Get to know the gay scene and other San Francisco, CA Things to Do Tips

Castro District "bunnies"

San Francisco is well known for having the largest gay comunity in the USA and their neighborhood is the Castro District. It's fun to go there and get to know the ambiance. It's a lively zone, with gay flags in most of the houses

There are also many shops, restaurants and bars in this area and a theater, the Castro Theater, an old movie palace that plays classic films.

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Address: Castro and Market Streets

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Alcatraz: Alcatraz Prison

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Updated by tere1

on Aug 1, 2006

Alcatraz Island

by tere1 , 1 more photos

The legendary Alcatraz prison is situated in the middle of San Francisco Bay. You can view it from the bay. From 1930 until middle 1960's this was the maximum security prison in the USA.
Now it is a tourist atraction , receiving many curious people.

There are tours that take you to Alcatraz island by ferry and provide an audio walking tour of the prison and the island. The visitors can explore what is left of the prison and learn about the Indian ocupation of 1969-1971. No visit to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Alcatraz!

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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

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Cable Cars/Museum: San Francisco cable cars

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Written by tere1

on Aug 1, 2006

San Francisco cable car

by tere1 , 1 more photos

The cable cars are very typical in San Francisco and a nice and inexpensive way of seing the city. You can go almost everywhere in San Francisco on them.

There are three lines, the Powell-Mason and the Powell-Hyde , which end both near Fisherman's Wharf, though in different areas, and the California Street line that runs from the Financial district through Chinatown.

A ticket costs $3.00 each way while there are whole day passes for $9.00 or 3 day passes for $15.00.

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Address: 1201 Mason St. at Washington
Website: http://www.sfcablecar.com

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CHINATOWN: Bustling Chinatown

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Written by tere1

on Aug 1, 2006

Chinatown entrance

Like most of the big cities in the US, San Francisco has its Chinatown.
San Francisco Chinatown is bustling , lively and colourful. Plenty of shops full of souvenirs, chinese restaurants and bars. You can buy there many chinese goods and crafts.

I have been to many chinatowns but I found this one the cutest of all, with a nice gate/entrance and though it's very crowded and bustling, it has an organized atmosphere.

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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/

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FISHERMAN'S WHARF: Fisherman's Wharf

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Updated by tere1

on Aug 11, 2006

Coloured sand at Fisherman's Wharf

by tere1 , 2 more photos

The Fisherman's Wharf is a place you can't miss while in San Francisco. It's located in the waterfront and one can have great views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

When I was there it was very crowded. It looks like a small colourful fair. You will find here many atractions, shops, seafood restaurants, bars, and plenty of things to eat: hodogs, crepes, chocolates, etc, etc.

Here you will also find the famous Pier 39.

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

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UNION SQUARE: Union Square, best shopping in town.

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Written by tere1

on Aug 1, 2006

Union Square

The Union Square is basically the center of San Francisco's shopping district . With many well known shops in it, you will have plenty to see and shop. You can find there Victoria Secret, a huge Levis Store, a Gap store, W-Sonoma and a large Macy's, among many other shops.

Around it you can also find some of the best San Francisco hotels as well as good restaurants , Fine Arts Galleries and bars.

Union Square is a must for people who want to do some fine shopping.

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Directions: Downtown San Francisco

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Sausalito / Marin County: Sausalito

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Written by tere1

on Aug 1, 2006

Sausalito

Sausalito is well known as the setting of many of Danielle Steel's novels. It's situated at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, 20 minutes from San Francisco, and it's a very picturesque small town overlooking the sea, with a marina and a harbour.

You can find here many souvenir shops and art galleries. It's a cute small town, which atracts many visitors and has nice postcard views. A nice place to visit and to get out of San Francisco. I found it very charming and romantic, though a bit touristic.

There is a ferry service from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito at Pier 41.

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Directions: North end of Golden Gate bridge, 20 minutes from San Francisco.

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Lombard Street: Lombard Street

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Written by tere1

on Aug 2, 2006

Lombard Street

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Lombard Street, known as "The Crooked Street", is one of the atractions of San Francisco. No one can go there without seing this bizarre street.

This is a hilly street created with sharp curves, full of flowers. In spring and summer the view of the street is amazing and colourful. Some of the best mansions and houses in San Francisco are located here, as it is one of the classiest and most expensive real estate location in town.

The best place to see the street and take pictures of it is from Leavenworth Street, at its bottom. It's funny to see the cars coming down the street slowly.

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Address: Lombard Street. Descent begins at Hyde Street.

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Pier 39: Pier 39

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Written by tere1

on Aug 2, 2006

The sea lions

by tere1 , 2 more photos

An atraction in San francisco is Pier 39. It's situated next to Fisherman's Wharf and the reason it is so well known is for its sea lions that abound there and its wonderful views of the Bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Here you will also find many seafood restaurants.

In winter the sea lions can reach the number of 900, most of them being males. They are very funny, making their own noises and sounds and sunbathing calmly while people watch them.

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

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Things To Do: San Francisco's hilly streets

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Written by tere1

on Aug 2, 2006

Hilly San Francisco street

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