San Francisco Tourist Attractions
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed tourist attraction in the world
. Its enormity and the fact that it is infamous for suicide attempts make it a curious attraction for visitors.The bridge is 1.7 miles ling, spanning across the San Francisco Bay, and is suspended 220 feet above the water. There are two vista points, one on each end of the bridge, North and South.
On the North Vista you will see the Marin Headlands and the former military complex Fort Baker. On the South Vista point, you will find the historic Fort Point, Lincoln Avenue, and Baker Beach.
There is parking on both ends of the bridge, with restrooms and gift shops. Both vista points allow for spectacular photographs of the bridge, and access to walk on the east side pedestrian sidewalk of the bridge.
The bridge is open 24 hours a day for auto and bicycle traffic. Walking pedestrians are permitted to walk across the bridge during daylight hours only, but skateboards and roller blades are not allowed.
The view of and from the bridge is best on a clear, calm day in the summertime. The Isla de los Alcatraces was named by the Spanish explorer Manuel de Ayala, and translates to mean the "Island of Pelicans."
Alcatraz has been used as a Civil War fort, a Federal prison, a symbol of Native American plight, and is now a tourist destination. Many of the buildings that originally stood on the island are no longer there; some prison buildings were burned and guard residences torn down because of deterioration.
The remaining buildings are a military base, the cell house, the lighthouse, and a few others. There are many boats that can take you around the island, but only one is allowed to take visitors on the island for a tour on foot.
A typical tour gives a history of the island and what it was used for, and some guides even show video footage of the island. The day tour is most popular, but the night tour includes extra activities for tourists.
Since Alcatraz is so popular, you should make reservations in advance to ensure your spot on the next boat. What was once home to hundreds of fishing boats is now a tourist attraction lined with souvenir shops, street vendors, restaurants, and other shops.
Fisherman's Wharf is a must for tourists for shopping, eating and sightseeing. On the Wharf you will find the Wax museum, which features wax replicas of celebrities, presidents and others.
Ripley's Believe It or Not is two stories of famous weird stuff. The USS Pampanito is a 1945 vintage World War II Balao-class Fleet Submarine available for tours.
And the SS Jeremiah O'Brien is a fully-restored World War II Liberty Ship that is functional and operating. Also at Fisherman's Wharf is the Musee Macanique has coin operated musical instruments and a antique arcade machines.
The Cannery Shopping Center was once the world's largest fruit and vegetable cannery, and is now a shopping and dining center. The San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park is also at the Wharf, and exhibits the largest wooden vessel in the world, Eureka; and other ferry boats the C.A. Taylor and the Balaclutha.
While at Fisherman's Wharf, be sure to enjoy the fresh seafood, especially the Clam Chowder in a bread bowl. Pier 39 was once a commercial pier, but is now buzzing with shoppers, tourists, and patrons.
Here you will find the Sea Lion dock, where you can watch the creatures sunbathe on the rocks below. The Venetian Carousel is a hand-carved and painted merry-go round, decorated in paintings from Italy, where it was made.
The Crystal Geyser Center Stage is where you will find the city's best street performers in action. The Pier 39 Marina is where visitors can check out the views of the marina, Treasure Island, Bay Bridge, and Berkeley.
The Aquarium of the Bay is an underwater acrylic tunnel system that allows you to come face-to-face with the critters under the sea. Forbes Island was originally a large floating home, but is now a docked restaurant next to the Pier.
There are so many great places to visit in San Francisco, so be sure to bring a camera and take in all the sights.
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