You probably think that 2 days in San Francisco isn’t enough time to experience the city? Not so! San Francisco is only a 2-hour flight from Seattle and it’s a great city to visit throughout the year (although the best months to visit are from April to November).
You can go back twenty times or more and never tire of the “City by the Bay”.
When you discover a city, you inevitably play the tourist the first time. But if afterwards you have the opportunity to return, you can really get the feel of the city by doing daily routines. For example, take daily strolls under the sun along Fisherman’s Wharf, walking or running under palm trees, while enjoying great views of Alcatraz!
If it’s your first time in San Francisco, here are some of the sights and activities not to be missed:
A ride on a Cable Car (and the Cable Car Museum), Lombard Street (“the crookedest street in the world”), the Golden Gate Bridge, street art, shopping, Alamo Square with its classic Victorian homes known as the “Painted Ladies“, the Haight-Ashbury District (birthplace of the 1960’s counterculture movement), Fisherman’s Wharf, and of course Pier 39 with barking sea lions piling up on top of one another.
For regular visitors to San Francisco, here are some additional ideas:
Take the incredible and poignant tour of Alcatraz prison and island, an island which is so close to San Francisco, yet which was so far for the prisoners formerly held there. The views of the city from the island are beautiful. The guided audio tour gives you a feel for what daily life on “the Rock” was like for the inmates. Included in the tour are visits to the cellblocks, the cafeteria, the exercise yard, etc. Reservations are strongly recommended throughout the year!
Rent bikes and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. It makes for a great time! If you are afraid of heights, hang on tightly to your handlebars and don’t look up! Otherwise, lean back and enjoy this beautiful crossing of the bridge. Once you get to the other side, head on down to Sausalito. Have lunch, visit the town, take a stroll, and then return by taking a ferry back to San Francisco.
Go on a beautiful walk at Lands End Beach. Watch the freighters as they enter the Bay and enjoy a superb view of the Golden Gate Bridge from a different angle. Walking north, you’ll find the historic Cliff House restaurant overlooking the Ocean. Arrive or leave by the park, the Presidio; buses are free from the city center.
Angel Island State Park. By ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon (more departures) the trip takes 50 minutes. You will go for its beauty, its history, and its breathtaking views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, the Richmond Bridge, Tiburon, and Alcatraz. Angel Island was the first point of contact on American soil for thousands of immigrants. The place is superb, whether on foot, by bike, or on horseback. In fact, you can even camp there.
Dean
