San Francisco's natural beauty, world-class arts and recreation, and famous landmarks attract more more than 16 million people each year. San Francisco offers entertainment and recreation for every taste and interest. The most popular areas and attractions in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square and Golden Gate Park.

Our favorite Places to Go

Fisherman's Wharf : The wharf abounds with shops and restaurants; 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. A fleet of historic ships berth at Hyde Street Pier, near the Maritime National Historical Park and Museum.

Ghiradelli Square: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, the oldest continuous chocolate manufacturer in America, has called San Francisco its home since 1852. Once a family run confectioner's shop, now the Ghirardelli Manufactory & Soda Fountain where the original equipment can still be seen in operation, sits as the cornerstone of the popular square surrounded by shops and restaurants and an open plaza where visitors and locals alike sit on benches and savor the famous chocolate and sumptuous ice cream sundaes.

Pier 39: California's second-most popular attraction is Pier 39, with its sunning sea lions, more than 100 one-of-a-kind stores, 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. A two-tiered carousel and performances by street entertainers add to the fun.

Chinatown: The entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street is called the "Dragon's Gate." Inside are 24 blocks of hustle and bustle, most of it taking place right along Grant Avenue, the oldest street in San Francisco. Exotic shops, renowned restaurants, food markets, temples and small museums comprise its boundaries. Each February, Chinatown is the focal point for the city's Chinese New Year, a week of festivities culminating with a huge downtown parade, replete with dancing dragons.

The Cannery: Built in 1907, The Cannery was once a Del Monte peach cannery. Today, these historic buildings, with three levels of walkways, balconies and bridges, wrap around an inviting courtyard. Here, one can relax under 100-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 filled with the latest in objects and fashions. Live entertainment is featured daily and The Cannery offers one of the finest comedy clubs in the city. Just one-half block from the Hyde Street cable car turnaround, The Cannery is located at the corner of Leavenworth and Beach streets.

North Beach: North Beach, rich in Italian heritage, includes cabarets, jazz clubs, galleries, inns, restaurants, bakeries and delicatessens -- a perfect spot for cappuccino and espresso. Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill is blessed with marvelous views and famed Diego Rivera murals on the ground floor.

Mission District: The heart of San Francisco's predominantly Latino neighborhood is 24th Street, a colorful collection of restaurants, taquerias, Mexican bakeries, produce markets, specialty shops and murals. Mission Dolores at 16th and Dolores streets is the oldest structure in San Francisco. Many of the city's pioneers are buried in an adjacent cemetery. In May, the city celebrates Cinco de Mayo and Carnaval.

Golden Gate Bridge: Called the world's most incredible piece of outdoor sculpture, the majestic Art Deco style Golden Gate Bridge, completed in 1937, links San Francisco to Marin County. For a real aerobic workout -- and spectacular views of the city, the East Bay hills and the Pacific Ocean -- climb the steps near Fort Point that lead up to the bridge and walk across.

Golden Gate Park: The 1,000-acre park's trove of attractions includes Stybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a "living library" where 6,000 plant species, including a stunning display of California redwoods, flourish; the Japanese Tea Garden; a children's playground; the Asian Art Museum; MH de Young Memorial Museum; and the California Academy of Sciences, with its aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and laserium. 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.

San Francisco Zoo: The zoo opens new habitats all the time, but Gorilla World, Koala Crossing and the Primate Discovery Center are still the top draws. Youngsters can feed, pet and play with barnyard animals in the Children's Zoo. For times and more information, call 415-753-7083

The Presidio: Recently incorporated into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is The Presidio, a former military post, home to coastal defense forts, a national cemetery and an historic airfield. The heavily wooded land, which overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and borders the Pacific Ocean, is filled with a plethora of recreational beaches, hiking and biking trails, as well as some of the most spectacular vistas in the city. In 1995, the US Army officially transferred the Presidio Golf Course to the stewardship of the National Park Service, which opened the historic Presidio Golf Course to public play. The course is one of the most picturesque and popular on the West Coast.

Yerbas Buena Gardens: Along with its manicured lawns, sculptures, performance spaces and museums, Yerba Buena Gardens hosts the $56 million Rooftop, an area devoted to San Francisco's youth, which includes a 130,000-square-foot children's garden, child-development center, bowling alley, ice-skating rink and Zeum, an art and technology center for kids. Completing the Rooftop is the 93-year-old, hand-carved Charles Looff carousel originally from San Francisco's Playland at the Beach.

Alcatraz: Phased out as a federal penitentiary in 1963, Alcatraz is now a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Once home to America's most hardened criminals, the island reopened to the general public in 1973. On-island activities include self-guided trail walks, audio-cassette tours narrated by former inmates and guards through the main cell block and ranger-led tours of the island.

San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau: Much of the information provided here was provided by the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau. At the Bureau's Visitor Information Center, a multilingual staff is on hand to answer questions. Just drop by and visit Benjamin Swig Pavilion on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell Streets. Open weekdays from 9 am-5:30 pm, Saturday until 3 pm, Sunday from 10 am-2 pm Or call 415 391-2000. You can also call 415-391-2007 24 hours a day for a recorded message listing daily events and activities.

Blue Runner, Inc.
PO Box 151140
San Rafael, CA 94915
Phone: 415.458.8700 

Copyright 2007 Blue Runner, Inc and Greybeard Design Group.