This ‘Golden Gate City’ has been among the top U.S.A tourist destinations since many years. With an irresistible sightseeing trip to some exciting activities as a part of exploring the main attractions in San Francisco, the entire tour of the city with its surroundings is quite fascinating. Not taking much of your time in the introduction of this article, let me share with you the main attractions in San Francisco that are worth a visit.
The Pier 39 at the Beach Street is the most visited festival market area. It is the home to over 110 stores, 11 restaurants offering bay views, and many fun highlights. You can spend at least half of your day here and it will be still left incomplete. Such is the number of worth visiting attractions in this area. One of them that I would like to mention here is the Aquarium of the Bay where you can explore the rich and varied aquatic creatures found in the San Francisco Bay. It is a distinct way to educate the visitors – check out for a window from where you can view the different ecosystems of the Bay.
Then, I headed to the iFLY San Francisco Bay where from toddlers to the most old people can take a thrilling flight that is safe too. While the indoor flight simulators washes out all the dangers of sky diving, the wind subways having a speed of over 120 miles per hour do make it an adrenaline ride. With all the required equipments, instructors will also be with you here while you are in the sky.
Next, the Golden Gate Park that is even bigger than the Central Park of New York is the site of many mesmerizing attractions. I explored the Stybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens – a biodiversity area of 6,000 plant species with the high California redwoods, the eerie Japanese Tea Garden, children’s playground, Asian Art Museum, MH de Young Memorial Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences offering an aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, and laserium. For some outdoor fun, the open-air tennis courts, horse stables, baseball lands, polo grounds, green lawns, an archery area, and a golf course are all welcoming.
The Conservatory of Flowers at the park since 19th century has been a centre of attraction with its Victorian white iron and glass building. Explore the four varied environments of the plants namely, the Low and Highland Tropics, and Aquatic and Potted plants within 45 minutes. The Aquatic Plants zone houses the Victoria Amazonica water lilies with great diameter and tube-like roots seen through a glass arrangement.
If you are looking for some great meditation and overall feeling of inner joy, The Sacred Thread of Yoga Festival to be held from October 11 to 17 this year will be the best choice. It is the prominent yoga event where the famous experts will take up classes, meditation, and other activities for five days. A person of any level can be a part of this unique experience. Sadly, I won’t be able to make up for this one!
The Alcatraz Island is one more interesting tour mostly liked by the tourists. It only attraction is the rigmarole that reveals the mystery as to why many of the locals have never visited the island. However, be sure to book tickets in advance during the summer and in peak season suggesting so from the Pier 33 for best rates. Boat departs every 30 minutes from 9 am to sunset time, but there is a long queue for seats on the boats.
Now, it was the turn of some spectacular views from the Coit Tower on the Telegraph Hill which overlooks an impressive 360 degree panorama view of the Embarcadero, Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Sutro, and the Financial District. Check out for the Diego Rivera style frescoes placed within the tower.
Another exciting ride is that of the Cable Cars. The Powell-Hyde line starts at Powell and Market streets taking you to the Victorian Park near the Maritime Museum and Aquatic Park, some more interesting attractions. If you go for the Powell-Mason line that also starts at the Powell and Market, you will reach the Bay and Taylor near Fisherman’s Wharf.
The Exploratorium situated on the Lyon Street is the most unique one among the main attractions in San Francisco. It is domed mansion wherein you will find more than 600 playful and interactive displays related to the field of science, art, and human vision – salt volcanoes, bubble bursts, and frogs – all is quite mesmerizing. It is situated in the Palace of Fine Arts that itself is a great attraction surrounded by green gardens and a lagoon.
It was formerly a non-permanent open-air art gallery to house the Panama-Pacific International Exhibit of 1915. After restoration, it is no longer a museum but a theater screening film festivals, concerts, and performing arts.
The Palace of the Legion of Honor at the Lincoln Park is the symbol of the city located on the hill top in the city’s northwest corner. Regarded as the World War I acknowledgement in Paris, it houses a few, but impressing collection – French and Italian works along with the sculptures. In weekends, the temporary collection is also worth a visit, but come on Tuesdays for a free entry.
The Golden Gate Bridge on the US Highway 101 is certainly the most wonderful bridge made on the Earth. This huge, two-mile suspension red bridge was made to link San Francisco with the Marin County that is simply not experienced by walking only. Drive or bike on it to feel its charm.
