San Francisco City Sights A to C
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San Francisco is a city made up of a world of diverse neighborhoods and international cultures reflected in food, art, architecture and customs. Our city offers lots of panoramic vista points and fascinating locations - all right here with a compact 47 square miles. Find out why so many people have left their hears in San Francisco.
Angel Island
Angel Island is the largest island in the Bay. Visitors can tour the historic structures that remain from this West Coast internment camp which was the "Ellis island of the West". Tram tours, bike rentals, kayaking. Take the ferry from the Ferry Building. Call 415-435-3522 or www.angelisland.org.
Barbary Coast Trail
Retrace San Francisco gold rush history by following the Barbary Coast Trail, a self-guided 3.8 mile waling tour marked by a series bronze medallions in the sidewalk, beginning at the Old Mint, 5th & Mission, to Aquatic Park in Fisherman's Wharf. The Barbary Coast Trail connects 20 historic sites including the birthplace of the Gold Rush, the oldest Asian temple in North America, a Silver King mansion, the western terminus of the Pony Express, six museums, and the country's largest collection of historic ships. Each end of the walking trail connects to the Powell-Hyde cable car line. A map is available at the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, 900 Market Street, or at sfhistory.org.
Bay Bridge
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge connect San Francisco with Alameda County (Interstate 80) to access cities including Oakland, Berkeley and Sacramento. The Bridge consists of two sections, a western suspension span and an eastern cantilever span. The two spans meet at Yerba Buena Island via a tunnel that gives access to Treasure Island. Tool of $2 is charged westbound only.
Cable Cars
Everyone wants to ride San Francisco's moving landmarks. And they are an exciting trip ... up and down some of the city's steepest hills at a steady 9.5 mph. Two cable car lines run from Market Street & Powell to Fisherman's Wharf. The California line runs from Market Street & California over Nob Hill to Van Ness. Purchase tickets at turnarounds or pay the conductor on board $5. The Cable Car Powerhouse & Museum, 1201
Mason Street at Washington, is the working center of the cable-car system. Onsite museum features displays telling the history of the system. The gift shop offers a variety of souvenirs. The Powerhouse is open free to the public daily 10am-6pm. Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines stop at the museum. On the California line get off at Mason Street and walk blocks north.
The Castro
This historic section of Upper Market Street, marked with rainbow flag, is recognized as the center of San Francisco's gay and lesbian community, but is welcoming to all residents and visitors. Castro Street is lined with specialty stores interspersed with colorful Victorians, restaurants, and pubs. Harvey Milk Plaza, at Market & Castro, is named after San Francisco's first openly gay supervisor. The Castro Theater, 429 Castro Street, is a great old movie palace that screens classic and art films.
Chinatown
Enter Chinatown at Bush and Grant Streets, through the Chinatown Gate. Chinatown is bustling 18 square blocks centered along Grant and Stockton from Bush to Columbus. The streets are lined with food markets, herb shops, temples, restaurants, and stores offering a variety of colorful merchandise. Ross Alley, running between Grant and Stockton from Jackson to Washington, has been the backdrop for movies including
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Karate Kid Ii, and Big Trouble in Little China St. Mary's Church. Grant & California, blends Chinese heritage with the Gold Rush. The granite foundation came from China and the bricks were brought with gold seekers. Portsmouth Square, at Kearny & Washington Streets, made history in 1848 when Sam Brannan announced there he'd found gold at Sutter's Mill.
Civic Center
Civic Center is the area where government and the cultural arts intersect. Along with municipal, state and federal offices, sights include the City Hall, at Van Ness Avenue & Grove. Spanning two city blocks and sporting a spectacular black-and-gold dome that rises over 300 feet tall, San Francisco's City Hall is a National Landmark. Tours are offered Monday-Friday, 10am, noon, and 2pm, from the information kiosk at the Polk Street entrance. 415-554-4933 for information. The Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street, displays treasures of Asian art spanning 600 years. The elegant War Memorial Opera House, Van Ness Avenue at Grove, is home to the San Francisco Ballet and Opera. Davies Symphony Hall, Van Ness at Gough, presents the award-winning symphony.
Adjacent Hayes Valley, centered along Hayes Street between Franklin and Laguna, is a revitalized city neighborhood offering interesting architecture, local designers' and artists' studios, and restaurants. Nearby, Alamo Square, at Hayes & Steiner Streets, is known as postcard Row for its much photographed colorful Victorians.
Coit Tower
One of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks, COIT TOWER is located atop Telegraph Hill. Coit Tower, shaped like the nozzle of a fire hose, is named for Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who left funds for a memorial to volunteer firemen. Coit Tower offers panoramic views from its observation deck, and its lobby is lined with WPA murals. Coit Tower is open daily 10am-5pm. No charge for entering the lobby but there is a $3 fee for the elevator to the top. By car, follow the signs on Stockton Street in North Beach. Parking is limited, so we suggest you take the Muni Bus no 39 from Washington Square. Call 415-362-0808 for more information.
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