Things to See in San Francisco

California Travel Guide

Things to See in San Francisco

Guide of US Top 4 Picks

For a variety of experiences all in one place, make San Francisco a stop on your visit to California. It offers rich history, cultural attractions, fabulous ocean views, nature and more. No matter what captures your interest, San Francisco is sure to provide it.

Things to see in San Francisco-Cable Cars

4. Cable Car Rides

San Francisco is known almost as much for its cable cars as it is anything else. You can't come to the city and not take a ride on this national historic landmark. Three lines will take you throughout the city and get you where you need to go. However, enjoying a ride in these cars means you will be more focused on the journey rather than the destination.

The main public transportation in the area, BART, intersects with the cable car lines, making access easy and convenient. They also take you to some of the most popular tourist areas, including Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill and Union Square.

San Francisco is filled with fun things for tourists to enjoy. Whether you are traveling solo, with other adults or on a family vacation, this is a city that will inspire and delight you.

3. Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill

Enjoy an amazing view of the city atop Telegraph Hill when you visit Coit Tower. This attraction was built from a gift of funds by a long-time resident, Lillie Hitchcock Coit. Once you reach the top, you can see unobstructed views of the area.

The view is not the only reason to visit. Spend time on the ground floor to see murals that were painted by local artists in 1933 that tell the story of the Great Depression from San Francisco's point of view.

2. Fisherman's Wharf

Another popular destination for anyone visiting the Bay area is Fisherman's Wharf. Visit the marketplaces or watch the boats come in and out and get a taste of a part of San Francisco life that has been around since the city's early days.

Conveniently located at the end of the cable car line or the historic F-Line streetcar, it is also where you can find boat charters to take you to Alcatraz and other water attractions in the area. With souvenir shops scattered along and seafood restaurants tempting you with delicious aromas, it is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.

1. The Golden Gate Bridge

The most famous attraction in the city is also the largest, spanning the three-mile distance in the Golden Gate strait. After four years of building, the bridge opened in 1937 when it proved people wrong who said that it could never be built.

While thousands of cars travel over it every day, tourists may want to take the time to walk or bike over it along the sidewalks that extend across the bridge. Tours are also given which provide details of the building of the bridge.