My heart yearns to travel. It's just in my blood. And when you start in the travel business, my heart is aflutter with so many places to go and see, and I don't even know where to begin to go first!
But, as I plan for future travel adventures, I look to my past travels to find inspiration and my first travel post takes me to San Francisco, a vibrant and colourful city that invites familiarity and culture to awaken all your senses!
But, as I plan for future travel adventures, I look to my past travels to find inspiration and my first travel post takes me to San Francisco, a vibrant and colourful city that invites familiarity and culture to awaken all your senses!
I've been to San Francisco a few times in my life and it was the first "big city" travel adventure that I took my kids on! Why San Francisco?? There is so much to see and do in San Francisco and surrounding area that it makes a great first time vacation experience. Here are some of my top 10 must see and do experiences in the San Francisco and Bay Area for your next vacation!
1. Alcatraz "The Rock"
I've done this tour twice now because it's so fascinating! Buy tickets in advance so you make don't miss out because if tickets sell out for the day, there won't be any more. Your ticket includes a ride on the Alcatraz cruise ferry boat that takes you across to Alcatraz Island to visit the former maximum security prison, housing some of the most famous criminals in US history, most notoriously, Al Capone. It was also where the movie, "The Rock", starring Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage and Ed Harris was filmed.
1. Alcatraz "The Rock"
I've done this tour twice now because it's so fascinating! Buy tickets in advance so you make don't miss out because if tickets sell out for the day, there won't be any more. Your ticket includes a ride on the Alcatraz cruise ferry boat that takes you across to Alcatraz Island to visit the former maximum security prison, housing some of the most famous criminals in US history, most notoriously, Al Capone. It was also where the movie, "The Rock", starring Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage and Ed Harris was filmed.
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It's an audio tour that takes you through the prison main areas and cells and then you are free to explore the island on your own however you wish. When you are ready to leave, you just board the ferry that takes you back to Pier 33.
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2. PIER 39 and Fisherman's Wharf
Downtown San Francisco is all about Pier 39 and you can't NOT visit Pier 39 when in San Francisco. Many water based attractions and adventures are based at The PIER and there are so many restaurants and boutique shops in the area making it a great day to explore and enjoy San Francisco culinary favourites such as the clam chowder bread bowls, and fresh seafood.
Downtown San Francisco is all about Pier 39 and you can't NOT visit Pier 39 when in San Francisco. Many water based attractions and adventures are based at The PIER and there are so many restaurants and boutique shops in the area making it a great day to explore and enjoy San Francisco culinary favourites such as the clam chowder bread bowls, and fresh seafood.
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The infamous sea lions hang out at PIER 39 and have been there since the 1989 earthquake.
3. Chinatown
Chinatown is always a favourite to visit in any big city as San Francisco has one of the largest Chinatown populations in North America. With over 10,000 inhabitants, the area is bustling with shops, businesses and lots of fantastic Chinese restaurants to choose from!
Chinatown is always a favourite to visit in any big city as San Francisco has one of the largest Chinatown populations in North America. With over 10,000 inhabitants, the area is bustling with shops, businesses and lots of fantastic Chinese restaurants to choose from!
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4. Lombard Street
Drive down the "Crookedest Street in the World! Lombard Street is a steep one-block street with eight sharp turns in The Presidio area of the city. It is a famous tourist attraction, receiving over two million visitors each year who want to experience the unique street.
Drive down the "Crookedest Street in the World! Lombard Street is a steep one-block street with eight sharp turns in The Presidio area of the city. It is a famous tourist attraction, receiving over two million visitors each year who want to experience the unique street.
5. Golden Gate Bridge
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco's most famous attractions and is visible from so many areas of the city.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco's most famous attractions and is visible from so many areas of the city.
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5. Cable Cars
Another iconic San Francisco favourite! The cable car transit system has been running in the city since 1873 and are now considered a National Landmark.
Another iconic San Francisco favourite! The cable car transit system has been running in the city since 1873 and are now considered a National Landmark.
6. Muir Woods
Just heading slightly north of San Francisco is the Muir Woods National Monument. The California Redwood trees are a breathtaking sight to behold. The trees are anywhere between 400 - 800 years old and up to 250 feet in height.
Just heading slightly north of San Francisco is the Muir Woods National Monument. The California Redwood trees are a breathtaking sight to behold. The trees are anywhere between 400 - 800 years old and up to 250 feet in height.
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7. Napa Valley
You can't visit San Francisco and not head to Napa County to do a winery tour! More than 400 wineries producing some of the best and most well known wines come from the Napa County region. Experience wine tours paired with culinary tastings, or make it a whole weekend experience staying at any of their boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts in the area.
You can't visit San Francisco and not head to Napa County to do a winery tour! More than 400 wineries producing some of the best and most well known wines come from the Napa County region. Experience wine tours paired with culinary tastings, or make it a whole weekend experience staying at any of their boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts in the area.
From the Nienaum Coppola Winery in 2002, owned by Francis Ford Coppola.
8. Silicon Valley
As a big Apple girl, it was a neat experience to drive through Silicon Valley and visit the Apple Headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop!
As a big Apple girl, it was a neat experience to drive through Silicon Valley and visit the Apple Headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop!
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9. Monterey and the 17 Mile Drive
Head south of San Francisco for some of the most beautiful coastlines in the area to Monterey, Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fun adventure for marine life and education for the kids.
Head south of San Francisco for some of the most beautiful coastlines in the area to Monterey, Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fun adventure for marine life and education for the kids.
The Lone Cypress tree is one of the most photographed trees in North America, sitting in Pebble Beach alone the 17 Mile Drive.
10. The View from Above
Hike up the Twin Peaks hills to get the best views of the city, located in the geographic centre of the city.
Hike up the Twin Peaks hills to get the best views of the city, located in the geographic centre of the city.
There really is so much to see and do in San Francisco so I definitely recommend it as a destination to visit! Let me know how I can help plan the perfect itinerary for your travels in the area. You won't be able to do it all, but it will definitely be a great start to experience such a great city!
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