San Francisco in a Day: Essential Stops for an Amazing Visit
Lately I have been doing a lot of hiking, visiting national parks, and searching for off-the-beaten-path adventures, that I almost forgot that there are urban jungles that need to be explored.
San Francisco was never on my list of cities I thought I would go and visit, but when my job took me two hours away from it and I had some down time, I felt the challenge to see of what all I can tour in a short period of time. With less than 12 hours, I got to visit seven of the most iconic landmarks of San Francisco.
1. THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
Coming into the city, the first thing you want to see is the most recognizable bridge in the world, The Golden State Bridge. There are few amazing view points from Marin Headlands, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can view the bridge from Golden Gate Observation Deck, Golden Gate View Point, and Battery Spencer (pictured below).
Each viewpoint gives you a different perspective of the bridge. The Observation Deck is a little further and higher giving you a good view of the bridge with the city in the background. The Golden Gate View Point gives you a nice angle that presents a little more depth. The Battery Spencer View Point, which was my favorite, gives you the most dramatic view of the bridge, even though it does not capture the city in the background. Viewing it at different viewpoints really lets you appreciate this majestic bridge and gives you a well rounded experience.
As you might already know, the weather conditions tend to quickly change in the Bay Area. When I arrived fog was covering the entire bridge and it was hard to see it from the observation deck. Good thing I waited about 20 minutes to see if the bridge would make an appearance.
Drive through the bridge and head towards Lombard Street.
2. LOMBARD STREET
Sitting on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Street, Lombard Street is one of the most popular streets in San Francisco. Some call it the “Crookedest Street in the World”. This tourist attractions bring millions of visitors walking and driving down the eight sharp turns. On both sides there are amazing mansions while the street is beautifully manicured with landscaping and flowers.
Many photographers make their way down to the bottom to capture the elegance of the street as they look up. From the top you get a good view of how steep the road is, as well as the San Francisco Bay, the Coit Tower, and The Bay Bridge.
From there, I walked down on Leavenworth Street north towards the Fisherman’s Wharf.
3. FISHERMAN’S WHARF
The Fisherman’s Wharf is one of cities busiest tourist areas. Located in San Francisco’s northern waterfront it is full of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. Most of the shops are located off of Jefferson Street, but don’t be afraid to wonder into the piers. For example, Pier 45 has the USS Pampanito, a submarine that served during World War II.
I walked east on the Fisherman’s Wharf towards Pier 39. There are plenty of sea food restaurants to choose from for lunch. San Francisco is famous for its sourdough bread and its fresh crab. One of the most iconic places to eat this combination is at Boudin Bakery.
As you walk towards Pier 39 you can also catch a glimpse of Alcatraz. If I had more time I would have scheduled a boat ride to visit the famous prison island.
4. PIER 39
Pier 39 is a shopping center built on a pier that feature splendid scenic views, eateries, shops and entertainment. It is a great spot to grab yourself a drink to cool down and relax. As you walk through the pier, the options seem to be endless.
Make your way towards the back of the pier and you will find some sea lions that are just sunbathing and camping out on K-Dock.
These wild sea lions have resided at Pier 39 since 1990 shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake. According to the Sea Lion Center the population of these mammals hit and all-time record of 1,701 in November 2009.
After enjoying the Fisherman’s Wharf, I made your way to Little Italy.
5. LITTLE ITALY
Little Italy is located in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. In this part of the city you will find an abundance of Italian restaurants, delis, and bakeries. You can also find a selection of cafes inviting you to grab yourself a cup of coffee and pastries.
This district is an ideal place if you are in the mood for some Italian specialities. During the day, this neighborhood seems to be very quiet, but after talking to some locals, it was recommended to go to Columbus Avenue at night if you are in search for a more festive atmosphere.
While exploring Little Italy, I walked towards the Tansamerica Pyramid building to enjoy more of the interesting architecture.
Next, I walked towards Chinatown, which was right next to Little Italy.
6. CHINA TOWN
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and the most established in the U.S. Beyond iconic Dragon’s Gate, a bustling maze of streets and alleys brims with dim sum joints and other traditional eateries. Also, you can find many herbalists, bakeries, souvenir shops, and dark cocktail lounges and some fun karaoke bars. There are ornate temples that are worth seeing, including the landmark Tien How, as well as the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum.
There are a lot of attractions and culture in this neighborhood. Since its establishment in 1848, it has been highly important and influential in the history and culture of ethnic Chinese immigrants in North America. Chinatown is an enclave that continues to retain its own customs and identity through its places of worship, social clubs, and language.
Officially, Chinatown is located in a 24 city block area in downtown San Francisco. Walk through Grant Avenue, one of the oldest streets in the city’s Chinatown. The architecture around is heavily influenced and presented with an authentic look reminiscent to China.
7. ALAMO SQUARE PARK
With little sunlight left in the day, I made my way to Alamo Square park, which is about a 10 minuted drive. It is a residential area of four city blocks that sit on top of a hill that overlooks San Francisco’s downtown area. Surrounding the park, you will find large and architecturally distinctive mansions that have been mostly untouched by urban renewal.
This district was considered a Historic District in 1984 due to its distinguished architecture that spans from 1870 to the 1920s. Facing the park, on Steiner Street, is the most recognizable houses called the “Painted Ladies“.
An interesting fact about this district is that a number of movies, television sitcoms and commercials have been filmed around Alamo Square. The park was featured in The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Five-Year Engagement, and some of Full House intro sequence.
8. SUNSET AT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
On my way out of the city I decided to catch a final view of the Golden State Bridge. Torpedo Wharf is the perfect viewpoint putting the sun right behind the bridge as it comes down to towards the horizon. This is where I captured the picture down below.
CONCLUSION
Watching the sunset and soaking in the busy day trip while listening to the crashing waves, made me thankful that I challenged myself and made this trip happened. I hope you find my trip inspirational and if you ever find yourself near San Francisco you too can experience the Bay Area. All you need is one day.
What other landmarks or areas in San Francisco would you recommend to see? Leave a comment below and I will respond as soon as I can.
