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Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
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Golden Gate Park
The guide was updated:The Golden Gate Park is much more than just trees and walking paths. It houses multiple attractions, such as the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, the Stow Lake, the Dutch Windmill, and even the Japanese Tea Garden.
Come with time to spare, and bring your bike along on a Sunday, when a large portion of the park is off limits to cars on John F. Kennedy Drive, allowing for 7.5 miles of cycling.
Useful Information
- Address: 501 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, CA
- Opening hours: Open 24 hours
- Website: www.sfrecpark.org/770/Golden-Gate-Park
- Phone: +1 415 831 2700
Digital Travel Guide Download
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
A marvel of modern engineering, the Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937 to become the world's most photographed bridge. Its red-orange towers and sweeping main cables glow in the sunshine, when they are not embraced by thick fog. Drive, walk or cycle across this man-made marvel — the views are just spectacular.
The name Golden Gate was given to the strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean in 1846 by Captain John C. Frémont. He compared it to the Golden Horn of the Bosporus when he visualized precious cargo flowing to and from San Francisco.
Here's where to take photos of Golden Gate Bridge:
Battery Spencer (north side)
It is probably the most classic angle from high above the road. Best reached by car.
Golden Gate Overlook and Visitors Center
Plenty of parking here. The best spot if you plan to cross the bridge on foot or by bike.
Presidio, Marshall Beach
The entire coastal side of the Presidio offers excellent views, but Marshall Beach wins. Marshall Beach is also a famous nudist beach so mind where you point the camera!
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Alcatraz
Once a federal prison housing dangerous and notorious criminals, Alcatraz (The Rock) now welcomes tourists into the cell blocks once occupied by the likes of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelley, and the Birdman of Alcatraz. Self-guided audio tours have dramatic narratives of Alcatraz’s grim history, including realistic sound effects one would hear in prison.
Apart from the prison complex itself, Alcatraz Island essentially operates as a national park. You can spend a full day hiking, taking in the view from multiple observation points and appreciating the natural beauty.
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The Painted Ladies
The Seven Painted Ladies of San Francisco are one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. They are symbolic of the California Gold Rush, which enabled a building boom with all its newfound wealth. The colorist movement in the 1960s gave the normally gray houses their bright colors to complete their look.
Fans of the sitcom "Full House" will recognise the Seven Painted Ladies from the opening credits.
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Fisherman’s Wharf
A long strip along the waterfront is home to the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39, where you'll find sea lions basking in the sunlight. A busy waterfront, also called Fish Alley, sells tons of sole, shrimp, salmon, and squid every year. Crab season (mid-November – June) is the time for seafood lovers. There is shopping, entertainment, restaurants and vendors who sell Dungeness Crab ready to eat.
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Lombard Street
This steep and winding street is the most photographed street in San Francisco. Tourists come to the Russian Hill to see, drive or walk down the "crookedest street in the world," that has in total eight hairpin turns. The Hyde Street Cable Car makes a stop at the top of Lombard Street. From there, you can get amazing views of the Fisherman’s Wharf and the Bay.
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Yosemite & Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco
Known for its steep granite cliffs, waterfalls, imposing sequoia groves, and diversity of wildlife, the Yosemite National Park is, hands down, one of the most visually stunning places on earth––pictures don't do justice to how spectacular this place is.
So, next time you're in San Francisco, don't miss out on the chance to enjoy the great outdoors at the crown jewel of America's national parks.
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San Francisco Cable Cars
No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a ride on a cable car. These cable-powered streetcars have been transporting people up and down the hills of San Francisco since 1873. A highlight of the ride is actually at the end (or the beginning) at the turnaround. Watch while drivers push the cable car on a rotating platform 180 degrees for the trip back up the hill.
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Golden Gate Park
The Golden Gate Park is much more than just trees and walking paths. It houses multiple attractions, such as the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, the Stow Lake, the Dutch Windmill, and even the Japanese Tea Garden.
Come with time to spare, and bring your bike along on a Sunday, when a large portion of the park is off limits to cars on John F. Kennedy Drive, allowing for 7.5 miles of cycling.
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Chinatown
A walk through the dragon-adorned Pagoda Gates leads visitors into the colorful and exciting area of San Francisco known as Chinatown. It is tightly packed with exotic shops, ethnic food markets, and excellent restaurants. In February each year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated here with parades and dancing dragons.
Chinatown in San Francisco is the biggest chinatown outside Asia. Always a good choice for a quick and budget-friendly meal, especially of you're craving dim sum.
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Golden Gate Bridge Guided Bicycle Tour
Ride from San Francisco to the city of Sausalito on a guided half-day bike tour that includes lunch and all-day bike rental.
Discover a little bit of local history as you follow your guide along the Bay Trail bike path from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.
Make regular stops at scenic spots for photos and rest breaks. Explore on your own after lunch with the convenient all-day bike rental.
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Mission Dolores Park
Mission Dolores Park, often abbreviated to Dolores Park, is a city park at the western edge of the Mission District. Amazing views, a relaxing atmosphere, and a location close to some of the city's most popular neighborhoods. What more could you ask for in a park?
Dolores Park makes appearance in many movies and series set in San Francisco since it is such an essential part of the city.
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Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks, named for a pair of 922-foot-high summits, is a residential neighborhood with winding streets and a grassy hilltop park. The wind-swept peaks (bring a jacket!) offer 360-degree views of the Bay area.
If you want a cool and challenging urban hike, start in the Mission district and hike all the way up to the triple-pronged Sutro Tower antenna. Afterwards, reward yourself with something delicious in the Castro district.
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Ghirardelli Square
Since 1852, Ghirardelli Square has housed the oldest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer in the country. To attract crowds, it has added more than fifty premium shops, galleries, restaurants and a hotel. A large open-air plaza is a great place to relax during the weekend or after work.
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Lands End Lookout
Lands End is one of the most beautiful places in San Francisco. History combines with nature to create an absolutely gorgeous view of the ocean, the Golden Gate bridge, and the Ocean Beach.
Come here towards the end of the day and take a look at the ruins of the ancient Turkish baths, and afterwards that take a scenic stroll along the path overlooking the Golden Gate bridge and the coast with the fog rolling in.
Find a handy trail map on the website of the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center (link below).
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Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is a monumental structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. Completely rebuilt in the 1970s, it is the only structure from the Exposition that survives on site. The focal point of the complex is the 162-feet (49-meter) high rotunda, enclosed by a lagoon on one side. Right next to it, you will find a large exhibition center. The architecture of the rotunda is meant to evoke the aesthetic of a decaying ancient Roman ruin.
The Palace of Fine Arts has been seen in films such as Vertigo (1958), Bicentennial Man (1999) and The Room (2003). Lucasfilm headquarters were constructed close to the Palace of Fine Arts and probably inspired the domed structures that appeared in the city of Theed on Naboo (Star Wars: Episode I). The structure was also incorporated into the Sept of Baelor in the first season of Game of Thrones.
Every day, people come to the grounds around the Palace of Fine Arts for picnicking. Families take portraits, and many San Franciscans come here for open air dates. You can sit on a bench or lay on the grass. It's worth coming at night — the monument turns into a whole different place at night.
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Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is located at the end of the Golden Gate Park and it is the perfect place to relax in the sun or even take a romantic walk around sunset listening to waves. On the weekend, if the weather is warm, it can get quite crowded but it is still worth a visit.
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Rincon Park
Rincon Park is a waterfront patch of green grass with a promenade and a giant bow and arrow sculpture known as 'Cupid's Span'. Bring your takeaway lunch, enjoy the Bay Bridge view and take a few snaps for your Instagram.
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Aquarium of the Bay
In addition to the expected displays of sea life, Aquarium of the Bay invites visitors into the hidden world of life under the San Francisco Bay and in the neighboring rivers. A moving walkway takes you through two crystal clear tunnels, 300 feet in length, surrounded by 700,000 gallons of filtered Bay water and more than 23,000 aquatic animals.
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Walt Disney Family Museum
If you are a Walt Disney fan, then this is the place to visit. Here, you will learn more about the fascinating and inspiring story of Walt Disney — the man behind your favourite animation studio and an entertainment empire. The museum features historic materials and artifacts, including early drawings and animation, movies, music and much more.
The centrepiece of this 'unofficial' museum is described as 'The Disneyland of Walt's Imagination' — million-dollar hand-crafted scale model representing many things built or conceptualised in Walt Disney's lifetime.
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Wharf & Waterfront Segway Tour
Moving around on small personal electric vehicles is becoming more and more popular. Take a San Francisco Segway tour along the waterfront to see popular city attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, and Alcatraz Island. You'll cover more ground than walking and will give your feet a break.
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Maritime National Historical Park
The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is steps away from Fisherman's Wharf. The park has a fleet of historic vessels, a visitor center, a maritime museum, and a library. The Maritime Museum shows off approximately 35,000 items related to local maritime history. Hyde Street Pier gives you access to very maintained historic ships.
Locals love swimming in the serene aquatic cove, and tourists appreciate a bit of quietness from the busy SF. If you are already visiting the famous Ghirardelli Square, you should swing by and get some nice views of the city and sea breeze.
If you walk out on the Aquatic Park Cove's Municipal Pier, you can get some of the best views of the San Francisco skyline.
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Legion of Honor
The Legion of Honor building is a replica of the Palais de la Legion d'Honneur in Paris and it was completed in 1924. The building serves as part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, displaying world classics mixed in with some modern pieces, representing important contemporary artists. There's something for everyone here!
There's also an on-site cafe with curated food and beverage offerings to recharge your batteries.
If you're into chamber music, check out the seasonal program for the Legion of Honor’s Spreckels Organ.
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Coit Tower
Coit Tower is a 210-foot (64-meter) tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood offering panoramic views over the city and the bay. Don't miss the 27 murals painted by 26 artists in the American Social Realism style. It's worth taking a guided tour.
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Cable Car Museum
The Cable Car Museum is a free museum in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, located inside a cable car barn and a powerhouse. Since its establishment in 1974, the museum has displayed various mechanical devices such as tracks, cables, tools, detailed models and a collection of historic photographs. There are also three antique cable cars from the 1870s. A must-see for fans of old technical marvels!
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San Francisco Zoo
San Francisco Zoo houses 250 species and includes a children's zoo, a miniature train and a carousel — a great place for a day trip with the family. This is also a center that takes care of rare and endangered species. In case you get hungry, there is a restaurant inside.
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Exploratorium
Kids and adults will find themselves busy for hours going through the Exploratorium science museum's many interactive exhibits. Come with time on your hands, since you'll want to stay longer at this scientific funhouse.
Check the official program to see what's happening during the Thursday After Dark events.
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Asian Art Museum
This is one of the largest museums in the world devoted exclusively to Asian art. It houses a collection spanning 6,000 years of history. Admire sculptures, paintings, ceramics, furniture and textiles and do not miss the amazing terracotta warriors from China.
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Angel Island State Park
Taking a trip to Angel Island is not only great for hiking trails and breathtaking views, but also taking in a bit of local history: the Angel Island Immigration Station is also located here and offers a unique insight into the nation's past.
Angel Island boasts expansive 360-degree views of the bay area–San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Richmond Bridge and Tiburon.
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