The city at the heart of a vast metropolitan area with a population in excess of 7 million people may just be the most complete in America. Sure, New York never sleeps and as the de facto capital of the world, presents a formidable array of attractions to explore. Nobody can deny the inherent allure of Manhattan, nor Chicago or Los Angeles for that matter.
But San Francisco is special and ultimately, different from any other place in the United States of America. A dynamic, hip and incredibly diverse city of just over 800,000 people, densely packed into neighborhoods with legitimate household-name recognition. ‘Hoods like The Castro, so accurately depicted in the Gus Van Sant and Sean Penn-driven biopic Milk, Fisherman’s Wharf, Japantown and Tenderloin. Indeed, from the urban landmarks of steep, hilly streets and cable cars to the counterculture, Beat Generation and gay rights social movements, San Francisco has a panoply of iconic emblems.
With that in mind, here are ten must-see attractions in “The City by the Bay”.
Why not start with the most identifiable landmark in all of San Francisco? Though many other suspension spans now surpass the Golden Gate Bridge in length, structural engineers, architects and laypeople alike from around the world still gather en masse to pay homage to the 1937 masterpiece.
9. Chinatown
The first, most prodigious and best Chinatown in North America is in San Francisco. The neighborhood dates back to the mid-19th century and is the most popular tourist area in the city. Grab some dim sum and enjoy.
8. Ocean Beach
Part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Ocean Beach is very close to Golden Gate Park. A haven for surfers, the park is infamous for rocky waves and summer fog. Nonetheless, a great spot to explore and have a picnic or bonfire party.
The pulse point of hippie culture in the 1960s is a magnet for visitors to San Francisco. Despite incursions of crass commercialism over the years, Haight-Ashbury is nevertheless indelibly synonymous with the turn on, tune in, drop out generation.
For serious foodies, San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is a holy place of pilgrimage. With a bounty of produce and products on display, the market is the gold standard and is run by the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture. Open Tuesday and Saturday.
“The Mission” is the place to be in San Francisco and indeed, America, for pure Chicano and Latino culture, from music and art, to cuisine and theater. A great ‘hood for nightlife and restaurants.
Though a tad on the obvious and predictable side, a trip to Telegraph Hill is worth it, if only to gaze at the Art Deco Coit Tower, wild, feral parrots, and stellar views of San Francisco.
Home to the Conservatory of Flowers, AIDS Memorial Grove, De Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden and San Francisco Botanical Garden, to name just several points of interest, is it any wonder that Golden Gate Park lures more than 13 million annual visitors? The best attraction in the behemoth park however, is the spectacular, must-visit California Academy of Sciences.
2. North Beach
A vibrant district with loads of terrific cafés, restaurants and bars, North Beach is big on charm, street fairs and summer festivals.
1. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The first modern art museum in California is one of the best in North America. From the avant-garde exterior and rooftop garden to a fabulous interior that features works by Pollock, Klee and Diebenkorn, to name but a few, the SFMOMA is superb.
Check out superb hotel rates in San Francisco.
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