Top 10 San Francisco Attractions
San Francisco is a remarkable place that stays close to the heart of most travelers who visit. This is a place to savor, a place where life comes typically Californian, cool, and urbane.
One of the only downsides is that it can be an expensive place to visit, especially for the backpacker who's flown in from South America or Southeast Asia. Still, there are ways around this expense, such as booking a stay in a San Francisco Hostel [http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/san-francisco/], which promises to be much cheaper (and probably more fun) than any hotels in town.
Similarly, the following attractions are all available for a reasonable price. Enjoy them - and San Fran - to the full!
1. Alcatraz
Iconic Alcatraz Island has been the focus for much attention (especially in the movies) over the years. This famous American landmark was once a prison; today visitors can freely. tour its imposing walls and take in its unique history. Take the ferry from Pier 33.
2. Exploratorium
This hands on science museum is to be found in the Palace of Fine Arts; it's perfect family fodder, with kids and adults catered for in equal measure.
3. The Castro
For decades San Francisco has been known as a hub of gay life, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the famous Castro district. It was from here that Harvey Milk ran his famous campaigns for state office in the 1970's, and in doing so came to define the Gay Rights Movement. Today, the area is also known for its excellent dining options.
4. Chinatown
San Francisco's Chinatown hustles and bustles just like a true Asian city. This is real pagado, mahjong and market territory, and the tourist would do well to put aside at least and afternoon to just walk its streets and smell its air. This is easily one of San Francisco's most evocative areas.
5. Mission
Mission your way over to the Mission neighborhood, which is widely considered the historical heart of San Fran. Here's you'll find the Mission Dolores Church, which is known to be the cities oldest remaining structure.
6. Cable Cars
Cable cars and San Francisco just go hand in hand. Apart from offering a quick and economical way of getting round town, riding these iconic cars is a tourist activity in itself.
7. Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is the city's large urban green space - it's bigger even than New York's Central Park. Check out the windmill and Japanese tea gardens, and then find a quite spot in which to chill.
8. Maritime Museum
While Fisherman's Wharf is today a bit of a tourist catch-all, the Maritime Museum houses a fascinating and charming collection of photos documenting what the area once looked like. Other exhibitions include one on historic ships and WW2 warcraft.
9. The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco what the Statue of Liberty is to New York: an iconic construct that has become a symbol not just of the city, but of America as a whole. Make sure to take a photo of this astounding engineering achievement.
10. San Francisco International Film Festival
This massive event features a stunning array of films, from big-season premiers to low-budget shorts. Get your ticket early, or wait next to the red carpet for a glimpse of this year's hot stars.
One of the only downsides is that it can be an expensive place to visit, especially for the backpacker who's flown in from South America or Southeast Asia. Still, there are ways around this expense, such as booking a stay in a San Francisco Hostel [http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/san-francisco/], which promises to be much cheaper (and probably more fun) than any hotels in town.
Similarly, the following attractions are all available for a reasonable price. Enjoy them - and San Fran - to the full!
1. Alcatraz
Iconic Alcatraz Island has been the focus for much attention (especially in the movies) over the years. This famous American landmark was once a prison; today visitors can freely. tour its imposing walls and take in its unique history. Take the ferry from Pier 33.
2. Exploratorium
This hands on science museum is to be found in the Palace of Fine Arts; it's perfect family fodder, with kids and adults catered for in equal measure.
3. The Castro
For decades San Francisco has been known as a hub of gay life, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the famous Castro district. It was from here that Harvey Milk ran his famous campaigns for state office in the 1970's, and in doing so came to define the Gay Rights Movement. Today, the area is also known for its excellent dining options.
4. Chinatown
San Francisco's Chinatown hustles and bustles just like a true Asian city. This is real pagado, mahjong and market territory, and the tourist would do well to put aside at least and afternoon to just walk its streets and smell its air. This is easily one of San Francisco's most evocative areas.
5. Mission
Mission your way over to the Mission neighborhood, which is widely considered the historical heart of San Fran. Here's you'll find the Mission Dolores Church, which is known to be the cities oldest remaining structure.
6. Cable Cars
Cable cars and San Francisco just go hand in hand. Apart from offering a quick and economical way of getting round town, riding these iconic cars is a tourist activity in itself.
7. Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is the city's large urban green space - it's bigger even than New York's Central Park. Check out the windmill and Japanese tea gardens, and then find a quite spot in which to chill.
8. Maritime Museum
While Fisherman's Wharf is today a bit of a tourist catch-all, the Maritime Museum houses a fascinating and charming collection of photos documenting what the area once looked like. Other exhibitions include one on historic ships and WW2 warcraft.
9. The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco what the Statue of Liberty is to New York: an iconic construct that has become a symbol not just of the city, but of America as a whole. Make sure to take a photo of this astounding engineering achievement.
10. San Francisco International Film Festival
This massive event features a stunning array of films, from big-season premiers to low-budget shorts. Get your ticket early, or wait next to the red carpet for a glimpse of this year's hot stars.
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