San Francisco USA

San Francisco
County in USA

San Francisco is a county in California State. It is bordered by San Mateo County to the south,  Marin County to the north, Alameda County to the east and Pacific Ocean to the west.
This is to inform you that, There is a city named South San Francisco which is not in San Francisco County. South San Francisco City is located in San Mateo County.

How to Reach San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport (IATA Code- SFO) is the international airport, is located 21 km south from downtown San Francisco in San Mateo County.
Buy a cheapest air-ticket from below site. This is my favorite site because it shows the different airline ticket prices of the same flight. So it makes easy for me to buy the lowest price ticket. Select your depart and return date. If one-way then click cross on the return date.

You can book online for transport between San Francisco Airport and city 1-Way Transfer.

Hotels in San Francisco

I always use the below search engine, which compare Booking.com and other all hotel related website and show the different prices of the same room. So, you can book at the lowest price. Just select your check-in and check-out date and click on search.

Transports in San Francisco

You may like Hop-on, Hop-off Bus tour in San Francisco. There are two hop-on, hop-off bus companies in San Francisco - City Sightseeing and Big Bus.

Big Bus Tour: 1 child ticket free with 1 adult.
Classic Ticket: 1-Day - 55 Dollar for adult.
Premium Ticket: 1 Day - 65 Dollar for adult.
Deluxe Ticket: 2-Day - 79 Dollar for adult.

* Buy online for Big Bus any ticket.

City Sightseeing:
1 Day City Tour: 54 Dollar for adult. 44 Dollar for child. Buy Online.
1 Day & Night Tour: 64 Dollar for adult. 54 Dollar for child. Buy Online.
2 Day & Night Tour: 78 Dollar for adult. 68 Dollar for child. Buy Online.

Tourist Places in San Francisco

I have described 62 Best Places to Visit in San Francisco. Those are Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in San Francisco. Among them some are Must-Visit Attractions in San Francisco. Also described The Best Things to Do in San Francisco and Fun Things to Do in San Francisco.
So that you can able to know the Famous San Francisco Tourist sights and Attractions and make your itinerary for San Francisco Attractions & Sightseeing.
You need approximately US$ 360 to visit all the places listed below. With that amount of money, you have to add Food cost, Transport cost, Hotel rent and air fare to travel in San Francisco.

To minimize attractions cost, you can buy attraction Pass. There are mainly two passes among many in San Francisco - Go San Francisco Pass and Sightseeing Pass.

Go San Francisco Pass:
All-Inclusive: Unlimited admission to 25 attractions. Buy Online.
1 Day: 92 Dollar for adult. 75 Dollar for child age 3-12.
2 Day: 137 Dollar for adult. 114 Dollar for child age 3-12.
3 Day: 172 Dollar for adult. 144 Dollar for child age 3-12.
5 Day: 214 Dollar for adult. 176 Dollar for child age 3-12.

Attractions: Select attractions from 25 options. Buy Online.
2 Attractions: 61 Dollar for adult. 50 Dollar for child age 3-12.
3 Attractions: 88 Dollar for adult. 69 Dollar for child age 3-12.
4 Attractions: 104 Dollar for adult. 85 Dollar for child age 3-12.
5 Attractions: 132 Dollar for adult. 99 Dollar for child age 3-12.

Sightseeing Pass:
Day Pass: Unlimited admission to 30 attractions. Buy Online.
1 Day: 59 Dollar for adult. 36.80 Dollar for child age 3-12.
2 Day: 94 Dollar for adult. 78.10 Dollar for child age 3-12.
3 Day: 109 Dollar for adult. 104 Dollar for child age 3-12.
5 Day: 169 Dollar for adult. 141 Dollar for child age 3-12.

Flex Pass: Select attractions from 30 options. Buy Online.
2 Attractions: 57.60 Dollar for adult. 36.45 Dollar for child age 3-12.
3 Attractions: 71 Dollar for adult. 46.58 Dollar for child age 3-12.
4 Attractions: 80 Dollar for adult. 53.33 Dollar for child age 3-12.
5 Attractions: 98 Dollar for adult. 74.25 Dollar for child age 3-12.
6 Attractions: 116 Dollar for adult. 89.25 Dollar for child age 3-12.

Day-1:

John McLaren Park

Park

312.54 acres park.
How to go: It is located at 100 John F Shelley Dr.

Glen Canyon Park

Park

70 acres park with a deep canyon.
Visiting Time: 5 AM to 12 AM.
How to go: It is located about 2.5 km from John McLaren Park towards south at Elk St and, Chenery street.

Mount Davidson

Hill

The hill is with an elevation of 928 feet. An 103 feet high cross is located on the crest of the hill. It is was first built in 1923 of height 40 feet. An 87 feet high cross was built here in 1924. Then in 1926, about 100 feet high cross was built. In 1929 an 80 feet high wood and stucco cross with lighting was built. This 103 feet high concrete cross was built on March 24, 1934.
How to go: It is located west side of Glen Canyon Park.

Stern Grove Festival

Festival

Locally called Stern Grove is a 33-acre recreational site in the Sunset District. Stern Grove Festival (Series of performing arts events) held here during summer.
How to go: It is located about 2 km from Mount Davidson toward west. From 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard west to 34th Avenue.

Day-2:

Lake Merced Park

Park

A 614-acre park. It is popular for boating, hiking, bicycling, and bird watching.
How to go: It is located about 500 meters from Stern Grove towards south at Skyline Boulevard and Harding road.

San Francisco Zoo

Zoo

Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: 23 Dollar for Adult age 12-64. 19 Dollar for senior. 17 Dollar for child age 2-11.
Entry Fee for San Francisco Residence: 20 Dollar for Adult age 12-64. 14.50 Dollar for senior. 13.50 Dollar for child age 2-11.
Parking Fee: 13 Dollar for weekend and 11 Dollar for weekday.
How to go: It is located northwest side of Lake Merced Park.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for San Francisco Zoo Admission Ticket.

Day-3:

16th Avenue Tiled Steps

Stair

Beautiful mosaic design stairs.
How to go: It is located west side of Grandview hill.

Grandview Park

Hill

Locally also called Turtle Hill with an elevation of about 666 feet.
How to go: It is located about 2 km west side of Twin Peaks surrounded by 14th and 15th Avenues.

Twin Peaks

Hills

With an elevation of about 925 feet.
Visiting Time: 5 am to midnight every day.
How to go: By taxi from downtown to Twin Peaks costs about $20-$25. public transportation. By bus 48 and 52 stop on Portola Drive near the Twin Peaks. But you have to hike a long up the mountain. By bus 37 Corbett Bus and get off at the 74 Crestline Drive stop. It is closer to top.

Day-4:

Mission San Francisco de Asís

Mission

It was founded on October 9, 1776, by Francisco Palou. It is the oldest structure in San Francisco.
How to go: It is located about 2 km from Twin Peaks towards northeast.

The Painted Ladies

Landmark

About 48,000 houses were built in 1849-1915 in Nob Hill neighborhood. Many mansions were destroyed in 1906 by earthquake. In 1963, artist Butch Kardum, began repainted few houses. Following him, other house owner and artists painted houses. 'The Painted Ladies' term was first used by writers Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen in their 1978 book "Painted Ladies: San Francisco's Resplendent Victorians". From Then the name became popular.
How to go: It is located about 1.8 km from Mission San Francisco de Asís towards north at Steiner street and Hayes street near Alamo Square.

Haight-Ashbury

Neighborhood

It is the main place for hippie community.
How to go: It is located about 650 meters from the southwest of The Painted Ladies towards west.

Day-5:

Golden Gate Park

Park

1,017 acres public park.
Inside the premises:
Dahlia Garden: It was founded in 1917. It is located east side of Conservatory of Flowers.
Conservatory of Flowers: One of the largest Conservatory of Flowers of USA was opened in 1879. It is located about 430 meters from Stanyan street (east end of the park). James Abram Garfield Monument is also located around this area.
National AIDS Memorial Grove: It is the site for the first AIDS memorial in the nation. It is located 250 meters from Conservatory of Flowers towards south.
Carousel: The Carousel here was first built in 1914. Present carousel was built in here in 1941. It is located about 250 meters from National AIDS Memorial Grove towards southeast near children's play ground.
Botanical Garden: 55 acres arboretum contains more than 7,500 plant species. It is located about 900 meters from Carousel towards west at west side of Baseball Field.
Shakespeare Garden: It is located northeast of Botanical garden, northwest of Baseball Field and southwest of the California Academy of Sciences. There is a Giuseppe Verdi Monument near the park.

The California Academy of Sciences

Museum

It was founded in 1853.
Visiting Time: Monday to Saturday - 9.30 AM to 5 PM. Sunday - 11 AM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: 28 Dollar for adult. 21.75 Dollar for child age 3-17. 24.25 Dollar for student and senior.
How to go: It is located northeast if Shakespeare Garden. There is a Robert Emmet Statue nearby.

Music Concourse: It is open-air plaza is located north side of The California Academy of Sciences.
Japanese Tea Garden: It is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States. It is located northwest side of Music Concourse.

De Young Museum

Museum

Fine Arts Museum that was opened in January 1921.
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Sunday - 9.30 AM to 5.15 PM.
Entry Fee Tuesday to Friday: 26 Dollar for adult. 23 Dollar for senior. 22 Dollar for student. 16 Dollar for child age 6-17.
Entry Fee Saturday Sunday: 29 Dollar for adult. 26 Dollar for senior. 25 Dolalr for student. 19 Dollar for child age 6-17.

There are Apple Cider Press Statue and Cervantes Monument near the museum.

Rose Garden: It is located northwest side of De Young Museum.

There is a Pioneer Mother Memorial monument is located southwest of Rose Garden.

Stow Lake Drive: Lake is located west side of Japanese Tea Garden. There is a bridge over Stow Lake.
Prayer Book Cross: Also known as Drake's Cross is 60 feet tall and erected in 1894. It is located northwest side of Stow Lake.
Elk Glen Lake: It is located about 550 meters from Prayer Book Cross towards southwest.
Mallard Lake: It is located about 220 meters from Elk Glen Lake towards west.
Metson Lake: It is located about 200 meters from Mallard Lake towards northwest.
Spreckels Lake: It is located about 550 meters from Metson Lake toward northwest. North of Polo field.
North Lake: It is located about 600 meters from Spreckels Lake.
Middle Lake: It is located south of North Lake.
South Lake: It is located south of Middle Lake.
Murphy Windmill: It is located 770 meters from South Lake towards west and southwest corner for Golden Gate Park.
Dutch Windmill: It is located northwest corner for Golden Gate Park.
Beach Chalet: Restaurant is located west end of the park near Dutch Windmill and Ocean Beach.

Ocean Beach

Beach

How to go: It is located west end of Golden Gate Park

Day-6:

Sutro Heights

Park

Adolph Sutro (Mayor of San Francisco) purchased this land in 1881. Sutro built his mansion and garden. He opened the garden to the public in 1883 named as "Sutro Heights". Later in the premises, he built the Sutro Baths in 1894, Cliff House and an amusement park named "Sutro Pleasure Grounds" in 1896. A passenger steam train established from downtown San Francisco to Lands End. Adolph Sutro died in 1898.
His daughter Emma Sutro Merritt started to look after Sutro Heights estate. She lived there until her death in 1938. he Sutro family donated the estate to the City of San Francisco in 1938. In 1939.
How to go: It is located north end of Ocean Beach at 846 Point Lobos Avenue in Richmond District.

Lands End Lookout

Park

How to go: It is located north side of Sutro Heights at 680 Point Lobos Avenue in Richmond District.

Sutro Baths

Swimming Pool

It was built in 1896.
How to go: It is located west side of Lands End Lookout at 1004 Point Lobos Avenue in Richmond District.

Legion of Honor

Museum

Visiting Time: Tuesday to Sunday - 9.30 AM to 5.15 PM.
Entry Fee: 15 Dollar for adult. 12 Dollar for senior. 6 Dollar for student. Free for age below 18.
How to go: It is located about 1 km from Lands End Lookout towards northwest through Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Lands End Trail at 100 34th Avenue in Richmond District.

The Holocaust Memorial

Monument

How to go: It is located north side of Legion of Honor museum at 100 34th Avenue.

China Beach, San Francisco

Beach

How to go: It is located about 500 meters from The Holocaust Memorial towards northeast.

Baker Beach

Beach

How to go: It is located east end of China Beach.

Marshall's Beach

Beach

How to go: It is located at the north end of Baker Beach.

Golden Gate Bridge

Bridge

About 2.7 km long suspension bridge connecting San Francisco County with Marin County. It's construction was started on January 5, 1933 and completed on April 19, 1937. It was opened    May 27, 1937.
How to go: It is the north end of Marshall's Beach.

Day-7:

The Walt Disney Family Museum

Museum

Visiting Time: Friday to Sunday - 10 AM to 5.30 PM. Monday to Thursday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 25 Dollar for adult. 20 Dollar for Senior or student. 15 Dollar for child age 6-17. Free for child age below 6.
How to go: It is located about 2 km from the south end of Golden Gate Bridge towards southwest at 104 Montgomery street.

The Palace of Fine Arts

Building

The Palace of Fine Arts was one of ten palaces, which constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition (world's fair).
How to go: It is located about 850 meters from The Walt Disney Family Museum towards east at 3601 Lyon street in Marina District.

The Wave Organ

Sculpture

How to go: It is located at 1 km from the Palace of Fine Arts towards northeast at 83 Marina Green drive.

Day-8:

Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture

Art Organization

Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 9 AM to 5 PM.
Parking Fee: 3-16 Dollar.
How to go: It is located about 1.5 km from the Palace of Fine Arts towards east at 2 Marina Boulevard.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Park

How to go: It is located about 500 meters from Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture towards east.
Inside the Premises:
Aquatic Park Cove: Waterfront Park.

Ghirardelli Ice Cream

Ice Cream Shop

How to go: It is near Maritime National Historical Park at 900 North Point street Ste F301.

Hyde Street Pier

Ferry Pier

How to go: It is located at east side of Maritime National Historical Park.

Hyde Street

Street

About 3.3 km north-south street.
How to go: Starts from Aquatic Park Historic District (north end) to Market Street (south end).

Asian Art Museum

Museum

It exhibits Asian art collections with more than 18,000 works of art, some are 6,000 years old.
Visiting Time: Thursday - 1 PM to 8 PM. Friday to Monday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 15 Dollar for adult. 10 Dollar for child age 13-17 and senior.
Discount Fee: 10 Dollar on Thursday night for adult. 8 Dollar on Thursday night for child age 13-17 and senior.
Free Entry: First Sunday of each month.
How to go: It is located west side of south end of Hyde Street at 200 Larkin street.

San Francisco City Hall

City Hall

The first city hall was built in 1899. It was destroyed in 1906 by earthquake. The current city hall was started to built on 5th April 1913 and was completed on 28th July 1926.
How to go: It is located west side of Asian Art Museum at 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl.

War Memorial Opera House

Opera House

It was built and opened in 1932.
How to go: It is located west side of San Francisco City Hall at 301 Van Ness Avenue.

Day-9:

Children's Creativity Museum

Museum

Visiting Time: Wednesday to Sunday - 10 AM to 4 PM.
Entry Fee: 15 Dollar. Free for child age below 2.
Carousel Cost: 3 Dollar for museum visitor. 5 Dollar for museum non-visitor.
How to go: About 1.5 km from Asian Art Museum towards east at 221 4th street.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Museum

Visiting Time: Friday to Monday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Thursday - 1 PM to 8 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 25 Dollar for adult. 22 Dollar for senior. 19 Dollar for age 19-24. Free for child age below 18.
How to go: It is located 250 meters from Children's Creativity Museum towards northeast at 151 3rd street.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Art Gallery

Visiting Time: Friday to Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday - 11 AM to 6 PM. Thursday - 11 AM to 8 PM. Monday remains closed.
How to go: It is located besides San Francisco Museum of Modern Art at 701 Mission street.
Inside the Premises:
Yerba Buena Gardens: Open daily free entry fee from 6 AM to 10 PM.

Contemporary Jewish Museum

Museum

Visiting Time: Thursday to Sunday - 11 AM to 5 PM. Monday to Wednesday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 16 Dollar for adult. 14 Dollar for senior and student. Free for age below 18.
Free Entry: First Friday of each month.
How to go: It is located 80 meters from Yerba Buena Center for the Arts towards northwest at 736 Mission street.

Union Square

Square

The Dewey Monument is located at the center of Union Square. 85 feet height monument was built in 1903 to honor George Dewey, a hero of the Spanish–American War.
How to go: It is located about 500 meter from Contemporary Jewish Museum towards northwest at 333 Post street.

Grace Cathedral

Church

It was founded in 1849. The church moved into the larger building in 1862. The building was destroyed in the fire and 1906 earthquake. Current cathedral construction was started in 1910. But the church moved to the unfinished building in 1912. The current building was completed in 1914. The cathedral continued to expand and finally completed in 1964.
How to go: It is located 750 meters from Union Square towards northwest at 1100 California street.

Day-10:

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Factory

Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 9 AM to 6.30 PM. Saturday to Sunday - 9 AM to 7 PM.
How to go: It is located 800 meters from Grace Cathedral towards northeast at 56 Ross Alley.

Transamerica Pyramid

Skyscraper

48-story 260 meter height pyramid shaped skyscraper was built in 1969-1972.
How to go: It is located 370 meters from Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory towards east at 600 Montgomery street.

Ferry Building

Terminal

The building was designed in 1892 and completed in 1898. 245 feet tall clock tower on top of the building.
How to go: It is located about 700 meters from Transamerica Pyramid towards east at 1 Ferry Building.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Market

Visiting Time: Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM. Tuesday to Thursday - 10 AM to 2 PM.
How to go: Besides Ferry Building.

San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge

Bridge

Also known as Bay Bridge is a 7.18 km bridge was opened on November 12, 1936. It connects San Francisco and Oakland in Alameda Country via Yerba Buena Island. The bridge length is 3,141 meter in From San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island and 3,102 meters from Yerba Buena Island to Oakland. There is a bicycle and pedestrian path on the bridge.

Yerba Buena Island

Island

How to go: Through San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge.

Day-11:

Exploratorium

Museum

Science, technology, and arts museum.
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Sunday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Thursday Evening only for adult 6 AM to 10 PM. Monday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 29.95 Dollar for adult. 24.95 Dollar for senior, teacher, student, disabled or youth age 13-17.
Evening Ticket: 19.95 Dollar only for adult on Thursday - 6 AM to 10 PM.
How to go: It is located about 630 meters from Ferry Building at Pier 15, Embarcadero and Green Street.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for San Francisco Exploratorium Full-Day Ticket.

Filbert Street

About 4 km east-west street run parallel with Lombard Street.
How to go: It starts from Levi's Plaza (east end) and end at Lyon Street (west end).

Coit Tower

Tower

210 feet in the Telegraph Hill was built between 1932 and 1933.
How to go: 250 meters from the east end of Filbert Street towards west through Filbert Street.

Washington Square

Park

How to go: About 350 meters from Coit Tower towards west through Filbert Street.

Lombard Street

Street

3.66 km east-west street. Specially beautiful for a zigzag street from the intersection of Lombard Street and Hyde Street towards east.
How to go: It starts from Lyon Street (west end) and end at Kearny street (east end).

Pier 33

Pier

Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is a pier from where Alcatraz Cruises leave for Alcatraz Island.
How to go: It is located 500 meters from the eastern end of Lombard Street towards east.

Day-12:

Alcatraz Island

Island

There was a military prison, and a federal prison from 1934 until 21 March 1963. From November 1969, the island was occupied by a group of Native Americans. Alcatraz became National Recreation Area in 1972 and it is open to tours. There is a oldest operating lighthouse in the island.
Ticket Day-Cost: 39.90 Dollar for adult (12-61). 24.40 Dollar for child (5-11). 37.65 Dollar for senior (62+). Free for child (0-4).
Ticket Night-Cost: 47.30 Dollar for adult (18-61). 46.25 Dollar for youth (12-17). 28 for child (5-11). 44 Dollar for senior (62+). Free for child (0-4).
Alcatraz and Angel Island Cost: 76.65 Dollar for adult (12-61). 52.40 Dollar for child (5-11). 76.40 Dollar for senior (62+). Free for child (0-4).
How to go: Visitors can reach the island in a little under 15 minutes by ferry ride from Pier 33.

Day-13:

PIER 39

Shopping Center

Attractions: 7d Experience, Aquarium of the Bay, Frequent Flyers, Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze, Musical Stairs, Open Heart, Carousel, Sea Lion Center, Sea Lions, SOLVE IT! Think out of the Box, The Bay Plunge, The Flyer.
How to go: About 450 meters from Pier 33 towards northwest.

Aquarium of the Bay

Aquarium

Visiting Time: 11 AM to 6 PM every day. December 24 - 11 AM to 3 PM. 25th December remains closed.
Entry Fee: 29.25 Dollar for adult (13-64). 24.25 Dollar for senior. 19.25 Dollar for child age 4-12. 1 Dollar for child age 0-3.
How to go: It is located at Pier 39.

Fog Harbor Fish House

Restaurant

How to go: It is located at Pier 39.

Day-14:

Madame Tussauds

Wax Museum

Visiting Time: Tuesday to Sunday - 12.30 PM to 6.30 PM. Monday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 24.99 Dollar.
How to go: It is located about 370 meters from Pier 39 towards west at 145 Jefferson street.

The San Francisco Dungeon

Amusement Center

Entry Fee: 24.99 Dollar
How to go: Besides Madame Tussauds at 145 Jefferson street.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for San Francisco Dungeon Admission Ticket.

Musee Mécanique

Museum

Visiting Time: 10 AM to 8 PM every day.
How to go: It is located about 150 meters from Madame Tussauds towards north at Pier 45, Fishermans Wharf.

USS Pampanito

Museum

Visiting Time: Sunday to Thursday - 9 AM to 6 PM. Friday and Saturday - 9 AM to 8 PM.
Entry Fee: 20 Dollar for adult. 15 Dollar for senior. 10 Dollar for youth age 5-13. 15 Dollar for student. 45 Dollar for family (2 adult + 2 child). Free for child age below 5.
How to go: It is located about 70 meters from Musee Mécanique towards north.

Things to do in San Francisco

* 1 hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise.

* GoCar Tour Golden Gate Bridge & Lombard Loop for 2 person.

* San Francisco Golden Gate Park Segway Tour.

* Golden Gate Bridge 3-Hour Sausalito Cycle Tour.

* Golden Gate Bridge from the Air! Seaplane Tour.

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