Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is the iconic symbol of San Francisco. The giant, red bridge was once the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was completed in 1937. It’s often shrouded in San Francisco’s famous rolling fog, but you can cross the bridge by foot, car or bike and look up at the huge towers looming 65 stories above the water.
Address: Highway 101 North.
Telephone: (415) 455 2000.
Website:www.goldengatebridge.org.
Transport: From the Transbay Terminal, take Golden Gate transit buses 10, 60, 70 or 80 to Marin County. Muni buses 28 and 29 stop at the bridge toll plaza.
Opening time: From sunrise to sunset pedestrians can access the east sidewalk. Cars can cross the bridge all day and night.
Admission: Cars are charged a toll to cross.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is bound to be packed with tourists, but you might consider braving the crowds to spend some time soaking in the coastal neighborhood. The wharf is home to Pier 39, a must-see destination for tourists – stocked with shops, restaurants and performers all in one picturesque place. Fishermen in the area still use Pier 45 in the wee hours of the morning; look into buying some fish from the Fish Alley Market. Cruises to Alcatraz, the USS Pampanito submarine, and other islands depart from Fisherman’s Wharf. Stop to see the adorable sea lions that hangout on nearby rocks before you go aboard.
Address: The Embarcadero and Taylor Street
Telephone: (415) 637 3530
E-mail:info@visitfishermanwharf.com
Website:www.visitfishermanswharf.com
Transport: Take the Powell-Hyde Cable Car or the Powell-Mason Cable Car from Powell and Market streets to get to the wharf. There is also an outbound F-line that gets you there.
Admission: Free, though reservations and tickets are necessary for some of the wharf’s attractions.
North Beach
Italy lives in San Francisco by way of North Beach. There are a number of interesting attractions in the area, from the Coit Tower – a monument that honors San Fran’s firemen and provides stunning views of both the city and the bay – to the world’s “crookedest” roadway: Lombard Street. Traffic on the street could be bad, as many tourists like to test their driving skills against all the turns and tight spaces. With so many large houses and well-groomed gardens, this area is also great for taking pictures, especially if you’ve successfully driven on the zigzagged street.
Website:www.northbeachchamber.com
Cable Cars
San Francisco’s 130-year-old cable cars are the only mobile National Historic Landmark in the country. An even more impressive fun-filled fact: they are the only surviving system of cable cars in the world. Tourists are often in awe at the workings of these classic vehicles, and shocked that they operate without engines – almost to the point of disbelief. Luckily, though, there’s the San Francisco Cable Car Barn & Powerhouse. Visitors can have all their questions answered as they stand beside antique cable cars galore.
Address: 1201 Mason St.
E-mail:comments@sfcablecar.com
Website:www.sfcablecar.com
Hours of operation: April 1-Sept. 30, 10am-6pm; Oct. 1-March 31, 10am-5pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Admission: A one-way ride costs $3. Day passes for the cable cars, buses and streetcars are available. The museum is free.
