In this video, we'll show you the top 10 things to do in San Francisco.
This video is based on a fun trip to The Golden City.
Don't forget to like this video, subscribe to our channel, and enable notifications.
And share your own experience or ask a question in the comments below.
And stick around until the end of this video
for a bonus attraction with amazing views of San Francisco.
Here are our top 10 picks:
NUMBER 10: GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
Spanning the strait that connects San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge
was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was constructed in 1937.
Today, it is one of the most famous symbols of the United States
and is considered one of the Wonders of the Modern World.
With its international orange color and beautiful surroundings,
it is also said to be the world's most photographed bridge in the world.
Walk or drive across this prominent landmark to find the best spot for a selfie
or even take a boat ride under the bridge.
Don't miss Presidio, a large park on a former military post
located at the entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge.
NUMBER 9: FISHERMAN'S WHARF
Fisherman's Wharf got its name from the fishermen who berthed their boats in the San Francisco wharf
and provided food for hordes of Gold Rush fortune seekers in the 1800s.
This historic neighborhood has been a world-renowned tourist destination since the 1970s.
Visit Pier 39, where you'll find an array of shops, restaurants, and many other attractions,
and a unique view of the sea lions basking by the pier.
Ghirardelli square stands at one end of Fisherman's Wharf.
This well-loved landmark was formerly a chocolate factory established by an Italian immigrant.
Today, Ghirardelli Square consists of unique shops, award-winning restaurants,
and a five-star hotel.
And don't forget to visit San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
and the Historic Pier 45, where you can see the Vessels from the 2nd World War.
NUMBER 8: PALACE OF FINE ARTS THEATRE
The Palace of Fine Arts was constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition
to show the world that San Francisco could be rebuilt as an international city
after the destructive earthquake and fire of 1906.
In this architectural masterpiece inspired by Roman ruins, you'll find a lagoon and walkways,
making it a popular venue for art exhibitions and weddings.
Did you know that the Palace is believed to be the inspiration
for Queen Amidala's royal residence in Star Wars?
If you have time, visit the nearby Marina District Lighthouse and Wave Organ.
This sculpture interacts with the waves of the San Francisco Bay.
NUMBER 7: GOLDEN GATE PARK
Offering a nice break from the busy city life,
Golden Gate Park is an ideal venue for walks, picnics, and reading.
Here, you'll find gardens, meadows, hills, lakes, playgrounds,
and buildings in this urban park stretching across 1,000 acres.
There are many exciting attractions within the park, including:
the Conservatory of Flowers, a Victorian-style glass greenhouse
Murphy and Dutch Windmills, which were constructed for park irrigation,
a charming Stow Lake along with the Golden Gate Pavilion and Strawberry Hill,
the 55-acre San Francisco Botanical Garden,
de Young museum,
America's oldest public Japanese public,
and many other attractions.
NUMBER 6: BEAUTIFUL STREETS
Rolling hills, stunning ocean views, and pretty streets lined with colorful and cute houses
– San Francisco has it all.
As you drive or walk around to explore the city, check out the following locations:
Painted Ladies near Alamo Square – a row of Victorian and Edwardian houses
whose vibrant colors enhance the homes' architectural details.
Enjoy a lovely view of the Painted Ladies and downtown San Francisco
from the Alamo Square Park above.
Lombard Street – a steep one-way street with eight sharp turns,
making it "The Crookedest Street in the World,"
16th Avenue Tiled Steps – 163 steps transformed into an artwork through a neighborhood effort.
There are many other exciting streets and neighborhoods to discover.
Check our travel guide for more suggestions.
Are you traveling to San Francisco and struggle to find relevant information?
We've collected everything you need before you go and when you're there in our mobile-friendly
.pdf San Francisco travel guide that covers things to know before you visit San Francisco
and the top 20 things to do in the city, including maps, links, itinerary suggestions,
opening hours, and other information.
By purchasing our travel guide, you are also helping us sustain this channel,
so a big thank you for that!
And now, let's continue.
NUMBER 5: SUTRO BATHS
Built in the 1890s, the Sutro Baths was formerly the world's largest indoor swimming complex,
with six saltwater pools and one freshwater pool.
However, the baths were unsuccessful because of high maintenance costs.
Eventually, they got converted into an ice-skating rink in the 1960s.
The facility unfortunately burned down shortly after,
leaving the once-glamorous site in ruins.
Visit the Baths at sunset for the best viewand photos.
Near the Baths, you'll also find the Camera Obscura, a large image-projecting device
based on one of Leonardo da Vinci's 15th-century designs.
The device offers 360-degree live images of the Seal Rocks Area.
Don't skip other attractions in Lands End.
NUMBER 4: CHINATOWN
Among the four Chinatowns in San Francisco, the one on Grant Avenue is the largest
outside Asia and the oldest in North America.
Founded in the mid-19th century, it has played a crucial role
among North America's Chinese immigrants.
The neighborhood has kept its own language, customs, and identity.
As expected, here you can find several traditional Chinese shops and restaurants,
alongside famous landmarks, such as Dragon's Gate, Sing Chong Building, Tin How Temple,
or Portsmouth Square.
There are many other interesting neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Check our travel guide for more suggestions.
NUMBER 3: FERRY BUILDING & MARKET
Located on the Embarcadero, the Beaux-Arts style Ferry Building is a terminal for ferries
crossing the San Francisco Bay.
This landmark, completed in 1898,
was the city's largest project at the time of its construction.
It features a food hall and marketplace where you can buy local and sustainable products.
You can get a great view of the beautiful Oakland Bay Bridge from the building.
Visit Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and buy fresh produce from the local farmers
and a variety of other products.
Don't skip Pier 7 with amazing views towards Oakland Bay Bridge on one side
and San Francisco's Financial District, home to Transamerica Pyramid, on the other side.
NUMBER 2: ALCATRAZ
This island is, naturally, known for the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary,
a prison thought to be escape-proof
because of strong bay currents and surrounding cold waters.
Built in the 19th century, the prison later became known as "The Rock"
and housed more than 1,500 of the most ruthless criminals in America, including Al Capone.
However, a bad reputation and high maintenance costs forced the prison to shut down in 1963.
Today, Alcatraz Island is open to the public, and also offers a beautiful view towards the city.
Tickets to the island are often sold out, so it's best to reserve yours well in advance.
Did you know that the name Alcatraz comes from the Spanish word for "pelican" or "strange bird"?
NUMBER 1: RIDE A CABLE CAR
The beautiful steep hills of San Francisco would not be complete without its traditional cable cars.
Ride one of the cars that make up the San Francisco cable car system
— the last one of its kind in the world.
They usually run around every 10 minutes.
Cable cars in San Francisco were an invention of Andrew Smith Hallidie in 1873.
He first tested it at night.
When it was accepted by the masses as new means of public transportation,
it remained the city's primary transportation system for over 30 years.
San Francisco has three routes of cable cars.
Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason are the most popular ones
because of their route that passes major steep hills and scenic city views.
Part of the San Francisco cable car system is also a turnaround intersection.
The cars are manually turned around before they head back.
Did you know that San Francisco has many unique and different-looking streetcars?
The city is home to the world's most diverse collections of trams in regular transit service.
How can you distinguish between the two systems?
Both streetcars and cable cars run on steel rails,
but streetcars are connected to an overhead wire.
And here is the bonus that we promised:
For the ultimate experience, visit the famous Coit Tower
with perfect views of the financial district and the entire San Francisco area.
This 210-foot or 64-meter tower is located at the top of Telegraph Hill
and was built in 1933, honoring its major donor Lillie Hitchcock Coit.
Don't forget to check out our other videos and buy our travel guide for more great suggestions.