I grew up dreaming of San Francisco.
The setting for one of my favorite childhood sitcoms, Full House, and the home of my favorite baseball team, the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco seemed to be calling my name. Unfortunately, it might as well have been light years away from my midwestern hometown of Evansville, Indiana. But its charm continues to tug at my heart even today, over twenty years later.
Indeed, San Francisco is one of America’s most cherished towns and should be at the top of any visit to the United States. But, if you’re like us, low on vacation time, you’ll most likely find yourself limited to spending just a few days in the city. But don’t let that stop you from going! Although there are certainly weeks worth of experiences to be had in San Francisco, you can make a great dent in the city even if you have less than a week.
Here are 13 attractions in San Francisco you won’t want to miss:
1.) Catch a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park
I’ve been a Giants baseball fan since the 2nd grade, so this definitely tops my San Francisco “to-do” list. The stadium overlooks the beautiful bay, so even if you get a nose-bleed seat, you’ll still have a great view — even if you can’t see the ball!
2.) Take a Cable Car ride
San Francisco is famous for its cable cars that, in the late 1800s, were actually implemented to prevent horse-drawn carriages from sliding down the steep and slippery slopes of this hilly city on the Bay. Today, the cable car serves as both a tourist attraction and a means of transportation for local residents.
3.) Ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
It’s impossible to visit San Francisco without checking out the Golden Gate Bridge. What better way to experience the symbol of this city than on the back of a bicycle? There are plenty of companies offering bike rentals for the day.
4.) De Young Museum
If you’re looking for a Fine Art Museum in San Francisco, the De Young Museum is a great choice. Located in Golden Gate Park, this museum features American and international collections from the 17th to the 21st centuries, including textiles, costumes, and other art. (Click here for coupons to the De Young Museum)
5.) Take the Alcatraz tour
You don’t want to visit San Francisco without taking the Alcatraz tour. Also known as “Devil’s Island,” Alcatraz served as a federal maximum security prison from 1934 - 1963. It’s sinister reputation now draws thousands of tourists every year. Tours depart daily from Fisherman’s Wharf.
6.) Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is the third most visited park in the United States. Visitors and locals alike flock here daily to enjoy the expansive gardens and greens, perfect for walkers, runners, or cyclists. The park also includes a number of other attractions, such as the De Young Museum. This is the perfect family outing and admittance into the park is free!
7.) Anchor Brewery Tour
One of our favorite things to do when we travel is to visit local craft and micro breweries. One of the oldest microbreweries in America, Anchor Brewery offers public tours twice a day free of charge and complete with beer tasting. The tour is so popular, however, that they require reservations and actually take them up to six months in advance! If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco anytime soon, don’t wait to schedule this activity into your itinerary.
8.) Chinatown
As the oldest and second largest Chinatown in America, you can’t miss this one in San Francisco! Sample some of the best Chinese food America has to offer and then stroll the streets, shopping for traditional Chinese cultural items.
9.) Hang out with the locals at Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco’s past meets its present at the Fisherman’s Wharf. Come learn about the city’s marine-based industry and the role it played in developing the city.
10.) Take in the views of the San Francisco skyline from Twin Peaks
At just over 900 feet above sea level, these two peaks overlook the San Francisco skyline, providing locals and visitors alike with spectacular views of the city.
11.) Visit the Walt Disney Family Museum
The Walt Disney Family Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the life and work of Walt Disney. It is located in the Presidio of San Francisco in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The museum is committed to telling the story of Disney’s life and is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.
12.) Stop by Ike’s Place for a Kryptonite Sandwich
I first heard about the Kryptonite sandwich while watching “Man vs. Food” on the Travel Channel. This beast of a sandwich weighs in at 4 lbs and includes generous portions of 13 different ingredients, including two whole avocados! Rumor has it that Ike’s Place not only has the best sandwiches in San Francisco, but perhaps even in the United States! I’m sure I could only manage to down a few bites of the Kryptonite, I’d love to give it a try!
13.) Painted Ladies
Photo Credit
The views of San Francisco’s charming “Painted Ladies” from Alamo Square Park are some of the most famous in the city. Those of us who grew up watching “Full House” will recognize these quaint and colorful Victorian-style houses along Steiner Street from the show’s opening credits. This makes a great place to picnic with the family on a sunny day.
Have you visited San Francisco? Share your recommendations below!
This post was brought to you by www.smartsave.com
2 comments in this article
March 22, 2013 pm31 12:44
Although I’m a local Bay Area resident, I never get tired of this city or even its tourist attractions — possibly with the exception of Fisherman’s Wharf. I think it’s a place that everyone should visit, but it’s lost some of its charm over the years with an overaabundance of t-shirt and souvenir shops. I still have yet to visit Alcatraz, but have been around it on one of the tour boats several times. Go Giants!
March 26, 2013 am31 8:38
I clearly need to get back to SF, I seemed to have missed almost all of these! Granted, it was a family vacation, so we did activities catered to different family members: boat ride under the bridge, visiting art galleries, and of course, a visit to the Cheesecake Factory;-)
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..UYC’s Guide: 4 Spots To Get The Best Manhattan In Manhattan