 | San Francisco Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 3538 |  |
Some bridge was born to be revered, and some to be loved. Some are painted with hideous colour, some with delicate hue. Some are used and abused, some adored and protected. Some live with mundane activities, some see many vicissitudes. Then some are blessed with such beauty and myth that fatal attraction can only be expected.
The Golden Gate Bridge belongs in that last category.
Golden Gate Bridge has been the site for more suicides than all the landmarks in the world combined. Three months after the bridge's opening ceremony in 1937, the first person jumped over the four-foot rail into the water, 220 ft below. Since that day, there is an average of two suicides per month. In 70 years of the bridge's history and over 1600 cases of jumpers, there are only 26 survivors.
Yet, for the number of people who have chosen it as a means to a final end, there are a far greater number who see the Golden Gate Bridge amidst the fog and sunlight and recognize that the bridge is a symbol of constancy and joy.
The building of the Golden Gate Bridge was one of the most revolutionary events of its time, especially so because so few people perished in the endeavor as compared to similar bridge-building attempts in the past. In addition, although it took a staggering amount of money
and creativity and persistence, the bridge was built to specifications -- built to last.
This is the city where Mr. Bennett left his heart, where I found my love, where Charles and I spent tons of our hard-earned money in many of our favourite shops, and where anyone can eat well no matter the depth of his or her pocket.
There are so many lauded aspirations and acclaimed activities that make San Francisco beautiful. It is heartbreaking to know that the two suicides each month who take a last view of this city see none of the hope and life that the city has to offer. Leave a Comment
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Another great way to enjoy the Bay is to get out on a boat. You can do cruises or jump on a ferry to a destination like Tiburon or Sausalito, but since you're bound to be going to Alcatraz while in the city, enjoy the free scenery en route. Alcatraz itself is a fascinating day trip in its own right and whether you arrive on a foggy or sunny day, you'll be transported back in time to it illustrious past as home to famed criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. As part of the National Park service, it is highly regulated and you're assured of a great value experience. It's best to purchase your tickets from the Blue & Gold booths close to Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf to avoid paying any kind of service fee. The round trip ferry ticket cost $16 but it includes your entrance and an audio headphone tour as well as many ranger activities you can take as you like. It's quite easy to spend an entire day there if you like historical guided walks and you should allow a minimum of four hours for the visit from Wharf to Wharf. Most find it fascinating. Leave a Comment Address: In the middle of San Fracisco BayPhone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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Chinatown is no recent tourist invention, but a thriving neighborhood since the Gold Rush of 1849. Grant Avenue offers the heavily photographed Chinatown Gate and the most ornate Asian architecture but the true essence of the neighborhood is more readily observable a couple streets over on Stockton Street, especially in the early morning when locals are out buying their produce and freshly butchered meat. Live frogs, blue chickens, you name it. You’ll feel like you’re not in the United States, but you are. Chinatown is about as San Francisco as you can get so enjoy it. It’s free to look but get right in and buy something or have something to eat. It’s inexpensive, great quality, and fun too. Leave a Comment Address: Bordered by Broadway, Bush, Kearny, Stockton sts.Directions: Ornamental gate at Grant and Bush intersection.Website: http://www.sfchinatown.com/
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The Haight was the center of a small universe in the late 60s as the Summer of Love supplanted Swinging London’s mid-60s perch atop the heap of youth influence. Victorians seemed the perfect homes for these long-haired hippies clad in flowery clothes seeming of another era. Janis Joplin, The Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead all called The Haight home. Well, it went downhill since then but has started to really revitalize itself. There is still a seedy element to the area but the Victorians are worth too much money to fall into further disrepair so they’re being renovated to no end, and higher end shops have replaced many of the “head” shops of the past. It all has a flower power tinge to it but you get the feeling it’s more for show (and to make money) than for any real yearning for the better vibes of another time. The lower Haight is more authentic and retains some edgy flair. Closer to the park, you find more tourists and those looking for an already passé life, but certainly its worth checking out on your way to or from Golden Gate Park. It’s a nice enough place to do some window shopping, people watch and there are lots of good cheap places to eat. Oh, and don’t forget the Magnolia Pub & Brewery right in the center of it all as well as Toronado in the lower Haight, both great places to soak in local color and enjoy the local brews too. Leave a Comment Address: Haight Street from Stanyan to LyonsDirections: The Haight is a bit out of the way so its best to go by MUNI bus #71 though during the day its an interesting walk down Market Street.
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When we visited San Francisco earlier this year, we could not miss the chance to see Alcatraz. It's just one of those things you must do there.
Browsing the internet for information, I noticed that Blue&Gold fleet were offering a Night tour to Alcatraz. I thought it might be interesting to see it in a dark setting.
However, depending on the time of the year, this might not be possible as the Ferry returns at 7.50 p.m. and in May (when we were there) the sunset is after 8.00 pm, so as we were getting back, we got to enjoy the sunset from the ferry.
It was very nice to see Alcatraz, but it was always bright on the island.
I guess if you go a bit earlier or much later in the year, you might actually be able to do the actual "night" tour. In any case, it was well worth it.
Tip: Buy your tickets in advance as there are very few chances to get a ticket on the spot .
I got them through the Internet and then printed them out on the self-service machine on the Pier, using the credit card.
The picture was taken from the ferry as we were heading back. Leave a Comment Address: In the middle of San Fracisco BayPhone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41. http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/html/alcatraz_evening_schedule.htmlWebsite: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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Actually, I have read that San Francisco has steeper & more crooked streets than this beautiful cobblestone, but this is the famous one that everyone loves. When you are in your car & approach the top of Lombard Street, you can't see any pavement out ahead of you. It seems that your car with you & your family or friends in it will simply drop off a cliff because no street is in view. It definitely will give your stomach a few butterflies even though in your mind, you know the street HAS to be there. Lombard Street IS there but has begun it's steep descent. It has hairpin curves one after another. It's lined with beautiful flowers & lovely Victorian homes on either side. The fun of going down Lombard Street will definitely give you a few moments of fear and fun. Leave a Comment Address: Lombard Street. Descent begins at Hyde Street.
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THE EXPLORITORIUM will give you something unique. Besides the many fascinating (and I say that as someone who never cared much about science) interactive explanations as to why things are the way they are scientifically, there is also THE TACTILE DOME, an interactive excursion through total darkness, where your sense of touch becomes your only guide! The Tactile Dome, is encased in a geodesic dome about the size of a large weather balloon. Visitors enter through a light-lock room into a totally dark maze (path). Then, for an hour and fifteen minutes, they FEEL, BUMP, SLIDE & CRAWL through and past hundreds of materials and shapes which blend, change and contrast.
The purpose is to disorient the sensory world so that the only sense the visitor can rely on is touch. The sensation is so outside ordinary experience that a few people panic. An attendant in a control panel can reach every part of the ant-hill like maze almost instantly &
lead the frightened person back to the safety of
light.
There is MUCH MORE to the EXPLORATORIUM
than The Tactile Dome, but that is the part that most stands out in my memory. It was a very unusual experience!! Leave a Comment Address: 3601 Lyon StreetDirections: Marina District -- 3601 Lyon Street at Palace Drive near the Presideo and Palace of Fine Arts.Website: http://www.exploratorium.edu/
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The cable car in San Francisco is not just a limited form of transportation sometimes used by the locals, a must thing to do for the visitors, a great tourist attraction, and a ready source of income for the city's coffers. Much more than that, cable car is an important part of San Francisco history, its birth the definite mark of time when horse-drawn carriages ended and public cars began.
Over the 150 years since August 2, 1873, when the first cable car ran its course on Clay Street, cable cars have become the most vital and irrefutable icon of this hilly city on the Bay of San Francisco. One cannot think of San Francisco without an accompanied image of a double-ended car chugging down Hyde Street or huffing up Nob Hill.
The cars sprang back to life after being almost destroyed in the Great Earthquake, and the system continues to exist after multiple attempts from politicians and utility companies to end its function. The cars continued existence speaks volume on the tenacity of the residents in this city. The San Franciscan obstinacy was demonstrated repeatedly every time a bill was proposed to abolish the cable car system. The fascination with the little cars that could lies not just with tourists, but also in the hearts of many San Franciscans, old and young. Leave a Comment
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Well you decide for your self ,but in my opinion it is a must do ,or a must see activity.
'' Bones '' was SPECIAL , very boney looking fellow ,he just wanted to dance with you .well he found the right person in Hansi
I am always interested in a nice Dance.
I do think that my friend '' Bones '' favored the ladies over the men but I migh be wrong there ,anyways '' Bones '' and Hansi had a great time during our little get together.
(don't forget to slip '' Bones '' a few bucks ) Leave a Comment Address: Shoreline near Jefferson between Powell and HydePhone: (415) 626-7070Directions: This was very close to Pier 39 on a wide sidewalk.Website: http://www.fishermanswharf.org/
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Lombard Street is noted as the world's "crookedest" street though before the advent of the automobile it was probably just one of the steepest. As it turns out, early cars couldn't make it up the incline so they added the switchbacks and the rest is sweet tourist history. As jam-packed of camera happy snappers as it is, on a sunny day, it's easy to see why it's also one of the most exclusive places in town to live. Full of flowers and great sweeping views, it's hard to not at least dream about calling it home. The walk from its Russian Hill location to the Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill has to be the best in the city proper. Leave a Comment Address: Lombard Street. Descent begins at Hyde Street.
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