San Francisco is located in California, it is one of the most popular tourist spots in the USA. Known for its thriving tech startups and corporate headquarters, the city is also a major financial hub with numerous global companies.
For this trip, we planned to fly into San Francisco, then travel north to Seattle via the Amtrak Coast Starlight train, and finally take a bus back to Vancouver. Since we had pre-purchased train tickets, we planned out 4 days to explore San Francisco—enough to cover the San Francisco visitor attractions. Here’s a summary of the sights we visited during our stay:
Fisherman’s Wharf
A bustling tourist hotspot, Fisherman’s Wharf is known for its historic fishing culture, fresh seafood, picturesque views, and diverse entertainment. Strolling the 2.5km path from Pier 39 to the Ferry Building offers scenic ocean views. For a nostalgic experience, you can hop on a San Francisco Cable Car.
Pier 39
One of the most iconic attractions at Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 is a vibrant shopping plaza with a distinctly American vibe. It combines shopping, dining, entertainment, and natural scenery. A highlight is the sea lions basking in the sun on floating docks. Unfortunately, we visited during the off-season, so the sea lions were sparse, but spotting a few of these “chocolate mochi” sunbathing was still awesome!
Dining in Fisherman’s Wharf
Most of our meals during the trip were at Fisherman’s Wharf, which offers a plethora of restaurants and famous eateries. Here are two we particularly enjoyed:
Alcatraz Island
Nicknamed “The Rock,” Alcatraz Island was once a world-famous high-security prison and is now a museum. Visitors can take a ferry to the island to explore the prison buildings and learn about its history and infamous inmates. Unfortunately, tickets were sold out during our visit, so we could only admire it from afar.
If you’re interested, check out the ticket information on the official website of Alcatraz Island
San Francisco Chinatown
Established in 1848, San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and largest Chinese community in North America. It boasts rich cultural heritage, traditional architecture, and delicious cuisine. The Dragon Gate entrance and iconic buildings are steeped in Chinese tradition, making it a cultural and economic hub for Chinese-Americans.
Sun Yat-sen and the Xinhai Revolution
Sun Yat-sen, a pioneer of China’s democratic revolution, often visited Chinatown to fundraise and promote revolutionary ideas. Memorials and historic sites still honor his contributions.
Bruce Lee’s Home
Martial arts legend Bruce Lee spent part of his childhood here. His residence at 654 Jackson Street is a modest building, a surprising contrast to his global influence.
Transamerica Pyramid
This 26-meter, 48-story skyscraper is a striking example of postmodern architecture and one of San Francisco’s most recognizable landmarks. Built between 1969 and 1972, its unique shape makes it a stunning photo subject, visible even from Fisherman’s Wharf.
Golden Gate Bridge
Arguably San Francisco’s most iconic landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge connects the city to Marin County. Spanning 2.7 km, its vibrant “International Orange” hue makes it a photogenic marvel. We started our visit at Battery Spencer for the best views, then walked along the coastal trail to the beach for diverse photo angles.
Fort Point National Historic Site
The Castro
Known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture, The Castro is a symbol of inclusivity, adorned with rainbow flags and rich with nightlife and historic landmarks like the Castro Theatre. The area celebrates freedom and individuality, making it a unique and welcoming neighborhood.
Lombard Street
Dubbed the “crookedest street in the world,” Lombard Street features eight tight hairpin turns, beautifully lined with flowerbeds. A must-visit photo spot, we were lucky to witness a car parade navigating the winding road during our visit.
The Painted Ladies
These colorful Victorian and Edwardian-style houses are a quintessential symbol of San Francisco’s charm. Best viewed from Alamo Square Park, the Painted Ladies are often featured in postcards and films, attracting visitors from around the world.
Haight-Ashbury
This neighborhood, famous for its 1960s counterculture and hippie movement, retains its retro charm with vibrant Victorian houses, vintage shops, record stores, and indie bookstores. Music lovers will enjoy Amoeba Music, which houses a vast collection of vinyl and CDs—a treasure trove for collectors!
Golden Gate Park
Larger than New York’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park offers attractions like botanical gardens, a Japanese Tea Garden, and art museums. We relaxed on the grass, soaking in the sunshine and live street music—a perfect way to unwind.
Union Square
San Francisco’s commercial and cultural center, Union Square is surrounded by high-end shops, department stores, and restaurants. Unfortunately, due to economic challenges and recent incidents, many stores were closed, but the area still attracted many tourists.
San Francisco Cable Car
Also known as the “San Francisco Ding Ding Car” or “San Francisco Clang Clang Car,” this is one of the city’s most iconic modes of transportation and historical landmarks. It’s also the only manually operated cable car system still in operation anywhere in the world. We queued at the terminal near Union Square, where the line was incredibly long—waiting nearly an hour before it was finally our turn.
Just as we were about to board, something quite nerve-wracking happened. We thought we could simply use the local transit card (Clipper card) to ride the cable car, but it turned out we needed to purchase tickets separately at the ticket booth. In a rush, we dashed over to the booth and managed to buy our tickets just in time before our turn came. For a moment, we thought we’d have to line up for another hour!
The cable car currently operates on three main routes:
- Powell-Hyde Line: Passes Fisherman’s Wharf and Lombard Street, offering scenic views.
- Powell-Mason Line: Connects Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf.
- California Line: Travels through the Financial District, perfect for admiring urban architecture.
Since our destination was Lombard Street, we chose the Powell-Hyde Line. Throughout the journey, the cable car made its signature “clang clang” sound at intersections to alert vehicles and pedestrians. The ride was leisurely, with a gentle breeze adding to the delightful experience. Along the way, many passersby waved at us, which added to the charm of the journey.
San Francisco’s attractions are conveniently concentrated, making it easy to explore the main sights in three to five days. For longer stays, a visit to nearby Yosemite National Park is highly recommended.
Although we missed out on touring Alcatraz Island, it gives us a reason to return to this captivating city. Next, we’re off to Seattle via train, eagerly anticipating the adventures ahead!
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