In researching more about San Francisco I came across some more activities that I would be interested in seeing, should I ever be fortunate enough to visit the city. Of course there are more attractions than can fit into one article, but here are a few things to consider when visiting this city.

Every large city has attractions that you just can’t pass up. The Statue of Liberty in New York City, the St. Louis Arch, and Seattle’s Space Needle…the list goes on. For San Francisco, probably the most famous landmark is the Golden Gate Bridge. This red suspension bridge was once the largest in the world, and even today remains one of the most visited landmarks in the United States. Visitors can walk across the bridge during daytime hours for a great view of the harbor. Another must-see in San Francisco is the cable car system. I remember my grandparents raving about this, and a picture of one of the cable cars hung in my grandma’s writing room. This system is a great way to experience a piece of history first hand, as these cars were an innovative way to travel in the 1800’s. Day passes can even be purchased, which is a great option for those with small children, who may get tired of walking the hills. Speaking of hills, be sure to check out Lombard Street: a street that is famous for its tight hairpin twists and turns.

San Francisco mornings can be foggy and cool, so plan to spend them inside one of the many museums located within the city. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Cartoon Art Museum, and the Museum of Craft and Folk Art are all art museums conveniently located south of Union Square. The Exploratorium is a museum that will provide all sorts of interesting sights and activities. This museum teaches science through a number of hands-on exhibits including a pitch black labyrinth that requires visitors to navigate their way through perception, dissection of crow’s eyes, and discovering the science behind baseball. An especially good place for student tours.

Being so close to the ocean, San Francisco offers a good deal of water-based activities. Fisherman’s Wharf, while definitely a tourist trap, is a good place to see some sea lions, board a few historic ships, and even visit an aquarium. Harbor tours are another great way to see San Francisco. The Alcatraz tour takes visitors on a ferry past the island of Alcatraz, which was once used as a prison. There are also smaller tours, such as sailboat tours, that will give you a more intimate setting, so shop around and find the best fit for you.

San Francisco is also a good place to take in a concert or show. I know my grandparents always preferred jazz, but there is also a ballet, symphony and folk music, as well as theater, musicals and improv groups. As I said before these are just a few highlights of San Francisco: hopefully this gives a good starting place for planning a vacation or student tour.