San Francisco may only stretch across 7 miles, but it’s packed with an assortment of activities that’s sure to please outdoorsy types, foodies and curious wanderers of all ages. The Golden Gate Bridge is a must-see, while a visit to Alcatraz Island to tour the infamous and now closed federal prison should also be high on your list.
The city is famous for its restaurants and some of the best chef’s in the country are lucky enough to call this home. With so much to do in this amazing city let us take a look at the 6 awesome things to do in San Francisco.
Ferry Building Marketplace
The city’s largest farmer’s market and beloved permanent home for local artisan producers. Inside the historic Ferry Building, you’ll find merchants like Cowgirl Creamery, Dandelion Chocolate and Fort Point Beer Company.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 2pm and Saturdays from 8am until 2pm, regional farmers and ranchers converge to hock fresh veggies, flowers, meats and other small-batch beauties. On market days prepared-food stalls give indoor brick-and-mortar restaurants like Charles Phan’s Vietnamese.
Whale Watching
A short boat ride out of San Francisco Bay affords you a front-row seat to one of the most spectacular wildlife migrations. 20,000 gray whales traveling south in January and back north in the early spring months.
From April through November, humpbacks and blue whales—the largest animals to have ever lived—frequent these anchovy-rich waters. San Francisco Whale Tours and the Oceanic Society both offer 2.5-hour whale-watching tours ($45) led by expert naturalists.
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Mission Dolores Park
Once a Jewish cemetery, today Dolores Park is one of San Francisco’s favorite warm-weather destinations. It may be miles from the ocean, but sunny Mission Dolores Park might just be the most popular “beach” in San Francisco.
Any weekend above 60 degrees and every green inch of the park is guaranteed to be packed with barbecues, hula-hoopers and tightrope walkers. Recently expanded restrooms and an updated playground for little ones make the convergence a little more comfortable.
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Golden Gate Bridge
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The world’s most photographed bridge (for good reason). The expanse’s iconic 746-foot tall orange towers have stood sentinel over the San Francisco Bay since 1937. Even when shrouded in fog, the bridge never fails to impress.
The view is spectacular when passing over this span, with cityscapes on one side, beautiful nature on the other side. Bikes and cars are accessible across the bridge 24-hours a day, and walkers can cross using the east sidewalk between 5am and 6:30pm.
Mission Murals
The Mission District’s alleys and buildings are decorated with over 200 distinct murals. Many reflecting the neighborhood’s Latino heritage and themes of social justice.
Thanks in large part to the efforts of artist Susan Cervantes and the Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center. Moreover, you’ll find the most concentrated outdoor galleries at Caledonia Alley (at 15th Street), Clarion Alley (at Valencia Street), Balmy Alley (at 24th Street).
Alcatraz Island
A former maximum security prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Converted from a lighthouse station to a military prison in the 1870s. This formidable fortress in the middle of San Francisco Bay was home to the early 20th century’s most notorious criminals. Today you’ll only make it to “The Rock” via ferry from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing.
Once there, the self-guided audio cell house tour narrated by former inmates and guards will fill you in on harrowing escape attempts. Prison riots and the 19-month long occupation of the site by Native Americans demanding reparation for broken treaties in 1969.
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Mykhailo Andriichuk writes for Chillwall about exciting events, food, art and breathtaking places all over the world
