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Explore San Francisco

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10Best Attractions by Type

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Expert Tips for San Francisco Attractions

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    Hornblower Cruises and Events: "No matter the time of year, be prepared to bundle up - or snuggle up - because it's cold on the San Francisco Bay year round."

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    Sea Forager Tours: "If you really want to understand the amazing abundance of the Pacific Ocean, read Lombard's informative and entertaining book, "The Sea Forager's Guide to the Northern Californian Coast.""

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    Kitchen on Fire: ""Hands-On" classes can last three hours and cost around $115."

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10Best Attractions by Area

 
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Best San Francisco, CA Attractions

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    Sea Forager Tours

    Educational and entertaining for the entire family, a tour with Kirk Lombard along the Pacific Coast is not to be missed. If you really want to understand...

    Photo courtesy of Tom Molanphy
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    Cable Cars

    In San Francisco, a cable car ride is a must! The city's signature mode of transport is perfectly equipped to tackle steep hills, and since their premiere...

    Photo courtesy of tom Molanphy
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    The Exploratorium

    The Exploratorium believes the fundamental childhood traits of being playful and curious should be fostered for a lifetime. Founder Frank Oppenheimer...

    Photo courtesy of Tom Molanphy
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    Fisherman's Wharf

    Like the cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf is quintessential San Francisco. It's often the first destination for tourists, and its...

    Photo courtesy of used in book.
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    Lands End Visitors Center

    This brand new visitor's center is worth the drive or bus fare to the end of Geary Boulevard. Besides framing unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean, the...

    Photo courtesy of Tom Molanphy
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    Golden Gate Park

    Considered the largest cultivated urban park in the country, this incredible haven boasts more than 1000 acres of gardens, meadows and woodlands. The park...

    Photo courtesy of Tom Molanphy
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    Chinatown

    It's hard to imagine a trip to San Francisco without a Chinatown visit. Whether you make the grand entrance into Chinatown beneath the dramatic portal at...

    Photo courtesy of used in book
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    The Ferry Building

    We're starting off this list with the Ferry Building because, whether by boat, car, bus, trolley or foot, all points lead from the San Francisco Ferry...

    Photo courtesy of Tom Molanphy
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    Alcatraz

    Once just an old prison, Alcatraz is enjoying a makeover as a native plant conservatory and historical "must-see." During Alcatraz's 34 years as a prison,...

    Photo courtesy of used in book.
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    Golden Gate Bridge

    One of the world's most famous bridges, the Golden Gate spans 6450 feet and links San Francisco to Marin County. Completed in 1937 at a cost of $35 million,...

    Photo courtesy of Tom Molanphy
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Local Expert Attraction Recommendations

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About San Francisco, CA Attractions

Geography alone ensures that San Francisco – nestled along the Bay and looking out towards the Marin Headlands – gets its due share of attention. However, the city’s manmade landmarks, especially the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, dress nature with vintage architecture, creating easily identifiable features. San Francisco’s hills also grant the city readymade character. Telegraph Hill, for example, is crowned by the Art Deco Coit Tower, which affords sweeping views and striking, WPA-commissioned murals. Russian Hill, with its steep grade, is the site of Lombard Street, whose switchbacks have earned it the nickname “world’s crookedest street.” This same rolling terrain inspired cable cars, which still ferry visitors along photo-popular routes in the city’s busiest neighborhoods. For a more sobering glimpse of San Francisco, take the short ride out to Alcatraz, whose crumbling remains offer a haunting look at the prison that once caged the nation’s most dangerous criminals. Back on the mainland, fascinating museums showcase art treasures from around the globe. The Asian Art Museum, in the Civic Center, is a wonderful repository of Eastern culture, and the de Young, in Golden Gate Park, now boasts a brand-new, copper-clad structure and a reconsidered layout – a glorious renewal years in the making.

About Kelly Sigmon

Senior editor Kelly Sigmon is Southern born and Ivy educated. During his tenure with the company, Kelly has prized being a mystery traveler and overseeing the printed 10Best Travel Guides for San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta.

Read more about Kelly here.

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