The main companies are:
Gray Line of San Francisco (415/558-9400) and Golden Gate Tours
(415/788-5775). Contact the San Francisco Visitors & Convention Bureau for
information about other groups.
WALKING TOURS: There are a number of walking tours available in San
Francisco. Some tours are available for a small fee, others are,
surprisingly, free! Call for current prices, times and locations. (Look
in the Yellow Pages under 'Tourists' Attractions' to find a complete list
of tour guides in San Francisco.)
Wok Wiz (415/981-5588) Chinatown walking tours, highly regarded
The City Guides (415/557-4266), wide variety of free tours (run
by the SF Friends of the Libraries)
For addresses and telephone numbers of other walking tours contact the
San Francisco Visitors & Convention Bureau.
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Sights & Attractions in San Francisco
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San Francisco is much more than Fisherman's Wharf!
ALAMO SQUARE: The Alamo Square neighborhood is the place where they take
those famous photos of colorful Victorian houses in a row with the City
skyline looming in the background (as used at the start of the television
show 'Too Close For Comfort' and numerous magazine ads). A nice little park,
and an interesting photo opportunity (located at the corner of Hayes
and Steiner streets).
ALCATRAZ ISLAND: Not to be missed! If you want to see 'The Rock'-- book
your trip early! Tours to the island are usually sold out a day or two in
advance. Once on the island, most of the tour of this former prison is
self guided (and Lucas Film Industries does a terrific audio tour of the
cell house). This is a bargain--considering the boat ride out there and back
features spectacular views of the Bay-- a round trip is only $9.00 (boat,
audio tour and island). Boats leave from Pier 41 (Fisherman's Wharf)
approximately every 45 minutes. Phone 415/546-BOAT (Red & White Fleet)
for more info.
OCEAN BEACHES: Very scenic and beautiful, lots of wildlife (tide pools etc.)
but NOT very good for swimming, since the water is quite cold. Ocean Beach
is located on the westernmost part of the City. Many dogs stroll with their
owners along it's four mile length. At the North end of Ocean Beach is the
elaborate Cliff House featuring the Camera Obscura (a room sized pin-
hole camera with a rotating turret that faces the ocean). Baker Beach is
located on the Northwest edge of the City. It has particularly scenic
views since it's near the Golden Gate Bridge. (The Northern part of the
beach is somewhat clothing optional in summer months.) China Beach is also
located on the Northwest edge of the City. It's also one of the more
picturesque beaches in the City.
THE ZOO: The San Francisco Zoo is located near the Southern portion of
Ocean Beach. The zoo is free the first Wednesday of every month.
THE CASTRO DISTRICT: This vibrant area of the City is home to much of San
Francisco's Lesbian and Gay population. Castro Street and adjoining Market
Street are filled with a fascinating variety of shops, pubs, and restaurants.
The Castro Theater (429 Castro Street) is a spectacular grand old movie
palace. There is usually an organ concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ at
intermission. The theater features classic, international and gay films.
For a humbling experience see the AIDS quilt at the Names Project,
2362 Market Street. Each patch of this enormous quilt represents the
work of someone who has lost a friend or relative due to AIDS.
CHINATOWN: Home to the largest urban population of Chinese people outside
of China. Chinatown offers a beautiful display of architecture, food
markets, and souvenir shops. The main tourist street is Grant Avenue, but
look off Grant for the real Chinatown-- especially Stockton Street. This
is the *real* Chinatown! The Chinese Cultural Center (750 Kearny Street)
has a regular displays of Chinese culture and crafts. The Chinese Historical
Society is also interesting (650 Commercial Street). Free guided tours
of Chinatown take place every Saturday at 10am (phone City Guides at
415/557-4266 for more information).
CIVIC CENTER: The Civic Center is home to many of the Cities official
municipal buildings, also the main library. Of particular interest
is the Opera House --the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) recently moved
to the SOMA/Yerba Buena area near Moscone Convention Center.
COIT TOWER & TELEGRAPH HILL: From atop Telegraph Hill you can get one of
the best views of the City. Another good view is from the top of
Coit Tower. Built in 1934, this landmark sits on Telegraph Hill, and the
lobby contains Diego Rivera's WPA murals (government commissioned,
Depression era art). The lobby is free--there is a $3 charge to ride the
elevator to the top of the tower. Avoid driving here--especially during
summer months.
COW HOLLOW/UNION STREET: Cow Hollow is a popular shopping area filled with
Victorian homes converted into shops and cafes. It's located on Union Street
between Van Ness and the Presidio. Many young urban professionals occupy
this area, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT: A financial district may not seem like a very
exciting tourist prospect, but San Francisco's is an interesting mixture
of super modernistic architecture with smaller and nicer buildings left
over from the old days. A number of good old-fashioned bars and restaurants
survive here. The Jackson Square area on the fringe of the Financial
District has lots of the Old San Francisco atmosphere (shopping is
limited to antique stores). The Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest
building in San Francisco (in height) and is easily recognizable from
nearly everywhere in and around the City. There is a free observation
room located on the 27th floor, which is open during business hours.
The Bank of America building is 52 stories tall (4 more than the Pyramid).
If you have the money, buy a drink from the Carnelian Room Restaurant
at the top which has lovely views. Another fine, and expensive, room
with a view is the bar at the top of the Hyatt Regency at the foot of
Market Street. This bar revolves for a continually changing view!
Last, but not least, is Embarcadero Center, a sprawling office complex
and shopping mall between Battery & Drumm streets at Sacramento.
There are very good restaurants here, as well as pleasant outdoor
cafes for a quick drink.
FISHERMAN'S WHARF: Alcatraz tours and bay cruises begin at Pier 41. Lots
of specialty shops and our famous seal lions live at Pier 39. Ghiradelli
Square (shops inside an old candy factory) and The Cannery (more shops
inside another old factory) have seen better days, but the tourists
keep coming--and coming, and coming... There are two Cable Car stops in this
area (Beach Street and Bay Street).
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE: Golden Gate Bridge is best viewed from but one
place--on it! A stroll across the bridge gives some beautiful vistas of
the bridge's architecture and the surrounding bay and cityscape. If you
are driving, park at either end of the bridge and follow the sidewalk.
If you are on foot, you can take the number 28 bus right to the foot of the
bridge. Directly below the bridge on the San Francisco side is Fort Point.
This military fort, now museum, once guarded the entrance to the highly
strategic San Francisco Bay. The museum is free. Other great views of the
bridge can be had from the Sausalito side freeway turnout (101 North) and
Fort Mason (home of Green's, the City's famous vegetarian restaurant).
GOLDEN GATE PARK: The Park lies 2 1/2 miles South of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There's lots to see and do in San Francisco's largest park-- it is
home to many gardens and museums including the California Academy of
Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the Botanical Gardens. The park
even has a herd of bison and a lake where you can sail miniature boats.
HAIGHT ASBURY: The Haight (pronounced 'hate') is the main drag in
this alternative community where things haven't changed a lot since
the 1960's... The neighborhood is interesting to say the least--and it's a
great place to shop for 'alternative' clothing and music. There are
dozens of shops, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and pubs along the
length of Haight Street.
JAPANTOWN: San Francisco has approximately 12,000 citizens of Japanese
descent. Visitors can view a sample of Japanese culture in the Japan Center
at Post and Buchanan Streets. There are many Japanese shops, sushi
bars and restaurants within the center (spanning about a eight block
radius). Japantown Bowl is one of the City's few bowling alleys-- and
it's open 24 hours. The Kabuki Cinema is an excellent theater with eight
screens. If you've never tried sushi, drop into Isobune at 1737 Post--
kind of the Disneyland of Sushi. You select plates of sushi as they
literally float by on tiny boats and pay by an easy to understand
color-coded plate system.
THE MARINA: At the North central edge of the City, the Marina District is a
mostly residential neighborhood. The area nearest the water is frequented
by joggers, sunbathers, and some pretty amazing kite flying
enthusiasts. A few blocks South of the waterfront is Chestnut Street--
a youthful area full of restaurants and stores. Further South still is
Lombard Street. If you have a car this is the place to look for
accommodations. There are many motels up and down Lombard Street between
Van Ness and Scott Streets-- most are 'family-oriented' and reasonably
priced.
THE MISSION DISTRICT: In The Mission, there are outstanding examples of
Victorian architecture, some of our best murals, and Mission
(Dolores) itself. There are many tasty authentic restaurants along 24th
Street and some on Mission Street as well. The area around Valencia
and 16th Streets has a collection of 'hip' bars and clubs and there is
a strong artistic community in the Mission.
NOB HILL: Home of the City's old wealth mansions, Nob Hill boosts some
pretty impressive architecture. There are three luxury hotels at the top
of Nob Hill: the Mark Hopkins, the Fairmont, and the Huntington. For a
fun view of the City take the Fairmont's glass elevator to the top floor
restaurant. The lobby of the Fairmont is one of the loveliest
anywhere, and the halls of the Fairmont are lined with pre- and post-Quake
photographs. The Top o' the Mark (Hopkins Intercontinential Hotel) is
probably our most famous bar-- a great view and elegant atmosphere.
Grace Cathedral is a beautiful work of architecture (the doors to the
Cathedral are a copy of a famous pair in Italy). Huntington Park, in front
of the cathedral is small but fine.
NORTH BEACH: A world of its own. Upper Grant Avenue was the center of the
Bohemian world from the early years through most of the '50s. Then the
Beatniks came, who later evolved into the Hippies (they were first
seen her before migrating to the Haight.) It's one of the oldest parts of
town, once heavily Italian but now well mixed with Chinese. The food and coffee
in North Beach is probably, inch for inch, the most varied and best to be
found anywhere in the world. Visit Washington Square Park in the early
morning where you'll find lots of people doing their daily Tai Chi
exercises. The park is always a fun place to hang out and relax. Next to
the park are the catherdral towers of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Check out
City Lights Bookstore at 261 Columbus. City Lights is a San Francisco
institution-- the place you've read about. (Berkeley probably has better
book stores, but City Lights is wonderfully eclectic.) Make sure you go
downstairs. |
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