San Francisco "Must See Sights"“No city invites the heart to come to life
as San Francisco does.
Arrival in San Francisco is an experience in living.” William Saroyan, Author There are a so many "must see sights" when you come to San Francisco- Pier 39, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Coit Tower- just to name a few.  To
help with your sight-seeing decision making I thought I could help with
information about each "must see sight" & attraction. Also, for your convenience, the order that they appear in is the order to be seen in to maximize your time & give you the easiest course for your feet and your budget! Union
Square
Must See Sight #1  San Francisco's Union Square district is every shoppers dream! 14+ blocks of shopping, dining, lounging and people watching- and if you're looking for the names of fashion- they are ALL here. With everything from Nike to Saks 5th Avenue, Betsy Johnson to Tiffanys, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Guess and SO much more! "After the great earthquake of 1906, Union Square became San Francisco's premier shopping district, and, by the 1930's the site of the world's first underground parking structure. It's a great place to meet, enjoy coffee, or just let the world go by. Featured is a large central plaza with a terraced performance stage." Chinatown
Must See Sight #2 San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of China, and the oldest in the United States. With more than 20 blocks of shops, restaurants, churches, grocers, historical landmarks and more- this is an experience unlike any other.  This historical neighborhood starts at the famous Gateway
Arch (Dragon Gate) on Grant Avenue at Bush Street, which is the only
authentic Chinatown Gate in North America.Portsmouth Square is another attraction in Chinatown, with locals doing Tai Chi and old men playing Chinese chess. In the middle of the square, a 600lb bronze replica of the Goddess of Democracy. Chinatown also hosts one of the most extravagant Chinese New Year Parades in the world. Starting in the 1860s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade has grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. It is named one of the top ten Parades in the world by IFEA, and is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in the USA. North Beach
Must See Sight #3  North Beach- home of the Beat Generation, San Francisco's
Little Italy and the city's strip club mecca.Established during the Barbary Coast days of the Gold Rush (1848-1858), North Beach actually was a beach. Originally, the city's northeast shoreline extended only to what is today Taylor and Francisco streets. It was filled with soil and landfill after the 1906 earthquake and fires. Which oddly enough, didn't destroy much of Little Italy; according to legend, some enterprising residents cracked open the barrels of red wine in their cellars and saved their houses from the fires by draping them with wine-soaked blankets.  Today
North Beach is home of some of the best food, entertainment, culture,
and also the first espresso house to serve an Italian espresso in
America, Caffe Trieste.Followers of the Beat Generation & Jack Kerouac find themselves at home in the famous City Lights bookstore located at Columbus and Jack Kerouac Alley- along with many other popular Beat hang outs.  The history is rich on every corner of North Beach, the sun
is almost always shinning and there is never a dull moment! I love
North Beach- I know you will too.Port of San Francisco
Must See Sight #4 The Port of San Francisco AKA Pier 1 & The Clock Tower  The Port of San Francisco lies on the western
edge of the San Francisco Bay at the Golden Gate. It has been called
one of the three great natural harbors in the world.The larger waterfront area extends from the anchorage of the Golden Gate bridge through the Marina district all the way around the north and then east shore of the city of San Francisco to the city line beyond Candlestick Point. Attractions: The "East Side" of the Ferry Building: At night is a view worth seeing! (The actual sign of "The Port of San Francisco" all lit up in red) Whether it's from up close or across the bay at Treasure Island- it's a MUST SEE! The Clock Tower: "On top of the Ferry Building is a large clock tower, which can be seen from Market Street. Architecturally, the clock tower was modeled after the 12th century Giralda bell tower in Seville, Spain. The present structure, designed by local San Francisco architect A. Page Brown, opened in 1898, replacing its wooden predecessor, and survived both the 1906 earthquake and the 1989 earthquake with amazingly little damage." wikipedia.org Ferry Building: "We are very committed to the artisan food community and to fostering the values of that community here at the Ferry Building. We envision the Ferry Building Marketplace as a vibrant gathering of local farmers, artisan producers, and independently owned and operated food businesses and the customers they serve. We are creating a community of like-minded people that will: * Showcase small regional producers that practice traditional farming or production techniques and who develop personal relationships with their customers. * Promote the Bay Area's vast ethnic diversity and serve and an incubator for artisan producers who are returning to sustainable methods of agriculture and production. * Provide a central location for the promotion of the world-class food and wine producing regions of Northern California and recognize wine's connection to our rich regional cuisine. * Collaborate with local transit authorities to build strong regional ties to the Ferry Building and support the revitalization of the San Francisco waterfront. * Operate as a community gathering-place for the celebration of local culture and cuisine. " Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39
Must See Sight #5  Since the days of the gold rush, Fisherman's Wharf has been
a San Francisco fishing mecca with an array of colorful ocean fish
including our beloved Dungeness crab, which made it home of the
Cioppino."It roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Street east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street. It is best known for being the location of Pier 39, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, the Cannery Shopping Center, Ghirardelli Square, a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, the Musée Mécanique, the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf, Forbes Island and restaurants and stands that serve fresh seafood, most notably dungeness crab and clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.  Some of the restaurants, like Pompeii's and Alioto's #8, go
back for three generations of the same family ownership. Nearby Pier 45, there is a chapel in memory of the "Lost Fishermen" of San Francisco and Northern California though it might not always be open everyday. Once a year, the chapel has a service for the lost fishermen. Transportation to Fisherman's Wharf can be provided in a variety of ways. The F Market runs through the area, the Powell-Hyde cable car lines runs to Aquatic Park, at the edge of Fisherman's Wharf, and the Powell-Mason cable car line runs a few blocks away. Other popular areas in San Francisco, such as Chinatown, Lombard Street and North Beach are all located in proximity to Fisherman's Wharf. Fisherman's Wharf plays host to many San Francisco events, including a world-class fireworks display for Fourth of July, and some of the best views of the Fleet Week air shows." wikipedia.org Want to take a cruise???? Blue & Gold Fleet is one of the Bay Area’s premier providers of Bay Cruise, Ferry Service and Motorcoach Tours.  Located
at PIER 39 this famous one-hour Bay Cruise sails along the City’s
waterfront, past the PIER 39 sea lions, under the Golden Gate Bridge,
by Sausalito, past Angel Island and around Alcatraz.Ferry service is also available to Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island, Vallejo, Alameda and Oakland. Alcatraz
Must See Sight #6 Alcatraz- AKA the Rock.  "Alcatraz and history go hand in hand. Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to the Rock. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons. Many people, though, are unaware of the wealth of other stories to be learned on the island. Alcatraz is now home to rare flowers and plants, marine wildlife, and thousands of roosting and nesting sea birds.  Civil
War-era buildings dotting the island give insight into the 19th century
when the island served as both a harbor defense fort and a military
prison. You can also see visible reminders of the American Indian Occupation that started in 1969 after the prison closed, highlighting an important milestone in the American Indian rights movement. Come experience the beauty, history and infamy of Alcatraz on the San Francisco Bay. You'll be astounded by what you learn and see." Coit Tower
Must See Sight #7  Coit
Tower was built atop Telegraph Hill in San Francisco's Pioneer Park, in
1933 at the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit to beautify the City of
San Francisco. Lillie bequeathed one-third of her estate to the City of San Francisco "to be expended in an appropriate manner for the purpose of adding to the beauty of the city which I have always loved." The tower offers fantastic views of San Francisco including; The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park ("Aquatic Park"), Alcatraz, Pier 39, Angel Island, Treasure Island, the Bay Bridge, Russian Hill, the Financial District, Lombard Street, and Nob Hill. Coit Tower Hours / Admission Prices: To go upstairs and to see locally made artists murals Hours: 10am - 5pm Daily $4.50 Adults $3.50 Seniors 65+ $2.00 Children 6-12 Children under 6 are free Presidio
Must See Sight #8 Park Preview  "The
Presidio’s 1,491-acres encompass open shore, wild coastal bluffs,
wooded hilltops, and beautiful gardens. The history of our nation can be traced in the historic structures and landscapes that exist in the midst of rare natural habitats. The Presidio’s key points of interest include*": Main Post Crissy Field Letterman District Mountain Lake Baker Beach, Bluffs, and Batteries Cavalry Stables Fort Scott Residential Neighborhoods San Francisco National Cemetery Presidio Golf Course Lobos Creek Valley Historic Forest Public Health Service Hospital Tennessee Hollow *www.presidio.gov Check out this link for more information on the Presidio. Fort Mason
Must See Sight #9 "Fort Mason in San Francisco, California is a former United States Army post located in the northern Marina District, alongside San Francisco Bay. Fort Mason served as an Army post for more than 100 years, initially as a coastal defence site and subsequently as a military port facility. Today it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the site of several cultural facilities." wikipedia.org Fort Mason Foundation  "It
is the responsibility of the Fort Mason Foundation to administer and
develop this unique cultural, educational, and recreational center in
partnership with the National Park Service.Fort Mason Center, located in the historic piers and buildings of Lower Fort Mason, offers a variety of activities of the highest quality at minimum or no cost, suitable for all ages and interests. This former military base offers the opportunity to experience diversity in a unique environment, focusing on the visual and performing arts, humanities, education, ecology, and recreation.  A National Historic Landmark and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Center houses about 30 nonprofit organizations and is the setting for more than 15,000 meetings, conferences, performances, and special events, attended by 1.5 million visitors each year." www.fortmason.org Click here for more information about Fort Mason activities and events. Palace of Fine Arts
Must See Sight #10  "The
Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District of San Francisco, is a
building originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition.It was designed by Bernard Maybeck, who took his inspiration from Roman and Greek architecture.[1] The sculptured frieze and allegorical figures representing Contemplation, Wonderment and Meditation were created by Ulric Ellerhusen. The exhibition hall, which originally housed Impressionist paintings during the exposition, is now home to the Exploratorium, a state of the art interactive science museum." wikipedia.org Golden Gate Bridge
Must See Sight #11  "The
Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the
opening of the San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean. As part of both US Highway 101 and State Route 1, it connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County.  The Golden Gate Bridge had the longest suspension bridge
span in the world when it was completed in 1937 and has become an
internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and the United
States." "The bridge is widely considered one of the most beautiful examples of bridge engineering, both as a structural design challenge and for its aesthetic appeal. It was declared one of the modern Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. According to Frommer's travel guide, the Golden Gate Bridge is "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world." wikipedia.org I recommend taking a walk or a bike ride across the bridge.. it is truly an amazing experience! Plus you get a great vantage point to the city sky scape from that side of the Bay. Lands End, Cliff House & Sutro Baths
Must See Sights # 12, 13 & 14  "Lands End is San
Francisco's wildest and rockiest coast, a place strewn with shipwrecks
and rife with landslides. These wave- and wind-carved headlands west of the Golden Gate connect two popular landmarks: the Cliff House and the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Trails at Lands End offer a cliff-top walk through shadowy cypress, with scenic overlooks, 30-mile views of the coast, and foot access to several shoreline pocket beaches. The drive-in vista point at Point Lobos and 48th avenues above the Cliff House presents grand views of the Pacific coast. The West Fort Miley batteries offer a grassy picnic area among three turn-of-the-century gun emplacements and a view of Ocean Beach. Park in the Vista Point parking lot, walk back along Point Lobos Avenue, and take the first road to the left uphill." parksconservancy.org "The Cliff House is one of the cities oldest restaurants, perched on the headlands on the cliffs just north of Ocean Beach on the western side of  San
Francisco.A little history: After almost 40 years of being built, in 1896, Adolph Sutro built a new Cliff House, a seven story Victorian Chateau below his estate on the bluffs of Sutro Heights. This was the same year work began on the Sutro Baths, north of the Restaurant.  The Cliff House and Sutro Baths survived the 1906
earthquake with little damage but burned to the ground on the evening
of September 7, 1907. Dr. Emma Merritt, Sutro's daughter, commissioned a rebuilding of the restaurant in a neo-classical style that was completed within two years and is the basis of the structure seen today. The building was acquired by the National Park Service in 1977 and became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In 2003, further renovation added a new two-story wing overlooking the Sutro Bath ruins." wikipedia.org Sutro Baths & Ruins A little history: "On March 14, 1896 the Sutro Baths were opened to the public as the world's largest indoor swimming pool establishment. The Baths were built by wealthy entrepreneur and former mayor of San Francisco (1894-1896), Adolph Sutro.  The Sutro Baths had 7 different swimming pools,
one fresh water & six salt water baths ranging in temperatures, a
museum displaying Sutro's varied personal collection of artifacts from
his travels, a concert hall, seating for 8,000, and, at one time, an
ice skating rink. During high tides, water would flow directly into the pools from the ocean.  Now,
all that remains of the site are concrete walls, blocked off stairs and
passageways, and a tunnel with a deep crevice in the middle.The Sutro Bath ruins are open to the public, but a warning sign advises strict caution." wikipedia.org Go from Must See Sights to Where to Go
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