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NAPA VALLEY

OUTLYING AREAS

Chinatown

Civic Center / Downtown

Convention Center

Embarcadero

Financial District

Fisherman's Wharf

Japantown

Marina District

Nob Hill

Pacific Heights

Potrero Hill

Union Square

Visitors Information

Welcome to San Francisco

San Francisco Places to go

Alcatraz

A symbol of isolation and the city's dark past, Alcatraz Island with its blinking lighthouse still lures new generations of tourists who view it with a mixture of curiosity and dread. Transformed from a military fortress and prison to a federal penitentiary in 1934, "the Rock" became home to the country's most dangerous and notorious criminals, including mobster Al Capone and "public enemy number one" Alvin Karpis. Although many tried to escape over the years, no inmates are known to have survived the icy bay waters. Still haunted by its grim history, Alcatraz ended its stint as a lockup in 1963 and is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can take self-guided trail walks, audio-cassette tours through the main cell block, and ranger-led tours of the island itself. The only way to reach this extremely popular destination is via ferry from Pier 33 (Embarcadero at Bay Street), and advance reservations are strongly recommended. Contact the Alcatraz Cruises by clicking on the link or call 415.981.7625 to make your reservation and discover yourself what makes this a unique and unforgettable destination.

Bay Bridge

A sweeping 8.5-mile suspension/cantilever structure consisting of an east and a west span joined by a tunnel through Yerba Buena Island , the Bay Bridge links San Francisco to the East Bay 's Contra Costa and Alameda . Views of the City's skyline are spectacular from the bridge's westbound upper deck, but unlike the Golden Gate Bridge , this one has no pedestrian access. You can, however, get off at the Treasure Island exit midway across the bridge, where you can enjoy views of the city skyline and the bay. From San Francisco 's Embarcadero, you can view the bridge up close and even walk under its western span. Crossing from the East Bay into San Francisco , you'll pay a $3 toll.

Beaches

Many visitors make Ocean Beach on San Francisco 's westernmost edge their first stop. The Pacific Ocean 's white-capped waves are always an exhilarating sight, especially for first-timers, but the dangerous undertows prohibit swimming. The expansive windows of the Cliff House, erected in 1909, are a popular lookout. Just offshore are the abrupt outlines of Seal Rock, which is nearly always inhabited by shore birds and a colony of stellar sea lions. Bring binoculars for a close-up view. If it's a clear day, you'll also spot the Farallon Islands some 30 miles away. Swimming is allowed at China Beach (28th Avenue and Sea Cliff), where lifeguards are on duty all summer. At Baker Beach , off 25th Avenue , swimming is dangerous, but hikers, fishermen, and picnickers can enjoy views of the Golden Gate .

Cable Car Ride

Navigating the city's steep hills on a cable car is a "must do" experience for tourists and visitors. San Francisco 's - and the world's - first cable-powered streetcar took its maiden voyage down Nob Hill in August 1873, and these historic railways have been a hit ever since. Today these nearly 8-ton, 18-foot-long relics operate along three routes: The Powell-Hyde line begins at Powell and Market streets, terminating at Victorian Park near the Maritime Museum and Aquatic Park; the Powell-Mason line also begins at Powell and Market, but ends at Bay and Taylor near Fisherman's Wharf; the California Street line runs from California and Market streets to Van Ness Avenue. Nearly as much fun is the experience of seeing the drivers hop off the car and turn it around for the trip back. Get up early and go to the turnaround at Powell and Market or the one at the end of Hyde Street at Aquatic Park . Buy a CityPass and get a seven-day cable car discount.

The Cannery

Built in 1907 as a Del Monte peach-canning factory, the Cannery has been transformed into a waterfront marketplace with something for everyone. Its historic brick warehouse now includes three levels of walkways, balconies, and bridges with an inviting courtyard in the center. Relax under one-hundred-year-old olive trees and have an alfresco snack or an elegant meal while being entertained by street performers. Discover a variety of shops and galleries where you can buy one-of-a-kind treasures or the latest fashions. Treat yourself to live entertainment and enjoy one of the finest comedy clubs in the city. Close to Fisherman's Wharf and less than a block from the Hyde Street cable-car turnaround, the Cannery is located at the corner of Leavenworth and Beach streets.

Castro District

No place epitomizes gay freedom and pride more than San Francisco's Castro district, where rainbow flags flutter from apartment and store windows, and same-sex couples stroll arm in arm without worrying about what anyone else might think. After weathering both the 1978 assassination of the city's first openly gay supervisor, Harvey Milk (known as the Mayor of Castro Street) and the devastation wrought by the AIDS epidemic soon after, the Castro developed a strong sense of solidarity and activism that continues to thrive. Although it has become famous as the symbol of the world's most fiercely outspoken gay community, the Castro has also evolved into a vibrant neighborhood of stylish shops, upscale restaurants, and exotic night spots. While you're there, don't miss seeing one of the city's few remaining single-screen movie theatres, the lavishly restored Castro Theatre, which has been around since 1922. With its opulent orchestra and balcony seating of more than 1400 and a mighty Wurlitzer organ, it's no wonder this one-of-a-kind gem has been designated a San Francisco landmark. A must-see event is the Gay Pride Day parade on the last Sunday in June, which turns Market Street into a sea of gay- and lesbian-themed floats, each more outrageous than the last. And if you happen to be in San Francisco on October 31, this neighborhood is definitely the place to be, because Halloween is the city's favorite holiday, and no one celebrates it better than the Castro.

Chinatown

Walk through the Dragon's Gate, at Grant Avenue and Bush Street , and become part of the colorful, noisy, and exciting world that is San Francisco 's Chinatown . Packed into 24 blocks of narrow streets, hidden alleys, and steep hills are a myriad of exotic shops, excellent restaurants, ethnic food markets, spiritual temples, and unusual museums. Join the hustle and bustle at the heart of Chinatown , Grant Avenue , the city's oldest street. Each February, Chinatown is the focal point for San Francisco 's Chinese New Year, a fun-filled week of festivities culminating with a huge downtown parade, replete with exuberant dancing dragons.

City Hall/Civic Center

One of the finest examples of French Renaissance architecture in the world, San Francisco 's historic City Hall was opened at its Civic Center location in 1916. Covering two city blocks, this "crown jewel" has a dome that's 40 feet taller than that of the Washington , D.C. , capitol. In 1978, the San Francisco Civic Center was designated a national landmark, with City Hall listed as a contributor building. Because of damage sustained during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, City Hall was completely renovated and seismically retrofitted, with every detail - from the rotunda's magnificent marble staircase to the mahogany in the supervisors' chambers - restored to its original state. At the same time its architectural beauty was being preserved and enhanced, the building was transformed into an ultramodern office complex with excellent safety features, ventilation systems, communications facilities, and full access for the disabled. The finishing touch was the dome's $400,000 gold-leaf facelift. City Hall is open to the public weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and offers free docent tours. While you're there, use your CityPass to visit the nearby Asian Art Museum and the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences. If you're looking for a superlative cultural experience, you need go no farther than across the street from City Hall on Van Ness Avenue . Enjoy an unforgettable performance at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, or at the magnificent War Memorial Opera House, designed by the same architect as City Hall. For more variety, check out the Herbst Theatre schedule, where you'll find a wide range of top-flight musical performers and lecturers.

Exploratorium

A unique museum that combines science, art, and human perception, the Exploratorium encourages children and adults of all ages to make discoveries for themselves by activating more than 700 hands-on exhibits. Housed within San Francisco 's Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina district, the Exploratorium was founded in 1969 by noted physicist and educator Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, who served as director until his death in 1985. For more information, call 415-561-0360. Combine your visit here with some kite-flying on Marina Green or a visit to the wave organ at the end of the St. Francis Yacht Club jetty.

49-mile Scenic Drive

First created as an informative diversion for people attending the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939-40, this excellent introductory tour of San Francisco 's diverse attractions was designed to showcase the city's beauty and promote it as a tourist and business destination. Modified numerous times since then, it now begins and ends at the beautifully restored City Hall in the Civic Center district. In between, you'll meander through some of the city's most intriguing and colorful neighborhoods from the bay to the ocean and from the Golden Gate Bridge to the southern edge of the city. The route winds past landmarks old and new, including Golden Gate Park , Chinatown , the Presidio, Mission Dolores, Twin Peaks , and Fisherman's Wharf. Depending on how many stops you make and the day and time you drive (try to avoid the congested downtown area during commute hours), allow at least three to four hours for the trip. You can get a detailed route map at the San Francisco Visitor Information Center on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell streets, near the cable car turnaround.

Fisherman's Wharf

It's hard to imagine coming to San Francisco without paying a visit to historic Fisherman's Wharf - nearly everyone ends up there sooner or later. This colorful strip of land along the bay abounds with shops and restaurants; its waterfront marketplaces include the Anchorage , the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square , and Pier 39. Still a working wharf, "Fish Alley" sells thousands of tons of sole, shrimp, salmon, sea bass, squid, and other deep-sea delicacies each year. Come here during crab season (from mid-November through June) and join the many devotees who line up for the best of the catch. Don't forget to check out Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum , the Wax Museum , and the fleet of historic ships that berths at the Hyde Street Pier, near the Maritime National Historical Park and Museum .

Ghirardelli Square

Taking its name from the country's oldest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer that was its original tenant, Ghirardelli Square has evolved into an eclectic collection of more than fifty premium shops, galleries, and restaurants that draw crowds all year round. An integral part of San Francisco since 1852, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is one of the few American chocolate makers that still controls the entire manufacturing process, from cocoa beans to delicious confections. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory, whose original equipment can still be seen in operation, is the cornerstone of this popular square where visitors and locals alike relax in the open-air plaza and savor delicious chocolate and old-fashioned ice cream sundaes.

Golden Gate Bridge

Linking San Francisco with Marin County via Highway 101 North, the Golden Gate Bridge is an engineering marvel and tourist attraction whose graceful span and bright red spires are recognized throughout the world. Opened in 1937 after four years of construction, this unique landmark is constantly traveled by vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Its graceful Art Deco design consists of two majestic towers and a 4200-foot-long main suspension span. After crossing over to Marin, prepare yourself for sweeping views of the city stretching from Golden Gate Park and Twin Peaks to the Bay Bridge and the Pacific Ocean . From Sausalito , you can sail under the bridge past Alcatraz and the San Francisco waterfront with Bay Breeze Charters . When you drive back to San Francisco , make sure you have enough cash to cover the $5 bridge toll.

Golden Gate Park

A green oasis that stretches three miles from the Haight-Ashbury district to the western edge of the city, Golden Gate Park dwarfs New York 's Central Park with more than a thousand acres and a treasure trove of indoor and outdoor attractions. Don't miss the newly remodeled Conservatory of Flowers; the Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum, a "living library" of six thousand plant species that includes a stunning display of California redwoods; the Japanese Tea Garden; and the MH de Young Memorial Museum (closed for renovations but due to reopen October 2005). Watch the birds at Stowe Lake , the massive windmills at the park's western border, and the herd of buffalo (yes, buffalo) that grazes year round. Tennis courts, stables, baseball diamonds, polo grounds, croquet and lawn-bowling greens, an archery field, a golf course, and a fly-fishing pool draw the sporting crowd year-round. Friends of Recreation and Parks (415-263-0991) offer free guided walking tours.

Haight-Ashbury District

Since the mid-1960s, when this quiet neighborhood of elegant Victorians erupted into a hotbed of protest and was reborn as a gathering place for the young, rebellious, and disenfranchised, the Haight-Ashbury has never looked back. With thousands converging here during 1967's "Summer of Love," the Haight came alive and claimed its identity as the hippie capital where flower children, rock musicians, and political dissidents brought their messages of peace, love, and antiwar protest to the rest of the world. While those idealistic days are long gone, you can still feel their presence amid the used-clothing stores, head shops, holistic health centers, and organic restaurants that dot Haight Street today. Channel a bit of the sixties psychedelic music scene as you walk past the former homes of counterculture icons like the Jefferson Airplane (2400 Fulton ), Janis Joplin (122 Lyon ), and the Grateful Dead (710 Ashbury). Today, this colorful neighborhood consists of the Upper Haight , which goes from Stanyan to Masonic, and the Lower Haight , a rougher but up-and-coming area that stretches east to Webster. Among the numerous landmarks worth seeing are the Red Vic Movie House, where you can enjoy independent art and cult films in a cozy environment; Buena Vista Park, a 36-acre forest with great views and winding trails; and of course, the corner of Haight and Ashbury, arguably the world's most famous intersection. Just a few blocks northeast of the Lower Haight is one of the most instantly recognizable San Francisco scenes, appearing repeatedly in TV shows, films, and magazine ads. At the eastern edge of Alamo Square Park on Steiner Street between Grove and Hayes, you'll find a line of beautiful Victorians, known as the "Painted Ladies," etched against a background of downtown skyscrapers.

Lombard Street

One of the steepest hills in San Francisco , this famous winding slope that snakes around beautiful Victorian mansions gave Lombard Street its epithet as "the crookedest street in the world." Created in the 1920s to give residents an easier way of navigating the extreme forty-degree incline of Russian Hill, this one-block expanse between Hyde and Leavenworth streets consists of eight sharp turns that are still treacherous to drive except at a snail's pace. For those less adventurous, stairs on either side provide pedestrian access. Use your CityPass to get there on the Hyde Street cable car; it stops at the top of Lombard .

Marina District

A beautiful neighborhood filled with topnotch restaurants, hotels, and shops, as well as some of the City's most elegant homes, the lovely Marina district was originally made up of lagoons, sand dunes, and marshland. After the 1906 earthquake, huge amounts of rubble from ruined downtown buildings became landfill for the Marina , and the area was further developed for holding the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition that celebrated the Panama Canal 's opening. Still remaining from those days is the striking Palace of Fine Arts , designed by renowned Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck, which now houses the Exploratorium museum. From the expansive grassy field along the waterfront known as Marina Green, you can watch sailboats cruise the Golden Gate . It's also a great place for sunbathing, dog walking, team sports, and kite flying.

The "New" Waterfront

Thanks to a major redevelopment that began with the removal of the Embarcadero Freeway, San Francisco 's waterfront district at the foot of the bay has been transformed into a beautiful destination for tourists and locals alike. Promenades and tidal stairs take you right to the water's edge, while palm trees evoke exotic island fantasies, and European-style cafes with outdoor patios beckon. Stroll down Herb Caen Way along the southern Embarcadero and you'll see numerous historic plaques and pylons recalling events and people from the city's colorful past. Docked at Pier 32 is the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, which made an historic Atlantic crossing in the spring of 1994 to commemorate D-Day. Heading north towards the Ferry Building , you'll pass directly beneath the approach to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Nearby the Embarcadero Center 's architecturally dramatic eight-block complex shelters 19 outdoor sculptures.

North Beach

Rich in Italian heritage, this historic and colorful neighborhood has an old-world European charm. Experience its lively cabarets and jazz clubs, its unusual shops and galleries, and taste old-fashioned Italian delicacies at its wonderful restaurants, bakeries, and delicatessens, including North Beach Pizza , a fixture of the neighborhood for more than twenty years. You won't find a better place to savor an authentic cappuccino or espresso. Don't forget to visit Coit Tower at the top of Telegraph Hill, with its famed Diego Rivera murals and breath-taking views of the City and the Bay.

Pier 39

Watch the sea lions sunning themselves at San Francisco's Pier 39, then check out this seaside emporium's more than one hundred stores - including the College Shop , NFL Shop , and Shirtique - restaurants, and fun-filled attractions, including the new Underwater World aquarium. Pier 39 is also home to a 350-berth marina, a waterfront park, and the Blue & Gold Fleet of ferryboats that offer relaxing excursions around the bay. Take a ride on the two-tiered carousel and enjoy one-of-a-kind performances by street entertainers.

San Francisco Zoo

Northern California 's largest zoological park, the San Francisco Zoo houses more than 900 animals, representing over 250 species in naturalistic environments. New at the Zoo is Grizzly Gulch, a 1-acre exhibit featuring a sunny meadow, pool, herb garden, den and heated rocks for the grizzly bear siblings Kachina and Kiona. Other exhibit highlights include Lemur Forest home to five species of Madagascar lemurs and African Savanna with giraffes, zebras, ostriches and species of antelope roaming together in a 3-acre exhibit. While new habitats open all the time, Gorilla World, Penguin Island, Koala Crossing, and the Primate Discovery Center are still the top draws. Kids can feed, pet, and play with barnyard animals and marvel at exotic insects in the Children's Zoo. Other great attractions are the South American Tropical Forest , the Lorikeet Landing, and Animal Resource Center . For $2 each, you can treat your kids to a ride on the Little Puffer Steam Train and the restored 1921 wooden hand-carved carousel. The zoo is open every day of the year. For more information, visit www.sfzoo.org or call 415-753-7083.

The Presidio

San Francisco 's military post from 1776 until the U.S. Army's departure in 1994, the Presidio is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, although its coastal defense forts, national cemetery, and military museum, and historic airfield still remain as relics of its past identity. With its majestic cliffs overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean , this 1480-acre preserve offers visitors a wide range of delights, including more than 500 historic buildings, lush forests, beaches, miles of hiking and biking trails, and some of the most spectacular views in the world. Nestled under the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge is Fort Point, a restored stronghold from the Civil War era. Now a museum and historical site, it gained cinematic fame as the spot where Kim Novak plunged into the bay in the Hitchcock thriller Vertigo. In 1995, the historic Presidio Golf Course, one of the most picturesque and popular on the West Coast, was opened to the public. Most recently, the 23-acre Letterman Digital Arts Center took up residence here, with Star Wars creator George Lucas's movie-making and video game companies and special-effects pioneer Industrial Light and Magic as its anchors.

Theaters

An important part of San Francisco 's cultural world is its vibrant theatre scene, and most of the major houses can be found in and around the Union Square district. One of the best, the prestigious American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) recently had its colorful 1909 façade restored to its original luster. A few steps away is the Curran. Both showcase numerous traveling Broadway plays. Built in 1920, the Golden Gate Theatre began life as a vaudeville and movie house, mirroring New York 's Radio City Music Hall . Restored in 1979, it now presents popular Broadway shows like "Rent" and " Chicago ." Other worthwhile venues, in Union Square and beyond, include the Orpheum, the Lorraine Hansberry, featuring productions by African-American playwrights; and the Magic Theatre at Fort Mason , known for premiering world-renowned playwright Sam Shepard's plays. For more unusual fare, try the avant-garde Post Street Theatre, Theatre Artaud, or Theatre Rhinoceros. Bargain hunters with flexible schedules can get great deals at TIX Bay Area, a theatre outlet in Union Square that sells half-price tickets for same-day performances at many of the larger and smaller houses.

Union Square

Encompassing Powell, Stockton , Geary, Post, and Sutter streets, the hub of San Francisco 's downtown retail district is a shopping and cultural paradise where you'll find names like Dior, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent as well as Picasso and Chagall. At the center of Union Square is a beautifully renovated park that attracts residents, shoppers, and tourists looking for a place to read, eat outdoors, or just sit and watch the crowds go by. From there, you can easily walk to a wide range of elegant stores, boutiques, art galleries, and gourmet restaurants that cater to every taste. If you get tired of walking, just flash your CityPass and hop on one of the cable cars that rumble up and down the steep hills of Powell Street . On Nob Hill, check out the old-world glamour of San Francisco's luxurious hotels, like the Fairmont, the Mark Hopkins, and the Sir Francis Drake, where you can relax, have a drink, and enjoy views of the city and the bay.

Yerba Buena Gardens

A convergence of community, entertainment, and commercial interests, Yerba Buena Gardens is dedicated to fostering art and artists, popular culture, and ethnic diversity. Enjoy its beautiful landscaping, graceful sculptures, performance spaces, and impressive museums, like the Museum of Modern Art (use your CityPass for admission). Here you'll find the $56-million Rooftop, a youth-oriented utopia that includes a 130,000-square-foot children's garden, a child-development center, a bowling alley, an ice-skating rink, and a kid-centric art and technology center known as Zeum. If that isn't enough to keep you and your kids busy, hop on the hand-carved 93-year-old Charles Looff-designed carousel from San Francisco 's original Playland at the Beach. Not an outdoors type? Then maybe the Sony Metreon, at the edge of Yerba Buena Gardens, is more your speed. With more than 350,000 square feet of shopping, restaurants, movie theaters, interactive arcades, and attractions, the Metreon has become a major recreation destination in the city's exciting SoMa (South of Market) district.

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