Here's what to do if you're visiting San Francisco for the first time. A long weekend is ideal to cover San Francisco top attraction or a 4 day stop on a road-trip. For a great road-trip route that includes San Fran click here. Flying into San Fran look down below and see the colourful salt ponds on approach. The city is a lot cooler than large proportion of the USA in the summer making it an ideal to explore even in peak season.
1. Alcatraz
For me the number 1 thing to do has to be Alcatraz. I have to admit I hadn't heard much about Alcatraz, but was intrigued about it, why did it sell out 3 months in advance at the height of tourist season? There must be a reason why its so popular, and there is, I've raved about it to anyone heading to San Francisco ever since. It's not just for history buffs. The journey round the prison is narrated by an audio guide, I've never been a fan of audio guides but this was an exception, it was so interesting and you could go entirely at your own pace as it told you where to go around the prison, covering all parts in detail. Learn about some of Alcatraz famous inmates, escapes, failed escapes, and life inside the prison narrated by former inmates and guards. Although, I think my opinion of Alcatraz might be slightly bias, I got lucky, it turned out the day we booked was the 81st anniversary of the federal prison, which meant guest speakers including; former prison officers, families of those prison officers who'd grown up on the island and former inmates. Specifically, an 82 year old former inmate still on parole whom managed to reveal to a crowd of hundreds he was allowed to get married on the island 2 days prior. On a normal day, however, there may be guest authors and speakers, typically some of those who grew up on the island.
2. Cable Car
One of the most iconic ways to see some of San Francisco is to hop on an old fashioned cable car, easier said than done. The city has 3 different cable car routes, the easiest place to hop on is at one of the turntables where there are waiting areas, however, if you hop on at one of the these expect queues. You can opt to sit or stand inside or outside, I'd recommend standing on the outside.
3. The Golden Gate Bridge
It wouldn't be a San Francisco Top 5 without mentioning the Golden Gate Bridge but you probably know it's a must already. In the height of tourist season during the summer months this is when you'll often find it covered in its famous fog, but keep your eyes peeled and you may just see it completely come into view. Opt to walk, cycle, drive or catch an open top bus across to the other side, where you'll find lots of people getting photos. For a different view, head outside on the boat to Alcatraz for a view of the bridge from an entirely different perspective.
4. Do a Hop on Hop off bus tour and wander the streets
See some of San Francisco's main attractions including; Alamo Square Park, Embarcadero, admire the perfectly kept Painted Ladies, hop off and walk down the winding Lombard Street and soak in the hippy culture of Haight Ashbury, opt to get off where you want, and wander through the colourful streets of San Francisco all adorned with the houses the city is known for, and keep a look out for houses used in big TV shows and movies. San Francisco streets are steeper than you'd think for a coastal city. You can pick a bus route that also take you over the Golden Gate Bridge. I wouldn't recommend spending much time in the area of Fishermans Wharf, unless you like a good gimmick.
5. Twin Peaks or Marin Headlands
Head up to Twin Peaks or Marin Headlands or both if you have the time, for differing views of the city from above.
Socks and Sandals
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