2021-San-Francisco-Planning-Guide.Pdf
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Top 10 Attractions ........................................................................................................... 3 Top 10 Tours ................................................................................................................... 7 Top 10 Restaurants ........................................................................................................ 12 Top 10 Nightlife Options ................................................................................................16 Monthly Event Calendars .............................................................................................. 20 What to Wear ................................................................................................................. 21 About SFTourismTips.com ............................................................................................ 22 © 2017-2021, SFTourismTips.com No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of SFTourismTips.com. All requests for publishing permissions should be directed to [email protected]. TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS 1. ALAMO SQUARE’S PAINTED LADIES The famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square are six colorfully painted Victorian houses with the exact same architecture, built side-by-side to each other, near Alamo Square Park. If you climb up to the top of the hill inside the park, you will get an amazing view of downtown San Francisco right behind them. It’s a classic view of SF and one of the most popular photographs of the city. This cute park is also the perfect place for a picnic lunch or to relax for an hour or two during your vacation. Admission: Free Address: Steiner Street between Hayes and Grove District: Alamo Square Hours: Open 24 Hours a Day Transit: Muni Bus #5, 21, 22, & 24 More Information: Alamo Square 2. ALCATRAZ ISLAND Alcatraz Island is a former federal prison and, from 1933 to 1962, it was home to many of the worst inmates in the US prison system. Some of the most infamous inmates to call Alcatraz home include Al Capone, Robert "The Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud, and "Machine Gun" Kelly. Today, you can take tours of this island and learn about its history, the prisoners that lived here, and enjoy some fantastic views of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. Admission: Starts at $41 for adults Address: Pick up the ferry at Pier 33 to make your way over to the island District: Fisherman’s Wharf Hours: Running only day tours right now, from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, tours run from 9:30 am to 6 pm on Thursday – Monday Transit: Use the F-Street car to get to the ferry terminal, all entry tickets to Alcatraz include a ferry ride to the island More Information: Alcatraz Island 3. CABLE CARS The historic San Francisco Cable Cars offer a fun, open air cruise around San Francisco. You will find three different cable car lines. Two lines run between Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square. The other one runs between the Financial District and Nob Hill. This unique experience is one you will not soon forget. Cost: $8 per person, per ride Address: Pick them up in Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Nob Hill, and the Financial District District: Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Nob Hill, and the Financial District Hours: Start running again in August 2021 with a limited schedule, full schedule starts in September 2021 More Information: Cable Cars 4. CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES The California Academy of Sciences is the most visited museum in San Francisco. Under a single roof, you get the chance to see four museums in one. Walk inside its four-story rainforest to see butterflies, snakes, and other animals from around the world. The Steinhart Aquarium offers you the chance to see thousands of sea creatures ranging from jellyfish to stingrays. The Planetarium features free shows all day long and the Natural History Museum offers the chance to explore evolution and the future of life. Admission: They use variable pricing and charge more on their busier days. Prices start at around $45 to $47 per person for adults and will go up (or sometimes down) on certain days and the time you decide to visit. Address: 55 Music Concourse Drive District: Golden Gate Park Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:30am to 5pm; Sunday, 11am to 5pm, now open 365 days a year Transit: Muni Light Rail N, Muni Bus #5 & 44 More Information: California Academy of Sciences 5. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE The “crown gem” of San Francisco is the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge. This gorgeous attraction is free to visit and enjoy. The eastern side of the bridge offers a walking path that crosses the entire way across to the Marin Headlands and back to San Francisco. Standing on the bridge you will get a close up of this amazing structure as well as beautiful views of SF Bay, downtown SF, Angel Island, and the infamous Alcatraz Island. Make sure you also spend a little time at the cute museum that was recently built on the San Francisco side of the bridge. Admission: Free Address: Golden Gate Bridge District: Presidio Hours: Walking paths open from 5am to 6:30pm during PST, open from 5am to 9pm during DST, you can drive over the bridge 24 hours a day Transit: Muni Bus #28 More Information: Golden Gate Bridge 6. GOLDEN GATE PARK Golden Gate Park is a 1,000+ acre park with more than a half dozen attractions. Inside you will find several museums including the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Fine Arts Museum, and the Conservatory of Flowers. It’s also home to the Japanese Tea Gardens, the Botanical Gardens, and Stow Lake. The western side of the park borders the Pacific Ocean. This is where you will find the Beach Chalet and Park Chalet restaurants and two historic windmills that were imported from Holland. Admission: Free Address: Golden Gate Park District: Between the Richmond and Sunset Districts Hours: 24 hours Transit: Muni Light Rail N, Muni Bus #5, 7, 21, 33 & 44 More Information: Golden Gate Park 7. JAPANESE TEA GARDEN This gorgeous garden features several traditional Japanese gardens, temples, and bridges for you to enjoy. It’s a calm and quiet place where you can relax and admire its beauty. It's also close to the de Young Fine Arts Museum and the California Academy of Sciences so you can visit all three in one trip if you plan your time well. Admission: $10-$12 for adults; $7 seniors (65+) & youth 12 – 17; $3 children (5-11); children 4 & under free; discounts for local residents – you can also get in free on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday if you arrive between 9 am and 10 am. Address: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive District: Golden Gate Park Hours: Winter (11/1/ to 2/28) from 9am to 4:45pm; Summer (3/1 to 10/31) from 9am to 6pm Transit: Muni Light Rail N, Muni Bus #5, 7, 21, 33 & 44 More Information: Japanese Tea Garden 8. LOMBARD STREET Lombard Street is where you will find one of the "crookedest" streets in San Francisco. Even though it’s dubbed the most crooked street in the world, this is no longer true. However, it is one of the most beautiful streets in the world. Its brick lined roadway is magnificent, and you will love the beautiful flowers and trees planted all along its edges. Both add to its elegance. If you want to know an actual "hidden gem" secret about San Francisco, the most crooked street in San Francisco is Vermont Street in Potrero Hill which is located just a few miles away. Admission: Free Address: Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets District: Russian Hill Hours: Open 24 Hours a Day Transit: Powell-Hyde Cable Car, Muni Bus #30 or 91 Learn More: Lombard Street 9. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART The Museum of Modern Art is the top art museum in San Francisco. This beauty houses more than 27,000 pieces of modern art. They include paintings, photography, and sculptures. You will also see modern architectural pieces, as well as pieces from artists such as Henri Matisse and Diego Rivera. Admission: $25 for adults, $22 for seniors (65+), $19 for ages 19-24, free for anyone 18 and under Address: 151 Third Street District: SOMA Hours: Friday – Monday from 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday from 1 pm to 8 pm and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday Transit: Muni Buses #5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 21, 30, 38, 45, 71; Muni Light Rail J, KT, L, M, N, S; F Streetcar Website: www.sfmoma.org 10. PIER 39 Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf is a favorite spot for many tourists. It’s filled with shops, restaurants, and the Aquarium of the Bay. One of my favorite free things to do is to spend some time watching the sea lions jockey for position on the platforms near the pier. You can also learn more about these lively animals in the new Pier 39 Sea Lion Center. Admission: Free Address: Pier 39 District: Fisherman’s Wharf Hours: Open Daily, Weekdays: Stores open from 10am to 8pm; Restaurants from 11:30am to 9pm; Weekends: Stores 10am to 9pm, Restaurants 11:30am to 10pm Transit: F Streetcar, Muni Bus #30 & 47, Powell-Mason Cable Car Learn More: Pier 39 TOP 10 TOURS 1. ALCATRAZ PRISON TOUR By far, the most popular San Francisco Tour is the tour to Alcatraz Island. This former maximum-security prison housed some of the most infamous criminals of the time. Open from 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz was home to prisoners such as “Scarface” Al Capone, Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Today, millions of visitors’ flock to The Rock to learn more about this prison’s history and the inmates who called it home. They offer day tours almost every day of the year. A few days a week, they also offer night tours. Tickets go on sale 90 days in advance and I recommend booking as early as possible as these tickets sell out early.