San Francisco is a hilly city by the Bay, full of character and quirk. The San Francisco skyline has changed a lot within the past 20 years and still continues to change, with cranes being a part of its view especially over recent years. There are many beautiful attractions hidden among the city’s main buildings.
Here are 10 (+1) gems that are classics worth seeing in San Francisco:
- Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the first attractions many people think of when they imagine San Francisco. It is 1.7-mile bridge that connects San Francisco to Marin County. It was originally finished in 1937 and visitors can walk or bike across the bridge for stunning views and a classic San Francisco experience.
- SF MOMA
SF MOMA, the SF Museum of Modern Arts, is a top-rated museum located in the SOMA district of San Francisco. It includes 30,000 pieces of art including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera.
- Palace of Fine Arts
Located in the Marina District, the Palace of Fine Arts is a gorgeous site originally built for the 1916 Panama Pacific Exposition, an event that was held after the 1906 earthquake and fire. Here you can walk along the paths, get an up close look at the details and simply relax on the lawn and enjoy the view of the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts.
- Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is a 1,000+ acre man-made park in San Francisco that you will find many residents hanging out at. It has several gardens as well as other attractions scattered throughout the park such as the de Young Museum of Fine Art.
- California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is kid friendly but well loved by visitors of all ages. It includes an aquarium, planetarium, a history museum, and a 4-story rain forest.
- Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is a science and human perception museum. It has interactive exhibits that are hands-on and get you involved with the science, making it a go-to for kids and fun for adults as well.
- Chinatown
Chinatown in San Francisco covers more than 24 square blocks in San Francisco, and it is filled with shops and restaurants to explore.
- Union Square
Union Square is located in downtown San Francisco, full of restaurants and places to visit surrounding it. During the summer there are events held in the square, and during the winter you’ll find the gorgeous Christmas tree and ice-skating rink. It is a great place to grab a coffee at the coffee shop and enjoy the view.
- Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies of Alamo Square are famous site to see in San Francisco. They are identical Victorian houses of different colors that were even featured on the TV show “Full House”, making it an even more popular attraction in the city.
- Legion of Honor
The Legion of Honor is a Fine Art Museum of San Francisco where you will find ancient and European art, including works by Claude Monet.
+1 Alcatraz Island
Despite not being part of San Francisco City itself, Alcatraz is a historic island and one of the top attractions in San Francisco. Originally opened in the mid-1950s as a US military, it was turned into a military prison in the 1900s. 34 years later, it became a maximum-security federal penitentiary. The island opened to the public for tours in 1973, requiring a ferry ride to and from the island.
San Francisco’s skyline is appealing during daytime and fascinating at nighttime, but the real deal is to experience it, discovering all of its beauty and history. For a city that is ever changing, the classics stay classic and worth a visit and the new additions to the city add to the charm of this bustling and beautiful hilly city.
Tammy Litke is a Dallas blogger, blogging since 2008. She loves to watch movies, play video games, spend time in the kitchen, and travel. Between recipes and reviews you’ll find many helpful and some just plain funny posts on her blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!