San Francisco In California

San Francisco, An Ideal City For A Family Holiday

If you are looking for a short vacation in San Francisco, what are some of the places of attractions to go? There are many places of attractions in San Francisco but below are some of the popular places where visitors would cover for a short vacation.




Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937, and quickly became known as The San Francisco landmark. For decades it has drawn in millions of tourists and has never failed to elicit their admiration and awe. The bridge spans 1.7 miles reaching hundreds of feet above water.

Being that it is one of this country’s most famous landmarks, one must simply experience it in all its glory. There are quite a few ways you can experience the bridge: take a stroll across by foot, by bicycle, drive over it by car or bus, or cruise by boat under it. If you do decide to walk it or bike it, bundle up, it can get windy. When walking, start off at the aptly named Roundhouse located on the east side of the bridge. The historic Roundhouse was designed in 1938 as a restaurant for motorists passing by. Now it houses the Golden Gate Bridge gift center. Before you head back to the other side of the bridge, take a long stroll underneath the bridge through the 5-acre gardens.



Alcatraz

Known once by those inside as, “The Rock”, it is today one of the top attractions in San Francisco. Alcatraz was used from the 1850’s to 1933 by the military to protect the bay shoreline. Thereafter the government converted it into a maximum-security prison. Some of the country’s worst prisoners were housed here, including Al Capone. Alcatraz was considered a perfect area to house a prison due to fierce currents and the icy cold waters it was supposed to be inescapable. Though don’t tell that to the thirty-six prisoners who attempted to escape as well as the actual prisoners who did succeed in escaping, Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers.
Alcatraz operated as a prosin from 1934 to 1963. It was closed down for various reasons, mainly doe to the fact that it was a costly prison to run and because it didn’t have a program that would rehabilitate the prisoners. The island of Alcatraz, known as the Rock, a world unto itself, a part of history for some, a legend for many others.





Pier 39

PIER 39 is San Francisco’s #1 Attraction – a festival marketplace with more than 110 stores, 13 full-service restaurants with bay views and numerous fun-filled attractions. PIER 39’s two-level design complements one of San Francisco’s most unique shopping districts, featuring everything from NFL merchandise to jewelry and imported chocolates. Activities and fun are endless. You can viisit Alcatraz, enjoy a Bay Cruise or experience a variety of land tours on the Blue & Gold Fleet. At the pier, visitors can view California sea lions in their natural habitat at PIER 39's K-Dock in the West Marina. For the kids, they can experience a journey on Turbo Ride to experience four ultimate thrill adventures.

Not only that visitors can watch San Francisco's most famous street performers entertaining on the Crystal Geyser alpine spring water Center Stage and take home a video souvenir of you as the “star” flying above San Francisco at Studio 39 Magic Carpet Rides. The kids will have lots of fun when riding on the San Francisco Carousel and play to win at Riptide Arcade, an action-packed family entertainment center.



Aquarium of the Bay Tickets in San Francisco

Explore the wonders of San Francisco Bay as you walk through crystal clear tunnels surrounded by sharks, octopus, eels, and thousands of marine animals indigenous to its waters.

This is your chance to go face-to-face with the Pacific's most fascinating residents. See, touch, learn and discover San Francisco Bay in an adventure you will never forget.











Fisherman's Wharf

All San Franciscans love to hate Fisherman's Wharf. Content never to visit the area, they complain of the tacky shops selling cheap souvenirs, the "novelty" museums whose novelty has long worn off and busloads of tourists blocking the view to Alcatraz.

But secretly, everyone likes it a little, and having guests from out of town is the perfect excuse for otherwise cynical old-timers to "force" themselves to go. And it is possible to have a cheap, good time. Just avoid the wax museums and the "I'm With Stupid" T-shirt stands, and what's left are some of the best views in the city, fresh Dungeness crab and the ever-amusing sea lions.

Last year, almost 12 million people made their way to the Wharf. In international surveys, it ranks as the No. 1 destination for SF-bound visitors, right ahead of Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge. Oddly, this favorite spot, as they see it today, is only 30 years old. Most of the major attractions -- the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 -- were built in the late 1960s.










Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace was designed by Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck. It was the last building of the Exposition to be started, commencing construction on December 8, 1913.

For purposes of an exposition, the buildings were constructed to last a year. William Merchant, spent the last ten years of his life until 1962 planning the Palace's restoration. A move to preserve the Palace was begun in October, 1915, 33,000 supportive signatures were gathered, and $350,000 was raised towards the duplication of the Palace in lasting materials.

After World War I the Palace became a part of the city’s park system. During World War II, the Palace was used by the Army. In1947, the Palace was returned to the city. Though it was slowly crumbling away from wear and tear of weather and abuse. It was fenced off as a public hazard. Toward the end of the 1950’s a fundraising drive was started to rescue and restore the Palace. In 1964, reconstruction began, and completed in 1967 to a stripped down version of the original. In 1975, Walter S. Johnson added the remaining colonnades as a gift to the city.

The Exploratorium and Palace of Fine Arts are also close to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio.

Lombard Street

Located in Nob Hill/Russian Hill, Lombard Street has been nicknamed “the most crooked street in the world”. While it actually is not the crookedest street, it does have a series of eight hairpin turns on a block between Hyde and Leavenworth. It’s actually one of the most attractive streets in San Francisco.

The famous hilly and winding street was created in the 1920’s to accommodate the steep incline. The street is paved with bricks and is one of the busiest streets in San Francisco. From the bottom of the street at Leavenworth, you can see cars slowly creeping their way down, while brave souls trek their way up by foot. Some of the most expensive real estate in the city exists on this street. To get there, take the Hyde Street Cable Car. From Hyde Street you can look down on Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz and many other breathtaking sights.

San Francisco is so hugh that you need more than a week to cover the various places of attractions. You will be fascinated by the many excitements and things in the city that your family and you would love to come back for another holiday. Enjoy your family holiday trip.

Before I leave you, below is a link that you might find it useful if visting San Francisco.

http://www.sanfranciscotours.us/

By Sean Toh