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

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San Francisco Things to Do Tips by Callavetta

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Callavetta   
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." Dr. Seuss


Real Name: Katherine
Lives In: San Francisco, US
Member Since: Dec 13, 2002
VT Rank: 311

 
Tips 1 - 10 of 17
San Francisco Things to Do
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Golden Gate Bridge: Golden Gate Bridge
  • Tip Rating:
  • San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
  • Gazing up as we cross the bridge on
  • a sunny day
  • by Callavetta
  • Send Photo to a Friend
  • I recently ran across a discussion on another travel talk board debating what is the "most famous bridge in the world". The opinions seemed to be split between the Tower Bridge, in London, and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. A slight edge gave San Francisco's span the victory in that discussion.

    The bridge certainly is a symbol (if not THE symbol) of the City. Many are shocked at first glance to find that it is not gold. "It's orange!", they cry out... feeling slightly betrayed! (It's actually painted continually with a rust preventative coating).

    The name Golden Gate actually refers to the opening to the San Francisco Bay, not the bridge itself. This was a welcome view, when not obscured by fog, to the many exhausted seafarers who traveled to California to get rich during the Gold Rush.

    There have been a series of Gold Rushes in California since that famous first discover in the1800's. And many created as many busts as wealth. Perhaps the dot.com era is the latest example of this.

    Regardless, the Golden Gate Bridge is a wonderful representation of one of the world's most beautiful and inviting Cities.

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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
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    Cable Cars/Museum: Take a Tour by "Cable Car"
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  • This tour is aboard a replica of a cable car on wheels. It will show you the major sights of the city and you can sit inside or out. Unlike the real cable cars, this one is not confined to tracks so it can cover just about everything.

    There are two options for this tour:

    First is 2 hours and cost $20. A $2.00 discount is available if tickets are purchased on the web.

    http://www.guideyou.com/prod_view.php?prod_idx=38

    A second ticket buys you a hop on hop off option. For $32.95 (a $5.00 internet savings available) you can hop on hop off the trolley at 3 locations and pick up a later trolley.

    http://www.sanfranciscotours.us/tours/tourDetail.cfm/tid/153

    For visitors to the city without a car, these are a great way to see sites that are harder to reach on foot or by public transportation. The tour crosses the GG Bridge and stops for a brief photo opportunity at Vista Point.

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    Address: Fisherman's Wharf
    Website: http://www.guideyou.com/prod_view.php?prod_idx=38
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    Palace of The Legion of Honor: Palace of Legion of Honor
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  • This is one of the many wonderful museums in San Francisco. Changing exhibits make it attractive to return from time to time. The views from here are spectacular.

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    Phone: 415.863.3330
    Address: 100 34th Avenue
    Directions: Take Geary to 34th. Ave. Turn right on 34th Ave. and follow it into Lincoln Park.
    Website: http://www.thinker.org/legion/
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    Coit Tower: Coit Tower
  • Tip Rating:
  • San Francisco Coit Tower
  • Towering above the Embarcadero
  • by Callavetta , 2 more photos
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  • Anywhere along the Embarcadero you will see Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill. Built by Mrs. Coit to honor the firefighters of SF, today you can tour the tower.

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    Phone: (415) 362- 0808
    Address: 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd
    Website: http://www.coittower.org/
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    Transamerica Pyramid: Transamerica Building
  • Tip Rating:
  • San Francisco Transamerica Pyramid
  • Peering from behind modern
  • apartment buildings
  • by Callavetta
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  • It seems that where ever you go in Paris, you may get a glimpse of the Eiffle Tower. In San Francisco, it's the Transamerica Building that is omnipresent. Along with the Golden Gate Bridge, it is truly a symbol of the SF skyline.

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    Directions: Downtown, Financial District
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    Embarcadero / Ferry Building: Farmer's Market
  • Tip Rating:
  • San Francisco Embarcadero / Ferry Building
  • "You know you're going to need an
  • onion today"
  • by Callavetta
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  • The Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building is a must for anyone who happens to be in the City on Saturday morning. Dozens of vendors bring their various wares; produce, flowers, fish, cheese, chilis, plants, fresh bread, meats, and any assortment of specialty items and the displays are colorful and exciting to see.

    The market is open from 8 to 1:30. Parking can be difficult but it's worth it to browse the area.

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    Address: One Embarcdero
    Directions: The Plaza behind the Ferry Building, 1 Embarcadero.
    Website: http://www.ferryplazafarmersmarket.com/
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    CHINATOWN: Chinatown
  • Tip Rating:
  • San Francisco CHINATOWN
  • A cablecar tours through Chinatown
  • by Callavetta
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  • No visit to SF is complete without a walk through Chinatown. I remember as a very small child being so excited about getting to shop in the many shops and seeing the ducks hanging from their feet in the windows. Stop to have a lunch of dimsum. Buy souveneirs for the folks at home.

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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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    Transamerica Pyramid: Columbus Avenue
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  • San Francisco Transamerica Pyramid
  • Transamerica Pyramid
  • by Callavetta
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  • Walk down Columbus Avenue, through North Beach (be sure to stop for a capuccino or glass of vino at one of the cafes along the way). You will catch this glimpse of the Transamerica Tower.

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    Address: Columbus Avenue
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    Palace of Fine Arts/Exploratorium: Palace of Fine Arts
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  • Built for a former World's Fair, today this is the site of the world famous Exploratorium, an interactive museum for learners of all ages. The grounds are beautiful and often you will see people taking wedding photos. Free parking behind the building (a rareity in SF!)

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    Phone: (415) 561-0360
    Address: 3601 Lyon Street
    Directions: (415) 561-0360
    Website: http://www.exploratorium.edu/
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    GOLDEN GATE PARK: Conservatory of Flowers
  • Tip Rating:
  • San Francisco GOLDEN GATE PARK
  • Conservatory of Flowers
  • by Callavetta
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  • Recently opened after years of extensive storm damage and earthquake retrofitting, the Conservatory of Flowers, in Golden Gate Park, is one of the most beautiful of its kind. Originally constructed in 1879, the wood and glass structure houses more than 10,000 plants from arround the world.

    Open Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 to 4:30
    Admission $1.50 - $5.00

    Favorite thing: Giant water lilies that can hold a small child. (but don't try it!)

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    Address: Area bounded by Lincoln, Fulton, Stanyan.
    Directions: Follow the 49 mile drive signs to eventually find your way to the Conservatory.
    Website: http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/visitus/index.htm
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    More San Francisco Tips

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    Off The Beaten Path
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    Comments for Callavetta about San Francisco
    MATIM Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:58 UTC
     very good page, I add a lot of information to my SF trip planner! Hope to meet you in SF, ILse
    NC_Ziggy Tue Jul 8, 2008 01:43 UTC
     You have a place to work? With a courtyard? And a job in one place? And you are there working? Well... if a boy can come out of the country, I guess a girl can get a real job... ;-) I hope you're happy & well!
    sourbugger Fri May 23, 2008 21:49 UTC
     lovely bit of local colour. a great read. thanks
    Dabs Sat May 10, 2008 16:40 UTC
     It's your birthday today! Happy birthday and happy Mother's Day too :-)
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