Things To See in San Francisco
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San Francisco is one of the great US cities. Located in central California on the Pacific Ocean, the city should be at the top of anyone’s travel list. The city is filled with culture, great shopping, and great food.
Things To See in San Francisco: (Jump To)
Chinatown
San Francisco is home to the oldest Chinatown in the country. The area is loosely situated between Broadway and Bush St to the North-South and Powell St and Kearny St to the East-West.
Start exploring at the intersection of Grant St and Bush St. There you’ll find a traditional Chinatown gate. As you climb up the hill you’ll be instantly surrounded by the bustling activity in the neighborhood. Numerous unique gift shops line Grant Street. The inexpensive goods on hand range from cheap plastic toys to fine China. I love to pick up cooking gadgets when I’m shopping here. Peking Bazaar is one of my favorite shops.
After reaching Broadway, turn left to Stockton St. Walking back down the hill on Stockton Street will give you a less-touristy feel for Chinatown. This street, less frequented by visitors, is where you’ll find traditional groceries and bakeries.
A fun quick free stop is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. In the middle of an alley between streets, a small entrance lands you in the middle of a tiny factory floor where you can watch the cookies being pressed, shaped, and filled with fortunes.
Also worth a stop is the Tin How Temple. Opened in 1910, this is one of the oldest still-operating Chinese temples in the United States. With the attendant's permission, you can enter and explore both levels of the complex and take a peek off the second-floor balcony at the neighborhood below.
Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower
Telegraph Hill was known simply as “goat hill” until 1849 when a signaling device was installed at the top of the hill to alert townspeople of ship activity in the bay.
Climbing to the top of the hill is commonly done via the Filbert Street Stairs. (Though, the lazier in the bunch can take a car or bus to the top). The climb is steep, but it gives you the chance to see hillside gardens and stunning views of the bay and Bay Bridge as you climb.
You’ll also more than likely see some parrots during your climb. While not native to the area, a flock of escaped or released pets has managed to establish a breeding colony here. The flock was made famous in the documentary film The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.
When you reach the top of the hill you’ll hit Pioneer Park. The hilltop views from here are reward enough for your stair climb. Walking along the stone walls adjacent to the cul-de-sac on a clear day will give you commanding views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you haven’t climbed high enough, behind you is Coit Tower. If you decide not to take the elevator to the top, you should at least walk the ground floor corridor to view the impressive murals. In 1933 they were a product of the first New Deal arts project in the country.
For out-of-towners, you’ll pay $9 to take the elevator to the top of the tower. The 360 views of the entire city and surrounding area are second to none. There is not much up there beyond the view. Some may feel that the view from the top of the hill is good enough and will save $9 for some seaside surf and turf later in the day.
Streetcars and San Francisco Cable Car Museum
The best way to get to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum is by taking the Powell Street Streetcar up the hill dropping you at the museum’s doorstep at Washington St & Mason St.
If you have a Muni Farecard or a Clipper Card for use on public transportation while in San Francisco, you can use your card to pay your fare on the streetcar. You can also pay in cash by boarding at the front of the car. Rides are $2.25 for adults and $1 for kids.
The museum is free. Inside you’ll find a number of exhibits about the history of streetcars in the city. There are some decommissioned cars on display inside as well. The coolest part about the museum is that it is located inside the cable car powerhouse. You can stand and watch the giant cables and pullies as they do their thing, pulling cars up the hill, just as they have for ages.
Sutro Baths
In the Lands End area of San Francisco, a once-great seaside bathhouse lays in ruin at the shore. Visitors can walk the beach and shore to see the ocean slowly reclaim the building.
In its prime, this was home to the world’s largest indoor swimming pool. Built by mayor and entrepreneur Adolph Sutro shortly before the turn of the century, the baths slowly fell out of favor and the buildings began to decay largely due to the expensive upkeep of the seaside building.
In the 1960s, the building was set to be demolished to make way for an apartment complex. A fire broke out and sealed the fate of the once-great building. The ruins are now part of the larger Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The Golden Gate Bridge
Arguably the most famous bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge has been the backdrop to many films. It was destroyed at different points in Superman, X-Men, Terminator, and Godzilla films. The bridge served as a backdrop when Jimmy Stewart jumped into the bay to save Kim Novak in Hitchcock’s seminal San Francisco film Vertigo. No visit to the city is complete without at least a glimpse of the bridge.
At the time of its opening in 1937, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. Officially the bridge is painted in a color called international orange. In addition to cars, there are walkways for pedestrians and bicycles on both sides. Walking across the bridge and back is approximately 2.5 miles. The hours of operation vary daily for bicycle and pedestrian access. During daylight hours it's almost always accessible on foot.
There is a small informative visitor center and gift shop at the base of the bridge that is a great starting point for walking across the bridge. If you prefer just to view the bridge, a short steep trail leads under the bridge and up to Battery Cranston. This is the spot for your best selfie.
