and not to be missed. There is an outdoor courtyard where people can catch some rays and have a nice lunch. Free to look around.

District: SOMA

Take your family here to see over 250 different kinds of wildlife, some being very rare and endangered species. Be sure to checkout the insect zoo, Otter River, gorilla exhibit, lion exhibit, Penguin Island, and the Australian Walk to name a few. Great place for great times. Admission: $11 Adults, $8 Youths/Seniors, $5 Children, Free first Wednesday of each month. Cash only.

Enjoy a site-filled time biking or hiking around this 740-acre island. The museum here tells the stories of how this island used to serve as holding cell for Asian immigrants, writings from persons held here for long periods of time can still be seen on the walls. There is a ferry service to the island, and even camping is allowed with the proper permits. Admission: $10.50 covers the cost of the ferry ride and admission to the Angel Island state park.

Great place for hiking!! Maps are provided

Fares and information go here: http://www.angelislandferry.com/

San Francisco Chinatown is full of history. When you go to Chinatown, Grant is the tourist hangout. Stockton Street is the locals’ hangout. You’ll be amazed at the food stands, the grocery stores. Some historic sites are: the Saint Mary’s Churck on Grant and California (the oldest in SF?); the Cameron House on Sockton and Sacramento (where the smuggled Chinese girls were provided sanctuary during the turn of the century); the Chinese School on Stockton (when Chinese children were not allowed to go to public schools); and many of the family associations (the tongs which provide social services/welfare support to immigrants from their villages). Great site, great learning experience.
The largest Chinatown in the U.S., and trust me this place is poppin’. Unbelievable Chinese cuisine (try some dim-sum), and the window shopping is the best. This place is always hustling and bustling with busy people. Street side vendors have all sorts of traditional Chinese handicrafts and souviners. The streets and sidewalks tend to be packed with people on the weekends. A must see for any San Francisco visitor.