Some of the streets are so steep, parked cars rest at a nearly vertical angle. Hopping on a trolley car and going down one of these streets is like riding a roller coaster down a large drop. Suddenly the trolley reaches the valley of the hilly street and goes back up, revealing beautiful stone buildings, large glass skyscrapers, and off in the distance, a bright red bridge swaying gently in the wind as cars whiz over it. A bustling inner harbor full of great stores, restaurants, and bars overlooks the glistening water of a beautiful bay, treating the typical San Franciscan to relaxing days and adventurous nights. Smile as the cool sea breeze blows through your hair, and laugh as the many sea lions sun themselves and play comically on the rocks of the shore. As you listen to those sea lions grunt and moan as the waves crash against the sand, you will know you are in San Francisco.
ATTRACTIONS
Fisherman's Wharf
A long boardwalk with hundreds of shops and restaurants as well as variety shows, bay cruises, dinner boats, amusement park-rides, an aquarium, an arcade, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, Boudin San Francisco Sourdough Museum & Bakery Tour, and much more. It's a one-stop-shop for shopping, food, dancing, video games, amusement park rides, boat rides, tours, and shows. A trip to Fisherman's Wharf is a vacation in itself. You may want to get a good night's sleep before checking it out, you'll need all the energy you can get.
Alcatraz
Arguably the most famous prison in the world, and inarguably the hardest to escape from, Alcatraz prison sits on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. A quick ferry ride (which is absolutely beautiful at night) leaves you at the entrance of the formidable fortress where Al Capone once spent his nights.
Guided audio tours complete with quotes from real prisoners and guards take you around the creepy corridors and claustrophobic cells. You can walk into cells to experience prison life for yourself, and even spend a few moments in solitary confinement. But beware, the tales of how prisoners survived this maddening experience may chill you to the bone. There is truly no other experience like visiting the notorious Alcatraz prison. Just make sure you bring a strong will.
Aquarium of the Bay
The closest you can get to dangerous marine life without strapping an Oxygen tank to your back and risking bodily harm is a trip to the Aquarium of the Bay. It is a unique aquarium that replicates an authentic underwater dive with 300 feet of clear tunnels. The design of the aquarium allows visitors to stand inches from colorful fish and deadly sharks. Besides general admission, the aquarium, also offers sleepovers, birthday parties, and Halloween parties. Are you ready to get your feet wet?
Pier 39
San Francisco's number one attraction is a frantically fun, family friendly, engaging entertainment extravaganza filled with hip restaurants, exciting rides, and a mammoth arcade.
There are over 110 shops and 11 full-service restaurants. Pier 39 is also the access point for dinner cruises and bay tours. Take the kids here and they'll be yours for the rest of the trip, if they don't sleep through the rest of it, that is.
San Francisco Zoo
Already an animal lovers refuge, the San Francisco zoo has recently added some new exhibits that make the zoo even more spectacular. The African Savanna exhibit features giraffes, zebras, kudus, ostrich and other African wildlife in a 3-acre habitat. The Lipman Family Lemur Forest houses five different species of Madagascar lemurs in a large outdoor setting. An ape forest is next on the zoo's agenda.
There is also a recently expanded Children's Zoo, Education Center, and Animal Resource Center.
These changes plus the typical lions, tigers, and bears guarantee the entire family will have a roaring good time.
Metreon
Metreon, a Sony entertainment center, is a jaw-dropping entertainment experience for all the senses. Within the futuristic walls of the mammoth high-tech building, one will find a Sony electronics multi-level superstore, a 15-screen movie theater, San Francisco's only IMAX theater, 10 restaurants, and exciting rides and arcade games. Experience the rush of a powerful jolt of Sony technology delivered straight to your five senses.
MUSEUMS AND PARKS
Exploratorium
Also known as the Museum of Science, Art, and Human Perception, the Exploratorium is a hands-on museum where touching, exploring, and playing with the exhibits is encouraged. Suitable for all ages with all levels of scientific knowledge, the Exploratorium has over 600 exhibits to look through, walk through, touch, tinker with, pick up, and spin around.
Old Faithful Geyser of California
Just outside of San Francisco is one of only three Old Faithful Geysers in the world. It has been given this name because of its predictable eruptions. Every 45 minutes, a blast of scolding hot water is launched 60-150 feet in the air.
Bring your family to see this phenomenal display of nature's power, and stay for the educational exhibit hall and picnic area nestled in the beautiful park. Set your watches and prepare to be blown away.
Presidio of San Francisco
Once a military post and now a free national park featuring everything from bowling alleys to curvaceous trails to a celebration of digital arts by Lucasfilms.
The park still has traces of a military base, but they are hidden by lush foliage, quaint residential areas, a tidal marsh, grassy meadow, and horse stables. There are also plenty of sites for historians like an old fort nestled in a forest.
Conservatory of Flowers
Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Conservatory of Flowers, located at Golden Gate Park, is the Taj Mahal of gardens. It is an enormous palace of a greenhouse featuring some of the most spectacular tropical plant life ever grown on Earth.
The five stunning galleries have just been renovated with a new $4 million collection of exhibits and displays, making the palace even more spectacular. You've seen Mother Nature look nice. But you've never seen her like this.
Sources:
http://www.sfvisitor.org
Accessed December 21, 2004
www.san-francisco-travel-services.com
Accessed December 21, 2004
www.lonelyplanet.com
Accessed December 21, 2004