San Francisco Bay Area Attractions

San Francisco is a bustling, metropolitan city that offers a rare combination of modern style, artistic culture and natural beauty. Explore the quaint neighborhoods, countless attractions and other entertainment, and you’ll see why it’s one of the most popular destinations in California.

Neighborhood Highlights

Chinatown
Explore the Asian culture in this “City within a City,” with 24 busy blocks of shops, restaurants, open markets, museums and cultural landmarks. Try dim sum, tour the fortune cookie factory, check out traditional herb pharmacies, temples, and the Chinese Culture Center. Don’t miss the Chinese New Year, an amazing San Francisco Bay Area event celebrated in this diverse neighborhood.

Civic Center
Van Ness Avenue runs through the middle of the Civic Center neighborhood, which features many city landmarks such as City Hall and the main library. Here, you’ll find the opera, ballet, symphony, and other arts venues.

Fisherman’s Wharf
This waterfront destination is one of the most popular San Francisco Bay Area attractions, with Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, the Cannery, the National Maritime Museum, the yacht marina and countless restaurants serving fresh seafood and famous Dungeness crab. In the evenings, enjoy local pubs and live entertainment in the area.

Golden Gate Park
This 1,017-acre park features lakes, riding trails, a golf course and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Main attractions include The Conservatory of Flowers, M.H. De Young Museum and the Japanese Tea Garden. Visitors will also find the Buffalo Paddock, Morrison Planetarium, Asian Art Museum, Steinhart Aquarium and Strybing Arboretum.

Japantown
This area features Japan Center, a five-acre complex of shops, theaters, sushi bars and restaurants. Visitors can see a five-tiered pagoda, Nihonmachi Mall (which imitates a traditional Japanese village) and the Konko Kyo Temple. Japanese vegetable seeds, kimonos, silk calligraphy scrolls, tea ceremony utensils and other traditional items available.

Lombard Street – San Francisco, CA
Known as “the crookedest street in the world,” Lombard features Victorian mansions, beautiful flowers and a view of the bay. Stairways line either side of the street, which leads to Coit Tower, Golden Gate Bridge and the Marina.

Marina
The Marina offers access to San Francisco Bay and Marina Green, a grassy playground with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The area attracts joggers, sunbathers and kite fliers. The Palace of Fine Arts and Chestnut Street are also in this area.

Nob Hill
Featuring one of the best views of San Francisco Bay, Nob Hill features Grace Cathedral (a replica of Notre Dame in Paris), Huntington Park, Nob Hill Masonic Center and the Cable Car Museum.

Presidio
At the end of Lombard Street, this lovely waterfront area is a national park with gorgeous views, walking/bicycle trails, and historic and architectural treasures. Most activities are free.

South of Market (SoMa)
This district is a cultural and entertainment center. Attractions include The Museum of the African Diaspora, the California Academy of Sciences, the Cartoon Art Museum, the California Historical Society Museum and Rincon Center.

The Embarcadero
Scenic waterfront with miles of deep-water piers, ferry service and the Ferry Building, featuring upscale shops, dining and a farmers market. Walk the many promenades, enjoy a sunny picnic or simply people watch.

Union Square
Breezy plazas and outdoor cafés mark this popular San Francisco Bay Area attraction for serious shoppers, featuring countless boutiques and major brands that range from bargain to upscale. You’ll also find many theaters and dining options for evening outings.

Union Street
This charming neighborhood features Victorian homes that have been transformed into boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Enjoy the many cafés, bars and attractions such as the Octagon House and the Vedanta Temple.

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