San Francisco's magnificent, vermillion-orange icon. Whether shrouded in fog or gleaming in the sun, this Art Deco suspension bridge is breathtaking. Walk or cycle onto the bridge itself (use the designated pathways) for incredible views back towards the city, Alcatraz, and out to the Pacific. Fantastic viewpoints include Battery Spencer in the Marin Headlands (north side) and Fort Point (south side).
Take a ferry trip across the choppy bay waters to "The Rock," the notorious former maximum-security federal penitentiary. The excellent self-guided audio tour, featuring voices of former inmates and correctional officers, brings the chilling history of the island and its infamous residents (like Al Capone) vividly to life. The views back to the city are also stunning. (Tickets sell out far in advance – book months ahead via the official concessioner, Alcatraz City Cruises).
A bustling, lively waterfront neighbourhood popular with visitors. Sample fresh Dungeness crab or clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, browse the souvenir shops and seafood stalls, watch street performers, and visit the famous Pier 39 to see (and hear!) the large colony of California sea lions that have hilariously taken over the docks.
Experience a piece of living history by riding San Francisco's manually operated cable cars. Cling onto the poles as these historic vehicles climb the city's famously steep hills, offering fantastic views and a unique, nostalgic mode of transport between areas like Union Square, Nob Hill, and Fisherman's Wharf. Be prepared for queues on popular routes (like Powell-Hyde).
Pass through the iconic Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue and step into the oldest Chinatown in North America. Explore the vibrant, bustling streets filled with traditional pagoda-style architecture, colourful lanterns, unique shops selling herbs and souvenirs, historic temples, tea houses, and countless restaurants offering delicious dim sum and authentic Chinese cuisine.
A vast urban sanctuary even larger than New York's Central Park, offering a diverse range of attractions and peaceful escapes. You could spend a whole day exploring its treasures, including the California Academy of Sciences (aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum), the de Young fine arts museum, the tranquil Japanese Tea Garden, the Victorian-era Conservatory of Flowers, Stow Lake (rent a paddle boat), or simply relaxing on its lawns and trails.
