Activities and Attractions in San Francisco

If you're planning a trip to San Francisco, you should first know what you're getting yourself into. The wonderful city by the California bay is a great place to check out, but you should first know that the city isn't very car friendly. There are many one-way streets and the traffic in the area could remind many people of New York. Fortunately, the city almost rewards you for bringing you car with some of its attractions. There are of course plenty of places to check out on feet as well.

Often known as the world's most crooked street, Lombard Street is a must for anyone bring their car to San Francisco. The street features many hairpin turns, which was actually built the way it was due to the steepness of the street's slope. Perhaps the most popular landmark of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. When it was built in 1937, the red bridge was the largest of its kind. It is currently the second largest suspension bridge in the entire world. The bridge provides a beautiful drive over the San Francisco Bay for 1.7 miles.

When you're driving on the Golden Gate Bridge, you might notice a relatively small island with a lighthouse on it. This island is of course the famous Alcatraz Island, which is famous for its maximum security prison. The Rock, as it is sometimes called, is now a national historic landmark and you can even take a ferry over to it. The National Park Service has opened the island to tours and it is very interesting to see the history of the prison up close.

To get to Alcatraz, you'll need to take a ferry from the very popular Fisherman's Wharf. This popular tourist attraction has some great restaurants and shops and is home to a Ripley's Believe it or Not museum and Pier 39. This area truly is a must to any person who visits San Francisco and you'll see why once you get there.