Are you going to California on your next vacation?  Despite what you’ve heard in Scott Mckenzie’s classic cut “San Francisco”, you don’t need “to wear  some flowers in your hair.”  You will, however, need an itinerary.  Here to help you with that are our top ten things to do there:

See Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Ghirardelli Square

San Francisco’s waterfront is a must see for anyone visiting the city.  The Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood is an all-inclusive tourist attraction.  Take a nice stroll starting at Taylor and Jefferson Streets.

Highlights of popular Pier 39 include restaurants, shops, a video arcade and the Aquarium of the Bay.  Shop in the old chocolate factory in Ghirardelli Square on Van Ness Avenue.  This public square is a local landmark and includes a five-star hotel.  Part of it is included on the official National Register of Historic Places.

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Check Out The Golden Gate Bridge

This suspension bridge across the Golden Gate, the mile-wide strait joining the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, is a tourist favorite.  The bridge connects Marin County to the city.  Traffic from both California State Route 1 and US Route 101 flows across this famous bridge.

It is said to be one of the most-photographed tourist sights on Earth.  The American Society of Civil Engineers has designated it one of the Wonders of the Modern World.  Visitors are encouraged to drive, bike or stroll across it to fully appreciate it.

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Go To Alcatraz Prison

Situated in the San Francisco Bay just 1.25 miles offshore from the city,  Alcatraz Prison is the most famous prison in the US.  This little island was once home to a lighthouse, a fort, and military prison.  From 1934 until some time in 1964 it served as a federal prison.

In 1972 it became part of a federal recreation area.  In 1986 it was declared a National Historic Landmark.  Travelers must ride a ferry in order to reach it.  Enjoy the self-guided audio tour and learn how prisoners were treated.

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Take A Ride On A Cable Car

The SF cable car system is actually the last manually-operated one on the planet.  The city’s iconic cable cars are San Francisco’s “moving landmark.”  23 different lines were set up between 1873 and 1890.

Hang from a pole on the outside or sit inside the car.  Make sure to grab a schedule since the stops are limited.  Only three lines still remain.

One route runs along California Street.  The other two routes go from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf.  Still, it can be fun clattering up and down those hills.

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Explore San Francisco’s Chinatown

Centered at Stockton Street and Grant Avenue, San Francisco’s Chinatown is the biggest Chinese community outside of China,  it’s also North America’s oldest Chinatown.  Founded in 1848, The architectural style there is not really authentic.  It’s actually what a few early Western architects thought the various buildings should look like.  For a unique shopping experience be sure to stop into the herbalist shops, different markets, and tea stores on Grant Avenue.  A huge tourist attraction, this traditional enclave actually draws in more travelers every year than the famous Golden Gate Bridge.

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Go Down Lombard Street

This popular east-west street in the city spans from The Presidio to The Embarcadero.  It is popular for a one-block, steep section between Leavenworth and Hyde that has eight hairpin turns.  The well-known segment that makes it the “crookedest street in the world” is situated in the Russian Hill neighborhood along the eastern portion.

It is flanked by numerous beautiful flowers.  You can walk or drive down the street.  The attraction sees as many as 17,000 tourists each day during the summer weekends and roughly 2 million tourists every year.

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Take A Bay Cruise

An organized San Francisco Bay cruise is a top-rated and unique way to take in the city’s famous skyline and to get off of your weary feet too.  You generally board near the popular wharf but there are different options regarding the route you will travel.  You can take the traditional route that circles the infamous Alcatraz prison, and then goes underneath the above-mentioned Golden Gate Bridge.  You can also take some interesting trips to other noteworthy local destinations, take a ferry ride, a sunset sail or even a dinner cruise.

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Experience Golden Gate Park

Every year 13 million people come to see this rectangular urban park stretches halfway across San Francisco.  It spans an area of 1,017 acres.  The fifth most-visited city park in the country, it has a length of more than three miles and a width of almost half a mile.

Often compared to Central Park in New York City, Golden Gate Park is actually 20 percent larger.  You can see a buffalo herd, Dutch windmills, and have a picnic.  You can also visit the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the DeYoung Museum too.

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Cruise The 49-Mile Drive

This drive began as a clever marketing gimmick.  This drive employs the number 49 because 49 is actually the area of the city in square miles.  Keep your eyes open for the distinctive seagull-emblazoned, blue and white signs to follow this route.

You will discover several spots of interest and beautiful neighborhoods.  Take in the beautiful. panoramic view from Twin Peaks (providing it isn’t foggy that day).  Veteran visitors suggest that if you plan on tackling this drive that you plan ahead and get a map of the route and walk some of it.

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Learn Something At The New Exploratorium

The Exploratorium in San Francisco moved into it’s new digs in Pier 15 and to celebrate the opening they had this amazing light show projected on the front of the building. Today was the second and last day that the lightshow was up so I just had to go check it out, and I have to say it was well worth it – what a sensational mixture of light and sound! Already looking forward to checkout out the inside of it too.

Once praised by the New York Times, this fun tourist attraction is now found at Pier 15.  This is one of the very first and arguably best modern science museums on the planet.  There are numerous hands-on exhibits that are both simple and family-friendly.  Here everyone can learn about and explore this planet through art, science and personal human perception.  It is an especially excellent place on a rainy day and is even open one night a week.

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