OF COURSE, YOU HAVE TO SEE IT, RIDE OR WALK IT and other San Francisco, CA Things to Do Tips

GGB on a clear day

The Golden Gate Bridge has been an icon for San Francisco for many years. Even though I have lived here for a long time, I am still in awe whenever I cross this magnificent structure.

After crossing the bridge, there is a Vista Point and parking so that visitors can get out of their car & stand along the railing to look back at the city across the bay as well as the under structure of the bridge. Sometimes the fog is rolling in just above the water & can be 50 feet high or more and yet it's sunny on both sides of the bridge.

Another great view is to go up on the hill to the left of the highway where you can stand on a cliff high above the bridge & look out over the expanse , the city and the bay.

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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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Ghirardelli Square: Ghirardelli Square - the chocolate factory

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Updated by Sandi-2004

on Sep 8, 2004

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Many people know about Fisherman's Wharf,
but just up the hill at the west end is a place
that I like better, Ghirardelli Square. It was once
a chocolate factory & is now a beautiful area
of shops and restaurants. From McCormick
and Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant , you will
have a lovely view of the bay. For dessert, you
can go to the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Parlor and
Chocolate Store for a hot fudge sundie & a
delicious box of chocolates to take home.

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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/

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SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA): If You Like Modern Art, SFMOMA Is For You

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Updated by Sandi-2004

on Jun 10, 2005

SFMOMA

I love art and creative architecture and the recently built San Francisco Museum of Modern Art offers both.

The building is unique inside and out & is next to the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens..

The art work inside is awe inspiring. You will want to go through all of the rooms twice just to soak in the beauty and creativity. It's a feast for the eyes and the soul.

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Phone: 415.357.4000
Address: 151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard Stree
Directions: SFMoMA is located in the South of Market (SOMA) area of downtown at 151 Third Street between Mission and Howard Streets
Website: http://www.sfmoma.org

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Lombard Street: The Steepest & Most Crooked Street in the World

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Updated by Sandi-2004

on Oct 23, 2004

Lombard Street

Actually, I have read that San Francisco has steeper & more crooked streets than this beautiful cobblestone, but this is the famous one that everyone loves. When you are in your car & approach the top of Lombard Street, you can't see any pavement out ahead of you. It seems that your car with you & your family or friends in it will simply drop off a cliff because no street is in view. It definitely will give your stomach a few butterflies even though in your mind, you know the street HAS to be there. Lombard Street IS there but has begun it's steep descent. It has hairpin curves one after another. It's lined with beautiful flowers & lovely Victorian homes on either side. The fun of going down Lombard Street will definitely give you a few moments of fear and fun.

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Address: Lombard Street. Descent begins at Hyde Street.

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GOLDEN GATE PARK: Golden Gate Park Offers Great Variety

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Written by Sandi-2004

on Sep 26, 2004

Conservatory of Flowers

Golden Gate Park is over 3 miles long & 9 blocks wide, 1017 acres.

GG Shuttle is free & picks up riders at 15-minute intervals at 15 locations in the Park on summer weekends & holidays from 10:00am-6:00pm through Oct.

Conservatory of Flowers: Since 1879, the oldest glass-and-wood Victorian greenhouse in the Western Hemisphere with more than 10,000 plants from around the world. After damage during a 1995 storm, it is now open after a $25 million restoration. The plant life is spectacular.

Japanese Tea Garden: Many people's favorite part of the park, hidden throughout its five acres are beautiful sculptures & bridges.

Strybing Arboretum: this 70-acre horticultural extravaganza entices the senses with more than 6,000 plant species. The garden of fragrance brings flowers alive with scent alone. www.strybing.org

GG Park also offers:Archery, Basketball, Biking & Skating with 7 miles of paved trails that lead you by lush waterfalls & gardens, Dog Runs, Flycasting pools considered some of the best in the country, A nine-hole public golf course, Twenty-one Tennis Courts, Team Sports, Live Buffalo roaming on grassy acres.

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Address: Area bounded by Lincoln, Fulton, Stanyan.

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Japanese Tea Garden: GOLDEN GATE PARK-JAPANESE TEA GARDEN

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Written by Sandi-2004

on Oct 25, 2004

The Japanese Tea Garden is a favorite in GG Park. It's quite beautiful and relaxing. You can take a tea break surrounded by lovely foliage and trickling brooks.

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Phone: 415-752-4227
Address: Located in Golden Gate Park

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CHINATOWN: CHINATOWN

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Written by Sandi-2004

on Sep 26, 2004

SF Chinatown is the 2nd largest Chinese community in the US after New York City's. The part of Chinatown that people find interesting is along Stockton & Grant between Bush & Columbus. It's best mid-day when all the shops are open & streets are busy. It is 8 blocks long. But don't miss the real Chinatown. Between Grant & Stockton, off the major cross streets, are the Chinatown alleys. They are the essence of Chinatown.

Guided tours are very helpful to understand the origin and San Francisco Chinatown history. City Guides offers free walking tours weekly. Some tours include a dim sum lunch.

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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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NORTH BEACH: SF's Little Italy -- "North Beach"

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Written by Sandi-2004

on Sep 26, 2004

Sidewalk Cafes

North Beach was at one time a beach, long ago before landfill extended the city. Now it is an Italian neighborhood with tree-lined streets, wonderful Italian restaurants, beautiful Washington Park with the spectacular Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral.

N. Beach is home to the City Lights Book Store where the Beatnik Movement started. This area borders Chinatown & is definitely a must see & enjoy neighborhood. Probably best to fit it into your schedule in the afternoon & evening so that you can have dinner there & enjoy the crowds of people out for a night of fun .

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Address: Area Surrounding Columbus Street at Union Street

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HAIGHT District / Ashbury: The 60's Live in Haight-Ashbury District

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Written by Sandi-2004

on Sep 26, 2004

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The 60's Age of Aquarius is still going on in parts of the SF Bay Area. Haight-Ashbury certainly can give you reminders of those days of flower children & the peace movement. The same is true in downtown Berkeley on certain streets & in Marin County in Fairfax. You'll see tie-dyed clothes and crystal shops as well as some homeless people. Don't be afraid to stop & look in some of the more interesting shops in the Haight-Ashbury area. There are some good restaurants there, too. The neighborhood is a little neglected these days, but still represents the 60's revolution.

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Address: Haight Street from Stanyan to Lyons

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CASTRO District: THE CASTRO DISTRICT

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Updated by Sandi-2004

on Dec 3, 2004