San Francisco is a fun, upbeat city with a laid back vibe. Set on the beautiful San Francisco bay, the hilly streets offer spectacular views of the water and the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The weather is cool all year round, and even in summer temperatures can hover in the 60s so make sure you pack a viking hoodies or st louis cardinals polo just in case.
Fisherman’s Wharf
One of the city’s most famous tourist attractions is Fisherman’s Wharf, a lively locale packed with souvenir shops, stores, great restaurants, street performers, an aquarium and museums, including a Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
Alcatraz
From Fisherman’s Wharf you can catch a boat out to Alcatraz, aka “The Rock”, which was once one of the well-known prisons in the world. The Alcatraz penitentiary operated from 1934 to 1963 and during its reign housed some of the most famous and difficult criminals in the country, including gangster Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Visitors can walk through the facility and stand inside actual cells. There are exhibits about the best-known inmates, escape attempts and guards’ families that lived on the island.
Shopping?
Union Square is San Francisco’s prime shopping area and is home to high-end stores, art galleries, theaters and restaurants. There is also a TIX booth located in Union Square where theater tickets are available at half-price on the day of the show.
Chinatown
After leaving the Union Square area head along Grant Street until you spot the elaborate gate and fu dog sculptures that guard the entrance to Chinatown. Chinatown lies between Bush and Columbus Streets and is lined with tasty Chinese restaurants and interesting souvenir shops where you’ll find satin purses, mesh slippers, chopsticks, vases, good-luck figurines and the good old t-shirt.
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is a huge park located in the heart of the city, with playgrounds, bike paths, rental boats for Stow Lake, a conservatory, an arboretum and more. It’s a popular destination with the locals.
Japanese Tea Garden
For a change of pace, visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, a lovely, peaceful oasis in bustling San Francisco. The garden features streams, bridges, sculptures, traditional Japanese plants and trees, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy. Make sure to stop by the tea house for a pot of tea and snacks.
Love Art & History?
For an afternoon of art and culture, head to the M.H. de Young art museum in its new building in Golden Gate Park. The new building was built on the site of the museum’s old one and was opened to the public in 2005. Visitors to the museum can see a fine collection of classic and contemporary art as well as top-notch traveling exhibitions.
Finally, the treasures of the Museum of Asian Art were once housed at the de Young museum but now have their own building in San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood. The collection is a fascinating blend of sculpture, painting and objects like exquisitely decorated snuff bottles, dolls, swords and an elaborate Indian howdah used to carry passengers on an elephant’s back.
That’s a good number of attractions that will keep you and your family to totally enjoy San Francisco in a weekend! And the most affordable last minute getaway packages can be found at Last-Minute-Vacation-Guide.com.
write by Agatha
