San Francisco Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(San Francisco, California - CA, USA)

The city of San Francisco really is an epic tourist destination, and whatever the time of year, the city is packed with interesting places to visit and attractions to enjoy. Varying greatly, the highlights of San Francisco range from walking tours and shopping precincts, to famous roads and family friendly tourist attractions.

Tourists with children simply must put aside time to pay a long visit to the outstanding Aquarium of the Bay attraction, which stands on the corner of Beach Street and the Embarcadero, to one side of Pier 39. The San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay boasts a collection of more than 50 sharks and comes with a 'Touch the Bay' area, where you can get up close to rays, skates and even sea cucumbers. Also of note is Lombard Street, which is famous for its tight hairpin bends and over the years has made an appearance in a number of Hollywood movies, such as the 1958 Hitchcock classic, 'Vertigo'.

Fire Engine City Tours

Address: The Cannery, Beach Street, Fisherman's Wharf
Departing from Fisherman's Wharf, the city's unusual Fire Engine Tours provide regular, detailed tours of the city in an old fire engine. Lovingly restored, riding in the 1955 Mack fire engine is an unusual way to sightsee, particularly as you also get to dress up as a fireman.

Barbary Coast Trail Walking Tour

Address: 900 Market Street, San Francisco, California CA, 94102, USA
Tel: +1 415 454 2355
The Barbary Coast Trail Walking Tour in San Francisco is a self-guided tour and is around 3.8 miles / 6 km long. Taking in some of the city's major landmarks and attractions, the walking tour provides a real insight into the city's interesting history. The route of the walking tour is indicated by arrows and brass medallions in the sidewalk from the Old Mint to Aquatic Park.

Vesuvius Bar

Address: 255 Columbus Avenue, North Beach, San Francisco, California CA, 94133, USA
Tel: +1 415 362 3370
More like a museum than an actual bar, Vesuvius in the North Beach area of the city is crammed full of 1950s memorabilia. This famous bar is where all of the big-name poets of the 60s used to drink and afterwards, would walk to the Citylights Bookstore next door and read poetry to each other.

Lombard Street

Lombard Street must be the most winding, bendy street in the whole world, zigzagging down a hillside in the city. With seven sharp corners in just 200 yards, there is a cable car stop close to the top of Lombard Street, which provides a convenient place to take a leisurely walk down this unusual street. Lombard Street was originally built with so many curves, as the hill was deemed to be too steep for the city's many horses.

Aquarium of the Bay

Address: The Embarcadero and Beach Street, San Francisco, California CA, 94133, USA
Tel: +1 415 623 5300
The Aquarium of the Bay is a captivating exhibit of literally thousands of marine creatures, from small fish to huge sharks. There are clear tunnel walkways underneath enormous tanks filled with sharks, fish, eels and many other marine animals indigenous to San Francisco Bay. A visit to the aquarium is certainly a memorable one and there is also a gift shop at the aquarium.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, discount rates available for children, families and seniors

Ghirardelli Square

Address: 900 North Point Street, San Francisco, California CA, 94109, USA
Tel: +1 415 775 5500
Named after the city's original chocolate maker, Ghirardelli Square is full of appealing shops, including the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop, a bakery, shoe shops, clothes stores, art galleries and several excellent restaurants.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 21:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00