View the Bay from Golden Gate Bridge and other San Francisco, CA Things to Do Tips

Take a walk, bike ride, or drive across this San Francisco icon. The views are fantastic on a clear day. Plan your trip because rush hour traffic can be a mess. It costs 5 bucks to cross the bridge by car. The toll is collected in the southbound (towards S.F.) direction only.

But be forewarned, it can become socked in with fog. Not only will the view from the bridge be impaired, but you will not even be able to see the bridge itself from nearby places like the Marina. It can get windy on the span, therefore dress in layers. So check the weather before venturing to the bridge.

The design of the bridge has historically been credited to Joseph Strauss. But Strauss did not design the bridge. As visionary and promoter, Strauss was the driving force for the building of the bridge. But a structural engineer named Charles Ellis was in responsible charge of the design. It was Ellis who incorporated theory into practice and was the technical driving force behind the bridge. Ellis performed thousands of calculations, developed the specifications, and wrote the construction contracts for the Golden Gate Bridge. Shortly before construction, Strauss dismissed Ellis. Only in recent years, has Ellis been given credit for his accomplishments by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Golden Gate Bridge District.

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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
Other Contact: The Bridge as viewed from the Pr

Opened in 1996, the Aquarium of the Bay is a relatively new addition to the City. The aquarium showcases creatures of the Bay and as well as those beyond its limits. A walk through glass tunnel, with the fish tank all around, gives the appearance of walking on the bottom of the Bay surrounded by fish. At one point it feels as if you are standing in the center of a school of sardines. Be sure to roll up your sleeve for the petting tank. The attraction is a bit expensive with adult tickets costing $14.

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Phone: 1-888-732-3483
Address: Pier 39
Directions: It is located on The Embarcadero at Beach Street.

The Aquarium of the Bay is Served by the historic F-Line Streetcars.

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Website: http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/

The Barbary Coast Trail is a walking trail through the older areas of San Francisco. Many places of historic interest are highlighted along the way. Some date back to the Barbary Coast era, while others, like a World War II submarine, are more recent. The trial include the old United States Mint, historic landmarks, Gold Rush era buildings, Chinatown historic sites, historic ships, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, murals, and panoramic views.

The trail is designated by bronze medallions and arrows embedded in the sidewalk. Printed guides are available (for a fee) on-line or at several locations within the City. See their website for the latest list of locations. Each end of the walking trail is conveniently connected by the Powell-Hyde cable car line.

The entire trial is just under four miles.

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Phone: (415) 454-2355
Website: http://www.barbarycoasttrail.org/

The Palace of Fine Arts was built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. It was designed by renowned architect, Bernard Maybeck. It is one of only two structures that were not demolished after the expedition, and the only one left on the site. The grounds make for a pleasant stroll and there is a theatre that is used for special events, presentations, or concerts. It's adjacent to the Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum.

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Phone: (415) 561-0360
Address: 3301 Lyon Street
Directions: (415) 561-0360
Website: http://www.nps.gov/archive/prsf/places/palace.htm

Alcatraz is an enjoyable attraction that is rich in history. The Rock is most famous for its use as a prison, but the history of the island is far more extensive. It housed the first lighthouse on the West Coast. It served as a Civil War era garrison and defended the bay with over 100 cannons. When the fortress became obsolete, the military continued to use the site as a military prison. Eventually in 1934 it became a maximum-security federal penitentiary that welcomed guests like Al Capone. The prison closed in 1963 due to the high operational costs. Only one person was known to have escaped, and he was captured clinging to a rock at Fort Point below the Golden Gate Bridge. One escape attempt was immortalized in the 1979 Clint Eastwood film “Escape from Alcatraz.” The actual prisoners whose story the film was based upon were never found, but were believed to have drowned in the attempt. After the prison closed it became abandoned. In 1969, a group of Native American protesters seized and occupied the island. The occupation lasted until 1971. After the occupation, the island was again abandoned. But now Alcatraz is administered by the National Park Service.

You need to arrive by ferry. You can wander about the island. The cellhouse tour is self guided, but they give you an audio player and headphones that lead you around the old cells, complete with narrative from former guards and inmates. The views from Alcatraz are fantastic.

If you have ever wondered where seagulls come from you can find out on Alcatraz. The island, with no native predators, is a natural breading ground for the birds. When I visited, mother seagulls nesting with their young were abundant on the island.

The tours are only available through Hornblower Cruises. It is imperative that you purchase your tickets IN ADVANCE as the tours sell out. You can purchase tickets on-line, in person at the ticket office at Pier 33, or by phone.

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Phone: (415) 981-7625
Address: In the middle of San Fracisco Bay
Directions: The dock for the ferry service is located at Pier 33 on The Embarcadero and is well served by the historic F-Line streetcars.

Web site for Ferry Service:

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/
Website: http://www.nps.gov/alca/

Maiden Lane is an upscale pedestrian only street in the Union Square district. Maiden Lane is home to some high-end retailers like Gump’s. Businesses covet a prestigious Maiden Lane address. However, Maiden Lane makes for a pleasant stroll in the Union Square Area. It runs from Stockton Street, directly across from Union Square, to Kearny Street. As Maiden Lane is closed to traffic most of the day, outdoor cafe’s take advantage of the opportunity. These outdoor cafe’s offer a nice alternative for lunch on a warm day.

Trendy Maiden lane was actually a red light district at the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries. However, the area was destroyed during the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. As the City rose from the ashes of devastation, citizens and civic leaders saw to it that the area was rebuilt in a more respectable fashion.

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Address: Maiden Lane, San Francisco
Directions: Maiden Lane is two blocks long. It is parallel to, and is located between Geary and Post Streets. It runs from Stockton to Kearny Streets.

Eat authentic Chinese cuisine, shop, and push through crowded sidewalks. This region of the City is still a thriving part of the local Chinese community. Leave your car at home as parking is scarse here. The cable car is a good choice.

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Address: Bordered by Broadway, Bush, Kearny, Stockton Sts.
Directions: Older buildings, good restaurants, Chinese markets, and tourist shops
Website: http://www.sfchinatown.com/

Located in the "Music Concourse" region of Golden Gate Park, the Museum was recently opened after being completely rebuilt. The new museum is receiving rave reviews. It houses a variety of works of art, as well as traveling exhibits. Originally built in 1894 as part of the 1894 California Mid Winter Exposition, the museum is surrounded by landscaping features and structures dating back to that era. A new underground parking garage was recently opened nearby in association with the museum construction.

Local Historical Note:
The original museum sustained damage during the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. For a while during the discussions concerning replacing the museum, moving the museum's location from the park to the San Francisco Waterfront was under serious consideration. The museum under its final form drew extensive opposition, mostly from the nearby neighborhoods and environmental groups, who felt its tall tower, as well as the underground parking structure are inappropriate for Golden Gate Park. Their objections were heard in court. After an initial victory by the opposition, the museum sponsors won and carried the day.

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Address: Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Directions: "Music Concourse" region of Golden Gate Park

It is on Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, between John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. Drives.

The picturesque gardens are not too large and worthy of a mid-day stroll. They are adjacent to the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park. The gardens have a small admission, but it is well worth it, especially if you've never been there.

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Phone: 415-752-4227
Address: Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Directions: They are on Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
-- at the Music Concourse Region of Golden Gate Park.

Needless to say this is my dog's favorite place. This is not Southern California, so don't expect to lie on the beach and soak up the sun. Instead, take a long peaceful walk, breath the fresh air, or let your dog be a dog.

The beach falls within the jurisdiction of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is managed by the National Park Service.

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Address: The Great Highway
Directions: It runs along the Great Highway from the Cliff House to beyond the Daily City boarder.
Website: http://www.nps.gov/goga/