A compilation of favorite San Francisco attractions -- where I like to take my own visitors -- including the best way to see city icons like the Golden Gate Bridge. This article includes information on where to go just outside of the downtown area, exploring some of the landmarks farther afield.
Information to help you get around San Francisco:
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21. San Francisco Explorer Cruise
Photo © Ingrid Taylar
San Francisco Bay is at the heart of this region's existence. Long before San Francisco was so named, the bay sustained a thriving abundance of wildlife. Native peoples relied on the bay for their food and navigation.
Today's bay is but a fraction of its original size, due to new shorelines created by landfill. But it's as integral a part of our lives. Take a bay tour that includes some audio of what was, what is, and what will be on these beautiful shores.
Red and White Fleet has one of my favorite bay cruises -- the San Francisco Explorer Cruise. You can listen to three self-guided audio tours: Native American history, biological history, or architectural history.
22. AT&T Park and San Francisco Giants
Photo © Andrew Madden
For baseball fans, AT&T Park is an obvious destination -- with its old-time ballpark style, set on the shores of San Francisco Bay. It's almost as if you can't go wrong no matter where you sit. If you're down below, you'll experience the intimacy of your proximity to the field. Up above: views of the bay and the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Oh, and -- there's also the game.
The neighborhood around AT&T Park is one of the newer developments in town, with fresh restaurants and bars constantly rolling into the zone around the stadium.
23. Take a Guided City Walk
The guided walking tours around San Francisco range from the absolutely free (City Guides) to more expensive, all-inclusive walking and dining tours like Wok Wiz in Chinatown. There are themed walks (the Flower Power Tour in Haight Ashbury) as well as historical tours of Victorians in Pacific Heights, and walks led by San Francisco comics.
See this list of San Francisco Guided Walks for information on available tours.
At various locations throughout the city, depending on which tour you choose.