City Guide to San Francisco, California: Part 2 | Must See Attractions, A Photo Essay
We’ve both lived in and been tourists in San Francisco, California. So, we’re bringing you a local’s perspective on how to make the most of your trip when visiting this iconic city. Read on to see not only some of the most well known must see attractions, but also several off the beaten path and unique things that San Francisco has to offer!
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San Francisco, California, US City Guides
We explored San Francisco from top to bottom and couldn’t fit it all in just one article. Be sure to read the rest of our San Francisco, California City Guides!
Coming Soon! Part 3 | Street Art, A Photo Essay
United States Photo Album
We’re a digital nomad couple pursuing financial independence, retire early (FI/RE) and in 2016, we sold most of our belongings, planned to be ‘homeless’ and traveled 3 continents, 23 countries, and 60 cities in a year!
After a year traveling full time internationally we decided it was time to come home to the United States. However, our life as digital nomads wasn’t something we wanted to give up. So, in 2017 we continued our house sitting adventures throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“We love exploring neighborhoods, off the beaten path sights, and must see attractions in each city we visit.”
We hope our city guides might inspire your wanderlust. And, since a picture is worth a thousand words, we’re sharing our favorite sightseeing images from the cities we’ve visited in photo essays!
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Must See Attractions in San Francisco
We’ve been both tourists and residents of this destination city and have seen the must see attractions and found many off-the-beaten path and unique places as well. So whether you’re looking for a guide of the most well known places in San Francisco like Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, or you’re curious what unique things there are to find, like incredible staircases and wave organs, we have you covered.
Read on to explore the sights of San Francisco in our city guide photo essay!
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San Francisco Must See Sightseeing Map
To possibly make your research on sightseeing in San Francisco, California (and other destinations) easier, we’ve kept our maps with all of the information we gathered (accurate at the time of our sightseeing). Finding hours, prices, and general information can sometimes be challenging, so we’ve tried to include these details on our maps and provide appropriate links below.
And finally, not every attraction is suitable for every visitor, but the copywriters and marketing departments for the destinations sure make it sound like it. How many times have you read “Great for kids and adults alike” and shown up at the venue to wonder why anyone over 20 years-old without kids would go out of their way to be there? Below we’ve included our full itinerary on the map and when combined with the official attraction information and website, it may help you decide if it’s a destination for your travel adventure or not.
Again, the map includes our full sightseeing itinerary, not just the Golden Gate Bridge. So be sure to check out the entire San Francisco City Guide Series!
NOTE: We used this sightseeing map for our personal sightseeing adventures, because of that, some notes may not make perfect sense, and some information could be outdated. Information on this map was valid at the time of creation. That being said, feel free to save it to your Google account and use it as a starting point (or modify it accordingly) for planning out your personalized itinerary in San Francisco.
Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition and while many of the structures constructed for the event were destroyed, it’s not hard to understand why this beautiful building remains today. It has become one of the city’s recognizable landmarks and between the lagoon and beautiful dome and archways, it’s a back drop for all types of events.
Visit the Palace of Fine Arts website for the latest visiting information and even a virtual tour.
San Francisco City Hall
The San Francisco City Hall you see today was built after the earthquake of 1906 destroyed the previous one. It was built to awe residents and visitors alike in time for the World’s Fair of 1915. Spanning two city blocks with a dome that stands 42 feet taller than the dome of the nation’s Capitol, the architecture is simply stunning.
Plan on spending an hour on the free tour and be sure to check the official website for the latest visiting information. Oh, and impress your travel companion by knowing exactly what the exterior lighting represents when visiting!
San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park
Oracle Park has been the home of the San Francisco Giants since 2000, and if you don’t recognize the name, maybe you know it by one of its former names: Pacific Bell Park, SBC Park, or AT&T Park.
Be sure to take a look at the records that have been set in this stadium over the years!
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Jack Kerouac Alley
Reminding us of the revamped Pittaki Street in Athens, in 2007 Jack Kerouac Alley went from a place to dump trash to an alley of bright murals! Below your feet you’ll find quotes from famous authors like John Steinbeck, and of course Jack Kerouac.
City Lights Booksellers and Publishers
In 2001, City Lights Booksellers and Publishers became the first business (not building) to become an official historic landmark for "playing a seminal role in the literary and cultural development of San Francisco and the nation."
Read more about Ferlinghetti, Howl and Other Poems, and how the subsequent First Amendment case lead the way for controversial work with social importance.
Haight-Ashbury District
Haight-Ashbury is commonly known as the birthplace of the 1960’s ‘counter culture’ movement. In other words, it’s an eclectic mix of people and shops that can most often be described as ‘hippie’.
The neighborhood is near Golden Gate Park and can easily be found by navigating to the cross streets of, you guessed it… Haight and Ashbury.
Buena Vista Park and the Tombstones
Not only is Buena Vista Park San Francisco’s oldest official park, but the stonework along the treelined paths is very unique! It takes a keen eye and a bit of walking around to spot them, but once you do, the pieces of tombstone within the stonework are hard to miss.
In the beginning of the 20th century, the cemeteries within San Francisco were relocated to Colma. If a family couldn’t be found or didn’t have the resources to relocate the deceased’s grave, the tombstones were destroyed and reused in the reconstruction of the city after the 1906 earthquake.
Beyond the old tombstones, Buena Vista Park is a great place to take a stroll or a morning jog. And, since it’s located at the top of one of San Francisco’s many hills the view of downtown is beautiful!
Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for pieces of the old tombstones along the bay near the Aquatic Park as well!
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Alcatraz Island
Visiting Alcatraz Island should definitely be on your itinerary! The history, the stories, and the experience are well worth it. Just keep in mind that there are a limited number of visitors allowed on the island each day, therefore it’s recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance.
The National Park Service has up-to-date information on Alcatraz Island that will help plan your trip. Visit the official Alcatraz Cruises website for information on purchasing your all inclusive cruise and tour tickets.
San Francisco Architecture
Traditional San Francisco Homes
A walk or a drive around the residential neighborhoods of San Francisco will be sure to give you a glimpse of not only the traditional architecture of the area, but also the bright colors!
Churches
Most cities have beautiful churches and San Francisco is no exception.
Unique Architecture
We do most of our sightseeing by foot since walking allows us to discover things around the city we wouldn’t have otherwise seen. One of our favorite things about San Francisco was the architecture we found along the way!
Battery Spencer Park
Known as both Battery Park and Battery Spencer, this isn’t only a special place for us to view the Golden Gate Bridge, but many also argue it’s one of the best outlooks to view the bridge from.
Technically, the spot isn’t in San Francisco, it’s in Sausalito, California. And it’s more than just a beautiful view point, it’s also a Battery that was part of the coastal defense of San Francisco Bay between 1897 and 1942.
Check out part one of our City Guide to San Francisco to get a few tips on Battery Spencer Park as well as more great places to see the Golden Gate!
San Francisco Cable Cars
Cable cars are an icon of San Francisco and are the last remaining manually operated cable car system in the world. And, if you have a dreamt of riding one up a steep hill and holding on to the poll while you lean out of the car, you’re not alone. Just please, be careful!
If you keep an eye out you’ll see many different styles of cars as well!
Cable Car Turnaround
At the end of the line you’ll find a cable car turnaround, which since the cars can’t go in reverse is where the car is turned around by hand. You can find a turnaround at Powell and Market or at Hyde and Beach. It’s a popular destination though, so don’t be surprised to find a line of people waiting for the next car. It shouldn’t be too long of a wait though since cars hold up to 65 people and they depart every 5-10 minutes.
California Academy of Sciences
At first glance the California Academy of Sciences might seem like it’s just another natural history museum. But don’t be fooled, it’s so much more than that!
In addition to the natural history museum, the 400,000 square feet house an aquarium, planetarium, and a four-story rainforest. Plus, all of that is under a living roof!
Our favorite experience was the penguins (check out the live Penguin Cams!) but you’re bound to find your own favorites.
Check the official website for the latest visiting information.
San Francisco Street Art and Murals
San Francisco is known for its street art and murals that bring the city to life. You can plan an itinerary around alleys and streets that are painted from what seems to be top to bottom, or you can simply be delighted as you come across art during your sightseeing.
Don’t miss the next part of our City Guide to San Francisco where we showcase some of our favorite street art and murals and give tips on where to find your own favorites (Coming Soon)!
Chinatown
Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the oldest established Chinatowns in the United States. Find the heart of Chinatown on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street and be sure to check out everything from the street lamps, street art, and iconic gate to the bakeries, karaoke bars, and herbal shops.
Wave Organ
Conceived and built by Peter Richards and George Gonzalez in 1986 the Wave Organ is exactly that. An organ that plays its sounds via the surrounding water hitting a series of 25 pipes. It’s both a musical instrument and a piece of art!
The Wave Organ is part of the Exploratorium, but is free to visit. It’s a bit of a walk (pass the Golden Gate Yacht Club and keep going to the end) but worth the experience! We recommend planning your trip with high tide as that’s when it sounds best.
San Francisco National Cemetery
The San Francisco National Cemetery is one of only four cemeteries within San Francisco city limits and is part of Presidio Park. Visiting is an honor as it’s the final resting place of United States Veterans.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is a neighborhood in San Francisco that has become a popular tourist destination. From Pier 39 that offers sea lions, games, and dinning to waterfront views and walks, Fisherman’s Wharf is a fun place to add to your itinerary. Not to mention, the city’s iconic cable cars will take you there!
Pier 39
Pier 39 is well known for its wide array of attractions, from a carousel to a water front park. Here you’ll find fun for the entire family!
Pier 39 Sea Lions
You can see sea lions on the pier throughout the year, but in the winter months there can be over 900 sea lions. Don’t take our word for it though, check our the Seal Lions cam!
Ghirardelli Square
Dating back to 1893, Ghirardelli Square is where the chocolate company headquarters was once located. Today you can still get your hands on Ghirardelli chocolate as well as shop and dine in the square.
Ferry Building
Located on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, the Ferry Building is a well known landmark of the city. As you might guess, the building is a ferry terminal, but it also holds a food court and office space. In our humble opinion, it’s a great place to start a waterfront walk and enjoy the views!
Lincoln Brigade Memorial
The Lincoln Brigade Memorial tells the story of 2,800 American volunteers who fought overseas in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. One panel quotes journalist Martha Gellhorn, “They deserved our thanks and respect, and got neither.”
The memorial was showing it’s age when we visited, so we were glad to hear that it was renovated shortly after our visit.
Lombard Street
Lombard Street is known for a single block portion between Leavenworth and Hyde streets that has eight well manicured hair pin turns.
It’s a steep walk up but whether your drive it or walk it, expect it to be crowded!
Golden Gate Park
With over 1,000 acres of land, Golden Gate Park is full of gardens and museums. Either plan a day to walk and explore the park, or make it a point to visit your choice of destinations.
California Academy of Sciences
Japanese Tea Garden
De Young Museum
Windmills and Tulips
Conservatory of Flowers
Beach and Park Chalet
Fulton Playground
Koret Children’s Quarter Playground
Golden Gate Carousel
Strybing Arboretum
Starwberry Hill
Golden Gate Aquarium
45th Ave Playground
Buffalo in Golden Gate Park
Lotta’s Fountain
Lotta’s Fountain was a gift to the city in 1875 by Lotta Crabtree and is the city’s oldest surviving monument. Lotta Crabtree got her start in the city during the Gold Rush and made her money by dancing on barrels in saloons. She used some of the gold she earned to gift Lotta’s Fountain to the city in 1875.
The fountain is not only San Francisco’s oldest surviving monument, but it has become a significant symbol from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. As it was a meeting point after the devastating earthquake, it has become a place to commemorate the anniversary. Every year on April 18th at 5:15 am there’s a ceremony of remembrance held at Lotta’s Fountain.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum
The Contemporary Jewish Museum holds a variety of exhibitions throughout the year and doesn’t have permanent collection. Visit the official website for visiting and current exhibition information.
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
Located in Yerba Buena Gardens is a beautifully serene and impactful Martin Luther King Jr Memorial.
San Francisco Fire Boxes
You might find yourself wondering, with the technology of cellphones, why are there over 2,000 working fire boxes in San Francisco? The answer is redundancy!
You can find a fire box within approximately every two block radius in San Francisco. Most notably, 9/11 in New York City crashed the cell phone network but because there were 15,000 working call boxes in the city, many New Yorkers were able to call emergency services.
Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum
The Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum (formerly known as the California Palace of the Legion of Honor) is a fine arts museum that has holdings spanning over 4,000 years of human history.
Check the official website for up to date information on visiting, and while there be sure to visit the Holocaust Memorial on the grounds of the museum.
Beautiful Urban Staircases
Staircases are designed to get your from one place to another, but in San Francisco, many of the urban staircases have been transformed into works of art. Hidden throughout the city are a number of staircases that offer amazing views, are tiled mosaic works of art, or are surrounded by gardens. Many are marked on our sightseeing map above and we hope you’ll discover a few on your own while you explore the city!
Lyon Street Steps
Lincoln Park Steps
Saturn Street Steps
Hidden Garden Steps
16th Avenue Tiled Staircase
Avalon Greenspace Steps
Arelious Walker Stairway
Steps to Macondray Lane
SFMOMA
The SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) was the first museum on the West Coast to display only 20th century work. From a 30 foot living wall and a sculpture garden to rotating exhibitions, SFMOMA is dedicated to contemporary and modern art.
Everyone under 18 years of age gets free admission, plus parts of the museum have been left free and open to the public as a great way to inspire and introduce people to art. Check the official website for up-to-date visitor information.
Coit Tower
Coit Tower has been a recognizable piece of the San Francisco skyline since 1933! Built as a monument in honor of the city’s firefighters and decorated with murals that depict life during the Great Depression, Coit Tower is also an observation deck that offers wonderful views of the city.
The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic and well known bridges in the world. We’ve seen it from a hill, a beach, underneath, up close and from afar. There’s so many ways to enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge, so we wrote an entire guide just for it. Don’t miss our City Guide to San Francisco, California: Part 1 | The Golden Gate Bridge, A Photo Essay.
Land’s End Labyrinth - Coastal Trails
At the end of a coastal trail the Land’s End Labyrinth welcomes you!
Near Sutro Baths, a labyrinth made of stones offers a view of the Golden Gate Bridge in one direction and seemingly endless views of the Pacific Coast in the other direction.
If you’re up for a short hike, check our map above for its location (37.78801, -122.50583) and enjoy the scenery!
The Painted Ladies
AKA The Seven Sisters AKA Postcard Row
We might be dating ourselves, but we first knew of The Painted Ladies (AKA The Seven Sisters) from the intro to Full House. So, it seemed only natural to make our way to Alamo Square Park, throw down a picnic blanket and enjoy the row of colorful, late 19th century Victorian houses.
The Seward Street Slides
If you think that neighborhood protests and bulldozer sit-ins only happen in the movies, then we’d like to introduce you to Corwin Community Garden and Seward Mini-Park!
In the 1960s the community came together to protest the destruction of open land and won. Not only does the Corwin Community Garden and Seward Mini-Park still serve the local community but this show of activism helped shape the legislation that requires a minimum amount of open space for all new development projects within the city.
More than just a piece of history, the Seward Mini-Park is known for the twin slides, that with just a piece of cardboard to sit on, entertain the neighborhood and visitors!
Street Names and Misspellings
The 1906 earthquake that devastated San Francisco changed the city in many ways. One way you might not realize is the addition of street names being imprinted on sidewalks of just about every street corner.
It might seem redundant, but if the city is reduced to ruble, rescue teams will be grateful to be able to find their way via the street names on the ground.
You can turn this into something akin to a scavenger hunt and while touring the city see how many misspelled streets you can find. Every time a sidewalk is put in, a team quickly goes in and uses metal letter stamps to imprint the street name. Whether it’s an error of speed, bad spelling, or using a number in place of a missing letter, you can find Sannydale Avenue, Eightheenth Ave, Broadwey, M1ssor1, or…?
The Transamerica Pyramid
Most large cities have a building or two that stand out in the skyline and become representative of the city (think the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, or the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. In the case of San Francisco, one of those buildings is the Transamerica Pyramid, which was once the headquarters for Transamerica Corporation.
Construction started in 1969 and was the center of controversy, as the futuristic architecture wasn’t loved by everyone. It has since become an integral part of the city skyline, was the tallest building west of Chicago until 1974, and was even the target of a foiled terrorist attack in 1995.
The Barbary Coast Trail
Spanning a 3.8 mile trail in downtown San Francisco are 180 bronze markers for the Barbary Coast Trail. To discover the history of the area during the Gold Rush and all of the growth it brought, start your walk at the Old Mint (at 5th and Mission) or at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Follow the arrows and you’ll make your way through many neighborhoods as you learn about the boom and growth of San Francisco. Find a map on the Barbary Coast Trail website.
Fay Park/Garden
If you’re a fan of landscape architect Thomas Church, then the Fay Park/Garden needs to be on your sightseeing itinerary!
The garden was originally designed and built for the enjoyment of the community in 1957. Gifted to the city in 1998, Fay Park/Garden is open to the public daily between 10am and 4pm.
The Presidio
Once a military base, The Presidio is now a National Park for everyone to enjoy. With ocean views of the Golden Gate Bridge, hikes, Crissy Field, historic museums, and more, this park should definitely be on your visiting itinerary!
Check the official Presidio website for visiting information.
Union Square and Dewey Monument
Dewey Monument has stood in Union Square since 1903 in commemoration of Admiral George Dewey and his victory in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.
Union Square is a place of public events and the center of shopping in San Francisco and has come a long way since it was a sand dune prior to 1850!
Views of the City
While visiting all of these destinations in this city guide, plus simply walking around San Francisco, we captured some beautiful views of the city. We hope you too see many great skylines and views while you tour the city!
Day Trips
There are many great adventures that lay just a short drive from the San Francisco area. If you have time, we highly recommend exploring what Northern California has to offer. Here are a few day trips from San Francisco that we took and enjoyed!
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Sitting 50 miles south of San Francisco, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast and has been a navigating point for sailors since 1850. It’s now part of a California State Park and is protected with a designation of a California Historical Landmark.
Visit the official website for information on visiting.
Safari West
From a safari day trip to ‘glamping’, Safari West has you covered. On over 400 acres there are nearly 900 animals to be discovered. We were most impressed by the number of unique species (90+) that aren’t caged, but roam the land.
In our humble opinion, this is a day trip that’s well worth it!
Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument is much more than walking trails and some trees. It’s a place where the city melts away and the earth comes to life. Redwoods nearing 1,000 years of age and up to 250 feet in height dominate the space, but 380 different species of plants and animals, along with a stream, Redwood Creek, truly make Muir Woods a sanctuary.
Check the latest visitor information on the Golden Gate National Parks Conservatory website, purchase your entry tickets at GoMuirWoods, and dive into the history of the park on the National Parks Service website.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the number of things to see and do, this is one of our most exhaustive city guides yet.
We have many fond memories of San Francisco and hope you’ll make many during your visit to this great city!
