San Francisco, set next to the ocean, canopying hills and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, is famous for its restaurants and food trends. San Francisco is one of the most attractive cities in the United States and is the jewel of Northern California. The city overflows with the history, great neighborhoods, parks, beaches, museums, and an embracing host of entertainment options and things to do. Some of the most prominent attractions are Alcatraz Island and Fisherman’s Wharf, but the sightseeing possibilities here are boundless. San Francisco’s Chinatown is a fantastic location to visit in North America, being the largest of its kind. For an enthralling experience, hop on one of the historic cable cars and go on the sightseeing of the city. Come to know more things to see and do, with our list of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco.
To start your journey hassle-free, you should find a place to keep your luggage securely and in a safe place. Vertoe luggage storage San Francisco Airport provider, gives you plenty of options to store your luggage at a safe place. It has many stores at various locations, which can be easily accessible too.
Move around the city stress-free from your bags. Explore your travels to the best, keep your bags in a safe and secure place, and don’t miss a thing in San Francisco.
Top 10 best attractions in San Francisco include the following:
- Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It was stated as one of the Wonders of the Modern World. Also, well known as the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world, because of its orange structure and the blue water at the back! It took four years to build and at the time of its opening in 1937, was the longest suspension bridge in the world, estimating approximately two miles in length. You may drive over the Golden Gate Bridge; also, walkways on either side of the bridge are open to pedestrians and cyclists.
For breath-taking views of the bridge or those photography lovers, if interested in photographing, there are many ideal vantage points there at the bridge.
- Alcatraz Island
The historic and notorious Alcatraz prison, located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, is one of America’s most infamous prisons. It managed to operate for around thirty years, closing in 1963 and again re-opened as a tourist attraction in 1973. Some of America’s well-known criminals were also convicted here. You can take a ferry boat to the island and explore the glimpses of prison life through this tour. While people come for seeing the history or the novelty of the prison, the island becomes a prime location for nesting seabirds,
It is a quick, convenient, and time-saving way to see Alcatraz and some of the other popular spots of San Francisco, such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge best to grab a combined Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour. If you are here for only one day to explore the city and Alcatraz should be on top of your list. This guided tour is the best option.
- Fisherman’s Wharf
It is one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist places and is one of the best places to visit. This old section of San Francisco, once known as Little Italy, is famous for its shops, restaurants, and beautiful seating arrangements. It’s a fun place to roam around and get a taste of the city. From here, you can also go sightseeing through cruise for breath-taking views of the town, or arrange a fishing charter.
- Ride the Cable Cars
These were introduced in the ’80s to help locals cope with the numerous hills the city is built on. Today, there are very few remaining cable cars that offer tourists a great way to explore the city historically. These tram-like vehicles that have been uniquely distinctive declared as the only public transport system to be a historical monument. The Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde are the most picturesque routes. It will also get you to the highest top tourist attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building, and Nob Hill, Lombard Street, etc.
- Chinatown
Have you been to Chinatown in other cities? Yet, San Francisco’s Chinatown is an entirely different realm; you won’t regret coming here. One reason is that it’s the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and another that it’s the oldest of its kind in North America. Almost destroyed in an earthquake, was rebuilt entirely in the Chinese style and became even more attractive than before. With its temples, theaters, workshops, small businesses, stores, ancient and souvenir shops, teahouses, etc., Chinatown has become one of the significant locations of San Francisco.
- California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences, in Golden Gate Park, is an example of incredible architectural work as well as a multifaceted museum. It has a 2.5-acre Living Roof, which is covered with natural plants, and also, there are solar panels to generate electricity, while the soil acts as natural insulation. The walls are typically made of glass, allowing natural light. From inside, it has an incredible natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, and more. For history lovers, it is the best place to explore!
- Twin Peaks
These two eccentric and uninhabited hills, more than 900 feet high, are not the tallest of San Francisco’s 43 hills. Yet they do have one of the finest and scenic views over the city and the bay. They’re also easy to access.
The Twin Peaks are the only hills that have not been built over and are in their original state in San Francisco. The natives called them “Los pechos de la Chola” or the Breasts of the Indian Maiden. On warm days, especially in the late afternoon, you can feel the strong, cool breezes blow in from the Pacific.
- Exploratorium
It is one of San Francisco’s most famous family attractions. The Exploratorium is an incredibly popular science museum that exhibits for both children and adults to enjoy and have fun. Numerous diverse exhibits, and mostly with hand-on learning experiences, cover abundant areas of interest and are designed in such a way to educate and entertain. Ratings given to this museum by children are very high, with all categories of the experiments and fun things to do. And, whether you have kids or not, most adults also rave on the Exploratorium!
- High Tea at a Historic Hotel
Enjoying high tea at a renowned hotel gives tourists a feeling of the city’s magnificence, during the Victorian era. One of the city’s grandest notable hotels, built in the downtown area near Market Street. The Palace Hotel wonderstruck visitors with its grandeur Garden Court reception area, where traditional afternoon tea is served absolutely with fine china, sterling silver, and classic specialties like finger sandwiches and handmade scones!
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area
It should not be confused with Golden Gate Park; Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a vast natural area located to the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge from downtown San Francisco. It is merely a beautiful place to enjoy nature, be relaxed and calm. Even the park, having walking trails, campgrounds, picnic spots, and fantastic beach locations. Also, some beaches have tremendous views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Enjoy these fantastic attractions and relish the memories life long!