Golden Gate Bridge and other San Francisco, CA Things to Do Tips

Though the Golden Gate Bridge remains San Francisco's signature sight, it symbolizes not only the city but also an era when California was viewed as the culmination of Western Civilization. It's an impressive sight spanning some two miles between the exclusive Presidio neighborhood of the city proper with scenic Marin County to the north. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at its completion in 1937 so you can imagine the clamor to see it. Any bridge set between these two impressive chunks of land would have garnered attention but painting it red seems to have sealed its fate, and periodically enshrouding it in fog has raised it to near mythic proportions. We were on the city bus over to the Toll Plaza viewpoint and there were two young German girls excitedly waiting to see the bridge evidently for the first time. When it came into view, they high-fived with huge smiles as if one more of the world's wonders had been conquered. Such is the power of this mass of steel painted red. I believe it is the fog that makes it so special as you're never quite sure if you'll see it all. From the Wharf, you often see either none or just pieces of it jutting through the mist. It is easily accessible by MUNI bus 18 that stops at the Toll Plaza viewpoint, but the most dramatic way of getting there is to walk along the Bay coastal trail and let the bridge come progressively closer. Once at the Fort Point Lookout, there is a trail that runs up through a rocky outcropping to the Toll Plaza viewpoint with various views along the way, including a nice area with picnic tables away from the masses at the top. The classic view if from up there and there are some nice gardens to frame the bridge too.

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Phone: (415) 921-5858
Address: Northwestern Tip of San Francisco Peninsula
Directions: The bridge is Highway 101's link from San Francisco to the counties North.
Website: http://www.goldengatebridge.org

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was set aside by the National Park system to protect the gorgeous area surrounding the bridge. There are many scenic outlooks, drives and trails to better appreciate the natural beauty so go beyond snapping a photo at the Toll Plaza lookout. Start off by walking to the other side of the bridge. It’s free and only two miles. Give yourself some time as there are great views of the city and bay. There is a view point on the right as you enter Marin County but the more spectacular views are on the left. There is a foot passage going under the bridge from the crowded viewing area. Head to the other side and you’ll see a sign leading you to the Coastal Trail. It climbs steeply to a parking area for those less physically inclined. From here, you’ll see not only the remnants of a battement but also awe inspiring views of the city, bay and the bridge so close you feel you can reach out and touch it. The road beyond this view point offers amazing vistas with every turn.

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Directions: Find the bridge, walk across and enjoy.

Chinatown is no recent tourist invention, but a thriving neighborhood since the Gold Rush of 1849. Grant Avenue offers the heavily photographed Chinatown Gate and the most ornate Asian architecture but the true essence of the neighborhood is more readily observable a couple streets over on Stockton Street, especially in the early morning when locals are out buying their produce and freshly butchered meat. Live frogs, blue chickens, you name it. You’ll feel like you’re not in the United States, but you are. Chinatown is about as San Francisco as you can get so enjoy it. It’s free to look but get right in and buy something or have something to eat. It’s inexpensive, great quality, and fun too.

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Address: Bordered by Broadway, Bush, Kearny, Stockton sts.
Directions: Ornamental gate at Grant and Bush intersection.
Website: http://www.sfchinatown.com/

San Francisco's setting on the Bay only adds to its allure. When you have water on three sides, it not only makes for a temperate climate but when you factor in the city's hilly streets, you have lots of opportunities to view the blue waters as a backdrop to the city's considerable architecture. As a rule, just head up hill and look for low buildings and you'll be rewarded with some spectacular scenery.

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Address: S.F. Coast

Another great way to enjoy the Bay is to get out on a boat. You can do cruises or jump on a ferry to a destination like Tiburon or Sausalito, but since you're bound to be going to Alcatraz while in the city, enjoy the free scenery en route. Alcatraz itself is a fascinating day trip in its own right and whether you arrive on a foggy or sunny day, you'll be transported back in time to it illustrious past as home to famed criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. As part of the National Park service, it is highly regulated and you're assured of a great value experience. It's best to purchase your tickets from the Blue & Gold booths close to Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf to avoid paying any kind of service fee. The round trip ferry ticket cost $16 but it includes your entrance and an audio headphone tour as well as many ranger activities you can take as you like. It's quite easy to spend an entire day there if you like historical guided walks and you should allow a minimum of four hours for the visit from Wharf to Wharf. Most find it fascinating.

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Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
Address: In the middle of San Fracisco Bay
Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz

Lombard Street is noted as the world's "crookedest" street though before the advent of the automobile it was probably just one of the steepest. As it turns out, early cars couldn't make it up the incline so they added the switchbacks and the rest is sweet tourist history. As jam-packed of camera happy snappers as it is, on a sunny day, it's easy to see why it's also one of the most exclusive places in town to live. Full of flowers and great sweeping views, it's hard to not at least dream about calling it home. The walk from its Russian Hill location to the Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill has to be the best in the city proper.

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Address: Lombard Street. Descent begins at Hyde Street.

Set high atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower offers great views of both the city proper and the San Francisco Bay. But that is only the beginning of the story. Even if the day does not warrant paying for the elevator fare to the top, there are murals by local artists inspired by Diego Rivera of the early pioneering days though reflecting strong social themes that caused great fervor at the time of their inception. Built in 1933 in the Art Deco style and funded by Lillie Hitchcock Coit in part to commemorate the city’s firefighters, the 210 foot structure crowns Pioneer Park and is readily seen from most anywhere in town or across the Bay.

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Phone: (415) 362- 0808
Address: 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd
Website: http://www.coittower.org/

Fisherman’s Wharf is admittedly besieged by hordes of tourists and is chuck full of cheap trinket shops offering hideous souvenirs for the folks back home, but despite the obvious trappings, there is a hokey charm to this ode to the maritime history of San Francisco. With its world class views and some tasty seafood on offer, one cannot go to the city by the bay and not at least stroll the promenade once to see what all the fuss is about. You can’t avoid it if you want to hop a ferry to Marin County or visit Alcatraz, and if you go during the week, early in the morning, it still retains a bit of its historical past. Breath in the salty air, feel the fog on your face and smile. Remember, you’re in San Francisco.

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Phone: (415) 626-7070
Address: Shoreline near Jefferson between Powell and Hyde
Website: http://www.fishermanswharf.org/

Heralded as the city’s number one attraction, Pier 39 is an amalgam of tourist attractions ranging from a top flight Aquarium, assorted shops and restaurants, and the ferry terminal to outlying areas like Marin County and Alcatraz. But mostly what it’s famous for is its loud pod of sea lions that call the floating docks off the pier home. Tourists clamor for the best shots and though touristy, it’s hard not to get sucked right in.

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Phone: (415) 705-5500
Address: The Embarcadero at Beach Street
Website: http://www.pier39.com/home.cfm

Though currently no more than a series of cute shops in a great location, Ghirardelli Square was ahead of its time when in 1964, the former site of Italian immigrant Domingo Ghirardelli’s success story chocolate factory, was recycled into a shopping mall. The atmospheric brick building at least looks like a structure that would be in the Wharf area around the turn of the century and besides who can resist tasting the city’s great chocolate in such a setting.

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Phone: (415) 775-5500
Address: 900 North Point Street at Larkin
Directions: Near Fisherman's Wharf
Website: http://www.ghirardellisq.com/