Thinking of spending a few days in San Fran? The Californian city has no shortage of fun and fascinating attractions. Here are just some of the best things to do when in San Francisco.
Walk across The Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s most famous landmark is undoubtedly The Golden Gate Bridge. Some people may be happy taking photos from afar, but to get a true sense of its size, it’s worth taking a walk across it. The bridge is 1.7 miles long and takes most people 1 ½ half to 2 hours to cross it depending on how often you want to stop to take in the views. There are also coach tours if you don’t fancy the walk.
Spend a night at Alcatraz
This remote prison located in the bay of San Francisco previously housed notorious inmates such as Al Capone and Roy Gardner. Nowadays, it’s no longer a functioning prison and is open to the public. To truly soak up the atmosphere of the prison, it’s worth booking one of the night tours to Alcatraz. These are worth booking several weeks in advance.
Pixabay. CCO Licensed.
Ride the cable car
San Francisco’s cable car system is the only manual cable car system left in the world. It’s the perfect way to explore the city’s sloping streets and get around the city. Cable cars run from 6AM to midnight and are very frequent, making it possible to hop on board at pretty much any time. You can check out tickets and routes online.
Visit the museums
There are a vast array of San Francisco museums to explore. Some of these are traditional museums catered to history and art, while others are more quirky and niche such as the Museum of Illusions and the Musee Mecanique. The city’s museums are all cheap to enter and are open most of the year.
Admire the views from Twin Peaks
Overlooking San Francisco are two 922 ft summits dubbed ‘Twin Peaks’. It’s worth driving up here for the spectacular views of the city. Hiking around Twin Peaks is also popular and there are several trails that offer 360 degree panoramas.
Pixabay. CCO Licensed.
See a redwood tree
Just north of San Francisco, you’ll find Muir Woods which is home to some of the oldest and largest trees in the world. Some of these trees are over 80 metres tall and thought to be over 2000 years old. If you’re eager to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and appreciate nature at its most impressive, this is the place to go.
Go souvenir shopping on Pier 39
Pier 39 is a tourist hotspot – here you’ll find some of the city’s best souvenir shops. The pier is also home to other attractions such as a games arcade, restaurants and an aquarium. It’s also a popular place to spot sea lions (coined by visitors as the pier’s ‘sea lebrities’). All in all, it’s a buzzing place and cannot be missed if you’re visiting San Francisco.