About San Francisco
A unique bridge, classic cable cars, a sparkling bay, a famous prison and steep streets with elegant Victorian houses - so many things make San Francisco one of the world's greatest cities to visit!
Located in the Bay Area along the Northern California coast, many attractions beyond those in the city can be easily reached: world-famous wine country, including Napa Valley and Sonoma, plus waterfront towns, beautiful beaches, world's largest trees and wonderful hikes in close National Parks, and the tech-savvy southern end of the bay known as the Silicon Valley, turn into the next brilliant innovation.
It may measure less than 50 square miles/130 square kilometers, but San Francisco justly ranks as one of the greatest cities in the world. Famous for its dynamic diversity, the "City by the Bay" truly has it all. Trend-defining cuisine ranging from Michelin-starred dining to outrageous food trucks; world-renowned symphony, ballet, theater, and opera; plus almost boundless outdoor adventures, San Francisco justifiably stands out as one of the ultimate must-sees on any traveler's wish list.
Follow the link of KQED News to explore why San Francisco gets so foggy in the summer, making summertime unexpectedly cold.
Top Attractions in San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
The Bridge connects San Francisco to California's northern counties. With towers soaring 746 feet/227 meters into the sky, sweeping main cables, signature International Orange color and Art Deco styling, the Golden Gate Bridge is simply amazing. [More]
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is a popular tourist neighborhood in San Francisco. It roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Avenue east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street. Here, you will find how a historic era still influences the present-day culture, events, sights, sounds and food of San Francisco. [More]
Alcatraz
The Alcatraz Island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison (1868), and a federal prison from 1933 until 1963. Rich in history, there is also a natural side to the Rock - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare. [More]
ChinaTown
This is the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese community outside Asia. Since its establishment, 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, languages, places of worship, social clubs, and identity. [More]
California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences, located in the Golden Gate Park, is a world-class natural sciences museum, which offers a unique way to experience an abundance of plants and animal species. It is home to an impressive neotropical rainforest glass dome; an aquarium with an amazing underwater view of aquatic life; and a planetarium that offers a true-to-life recreation of the cosmos. [More]
Aquarium of the Bay
Aquarium of the Bay is located at Embarcadero and Beach Street, at the edge of Pier 39. It is focused on local aquatic animals from the San Francisco Bay and neighboring waters; it has over 50 sharks, skates, bat rays and thousands of other animals. [More]
Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is a museum whose stated mission is to change the way the world learns. It has been described by the New York Times as the most important science museum to have opened since the mid-20th century due to the nature of its exhibits, its wide-ranging influence and its sophisticated teacher training program. [More]
San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway. This zoo is the birthplace of Koko the gorilla, and housed more than 1000 individual animals representing over 250 species as of 2015. [More]
De Young Museum
De Young is a fine arts museum, located in the heart of Golden Gate Park. With a unique architecture and an expansive collection of American art and artifacts dating from the 17th century, the De Young museum is a favorite destination for locals and visitors from all over the world. The museum also features a diverse set of exhibits for visitors at any point in time. [More]
