If you’re in your twenties and looking for things to do in San Francisco, look no further! This list has everything you need to enjoy the city to the fullest. From exploring world-famous landmarks to indulging in some of the best food that the Bay Area has to offer, there’s something for everyone on this list. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!
1. Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a noteworthy bridge that connects San Francisco with Marin County, California. It stretches over two miles across the Golden Gate, the small strait that separates San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean.
When work began in 1933, the idea of linking San Francisco to its northern neighbors became a reality. Construction employees risked perilous circumstances as the highway and towers took shape over the open ocean, given the possibility of permanent employment during the Great Depression. The Golden Gate Bridge, which was opened to the public in 1937, has been a picturesque sight and technical wonder ever since.
Some of the activities you can do when you’re there are to visit the Fort Point Historic Site. If you’re not familiar with Fort Point, it is a National Historic Site and a Civil War-era brick fort. It’s immediately beneath the bridge at the bay’s southern entrance. The fort’s outside is available to the public at any time, while the inside is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday. You may then walk back to Crissy Field and up the East Batteries Trail to the bridge from Fort Point
Another activity you can do is take the Bluffs to Batteries Trail. At Baker Beach, the 1 mile Batteries to Bluffs route begins. It climbs to the blufftops, past the abandoned gun batteries, and finishes at the Bridge’s south end. You may take a detour down to Marshalls Beach and spend time sneaking about the abandoned military gun emplacements of Battery West, Battery Godfrey, and Battery Boutelle.
2. Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf
Pier 39 is a prominent tourist attraction and commercial complex located on a pier in San Francisco, California. Pier 39 was first opened to the public in October of 1976, and it is now one of San Francisco’s top visitor attractions.
Shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, simulated 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled up on docks on Pier 39’s marina are all available at Pier 39. You can also take a short ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, visit the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf, or go on a bay cruise.
Although it is not directly visible from the street and is located near the end of the pier, a two-story carousel is one of the pier’s more prominent attractions. The abundance of marine animals and family-friendly activities make this a popular tourist destination for families with children.
The pier lies near North Beach, Chinatown, and the Embarcadero, and is on the outskirts of the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood. The historic F Market streetcars provide easy access to the region.
3. Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is a large urban park that stretches for over three miles along the northern edge of San Francisco. The park is home to a number of attractions, including the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, and the Japanese Tea Garden.
The park was originally created in 1876 as part of an effort to beautify the city after the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Park was created to provide inhabitants and visitors with several attractive retreats from the city. It is frequently compared to Central Park in New York, however, it is around 20% larger (1,017 acres vs. 843). Today, Golden Gate Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco.
Golden Gate Park’s crown jewel is the California Academy of Sciences. It’s San Francisco’s most popular museum, and it’s actually four museums in one. You may see butterflies in the four-story rainforest, learn about different fish species at the Steinhart Aquarium, and see the museum’s living roof.
You may also see a presentation in the planetarium, experience what it’s like to be in an earthquake, and see the natural history museum’s displays. This is only a taste of what you can expect at the California Academy of Sciences.
In addition to its many attractions, Golden Gate Park is also a great place to go for a walk, bike ride, or picnic. The park’s grounds are home to a number of different species of plants and animals, making it a great place to explore nature in the city.
4. Alcatraz Island
Since opening its doors to tourists in 1973, Alcatraz has welcomed over 1.4 million visitors yearly, making it one of San Francisco’s unquestioned top ranked attractions.
Anyone with even a passing interest in the subject will enjoy its rich, yet difficult history. While it has gone through several periods of ownership and claims, it is most known for its time as a Federal Penitentiary. Today, Alcatraz is operated by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Visitors can take a boat to the island and spend the day or night exploring the abandoned jail. The bracing sea spray and magnificent bay views make the 20-minute boat journey worthwhile, but your ferry ticket also includes access to the island, an optional ranger-led tour, and a 40-minute self-guided tour inside the jail house with an audio headset.
Step into the open cells as you explore and imagine the tedium and loneliness. Take a stroll around the guardhouse, workout yard, and the unexpectedly gorgeous gardens that surround the facilities.
“Doing Time,” a narrated show, combines the words of real inmates and prison guards with actor reenactments to bring the prison’s barren walls to life with stories of food riots, solitary confinement, and escape attempts. Except for three individuals who fled in 1962, all 23 convicts who attempted to escape Alcatraz were murdered or recaptured. Their current location is unknown.
5. Ferry Building Marketplace
Merchants such as Donut Farm, Dandelion Chocolate, and Fort Point Beer Co. are located within the historic Ferry Building, but the main activity takes place outside three days a week. The Ferry Building Marketplace is a farmer’s market that sells fresh produce, flowers, and artisanal foods. It’s also a great place to find lunch.
Regional farmers and ranchers congregate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., to showcase fresh vegetables, flowers, meats, and other small-batch wonders. The food vendors give indoor brick-and-mortar eateries a run for their money on market days.
Offerings change with the seasons, but you can always count on a selection of just-picked fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef and lamb, fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, baked goods, prepared foods, and more. The market also features live music from Bay Area musicians.
Whether you’re looking for lunch or ingredients to cook with, the Ferry Building Marketplace is a great place to find fresh, local food.
6. Chinatown
Chinatown is the most densely inhabited neighborhood west of Manhattan in San Francisco. Because they are newcomers, practically all of the population is Chinese and speaks minimal English.
This is also one of San Francisco’s poorest neighborhoods, with a typical annual income of roughly $20,000 (vs. $76,000 citywide). About two-thirds of the population lives in single-room hotels.
People visit Chinatown in a variety of ways. Many tourists gravitate to Grant Avenue, the charming tourist area with the majority of the businesses. Others explore the numerous intriguing side streets and little alleyways where the community’s more true life may be found.
The Chinatown Gate is one of the main attractions of Chinatown. The formal entrance into Chinatown is the much-photographed Dragon Gate on Bush Street, where Grant Avenue leads to the center of Chinatown. The entrance is adorned with auspicious dragons and koi fish, and two stone lions keep guard.
The gate was a gift from Taiwan in 1969 and is an actual entry gate similar to those found in Chinese communities. “All under heaven is for the welfare of the people,” says Dr. Sun Yat Sen (founder of the Chinese Republic) in Chinese.
If you enjoy shopping, Chinatown offers a wide range of options, from cheap to high-end items. It’s enjoyable to explore even if you have no intention of purchasing anything.
The majority of the gift stores are on Grant Avenue, and the vegetable markets are on Stockton Street; however, make sure to go off the main avenues to explore the side streets and alleyways.
Conclusion
San Francisco is an amazing city with so much to offer. If you’re looking for a place to visit that has something for everyone, San Francisco is the perfect choice. From the symphony to the theater, there’s always something going on in this vibrant city. And with so many places to explore, you’ll never get bored. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to San Francisco today!
Featured Image: Photo by Rob Sarmiento on Unsplash
