San Francisco CA is always changing. It’s always a city that pioneers the Next Big Thing, and it attracts people to want to be a part of it.
This is a beautiful, diverse city with many different cultures. It’s important to accept that there are many homeless people in the city. They are not a problem.
Golden Gate Bridge
The 1.7 mile-long bridge is a sight to behold with towers that rise 746 feet into the air, and its signature orange vermilion color is a symbol of American ingenuity. It’s a true engineering marvel that took years of planning and construction.
The bridge was opened to vehicular traffic on May 28, 1937, ahead of schedule and under budget. The main span was the world’s longest suspension bridge until it was surpassed by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1964.
The bridge is a great place to walk, bike or take a look from different angles. It’s best to do this during sunset so you can see the water reflect the bridge’s subtle lighting. For an even more special experience, the bridge is also lit up at night.
Golden Gate Park
Often compared to New York City’s Central Park, the 1,017-acre Golden Gate Park offers both residents and visitors tons of beautiful escapes. You can find everything here, from top-notch museums and botanical gardens to lakes for boating.
The Japanese Tea Garden and de Young Museum are some of the most popular attractions. For a fuller exploration of the park, sign up for a two-hour narrated bike tour that will take you past top attractions as well as lesser-known gems such as the Redwood Tree Grove and Storybook Cross. You can also walk, run or jog around the park. Be aware that the park can get quite crowded on weekends and nice weather days.
The Exploratorium
The Exploratorium, which is located in San Francisco’s Embarcadero, offers a unique experience that combines science with art. It’s been around since 1969 but recently had a huge makeover with a new location on the Embarcadero. You can now touch, tinker and explore over 600 exhibits.
The Tactile Dome is one of the most popular displays. It’s pitch black and you find your way around it by feeling and bumping your way through.
The Fog Bridge, by Fujiko Nakai, connects Pier 15 and 17 and releases a fog-like mist for six minutes each half hour. For dining options, there’s the low key Seaglass Restaurant serving family friendly meals and drinks sourced from small Bay Area producers.
California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences, located in Golden Gate Park, is a world class aquarium and planetarium as well as a natural history museum. The California Academy of Sciences allows visitors to explore the depths of the ocean, travel across time and continents, or launch into outer space while supporting world class scientific research.
Visitors can watch African penguins be fed, marvel at the realistic dioramas of dinosaurs or test their balance on an earthquake simulator. The Academy also has educational and community outreach programs to help the public understand the importance of preserving our planet.
To get the most out of your visit, buy tickets online in advance for a specific date and time. This will save you $3-5 for each adult, and the kids are free. Also look for discount cards like the Go San Francisco Card and CityPASS.
The Castro
The Castro is San Francisco’s LGBTQ neighborhood and the most famous in the world. Historically, many members of the LGBT community have moved here, especially dishonorably discharged soldiers after WWII, to take advantage of its liberal politics and tolerant culture.
There are many bars, cafes, and shops that cater to this neighborhood, such as Mix, which offers cocktails, dancing, and karaoke. Hi Tops is the neighborhood’s first gay sports bar and its deafening cheer with every Giants victory is a highlight of any visit here.
The Castro Street Fair is a popular annual event, founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. The Castro Street Fair, founded in 1974 by Harvey Milk, is a popular annual event. The fair features local businesses, drag queens and performances.