1. Travel

San Francisco Attractions A to Z

This page is a simple list of San Francisco attractions, from A to Z. It's an easy place to find that San Francisco attraction you're looking for without having to search around. It links to handy visitor guides to the top San Francisco attractions and will help you have the most fun you can while visiting them.

49-Mile Drive

Follow our abridged version of the city's driving tour and you can avoid traffic jams, skip the boring parts and turn 49 those miles into something more like a 20-mile drive.

Alcatraz

Not all tours that say "Alcatraz" actually go there and waiting too long to get tickets could lead to disappointment. Get some tips for visiting one of the top San Francisco attractions.

Angel Island State Park

Sometimes called the "Ellis Island of the West," Immigration Station is only one of the things to do on this island with 360-degree views of the bay.

Aquarium of the Bay

A diver's-eye view of the bay.

Asian Art Museum

One of the largest Asian art museums in the West. Collection represents over 40 Asian countries.

AT&T Park: San Francisco Giants Baseball

Of course you can watch a baseball game here when the Giants are at home, but you can also take a behind-the-scenes tour when they're not playing.

Bay Bridge

All about the "other" bridge linking the city to Oakland.

Bay Cruises

On a nice day, a Bay cruise is a good way to rest your tired feet and see some of the San Francisco attractions from a different angle.

Cable Car Museum

It's called a museum, but it's really a tour of the heart of the cable car operation where you can see the cables being turned.

Cable Cars

Everything you need to know about the city's rolling landmarks: where to get tickets, how and where to get on and off and where they run. One of the top San Francisco attractions.

California Academy of Sciences

Includes the Steinhart Aquarium, penguin feedings, snake feedings and opportunities to talk to aquatic biologists as they do their work. Located in Golden Gate Park, the new building opened in 2008 has a grass-covered roof and many other "green" features.

Chinatown

One the top San Francisco attractions, Chinatown is easy to find - and it's easy to miss some of its best spots, too, but you'll find them all with this easy guide.

City Hall

Did you know the 55-story city hall is taller than the United States capitol building? It's considered one of the finest examples of classical architecture in the country, but it's the scene of a batch of interesting happenings, too.

Cliff House

Better thought of as one of the San Francisco attractions than as a restaurant. People have been coming here since 1863.

Coit Tower

This white tower atop Telegraph Hill is an icon. Our guide tells how to get there, when to visit and how to see the second-floor murals. One of the top San Francisco attractions.

De Young Museum

Located in Golden Gate Park, this museum features an extensive art collection and impressive rotating exhibits.

Exploratorium

650 interactive exhibits in the areas of science, art, and human perception.

Ferry Building

It's still a transit center, but nowadays it's better known for restaurants, artisan food shops and the city's biggest farmer's market.

Fillmore Street

Shop like a local along one of the city's most interesting streets.

Fisherman's Wharf

Learn how to go behind the scenes at this most famous of San Francisco attractions.

Fort Mason

An arts center that includes Greens Restaurant, Magic Theatre, BATS Improv comedy and the outdoor Exploratorium.

Fort Point National Historic Site

Tucked under the Golden Gate Bridge, this never-used 19th century fort has a fascinating story.

Golden Gate Bridge

Discover where to park without worrying about getting a ticket, where to find the best views of the bridge and when you can take a free guided tour. One of the top San Francisco attractions.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

An urban national park that administers many San Francisco attractions.

Golden Gate Park

One of the country's most famous urban parks. Find out where to see the buffalo herd, how to visit the Japanese Tea Garden or what's inside its famous museums.

Grace Cathedral

A Gothic masterpiece on Nob Hill.

Haight-Ashbury

Return to the scene of the Summer of Love. One of the 1960s most famous San Francisco attractions is still a fun place to visit and great for shopping, too.

Jackson Square

The only remnant of the 1800s commercial district.

Japanese Tea Garden

Designed by gardener Makoto Hagiwara for the 1894 Midwinter International Exposition.

Legion of Honor Museum

Beautifully sited overlooking Lands End, the Legion of Honor holds a nice collection of Rodin sculptures and other notable art works.

Lombard Street

Find out where the "crookedest" street is and how to get there. One of the top San Francisco attractions.

Maritime National Historical Park

Commonly called Hyde Street Pier, this outdoor park has some great old ships to explore.

Metreon

An entertainment complex that includes several movie theaters and an IMAX screen.

Mission Dolores

Founded, in 1776, its proper name is Mission San Francisco de Asis and it's one of the oldest surviving Spanish mission churches in the state.

Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

The architecture rivals the art for your interest at this museum designed by Mario Botta, an internationally acclaimed architect.

Nike Missile Site

This Cold War remnant is open to the public once a month. Located in the Marin Headlands, near Sausalito.

Nob Hill

Some call it "snob hill." Since the 19th century railroad barons lived there, it's been on of the city's poshest neighborhoods.

North Beach

"Little Italy" has much to offer. Our guide points out the area's most interesting attractions.

Palace of Fine Arts

This greco-roman ruin beside a reflecting pond was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition from a Bernard R. Maybeck design. It is the one of the few standing remnants of the fair.

Pier 39

Use the Pier 39 visitor guide to find out what you'll see there and where to park. One of the top San Francisco attractions.

Point Bonita Lighthouse

Just getting to this Marin Headlands lighthouse is half the fun.

Ripley's Believe it or Not

Weird and weirder, the kind of stuff kids love.

San Francisco Zoo

Some say the whole city is like a zoo, but this is the official one.

Shrine of St Francis of Assisi

Established in 1849, the current structure was built as a parish church in 1860. Today, it's the shrine of the city's patron saint.

The Castro

One of the best-known gay districts in the country is a quiet neighborhood with lots of locally-owned shops and the city's most beautiful movie palace.

The Presidio

It was a military base for over 200 years, but now it belongs to the National Park Service. Over 1500 acres of land with hiking trails and terrific views.

Union Square

It's the third-largest shopping area in the United States. Get a street-by-street guide to the square and surrounding area. One of the top San Francisco attractions.

Walt Disney Family Museum

A guide to visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, includes how to get there, what to see, how long it takes

Wave Organ

A wave-activated acoustic sculpture.

Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf

You know the drill - somewhat lifelike-looking models of famous people made from wax. You either like that kind of thing or you don't.

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