San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with so many breathtaking things to see. It is known for sunny weather, but it is also a hub for numerous technological startups and companies turned to technological development and social media. The most powerful and influential companies in the world are located in San Francisco – Google, Twitter, Facebook, and Apple. Not only that, San Francisco is known as one of the most popular tourist places in the U.S. Being portrayed in numerous movies, it became recognizable around the world. There are so many things to see in San Francisco, but if you only have one day for visiting, here are places you shouldn’t miss.
Go see the Golden Gate Bridge
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The Golden Gate Bridge is the trademark of San Francisco. It connects San Francisco to Marin County (California). It was the longest suspension bridge for almost 3 decades when it was built. Here are some interesting facts about it:
– the recognizable orange color of the bridge was indented to be a primer before painting it to yellow and blue to be more recognizable and visible. However, the architect decided that it is visible enough.
– more than 200,000 people crossed the bridge the first day when it was finished
– on the 50th anniversary, the bridge flattened under the weight of 300,000 people who stood on it to celebrate the anniversary. However, the engineers said that it was built to bend, so there was no danger at all.
When you go to San Francisco, make sure you walk across it. It will take about 2 hours, but you will feel like you are on top of the world! If you join a tour, you will learn a little bit more about history, but also get the chance to take lots of selfies and enjoy the lovely scenery. You can also opt for biking across it if you prefer that. It will take less of your time, so you can spend it doing something else. It is important to mention that if you wish to rent a bike, you will need to do it downtown, so keep that in mind.
Read also: 10 Best Hotels In California 2024
Don’t skip Alcatraz Island
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Alcatraz Island is located only 1.25 miles away from San Francisco Bay. It is most known for being a federal prison from 1934-1963. Today it is one of the most popular tourists attractions. You can go there by ferry ride in less than 15 minutes. By joining the tour for going to Alcatraz prison, you will hear many stories about the guards and inmates. Learn about Al Capone, as well as unsuccessful escape attempts that will entertain you and blow your mind! The tour won’t take too much of your time, so you will have plenty of time left to see more of the wonderful San Francisco. Visit thecrazytourist.com to find out more about the tours to Alcatraz Island available.
Enjoy the San Francisco Theater
If you are in love with the theater, then this is certainly something you shouldn’t miss. You will be able to choose from the rich selection of productions – from comedies to dramas. Use this unique chance to see Come from Away, Les Miserables, Hamilton, and many others. If you want a little bit more intimate atmosphere, then head to the Union Square. If you visit Curran, the Golden Gate Theater or Orpheum Theater, you will get the chance to enjoy the set very similar to sets in New York.
Aquarium of the Bay
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If you are visiting San Francisco with kids or you enjoy seeing the sea creatures yourself, make sure you visit the Aquarium. It is pretty fun and enjoyable, but also educational as well. It is the opportunity to learn more about the jellyfish or Pacific octopus, but you can also touch a stingray, baby shark or starfish.
Hop into the cable car
Once you are in San Francisco, make sure you ride in one of the cable cars down the steepest streets. There are three lines in total. The first two go between the Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square, while the third goes up and down California Street. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the cable cars and to see the breathtaking scenery. The reason why these cars appeared in the first place is that the hills are pretty high, so it was almost impossible for carriages to go safely up and down back in the 18th century. There were 8 cable car lines in the beginning, but now there are only 4.
Check out the Twin Peaks
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This is a place you shouldn’t miss when you visit San Francisco because the view is absolutely amazing. You will get a chance to see a 360-degree view of the city, but the ocean as well. The interesting thing about it is that it got its name in the 19th century and it is believed that it was a lookout point. This was probably the case because of its wonderful visibility. The name of the first peak is Eureka Peak, while the other is called Noe Peak. Twin Peaks rise 920 feet putting it into second place after Mount Davidson.
Visit at least one museum
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There are numerous museums in San Francisco that you can choose from and find lots of interesting things that will catch your attention:
– California Academy of Sciences
– USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum
– San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
– Asian Art Museum
The Walt Disney Family Museum
– The Contemporary Jewish Museum
– De Young Museum
– The Beat Museum
With so many things to see in San Francisco, we are sure you will be entertained every minute of your stay. Plan your tours well and make sure you take a break to taste amazing food in local restaurants and have a cup of coffee before you continue your exploration of this amazing city!
