San Francisco, one of California’s most beautiful and famous cities, was born in 1776 when Spanish settlers established a fort at the Golden Gate and sent an expedition named Francis of Assisi to the site. In 1849, California’s Golden Rush propelled the city into a period of rapid growth and expansion, increasing its population and making it the largest city on the West Coast at the time. Even today, the city is the principal seaport on the Pacific coast and one of the major tourist destinations for road trips throughout the United States.
The mild climate, exciting landscapes, fine restaurants, and funky places to visit give the city a special charm. San Francisco is also known for its cool summer haze, steep rolling hills, cable cars, and an eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture.
Here is a guide to the best attractions in San Francisco.
Most beautiful San Francisco attractions: Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks and symbols of San Francisco. Opened in 1937, the term Golden Gate refers to the Golden Gate Strait, the strait that connects San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean and serves as a link between the city and Marina County (one of the five counties that make up the city). The bridge offers stunning views and is quite large, in fact it has six lanes for cars and one for pedestrians; Where ships enter and exit the bay is under the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the largest suspension bridges in the world.
Most beautiful San Francisco attractions: Fisherman’s Wharf
One of the city’s most visited neighborhoods, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco is the city’s top tourist destination, with seafood restaurants, shops, museums, and great views. This is the historic waterfront where fishermen moor their boats who have gone for generations in search of the typical “Dungeness crab”, but not just scallops, halibut and other fish in the bay and surrounding areas. Several ferries depart from here and offer boat trips across the bay providing a unique view of the city.
San Francisco’s most beautiful attractions: Pier 39
Pier 39 is one of the city’s main tourist areas, located on the waterfront and the hub of Wharf. Pier 39 looks like a small fishing village turned into some sort of amusement park; It offers shopping, dining and plenty of entertainment with magic shows and street performers. Finally, Pier 39, in addition to providing great views of the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz, is also the best vantage point for spotting California’s sea lions and fur seals.
San Francisco’s most beautiful landmarks: a prison Alcatraz
Alcatraz is an island located off the coast of the San Francisco Peninsula. The name Alcatraz means pelican in Spanish and refers to the early inhabitants of this rocky island. In 1859, the US Army established a fort here that guarded San Francisco Bay until 1907, when it was converted into a military prison. From 1934 to 1963, it served as a maximum security federal prison. Dubbed “The Rock” by the inmates, the prison once housed some of the most notorious criminals like Al Capone. The prison is closed today, but can be visited as part of the National Recreation Area which offers gardens, tide pools, bird colonies and stunning views of the bay.
Most beautiful San Francisco attractions: Nob Hill
Nob Hill is the highest peak in the city, rising 103m above the bay. It is the most famous hill in San Francisco, famous for its cable cars, luxury hotels, and stunning views. The name Nob Hill seems to have been derived from the Indian word ‘nabob’ which means chief.
Most beautiful San Francisco attractions: Lombard Street
Lombard Street is a major thoroughfare co-signed with US Route 101. It is famous for the one-way section on Russian Hill, where the road has eight intersections or steep bends that have earned the road the distinction of being the world’s most winding road. This twisting stretch of road, about 400 meters long, is for one-way drop-offs and is paved with red bricks. The speed limit in this section is only 8 km/h. The sight of cars driving down this slope has become a popular tourist attraction.
Deborah Tagliabue
