According to the fact sheet put out by the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, the top reasons for visiting the city are for the atmosphere and ambiance, restaurants, scenic beauty, diversity and weather. Drive around the city or take a walking tour and enjoy the natural and architectural beauty. The weather is known to be foggy in the summer months but September through mid-November are surprisingly sunny and warm. Whether your tastes lean more towards the arts or you want to experience the usual sights, San Francisco's famous and lesser-known places will entice you.
Alcatraz
One of the top attractions in San Francisco is Alcatraz Island. You can get there by a ferry ride from Fisherman's Wharf. Famous for being the site of the federal penitentiary from 1934 through 1963, it is also home to the first U.S. fort and lighthouse on the west coast. The museum on Alcatraz Island features exhibits from the military period, objects and artwork made by some of its notorious inmates, escape materials and a history of the American Indian occupation of the island from 1969 through 1971.
The Bridges
Golden Gate Bridge is a must-see for anyone. You can drive across and spend the day picnicking in the Marin Headlands or you can walk or bike across. It is an intense experience to look out at the bay from the middle of the bridge. Remember to bring your camera for the astonishing views of the San Francisco skyline. The Bay Bridge was the most expensive and the largest of its time when construction began in 1936. The Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the bridge severely in October 1989 and it has since undergone major retrofitting. The Bay Bridge connects Oakland and San Francisco with a stop on Yerba Buena Island.
Chinatown
San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. This district is one of the most visited attractions in San Francisco with many of its own attractions. Its architecture celebrates the Chinese influence with many pagodas. The famous southern gateway to the district on Bush and Grant Streets was built in 1970. Chinatown has several shops where you can purchase traditional Chinese herbal remedies and the restaurants have some of the best Chinese food on the west coast. Though there are events throughout the year, the best is the celebration of the Chinese New Year with the parades, dragons and fireworks.
Cable Cars
There are many ways to get around the city and, despite its 43 hills, San Francisco is a walkable city. The cable cars are a must. Take the Powell-Hyde route from Market downtown for a slow and steady ride up and over Nob Hill and Russian Hill. The steep descent down towards Fisherman's Wharf while the driver expertly pushes and pulls the handles and levers is an experience not to be missed.
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park has more than enough activities to fill your day. Just a few of the gardens to see here are the Strybing Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens and the Japanese Tea Garden. The de Young Museum features a wide range of art from the Americas, Africa and Oceania, as well as textiles and the decorative arts. The California Academy of Sciences (CAS) hosts the Steinhart Aquarium, the Morrison Planetarium and a four-story rain forest. One of the main attractions of the CAS is the Living Roof, a 2.5-acre roof shaped like hills and covered in natural greenery. The Kimball Natural History Museum is also part of CAS. There are plenty of footpaths and places to picnic. You can rent a paddle boat for a leisurely afternoon on Stow Lake. Rent a bicycle to explore on Sundays when cars are not allowed in the park.
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