Fisherman's Wharf One of the most visited
neighborhoods in San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf bustles with
activity. From fisherman hawking fresh salmon, sea bass, shrimp and
crab to tourist shops proffering souvenirs, this is the place to go
when you're new to the city or just looking for the best seafood in
town. Tours of the San Francisco Bay Area leave regularly from
Fisherman's Wharf, taking visitors to the famous Alcatraz Island,
Treasure Island as well as giving magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge and cityscape.
The Presidio Tucked away in the north west tip of San
Francisco, the Presidio is a sudden
transition from the crowded
streets of the city to a forest hinting at the scenic landscapes just
over the Golden Gate bridge. The Presidio has a golf course, historic
forts Point and Winfield Scott, and a winding network of trails
throughout.
Walk along the shore at the Golden Gate Promenade and watch the
ships coming in to greet the busy San Francisco harbor. Get away from
the noise at Fort Point and then hike
the stairs to the Golden Gate
Bridge where you can walk across the bay for views of the city and its
most famous landmarks.
Union Square Some might call this the "heart" of San
Francisco. While outdoor concerts and holiday decorations take place
in the plaza, Union Square extends beyond to include department stores
like Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Barneys New York, along with high-end
boutiques. Stop by the TIX Bay Area booth for discounted tickets to
San Francisco's vast array of theatrical offerings. Union Square is
accessed by both the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable car lines.
Nob Hill/Russian Hill In between Fisherman's Wharf
and Union Square, visitors find Nob Hill, traversed by all three cable
car lines. Nob Hill has arguably the best view of San Francisco Bay,
but is known more for its posh architecture. Only the Flood Mansion
survived the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire, but with Grace
Cathedral and Huntington Park, Nob Hill still draws visitors. Russian
Hill is home to the famous stretch of Lombard Street known rightfully
as the crookedest street in America, as well as more of San
Francisco's distinctive architectural style.
The Embarcadero Along San Francisco's inland coast
stretches the Embarcadero, where
visitors can stop by the Ferry
Building for the Farmer's Market, shops, and restaurants or catch a
ferry to Oakland, Alameda, and Vallejo. The
waterfront promenade is a
popular spot for running, jogging, rollerblading, and even picnicking.
The Castro No visit to San Francisco would be
complete without a visit to the famous Castro district. Even though
it is probably the most famous gay cultural center in the world, the
Castro can oscillate between a quiet suburban neighborhood with an
overabundance of rainbow flags to a packed venue for outdoor
celebrations.
Like its twin neighborhood, the Hayes district, the shopping here
is as iconic as 5th Avenue in New York. The historic Castro Theatre
is a classic palace style venue built in the 1920s and now plays a
constant stream of movie greats and film festivals. Visit during
Halloween and the streets flood with thousands of people in costume
with many parties spilling into the crowd.
Chinatown What draws more visitors to San Francisco
than the Golden Gate Bridge? The oldest established Chinatown in the nation and one of
the largest Chinese cultural centers outside of
China. Visitors can eat dim sum, tour the fortune cookie factory, and
shop for linens and trinkets. Be sure to stop by the Chinese Cultural
Center to learn more about the significant contributions of Chinese
immigrants, along with art exhibitions and other cultural programs.
Japantown Although Japantown may seem far from the
other tourist attractions in San Francisco, it's worth a visit. The
Nihonmachi Mall is set up to resemble a Japanese Village, and you can
wander from shop to shop in search of Manga, kimonos, calligraphy and
tea paraphernalia, and more. A stop by the five-tiered Peace Pagoda
tops off any visit.
Civic Center The Civic Center is the cultural capital
of the city. Here you'll find the San Francisco Symphony, the Opera,
the Ballet, and even the
California Culinary Academy. Slip inside the
Main Library on Grove and McAllistar to peruse over one million books
or spend an afternoon at the Asian Art Museum, which spans over 6,000
years of Asian history with almost 15,000 objects in its collection.
South of Market (SoMa) The neighborhood just below
Market Street, one of the main diagonal streets criss-crossing San
Francisco, has evolved into two square miles of restaurants,
nightclubs, and shopping outlets. It's also home to AT&T
Park, where sports fans can see the Giants, and the San Francisco
Museum of Modern Art, where art lovers can get their fill of
Picasso and other modern artists.
Museums in the area also include the Cartoon Art Museum and the
Museum of the
African American Diaspora. The Yerba Buena Art Center
and Gardens draws crowds for performances and festivals.
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