San Francisco: Sightseeing Guide


With so many diverse neighbourhoods to explore, you certainly won’t be short of things to do in San Francisco. You might want to start with the most obvious attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, which attracts over 10 million visitors annually. The bridge opened in 1937 and is easily recognisable because of its distinctive orange colour and impressive structure.

Another iconic sight in San Francisco is the infamous ‘Alcatraz’, a prison which once held a terrifying collection of notorious criminals. It was known as the ‘inescapable prison’ because the prison is on an island that is surrounded by freezing waves. If you visit San Francisco you have to go on a tour of Alcatraz, it’s certainly an experience you will never forget.

San Francisco is a city with a beautiful skyline and spectacular views. The best place to fully appreciate the aesthetic appeal of this city is from the observation platform at the top of Coit Tower. Here you can take advantage of a jaw dropping 360 degree view of the city.

Another very popular tourist spot is Alamo Square's famous "Painted Ladies". Here you can take postcard worthy images of these unique Victorian houses which have a backdrop of skyscrapers behind them.

If you are on a family holiday with kids then take a trip to Fisherman’s Wharf where there are plenty of family friendly attractions. Here you can see the fisherman at work in the morning, there are plenty of shops and museums that the kids will enjoy. Don’t miss the sea lions enjoying the sunshine at Pier 39. For animal lovers there’s also San Francisco Zoo and the Aquarium of the Bay where you can see local aquatic animals.

Those who like water sports will feel satisfied with the activities on offer in San Francisco. From kayaking past Golden Gate Bridge to paddle boarding and sailing, there’s plenty of water sports to try. If shopping is more your thing then make your way to Union Square where there are numerous department stores or Westfield San Francisco for classic American brands.

There are lots of open spaces in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, with its 1,017 acres of grounds is definitely worth a visit. There are also a few attractions here including the California Academy of Sciences which is home to the largest all-digital planetarium in the world.