Walk around the neighborhood and check out the local life in this lively and colorful gay community. Everything you need can be found here, from the famous Castro Theater with its Wurlitzer Organ (built in 1922), bars, shops, fine restaurants, cafe’s, as well as trams (streetcars), trolley buses and the subway. The Castro District is a convenient transportation hub to many other touristy and non-touristy parts of the city, as well as the metropolitan Bay Area.

Take underground muni from Market & Drumm by embarcadero / Hyatt Regency to Castro, or take the F muni streetcars same route.

if you are a lesbian in San Francisco, there is plenty to be found for entertainment: sometimes in the Castro, but all over San Francisco. The place to find out about it is on the Calendar at http://www.hillgirlz.com

The Golden Gate bridge serves as the grand entrance to the Golden State of California. Spanning over 4,200 feet, and constructed in 1937, it is as much an engineering masterpiece as it is a beatiful piece of artwork. The suspension bridge has one of the longest spaces between arches of any bridge in the world. The views are unparallel and the memories are ever-lasting at this magical bridge. Visitors can walk across the bridge only to find even more breath-taking views on the other side. Be sure to check out the gift shop and take plenty of photos.

Originally built in 1915 in Greecian temple style architecture, it served as a location for the Pan-Pacific International Exhibition. This place has been slowly restored over many years, and now serves as one of those peaceful serene spots in San Francisco, where you can catch your breath and kick your shoes off just to gaze into a bright blue sky. Swans and ducks swim together in the pond, feel free to bring some bread crumbs, the birds just love it. Take the short walk around and through the dome, and then relax and enjoy a nice picnic on the lawn. Beware on weekends you might see numerous wedding photo shoots taking place! Admission: Free

Definitely one of the coolest museums in San Francisco, the Exploratorium is meant to be a hands-on, interactive style museum where families can really have a good time. Located directly behind the Palace of Fine Arts, visitors can enjoy all the art, science, technology, human-perception this museum has to offer. Admission: $8-13

Directly behind the Palace of Fine Arts

Yerba Buena Gardens has 5.5 acres of gardens, bowling, ice skating, theaters, shopping, a historic carousel and a technology center with a outdoor performance area. Be sure to check out the largest man-made waterfall West of Atlanta. Ever wondered what it’s like behind a waterfall? If you walk behind the one here you get a unique, and misty experience. Features Include: Gardens
The Esplanade
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Fountain & Waterfall
Sculptural Wall and Paving
Oche Wat Te Ou/Reflections
Cho-En Butterfly Garden
Sister City Gardens
The Rooftop at Yerba Buena Gardens:
Children’s Garden & Carousel ” No Admission

SoMa District

Fisherman’s Wharf was originally constructed as long row of fishing piers. Today it is mainly used a wonderful walking path with gorgeous views and tourist attractions along certain piers, specifically Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39, and Pier 45. Parking can be difficult, so taking a cable car or Ferry to the location is preferred. Renting bikes to cruise along the path is also available.

http://www.fishermanswharf.org/Directions.htm

This is Fisherman’s Wharf’s main attraction, filled with numerous unique gift, trinket, jewelry and toy shops. Of course there’s also great snack shops, restaurants, desert shops, and yes ice-cream. Kids can enjoy the carousel, and teens can play some arcade games at the large arcade arena. Sea Lions are just off the dock, and people gather around to take pictures of them barking at you. If you’re lucky, you can see the sea lions bump eachother off their platforms, and then they’ll start barking at eachother. Great views of Alcatraz, and also the place to buy tickets for numerous cruise rides including seeing Alcatraz or Angel Island. Free to walk around.

At Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, near the Embarcadero

Awesome place just to walk around, chill, enjoy the windy weather, enjoy the views, and listen to sea lions. Try some traditional clam chowder soup in S.F. trademark sourdough bread bowls. Eat the bowl after your done with the soup!

A must see!! This island used to serve as a prison for America’s worst criminals and mobsters. It’s now a museum that you can take your kids to check out the actual prison cells and also enjoy jaw-dropping views of the San Francisco bay area. Feel free to take the audio tour and be sure to where warm clothes on this cold weather-ridden island. Alcatraz is a member of the National Park Service. Admission: $13.25 Adults, $11 Seniors, $8 Kids

“Go across the Golden Gate Bridge and you reach Marin County. There are a plethora of outdoor activities such as hiking and biking opportunities, especially at Mt Tamalpais State Park, where you get extremely picturesque views.
Be sure to also check out the Point Reyes Seashore, which is very scenic and a good place for whale watching.”

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge away from San Francisco and you’ll go directly to Marin County.

San Francisco Chinatown is full of history. When you go to Chinatown, Grant is the tourist hangout. Stockton Street is the locals’ hangout. You’ll be amazed at the food stands, the grocery stores. Some historic sites are: the Saint Mary’s Churck on Grant and California (the oldest in SF?); the Cameron House on Sockton and Sacramento (where the smuggled Chinese girls were provided sanctuary during the turn of the century); the Chinese School on Stockton (when Chinese children were not allowed to go to public schools); and many of the family associations (the tongs which provide social services/welfare support to immigrants from their villages). Great site, great learning experience.
The largest Chinatown in the U.S., and trust me this place is poppin’. Unbelievable Chinese cuisine (try some dim-sum), and the window shopping is the best. This place is always hustling and bustling with busy people. Street side vendors have all sorts of traditional Chinese handicrafts and souviners. The streets and sidewalks tend to be packed with people on the weekends. A must see for any San Francisco visitor.