San Francisco is one of the three most popular cities in the world. This small town, occupying only 47 sq. km between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, in which more than 700 thousand people live, is called one of the largest cities on the Pacific coast of the United States. In addition to the largest population of Asians, about 200 thousand Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Koreans, Thais and Vietnamese live here.
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful in the USA. It is located on forty hills, surrounded by water on three sides and has dizzyingly steep streets. This is the city of eternal spring, where it is never cold or hot.
San Francisco is loved even by those who actively hate everything else in the United States of America. There is something light, romantic and free in the atmosphere of the city, which distinguishes it so much from stuffy, noisy and business megacities.
San Francisco is very multifaceted, it is a city of beatniks and hippies, a city of rebellious students and representatives of sexual minorities.
San Francisco is located on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula and is the central part of the so-called San Francisco Bay Area.
The city includes several islands: Alcatraz, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena. The city also has the uninhabited islands of Faralon, located at a distance of 43 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean. It is often said that San Francisco is a square with a side of 7 miles (~11 kilometers).
What to visit and see in San Francisco, California, USA: attractions, souvenirs, museums, clubs, restaurants, entertainment, historical places
Symbol of San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge
The famous Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of San Francisco. It is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and is the most famous landmark in Frisco.
The bridge is suspended on two main ropes 93 cm thick, fixed on steel supports 227 meters high.
Each rope contains many thin cables. They say if you put them all together, then they are enough to wrap the earth around the equator three times.
Love Parade "San Francisco LovEvolution", San Francisco
LovEvolution is an annual love parade in San Francisco that was modeled after the German Berlin Love Parade held since 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, but in 2003 the city did not give permission for the parade and the event then moved to San Francisco.
In San Francisco, the Love Parade was such a success that the event was renamed LovEvolution and became an annual event.
Gay Parade Pride (Pride), Rainbow Flag and Gay Frisco
San Francisco is simply the mecca of all unusual personalities. Where else to celebrate their views on the orientation of the representatives of the rainbow flag, if not in Frisco?
The first San Francisco Pride-like event took place in the 1970s at Golden Gate Park. Since 1972 it has been held annually and the name of the festival has been constantly changing.
The Rainbow Flag was created in 1978 by Gilbert Baker for the San Francisco Pride parade. Initially, the design included 8 stripes, but then it was simplified to 6.
A very beautiful island in the bay. On it, in the immediate vicinity of the city, the famous Alcatraz prison was built.
Many famous criminals, including the legendary Al Capone, were kept there.
But about 25 years ago, the prison was closed and, at present, Alcatraz is a tourist attraction.
We went to San Francisco five times last year, and this year we stayed for one night, so I already have a whole list of San Francisco attractions with our various experiences. If we go again before the end of our holidays in California, I will add new ones.The first impression of San Francisco is hills, hills, more hills and views of the bay from those hills. The city is located in the northern part of the peninsula and is almost a square. Its western part is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and the eastern part by the San Francisco Bay. Most streets in San Francisco run parallel and perpendicular to each other, so finding the right address is not that difficult. The main streets cut the city, as if into pieces of a pie. Well, or else we were reminded where the lavender bushes also go in even rows-waves.
A lot of San Francisco attractions are concentrated near Pier 39 in the northwestern part of the city, so let's start with it.
Along the northwest coast of San Francisco is The Embarcadero - a series of piers from which boats go to neighboring islands, to bridges and to the other side of the bay. Pier 39 is the most notable of these, as the island jutting out into the water is home to many restaurants, children's entertainment and gift shops, as well as the San Francisco Aquarium. We didn’t go to this aquarium, because last year we went to, which is much larger. Tickets to both aquariums are included with the CityPass San Francisco, and the San Francisco Aquarium is included with the Go card San Francisco. About both of these passes, which allow you to save on attractions and attractions in many US cities, I will write separately.
One of the most fun and, moreover, free entertainment at Pier 39 is the seals, or sea lions, as they are called here. They lie on wooden platforms, someone is trying to sleep, someone is swimming, but the noise from their squeak is incredible.
From pier 33 cruise ships go to Alcatraz island- a former federal prison, from which, according to official figures, no one has ever managed to escape. Actually, a few people were able to do it, but it is believed that they drowned in the water. Many notorious criminals were held in this prison, including Al Capone. If you want to visit the island itself, and even in the summer, I advise you to buy tickets very early. For example, when we came to the ticket office, tickets were on sale only a month later! We had to take a flight just around the island and to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was very cold! It is necessary to take warm clothes, preferably with hoods, since the summer in San Francisco is always cold anyway, and even on the water ... Because of the wind, you could hardly hear the guide, but the views of the island, San Francisco and the bridge are very beautiful.
So, if you are lucky, the day is sunny and there is no fog, it is quite possible to take such an excursion.
From Pier 33 in about half an hour (because you have to climb uphill) you can walk to Coit Tower.
In my opinion, its tourist attraction is greatly exaggerated. But perhaps my impression was spoiled by the queues. First you have to stand in line for the elevator (we stood for 40 minutes), and at the very top you will spend 5 minutes. Yes, you will see San Francisco from above, but because of the sun and wind, it’s not even possible to take photos from all sides. And then you still have to stand in line to take the elevator down. This pleasure costs 8 dollars.
True, while you wait for the elevator, you can look at the huge paintings on the walls.
A must see in San Francisco is Fisherman's Wharf. This is still the same embankment The Embarcadero, to the left of Pier 39. There are many souvenir shops, a market, cafes and restaurants. This is where you should try clam chowder - a creamy seafood soup served in a loaf of bread. I tried this for the first time in and now I eat it at every opportunity, although the calories in it are probably decent ...
You can find restaurants with more expensive food, but it will still be American-style, and therefore not very healthy.
Other interesting San Francisco attractions are concentrated near Fisherman's Wharf - Madame Tussauds museum, Ripley's Believe it or not and other museums and attractions. From the park Maritime National Historical Park offers a beautiful view of Golden Gate Bridge. True, in addition to tourists resting on the grass, there are a lot of homeless people here, which, of course, spoils the view, but this is the real San Francisco.
Just above the park you can see Ghirardelli Square. Nothing particularly remarkable there, but the building is beautiful.
Near the park is the terminus of one of the lines - the legendary San Francisco tram. To take this tram at the final stop (we got on Market street - the opposite end), you need to be patient. It is best to try to sit at some intermediate stop. To do this, you need to buy a ticket in advance or use CityPass San Francisco. A single ticket costs $6.
I think this entertainment is also an exaggerated pleasure because of the terrible queues. You also need to be on the alert all the time so as not to become a victim of pickpockets. But the tram looks, of course, interesting.
And the views from the hills to the San Francisco Bay are excellent.
And that is not all! There are so many sights of San Francisco and photos on my list that I decided to divide them into 2 posts. So that .
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San Francisco is a city of skyscrapers on the shores of the picturesque Gulf of California, along which laden barges and elegant yachts sail.
The main attraction of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the two parts of the city across the bay. The Golden Gate Bridge is the tallest and longest supporting bridge in the world, built back in 1937.
San Francisco, harmoniously combining modernity and history of the United States, is one of the most colorful cities in America.
San Francisco is the wildest American city, where happiness flows through the streets, and the fun does not stop for an hour. Here is a brief chronicle of my journey to this amazing city.
Traveling to the other side of the planet was a little scary - a long flight, a time difference. Why is it impossible to teleport, avoiding customs formalities and a sleepless night on an airplane? I recalled how I flew to New York - stiff limbs, stiff back, crowded and annoying neighbor - I arrived half dead. But, what is most surprising, this time I even liked it! I can't say that sleeping in British Airways' WorldClass reclining seats, specially designed for transatlantic flights, is better than sleeping in your own bed, but it feels quite comparable. Here we are in California! More precisely, at the San Francisco airport, where we are immediately warned that the locals hate the abbreviated name of their hometown - Frisco.
You leave the airport, and the first thing you feel is the smell of eucalyptus oil, warm wind and something else indescribable ... the ocean, I guess. We drive up to the city past roadside fast foods and parking lots, motels and other American classics. A huge inscription on one of the hills peeps through the road billboards: San Francisco -Industrial City. Did the factories smoke here?! Since the days of the gold rush, San Francisco has developed the industry of the wildest American state - California.
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And now here skyscrapers rest against the clouds and heavy barges slowly move along the bay, sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge (Golden Gate Bridge) - the main attraction of San Francisco. It is thrown across the Gulf of California where its blue waves mix with the cold dark water of the ocean. Three kilometers of iron structures, painted in traditional American ocher, is the longest and highest support bridge in the world. Immediately after the completion of construction in 1937, the bridge - the fruit of American constructivism - became famous throughout the world, and even the most modern buildings could not overshadow its glory.
The water is cold, even in summer it does not warm up above 18 degrees, and under the bridge, where whirlpools and overlapping waves rage, only surfers risk fighting the elements. From afar, it seems that butterflies are fluttering there - green, red, white sails and paragliders, on which surfers take off above the waves, pirouettes and descend on the waves. The path between the parking of snow-white yachts and eucalyptus landings leads to the ocean. The ocean here smells not of fish, but of freshness, iodine and ozone, and the wind howls in the ocher structure of the bridge.
We walk along the piers with white pleasure boats to the Golden Gate and to the small two- or three-story villas of the richest San Francisans on the coast. We are already in the fashionable Marina area. Over the past few years, the good old oil tycoons in the area have been replaced by young, educated, slightly weird Internet geniuses and silicone kings. The online boom that began here in Silicon Valley has changed the face of a city that has rejuvenated itself and become even faster and more attractive. Paolo Alto has gone from being a wealthy suburb of San Francisco to becoming a high-tech capital of the world, where skyscrapers with neon logos of Oracle, Macintosh, Microsoft, and all the other major computer empires have grown overnight. Now, when everyone is talking about the recession in the Internet business, the city is living in anticipation of the next invention - even more enticing, even more incredible.
In the meantime, parked Ferrari and Alfa Romeo convertibles are quietly parked in Marina - they are also waiting for the next high point, there is not a soul on the streets, but you can look into the windows of the American rich. Fortunately, they are here, in these chic "million dollar" houses, they are huge, and outside the windows the golden ocean breathes at sunset.
Seeing the shining water, the pioneers-gold miners called this place the "Golden Gate" - the exit from the bay, where the sea burns no worse than their freshly mined gold. On the other side of the Golden Gate are dark rocks, like in cowboy westerns. And in the middle of the bay is the gloomy Alcatraz prison. It was believed that it was impossible to escape from this prison on the island. From 1933 to 1963, in addition to murderers and murderers, many unlucky celebrities like Al Capone “rewound” their terms here. We will sail there tomorrow on a catamaran in a terrible wind under torrential waves with cheerful Americans who almost drowned 3 thousand dollars in a waterproof belt pocket.
We swim back to the shore exhausted, weathered, wet to the skin and terribly hungry. But still wildly satisfied! Sea lions rest on the pier in the city center. They are cute, lazy and fat, fed on fish and lobster leftovers, which are served in nearby restaurants. And eateries, grills, restaurants and just a hundred or two coastal cafes will definitely be typed here. And in each - shrimp, mussels and other marine life in any form, even in French “flambe”, even in American “barbecue”. Nearby they give tandem bicycles for rent, but it’s a pity for sandals, so we pass by. And so I would like to ride along the embankment of the bay to the verdant Sausalito on the other side. Instead, we walk past shops that sell nothing but boiled chocolate bears with jelly inside, licorice sticks, 1950s tin signs advertising Coca-Cola, Warhol's tomato soup, and California license plates for Harleys.
So we get to the tram stop. More precisely, not to the tram, but to the stop of cable cars (cable car) - a tram without a wire on top, but with a cable between the rails. This signature San Francisco vehicle has been abandoned as a rarity and tourist attraction, but is also used by residents to get around the city. The whole of Frisco is entangled with rails and cables, you can get from one end of the city to the other - it's convenient, albeit a long one. The tram is climbing the hills heavily. The avenue goes almost vertically upwards, breaks off - so that it takes your breath away - and here we are at the hotel. In the mornings I ran over the hills here - the city does not equalize everything, but twists along with the unevenness of the soil - the street in front of you can just fall off a cliff, cars screech their brakes, and drivers are taught to slow down the engine.
In the morning I leave a five-star hotel in sports shorts - and I don’t feel like a freak: almost everyone here runs, the rest swim or ride bikes. You can't get through the Golden Gate by car because of bikers and scooters. We stayed in an old chic hotel in the heart of Union Square overlooking the skyscrapers and the bay.
In the turbulent 80s, a tower of 32 floors was added to the old 6-storey building. My number is on the 26th - I hurry to the window. The industrial panorama of neon, glass and concrete - more vertical than horizontal - is dynamic and beautiful. And at dawn from my room you can watch how the haze descends from the distant hills to the sea - by its color they judge what the day will be like.
We had to meet dawn almost every day - the regime was extreme: we went to bed in Moscow, got up in San Francisco. Fortunately, the "city in the style of disco" does not sleep at night either on holidays or on weekdays.
During the golden age of jazz in the 60s, the hippies took over the city. It was here that the tradition of rock festivals was born - the first was Summer of Love in 1967. In the meantime, hippies weaved flowers into their hair at the University of Berkeley, which at that time was already one of the most prestigious educational institutions USA, a real student revolution began, accompanied by protests against the Vietnam War.
In the 1970s, the student revolution was followed by a sexual, or rather, homosexual one. The "blue" and "pink" San Francisco people were the first to break down the barriers created by society. So the Castro district was born, full of bars and clubs where guys in leather vests could meet guys in bright wigs. The brightest processions take place here - for example, on Halloween. It is here that you can see the largest Gay & Lesbian Freedom Day Parade in the USA. In the SoMa area, half of the houses are painted with psychedelic graffiti - these are traces of the stay of "flower children". All the most fashionable clubs of the city are still concentrated here.
And in Downtown, by tradition, fashionable establishments remained. Wedged between a business center with skyscrapers and narrow lanes and a trendy youth district. Downtown is a jumble of the chicest shops, with magazine cover-worthy storefronts, entertainment venue lights, restaurants and lounge bars. Those who live in areas like Marina rest here. In the famous Top of the Mark bar, which is raised above the city to the fiftieth floor - on the roof of a five-star hotel, the public, tired of the noise, and tourists contemplating the panorama of the sparkling lights of Frisco at night gather. The city, which is not in vain called the front door of the United States. Poverty has long been defeated here, and Sharon Stone prefers to relax nearby, at her villa in Sausalito, three kilometers from the Golden Gate.
We drive there the next morning, across the bridge over the hills, bathed in sun, along the bay, transparent and sparkling. Everything blooms there with some incredible flowers: pink sakura, orange poppies, green hills and vineyards. That's where we're heading for a tasting of California wines. The juiciest grapes in all of America grow in the Napa Valley, the most famous wines of the New World are made here - and even the recent fashion for wines from Chile and Argentina did not stop Californian winemakers. California wine begins in the vineyards that line both sides of the road from horizon to horizon. Then it wanders in the cellars of the distillery in huge tanks, settles and picks up aromas in oak barrels, and then it ends up in our glasses arranged for tasting. What bouquets, what taste: it is clear that this wine is almost the best of what you drank, even if you understand wine no more than a pig understands Moroccan tangerines. We carefully portray subtle connoisseurs, and we are told about the origin of the grapes and the history of the winery - in the past a small family business.
We are also offered well-known varieties - French Merlot, Cabernet and Chardonnay, Italian Chianti and Bordanello, and original Napa Valley wines - they are no worse than what is poured from bottles with familiar labels.
In the evening we go down to the Sausalito embankment and have a long dinner in a restaurant on a glazed terrace. The sun goes down, the sea goes out, San Francisco lights up and is reflected in the bay - an eternally young city that does not sleep.
San Francisco - Big City located on the west coast of America in the state of California. The city is the financial, transport and cultural center of the United States, contributing to the active development of the entire country.
The "visiting cards" traditionally include the numerous hills on which San Francisco is located. In spite of a large number of hills and amazing panoramas, world-famous sights also deserve attention. The many-sided San Francisco will be appreciated only by sophisticated travelers.
The Golden Gate is a large suspension bridge that connects the city of San Francisco and Marin County. It was built in 1937, after which it is one of the largest in the world.
In 2011, an increase in car fares was recorded. However, pedestrians can cross the bridge for free while enjoying amazing views of San Francisco.
Lombard Street features a unique curly shape. The street became famous due to the fact that it is depicted in many famous films. However, Lombard Street has a peculiar shape, not for the sake of shocking, but in order to smooth out the slope of the hill and guarantee the greatest possible comfort for all people.
The settlement of the street began in the 1920s. Many people have not been able to successfully drive their personal vehicles on Lombard Street. The city administration decided to create a curved street, due to which the slope was reduced from 27 degrees to 16.
Cable cars, which have been operating since 1873, are considered the "calling card" of San Francisco. Such trams are not only public transport, but also a historical landmark.
In the first half of the 20th century, the cable car network fell into disrepair as buses developed rapidly in San Francisco. Only in 1947, the townspeople decided to create a volunteer committee, realizing that trams deserve to be a kind of historical monument of the city. Today, there are three cable lines that are officially listed on the US National Register of Historic Monuments.
Alcatraz prison is located on the island of the same name in the San Francisco Channel. In the 1850s, there was a protective fort here, which was later converted into a military prison. Then Alcatraz was used only for repeat offenders and especially dangerous criminals. Today, the prison has ceased to work, and it is a museum. The closure of the prison took place in 1962, and 11 years later the facility was opened for tourist visits.
Coit Tower is considered a worthy observation platform, which is located at the very top of Telegraph Hill. This object is recognized as a historical monument of the United States, dating back to the era Great Depression. It was then that the unique Coit Tower was built.
The tower was originally supposed to be built in memory of the San Francisco firefighters. However, the original idea has changed. It was decided that the tower should be a unique small art gallery, revealing interesting facets of American art and socialist realism. The motives for the design of the gallery are dedicated to the specifics of the problems that were associated with agriculture, education, social protests of Americans who wanted to create an ideal world. The significance of such a gallery does not raise any questions.
Location: 1 - Telegraph Hill Blvd.
The Exploratorium is an interactive science museum. All exhibits tell about the features of physics in real life, and the presented items are allowed to carefully study. Some exhibits acquire a unique meaning only after a visitor touches them.
Exploratorium includes thousands of exhibits. At the same time, the museum center can work up to 400 exhibitions.
Location: 3601 - Lyon Street.
Union Square is located in downtown San Francisco. One of the main decorations of the square is a granite column, which is crowned with seahorses when they kiss. At the same time, a bronze girl is balancing on a ball above the seahorses, holding a laurel wreath and a trident in her hands.
From the square you can take a walk to the beautiful Maiden lane, which regularly turns into a pedestrian zone with cafes and small shops. If desired, the walk will be delayed for a long time.
Location: 333 - Post Street.
City Hall is the city administration building. The building was built in 1915. The modern City Hall is made in the style of the American Renaissance, thanks to which it is distinguished by its special nobility. The American Renaissance was characterized by late XIX- early 20th century.
The main staircase, made of marble, has a special width. At the same time, the main staircase is decorated with a rotunda. On the eve of the Christmas holidays, a festive tree is traditionally set up here.
Marriage registrations are held in City Hall. In the evening and on weekends, the premises can be rented for celebrations.
Location: 1 - Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place.
The history of the Tea Garden began in 1894. Initially, it was created as part of the exposition of the International Winter Exhibition. After the exhibition, it was decided to keep the Tea Garden, subsequently increasing its area. The initiative came from Makoto Hagiwara, a professional gardener and immigrant from Japan.
Until 1925, Hagiwara was actively involved in the development of the tea garden. Unfortunately, after the death of Hagiwara, a period of desolation nevertheless began.
Restoration took place only in the second half of the 1950s, and the project was developed by Nagao Sakurai, a talented landscape designer. Per last years the garden has changed its visual appearance, but its execution is still based on old principles. Now the tea garden has become famous all over the world due to its unique performance.
Location: John F Kennedy
Transamerica is the tallest building in San Francisco. This building has a modern design. It should be noted that the building is used for the headquarters, so visitors cannot visit the offices. Free access is guaranteed only to the first floor, but this is enough to feel the unique aura of the skyscraper.
Location: 600 - Montgomery Street.
Salt ponds surprise with their extraordinary beauty. Initially, the picture resembles tulip fields in the Netherlands, but in fact, a natural creation is a unique body of water.
Artificial reservoirs are small in size. The main task was to organize the extraction of salt from sea water due to evaporation. However, salt ponds are not only a functional object, but also a unique attraction. In addition, various aquatic birds live here, including endangered species.
The variegated color of the salt ponds is due to the regularly changing concentration of algae and microorganisms.
Fisherman's Wharf is located in the northern part of San Francisco. The fishing pier is symbolized by the red crab, which has already managed to win a special glory. Previously, during the Gold Rush, it was in this area that gold prospectors gathered, who tried to earn a living, at least by catching crabs. Nowadays, the pier is a pleasant place for walking. In addition, there are two museum centers here: the Museum of Mechanics and the Wax Museum. Small and cozy restaurants, souvenir shops, attractions also become available to tourists.
Location: Jefferson Street & Taylor Street.
The San Francisco Zoo is located on the Pacific coast, or rather, in the southwestern part of the city. It contains more than 700 inhabitants which represent about 250 species.
The zoo was founded in 1929. Subsequently, it was possible to include enclosures for bears, houses for elephants and tigers, and a monkey island into the complex.
A special attraction is the unique insect zoo, where you can see the following individuals:
- Hissing cockroaches of Madagascar.
- Tarantula.
- Scorpions.
- Termites.
- Sticks.
Each visitor can carefully study insects under a microscope and even get to know them in a playful way.
If desired, tourists can spend the night at the zoo, as there is an opportunity to spend the night in a tent camp, which is located right in the center of the park.
Location: Sloat Blvd & Great Hwy.
The Lotta Fountain, created in 1875, is located in the central part of San Francisco. The fountain was originally used as a source drinking water, but even then the object became a popular meeting place for local citizens.
The unique design of the Lotta Fountain is distinguished by the following characteristic elements:
- The column is made of bronze cast iron.
- The base is made of granite.
- The top of the column is decorated with a lamp.
- At the base of the fountain you can find four semi-circular pools.
Such a beautiful fountain is rightfully considered a landmark of San Francisco.
Location: Kearny Street.
Grace Cathedral belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA.
The first stone in the foundation of the temple was laid in 1910. However, construction activities were successfully completed only in 1964. The architects sought to take into account the earthquake resistance of the area, as a result of which the cathedral was built from concrete, tightened with steel beams. Architects also completely abandon reliefs and sculptures for safety reasons. However, the interior still managed to be decorated with beautiful frescoes and mosaics.
The pride of the cathedral is the bronze doors, which are an exact and skillful copy of the "Gates of Paradise" in the Cathedral of San Giovanni in the Italian city of Florence.
Location: 1100 California Street.
The Walt Disney Family Museum has been successfully operating since October 2009 in San Francisco. Walt Disney is the creator of numerous cartoons that have become legendary. In addition, it was thanks to the talented American animator that the Walt Disney Company appeared, which still exists today. The museum was founded by Diana Disney Miller, Walt's natural daughter.
Visitors can see the following exhibits:
- Personal effects of Walt Disney.
- The documents.
- Collection of cartoons.
- Sketches of drawings.
- Disneyland model.
- Great Multiplier Awards.
The building is also equipped with monitors and sound equipment for watching cartoons. If you wish, you can visit the cinema hall, where Walt Disney cartoons are regularly shown.
Location: 104 - Montgomery Street.
San Francisco is one of the most attractive and interesting cities in the US and really deserves a lot of tourist attention.