San Francisco CA is a city that’s always changing. It’s a place that always pioneers the Next Big Thing and attracts people who want to be part of it.
This is a beautiful, diverse city with many different cultures. It’s important to accept that there are many homeless people in the city. They are not a problem.
The Golden Gate Bridge
The 1.7 mile-long bridge is a sight to behold with towers that rise 746 feet into the air, and its signature orange vermilion color is a symbol of American ingenuity. This engineering marvel took many years to plan and build.
The bridge was opened to vehicular traffic on May 28, 1937, ahead of schedule and under budget. The main span was the world’s longest suspension bridge until it was surpassed by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1964.
Visitors can walk or bike the entire length of the bridge and take in its stunning splendor from many vantage points. It’s best to do this during sunset so you can see the water reflect the bridge’s subtle lighting. The bridge also lights up at night for an extra special experience.
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is often compared to New York City Central Park. It offers residents and visitors a variety of scenic escapes. You can find everything here, from top-notch museums and botanical gardens to lakes for boating.
The Japanese Tea Garden and de Young Museum are some of the most popular attractions. For a fuller exploration of the park, sign up for a two-hour narrated bike tour that will take you past top attractions as well as lesser-known gems such as the Redwood Tree Grove and Storybook Cross. Or, if you prefer to walk, jog, or run, you can find plenty of paths that circumnavigate the entire park. Be aware that the park can get quite crowded on weekends and nice weather days.
The Exploratorium
The Exploratorium isn’t really a museum; it’s a thought-provoking experience that blends science, art and human perception. It’s been around since 1969 but recently had a huge makeover with a new location on the Embarcadero. You can now touch, tinker and explore over 600 exhibits.
The Tactile Dome is one of the most popular displays. You can only navigate through the pitch-black dome by bumping and feeling your way.
The Fog Bridge, by Fujiko Nakai, connects Pier 15 and 17 and releases a fog-like mist for six minutes each half hour. Seaglass Restaurant offers family-friendly meals and drinks from small Bay Area producers.
The California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences, located in Golden Gate Park, is a world class aquarium and planetarium as well as a natural history museum. Visitors can explore the ocean depths, travel through time and across continents or rocket into outer space all while supporting world-class scientific research.
Visitors can watch African penguins be fed, marvel at the realistic dioramas of dinosaurs or test their balance on an earthquake simulator. The Academy also has educational and community outreach programs to help the public understand the importance of preserving our planet.
To get the most out of your visit, buy tickets online in advance for a specific date and time. You can save $3-5 per adult by doing this, and kids are always free. Also look for discount cards like the Go San Francisco Card and CityPASS.
The Castro
The Castro is San Francisco’s LGBTQ neighborhood and the most famous in the world. Many members of the LGBT Community have historically moved to this area, particularly dishonorably dismissed soldiers after WWII. They did so because of its liberal politics, and tolerant culture.
The area is dotted with shops, cafes and bars that cater to the neighborhood’s clientele, including Mix for cocktails, karaoke and dancing. Hi Tops is the neighborhood’s first gay sports bar and its deafening cheer with every Giants victory is a highlight of any visit here.
The Castro Street Fair is a popular annual event, founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. The Castro Street Fair, founded in 1974 by Harvey Milk, is a popular annual event. The fair features local businesses, drag queens and performances.