Highlights Sightseeing Route: Approximately 3 hours in total. (Sightseeing Route Map) 1. Washington Square — 2. Saints Peter and Paul Church — 3. Coit Tower — 4. Columbus Avenue — 5. Filbert Steps — 6. New Montgomery — 7. North Beach Museum Introduction North Beach (NorthBeac…
Guide The university was established with donations from Leland Stanford Sr., a former California railroad tycoon and governor, who wanted to commemorate his son who died of illness during a trip to Italy. He donated his 8,180-acre horse ranch, originally used for breeding thoroughbred horses, to serve as the campus...
Introduction The famous "Lombard Street," also known as the "Crookedest Street," is located on Russian Hill in San Francisco. This street is built along a section of roadway with a grade of over 40 degrees, featuring nine sharp “S”-shaped curves, each lined with hundreds of varieties of rare and beautiful flowers. Cars slowly navigate the twists, creating a truly unique sight.
Introduction The Palace of Fine Arts was built on December 8, 1913, as a temporary structure made of wood and plaster for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. When the exposition ended, it was the only building spared from demolition. During the Arts Preservation Day in October 1915, supporters of saving the Palace collected 33,000 signatures and raised $350,000 to rebuild it using permanent materials. Against the wishes of its original demolition, the Palace was preserved thanks to opposition from San Francisco residents. It was the last major building to commence construction for the exposition, primarily featuring a central domed rotunda adorned with arches and stone columns. This mock Roman ruin was designed by Bernard Ralph Maybeck, an architect born in New York City and residing in Berkeley. The design of the Palace of Fine Arts aimed to present a visually stunning aesthetic to the world. Transportation It can be reached by taking Bus 30 from North Point Street. Admission/Opening Hours Free
Guide You can rent rowboats and pedal boats at Stow Lake. (Phone: 415-752-7869. Boats cost $13–$17 per hour, surrey rides are $20, bikes are $8, and inline skates are $6.) Introduction to Golden Gate Park…
Introduction Grace Cathedral is located atop Nob Hill. Construction began in 1927 and was not completed until 1964. The cathedral is a replica of Notre-Dame de Paris. The various doors on the facade of the cathedral are modeled after the famous "Gates of Paradise" of the Florence Baptistery. Recently, the cathedral has been reinforced, and a grand staircase leading to the main entrance has been built...
Guide Redwood trees, also known as sequoias, have an exceptionally long lifespan, with many reaching ages of 2,000–3,000 years, and some even growing for up to 5,000 years. They grow rapidly and have a high survival rate, which allows them to reach astonishing heights, typically maturing at 60–100 meters. The bark of the redwood tree...
Introduction Yerba Buena Gardens was developed as an extension around the Moscone Convention Center, which opened in 1981. It now includes the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Ansel Adams Center for Photography, and the -Art Museum. Plans include additions such as the Mexican Museum, the California Historical Society, and a Children’s Center. The center will also feature an ice-skating rink and a bowling alley. To the south of the arts center is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and a 50-foot (15.24-meter) wide waterfall. The Sister City Garden showcases flowers from San Francisco’s 13 sister cities.
Introduction The museum opened in 1919, initially to display exhibits from the California Midwinter International Exposition. Over the following decades, it amassed a vast collection of artistic treasures from around the world. The museum’s greatest charm lies in its galleries dedicated to American art. These galleries feature artworks...
Introduction Nob Hill, the highest hill in downtown San Francisco, is the most aristocratic area in the city. "Nob" is a word from the Hindustani language during the colonial era, meaning "tycoon" or "influential person." In fact, when the first cable car reached this…
Introduction Silicon Valley is an important electronic industry base in the United States and one of the world’s most renowned hubs for electronics. Approximately 1,500 computer companies have established themselves in Silicon Valley. It is characterized by its proximity to some of the United States’ top-tier universities with strong research capabilities, such as Stanford, Berkeley, and Caltech, as well as…
Introduction This is a pyramid-shaped building, standing 853 feet (approximately 259.99 meters) tall with 48 floors, making it the tallest building in San Francisco. When it was first completed, people were not receptive to its style, calling it "the dagger thrust from hell" and "an Indian tepee." Now, it has become...
Guide The bridge has six lanes, with an average daily traffic of 100,000 vehicles. Drivers entering the city must pay a toll. On the bay-facing sides at both ends of the bridge, there are observation decks and parking lots, and a large gift shop is located near Crissy Field. The bridge is very windy, and there are pedestrian walkways approximately 1.2 km long on both sides for pedestrians...
Introduction Built in 1933, Coit Tower was funded by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a well-known patroness of the Knickerbocker Engine Company No. 5. The tower stands 210 feet (approximately 64 meters) tall and resembles the nozzle of a fire hose. Visitors can take an elevator to the top for stunning views, and the murals inside the tower are equally captivating. This public...
Introduction The Cable Car Museum is also the main powerhouse and departure point for the city's three remaining cable car lines. Here, visitors can see the world’s first cable car from 1873 (invented by Andrew Hallidie) and learn how cable cars work. The gift shop also sells cable car models. Transportation The best way to reach the Cable Car Museum is by taking the cable car and getting off at the terminus. Alternatively, you can take MUNI bus routes 1 or 30. Phone: (415)474-1887 Address: 1201 Mason Street Tickets/Opening Hours Entry to the museum is free with a cable car ride. Opening hours: April 1 – September 30: 10am–6pm; October 1 – end of March: 10am–5pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Introduction The heart of Japantown is Japan Center, a 5-acre (20,234-square-meter) shopping and entertainment complex that opened in 1968. Though it may not be as bustling as Chinatown, it offers a condensed and delightful taste of Japanese culture. Most of the center’s attractions…
Introduction This art museum was founded in 1924 by sugar magnate Adolph Spreckels and his wife in honor of Californians who died in World War I. The Legion of Honor is a replica of the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris. Its permanent collection spans artworks from 2500 BC to the present, featuring works by numerous...
Introduction City Hall was designed by John Bakewell Jr. and Arthur Brown Jr. in 1915. It embodies the then-popular Beaux-Arts architectural style. The Baroque-style dome is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, making it a grand, classical, and symmetrical masterpiece. The sculpture above the entrance pediment...
Introduction The University of California, Berkeley is located along the ridge of the eastern bay area. Established in 1868, it is one of the most renowned higher education institutions in the United States. Its 1,232-acre (4,985,657.6 square meter) campus is a park-like space perfect for relaxing the mind. Here you’ll find serene lawns, elegant college buildings…
Guide There is a gift shop called "Cell Block 41" near Pier 41. Upon arriving on the island, a staff member will explain the rules on the shore. Remember that flush toilets and water fountains are located right at the pier, because once you enter the cellhouse area, there is no drinking water available, and you’ll have to use the foul-smelling portable toilets — a true taste of prisoner life.