Things to do in San Francisco!

Just 15 minutes away by car, or a 25-minute ride on the BART, is the beautiful city of San Francisco. As the San Francisco Lonely Planet guide states “the city is about the size of California’s thumb and packs in under a million people even in high tourist season, yet there really is something here for everyone." Here you’ll find some of the highlights of this beautiful and sunny city.

Alcatraz [web]

The very well known maximum-security penitentiary. Also called “The Rock,” here you’ll get the chills with the stories of Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelley and others.

The Ferry Building [web]

The once-grand port, the Ferry Building now is home to a variety of local gourmet shops where you can find the specialties of all continents. 

Ghirardelli Square [map]

Ghirardelli is the largest chocolate company in the US. They transformed their old factory into this beautiful mall, where you can find the dreamy Ghirardelli ice cream parlor.

Fisherman’s Wharf [web]

Many years ago this was home to Italian fishermen who fished in their Genoese feluccas. Now the Fisherman’s Wharf Area is one of the top San Francisco tourist destinations. Around the pier, you can find Ripley’s Believe it or not Museum, The Rainforest Café, The Musée Mechanique, Boudin Restaurant, the SS Jeremiah O’Brian, USS Pampanito (both relics from World War II), and much more!
 

Pier 39 [web]

Pier 39 has a variety of restaurants and souvenir shops for you to enjoy. Don’t miss the lovely sea lions that rest under the sun and the nice view of Alcatraz.

Union Square

Union Square has shops like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Cartier, and a whole bunch more. 

San Francisco Cable Cars [web]

On the corner of Powell and Market Street, you’ll be able to find and hop on the cable cars!

Chinatown [web]

Chinatown was created within a year of the 1849 Gold Rush and has survived there ever since. It is now the most densely populated area in the US outside Manhattan and the biggest Chinatown area outside of Asia. Dragon’s Gate marks the entrance to this neighborhood, where you’ll find Chinese stores, temples, authentic restaurants, and more, including the famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company in Ross Alley. Grab a famous Chinese Mai Tai from Lipo Lipo Lounge!

Lombard Street

Who would say a street would be a landmark? Just go to the 1000 block of Lombard located in the Russian Hill area and see it for yourself. 

Palace of Fine Arts [web]

Located in The Presidio area, this Greco-Roman ruin is a memento that San Franciscans decided to keep from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This is a great photo opp!

Mission Dolores Park [web]

The most popular park in San Franciso! Play games, picnic, and relax with friends.