7 Reasons to Plan a Visit to San Francisco

What to See in San Francisco

San Francisco is a hippie city, but also a hi-tech giant. It has come back from its ashes many times through its history and continues to lure travelers for reasons such as the beautiful fog and charm.

​There are thousands of places to visit in San Francisco such as its beautiful scenery, historical sights, and places to enjoy food. So let's explore the 7 reasons to plan a visit to San Francisco:

The Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is a major landmark of San Francisco and connects it to Marin County.
The bridge was built in 1937 and its distinctive orange colour helps the driver see the bridge, especially during days of fog, but at first, the colour was just selected at random. But it seems to help a person to feel closer to themselves while they walk across the bridge or as if they were starring in a noir novel. Definite must do and spend some time at. So it's one of the places to visit in San Francisco.

Golden Gate Park

Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park

San Francisco's Gloden Gate Park is where 'Summer of Love' started in 1967 with groups of hippies protesting peacefully and rock musicians such as Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane giving their best live performances.

​The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, open 365 days a year, spans four thousand acres at the entrance to San Francisco Bay, a bay containing ten lakes, among other features. Swing enthusiasts can visit Lindy in the Park every Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm.

Take a Ride on a Streetcar

San Francisco Streetcar

​There are still people that enjoy visiting streetcars as they hold an air of nostalgia. One thing worth noting is that these vehicles are historic and have been declared a city monuments.

It is like stepping back in time when climbing aboard the car. The locals loved the relief these streetcars offered them in 1873.

​Today, you can take a ride on one of the many lines located in San Francisco including Powell Hyde which starts at Powell Market and ends near Fisherman's Pier.

Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

There is an exciting atmosphere at the Fisherman’s Wharf every day. People meet up to talk about fish, bands play live music in the area, sea lions sunbathe lazily under Pier 39.

There you will find souvenir shops and restaurants. Stop at The Boudin Bakery where you can watch cooks make fresh, chewy bread while grabbing a sandwich and continuing your walk. You will gaze upon the Golden Gate Bridge, and of course San Francisco Bay.

Even if you didn't plan to visit this busy place, the road could lead you here as it is a start point for many walks: from an excursion to Alcatraz Island to an ascent to one of the hills in San Francisco.

The Ferry Building

The Ferry Building

You should go to the Ferry Building in San Francisco because it is the Mecca for good food. It has been around since 1898, and it houses some of the most interesting gourmet scenes in the city.

You should stop by Humphry Slocombe for ice cream, and enjoy Belgian waffles from Blue Bottle. There are many, delicious dining options here—Boulettes Larder is known for its French snacks, and Gott’s Roadside for their juicy burgers.

​If you are going to visit on a Friday, you will find Farmers Market Days. Here, there are local products and prominent chefs that you can choose to cook with your raw ingredients on award-winning menus.

Visit Alcatraz

Alcatraz

Alcatraz is a Spanish word that means seabird, but in the United States, Alcatraz is referred to by its English name.

It was used for high-security federal prisons with inmates of all different levels of notoriety, including Al Capone.

There are many mentions of people escaping from Alcatraz, but most likely this just isn't true and these criminals just say that because it adds to their notoriety.

The prison operated from 1868 until 1963 and now remains part of American history. You can make the trip there by ferry from Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco's touristy Fishermans Wharf area.

​The tour includes a visit to an audio document with interviews with former prisoners as well as the detention center and courtyard.

Explore The Bay Area

Explore The Bay Area: San Jose

While you visit San Francisco, you simply can't leave without exploring the Bay Area.

The bay area is comprised of five different cities. Some of these cities include Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose. All of them have their own unique characteristics. Oakland is known for its diverse culture and arts scene.

​Berkeley is home to a world class university that was founded in 1868. Berkeley also has a beautiful botanical garden that showcases many rare plants.

Getting Around San Francisco

San Francisco is known for its steep slopes and beautiful scenery. It’s a pleasure to drive in the city with wide streets and amazing views.

To have complete freedom while going through your list of places to visit in San Francisco, it’s strongly recommended that you rent a car there so that you can go out on your own time without waiting for public transportation.

​Car Rental will be essential to explore the Bay Area.Here at Car Hire International we offer competitive rates for car rentals in the USA and the latest model vehicles in San Francisco. Check out our prices to Rent a Car in San Francisco now