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TRULY UNDERSTANDING SAN FRANCISCO MEANS GETTING TO KNOW THE GENERAL GEOGRAPHY, DISTINCTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS AND MAJOR POINTS OF INTEREST. The following section provides details on many of the city’s attractions, districts and other notable places. Their locations are indicated by the corresponding numbers on the map below. Armed with this, you’ll be ready to build incredible itineraries for every interest. WANT SOME HELP PLANNING? Find suggested itineraries by interest online: sftravel.com/trip-ideas 1. ALAMO SQUARE Corner of Hayes and Steiner Streets. One of the most photographed locations in San Francisco, Alamo Square’s famous “postcard row” is indeed a visual treat. A tight, escalating formation of Victorian houses is backdropped by downtown skyscrapers, and the grassy square itself is an ideal midday break. One of 11 historic districts designated by the Department of City Planning, the area includes several bed-and-breakfast inns. 2. ALCATRAZ ISLAND San Francisco Bay, 415-981-ROCK (7625) for reservations. A mile and a half (2.4 km) from Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz (the name means “pelican” in Spanish) was the site of the first lighthouse built on the Pacific Coast, then a federal prison for such notorious convicts as Al Capone. Now it is one of the city’s most popular attractions. Tours include a selfguided trail, a video presentation and audio tours narrated by former guards and inmates through main cell blocks as well as special programs on famous inmates, fortifications, etc. Tours available in Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Mandarin, Portugese, Korean and Spanish upon request. 3. ANGEL ISLAND STATE PARK San Francisco Bay, 415-435-5390 for information. Often referred to as the “Ellis Island of the West,” the Immigration Station originally opened on Jan. 21, 1910, and closed in 1940 after a fire destroyed the administration building. During that time, more than 1 million individuals were processed through the center; historians estimate that 175,000 Chinese immigrants and 150,000 Japanese immigrants were processed there. The Immigration Station was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1997. Ferry service to the 740-acre island, the largest in San Francisco Bay, is available from Fisherman’s Wharf, Tiburon and Alameda/Oakland; service is limited during the winter. Water taxis also visit the island. Bike rentals, electric scooters, audioenhanced historic tram tours, Segway tours, cafe, picnic and camping facilities are available. Dogs and skateboards not permitted. 4. AQUATIC PARK Foot of Polk Street. At the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf, this bayside park encompasses a quarter-mile stretch of beach, the Maritime Museum and the Municipal Pier, a popular spot with local fishermen. 5. AT&T PARK 24 Willie Mays Plaza, Third and King Streets. See San Francisco Giants listing in the Sports & Recreational Activities section on page PD54. 6. CABLE CARS San Francisco is one of the few places in the world where people can ride on a National Historic Landmark. Refurbished and equipped with new tracks, cables, turntables and machinery, they operate much as they did on Aug. 2, 1873, when Andrew S. Hallidie guided the first car down the Clay Street grade. Today’s fleet totals 40; the adult fare is $7. A ride on a cable car and a visit to the Cable Car Museum are the best way to understand the system, its simple mechanics and worldwide popularity. 7. CANDLESTICK POINT From Highway 101 take Candlestick Park exit and follow the shoreline to the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Bay, the East Bay hills, San Bruno Mountains and relax in the peaceful park itself. Its location on the western shoreline of San Francisco Bay provides a variety of recreational opportunities from windsurfing, fishing, bird watching and walking to simply relaxing. The trails, group picnic sites and fishing piers at this urban park offer access to open space and outdoor activities. Its name is derived from 19th century locals who thought the burning of nearby abandoned sailing ships and their flaming masts in the bay resembled lighted candlesticks. 8. CASTRO DISTRICT Market and Castro Streets. Steep streets and brightly painted Victorian houses give this “Gay Mecca” that distinct, San Francisco look. The Castro is filled with boutiques, bookstores and bars. Built in 1922, the Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., survives as one of the last grand movie palaces. The GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th St., collects, preserves and promotes an active knowledge of the history, art and culture of sexually diverse communities in Northern California and beyond. The San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 1800 Market St., houses dozens of community organizations. Also of note are Harvey Milk Plaza, dedicated to one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, and Pink Triangle Park, a memorial to 15,000 LGBT Holocaust victims. Each June, the SF Pride Parade draws 500,000 participants and spectators. The Castro Street Fair unfolds each October. The Rainbow Honor Walk on Castro between 18th and 19th streets honors pioneers and icons of the LGBT movement. 9. CHINA BEACH 28th Avenue and Sea Cliff, between Lincoln Park and the Presidio. This long-ago campground for Chinese fishermen is situated right on the Golden Gate. The 600-foot (183-meter) sandy beach is excellent for sunbathing and picnicking. Swimming is not permitted. Facilities include sun decks and dressing rooms. 10. CHINATOWN Grant Avenue between Bush Street and Columbus Avenue and adjacent streets. San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the largest outside Asia, offering an array of exotic shops, restaurants, food markets, temples, museums and venerable Chinese institutions. Pagoda-style roofs and decorative balconies dominate the architecture, and street lamps are dragonentwined. Grant Avenue, the district’s main street, is a spectacle during the annual Chinese New Year and Autumn Moon Festival celebrations. For eight blocks, between Bush Street and Columbus Avenue, visitors are assured one of the most unusual walks in America. 11. CIVIC CENTER Van Ness, Market and Golden Gate triangle. A monumental cluster of federal, state and city structures, San Francisco’s Civic Center is among the most impressive in the United States. The magnificent City Hall is crowned by a dome taller than the one on the nation’s Capitol. Tours of City Hall are conducted on a regular basis. For information, call 415-554-6139. Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, the War Memorial Veterans Building and the War Memorial Opera House are collectively known as the San Francisco Performing Arts Center. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium — the scene of concerts and events — the Main Library and other structures are all nearby. The old Main Library has been transformed into the Asian Art Museum. 12. CLIFF HOUSE 1066 to 1090 Point Lobos Avenue. The restored 1909 structure offers magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and Seal Rocks; the main building has been transformed by a $19 million renovation offering three outdoor observation decks as well as several restaurants ranging from take-home favorites to an elegant main dining room with panoramic views. 13. CRISSY FIELD Shoreline of the Presidio southeast of the Golden Gate Bridge. This gateway to San Francisco is a favorite spot to stroll, sit and sip a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Blue herons, 100,000 plants representing 73 native species and 100 acres of wild, windswept shoreline provide a great escape. The Crissy Field Center, a partnership of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service, provides a variety of programs, services and amenities for visitors including walks, workshops and special events. 14. THE EMBARCADERO Southeast of Fisherman’s Wharf. The Embarcadero stretches along the bay where miles of deep-water piers shelter ships of all flags. It’s also home to the Exploratorium, which features 600 exhibits. The Port of San Francisco opened a cruise ship terminal at Pier 27 in 2014. Here, too, at the foot of Market Street, is the Ferry Building, a vibrant public space housing high-end retailers, a food hall, restaurants and a farmers’ market. The Ferry Building is also the terminal for ferries to Marin County, Vallejo, Oakland, South San Francisco and Alameda. Travelers can experience historic streetcar service on the E Embarcadero line along the southern waterfront, south of Market Street. 15. FILLMORE STREET Fillmore Street south of Broadway. Near Pacific Heights are a number of intimate cafes and restaurants as well as a concentration of upscale stores. The 2000–2200 blocks offer shoppers a smorgasbord of boutiques dealing in vintage clothing, used books, records, costumes and the next-to-new. The Juneteenth Celebration is an outdoor event held each June to celebrate African American culture. The Fillmore District (Fillmore between Geary and Eddy) is home to clubs and restaurants. 16. THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT North and south of Market Street, from Kearny Street to the Embarcadero. Skyscraper-lined Montgomery Street and its vicinity — between Market and Columbus — house the banking, corporate headquarters and stock brokerage firms. The carnelian marble-covered, 779-foot-high (237 meters) Bank of America building at 555 California Center; the unique, 853-foot-high (258 meters) Transamerica Pyramid at 600 Montgomery and the 724-foot-high (219 meters) 345 California St. are landmark additions to the city’s changing skyline. Cranes dot the skyline south of Market where a number of projects are under construction including the Transbay Transit Center which will open in late 2017 and connect 11 transit services and the Salesforce Tower which at 1,070 feet is destined to be the city’s tallest building. 17. FISHERMAN’S WHARF Jefferson and Taylor Streets, extending east and west along the waterfront. Fishing boats, seafood stalls, steaming crab cauldrons and seafood restaurants...you know you’re at world-famous Fisherman’s Wharf. Souvenir shops and museums augment the atmosphere. The Blessing of the Fishing Fleet occurs on the first Sunday in October and the crab season extends from mid-November to June. Two cable car lines terminate in the area, with sightseeing boat tours leaving from Piers 39, 41 and 43½; cruises to Alcatraz Island depart from Pier 33. Many bus lines and the historic E- and F-lines serve the area. 18. FORT MASON Upper Fort Mason, Bay and Franklin Streets (GGNRA Headquarters and San Francisco International Hostel), 415-771-7277. Fort Mason Center (cultural and recreation center), Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, 415-345-7500. Fort Mason, a former military installation, is the headquarters for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Information and maps on all GGNRA programs and facilities are available at Park Headquarters, Building 201, upper Fort Mason. A 156-bed hostel is located nearby. Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture’s Festival Pavilion, located in lower Fort Mason, are used frequently for large exhibitions, fairs, celebrations, etc. Information on events is available at the main office, Landmark Building A, Fort Mason Center. 19. FORT POINT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Reached via Lincoln Boulevard to Long Avenue, 415-556-1693. This much-photographed landmark at the base of the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge was designated as a National Historic Site in 1970. The fort, constructed between 1853 and 1861, is a three-tiered structure surrounding a large courtyard built to accommodate 126 cannon mounts and 500 soldiers. Films chronicling the history of the fort and the building of the Golden Gate Bridge are shown daily. Free guided tours and cannon demonstrations are available and recommended to fully appreciate the fort and the life of the military once assigned to it. Iconic Experiences 2 ALCATRAZ ISLAND • 6 CABLE CARS 17 FISHERMAN’S WHARF • 20 49-MILE DRIVE 21 GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE 58 TELEGRAPH HILL/COIT TOWER 20. 49-MILE SCENIC DRIVE This planned tour throughout San Francisco is designed to be followed in a car. Follow the seagull signs for a scenic circuit of San Francisco that includes some of the city’s most popular visitor attractions and unique neighborhoods. Allow a minimum of three to four hours. Maps of the drive are available from the San Francisco Travel Association. 21. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE Spanning the entrance to San Francisco Bay. Once called “the bridge that couldn’t be built,” today it is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. This magnificent span, perhaps San Francisco’s most famous landmark, opened in 1937 after a four-year struggle against relentless winds, fog, rock and treacherous tides. It links the city with Marin County and the Redwood Empire beyond. The visitor experience at the south end of the bridge was completely redesigned in May 2012 as part of festivities commemorating the bridge’s 75th anniversary. Auto Toll $6.50 FasTrak/$7.50 Pay-By-Plate; No more manual cash collection; toll payment by FasTrak or Pay-by-Plate. For details, visit www.goldengate.org/tolls. 22. GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA In 1972 the United States Congress created a vast recreation area in San Francisco and Marin counties to protect coastal lands from development and to provide an urban park for the heavily populated San Francisco area. This is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Few urban shorelines contain this diversity: islands, redwood forests, a former federal prison, ocean beaches, retired military installations and historic points of interest. Across the Golden Gate Bridge, the GGNRA encompasses vast areas of undeveloped lands in the Marin Headlands as well as wildlife sanctuaries, picnic facilities and 100 miles of trails. Just beyond the GGNRA’s northern boundary is the 67,000-acre (27,114 hectares) Point Reyes National Seashore. Maps and information on GGNRA activities are available from Park Headquarters, Building 201, Fort Mason, Bay and Franklin Streets, 415-561-4700, or the Marin Headlands Visitor Center, 415-331-1540. 23. GOLDEN GATE PARK From Stanyan Street to the Pacific Ocean, between Fulton Street and Lincoln Boulevard, 415-831-2700. These magnificent 1,017 acres (412 hectares) were once an open expanse of dunes. Developed since 1871, Golden Gate is the largest man-made park in the world, offering miles of green lawns, bridle paths, lakes and flowers. Amid countless trees and 7,000 kinds of plants are paddock fields with bison, lakes for rowing, play areas, and a treasure of varied attractions including the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco Botanical Garden, The National AIDS Memorial Grove, Sharon Art Studio and the restored 1912 carousel in Children’s Playground. Nearby, NOPA (short for north of the Panhandle) along the shoulder of UCSF medical school and hospital, offers excellent (and reasonably priced) dining options. Breathtaking Views 1 ALAMO SQUARE • 9 CHINA BEACH 12 CLIFF HOUSE • 19 FORT POINT 31 LINCOLN PARK • 33 MARINA GREEN 40 OCEAN BEACH • 58 TELEGRAPH HILL/COIT TOWER 60 TREASURE ISLAND • 61 TWIN PEAKS 24. GRACE CATHEDRAL California and Taylor Streets, on Nob Hill, 415-749-6300. The seat of the Episcopal bishop of California, the cathedral is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture and the third-largest Episcopal cathedral in the United States. At the east entrance are exact replicas of the Ghiberti doors of the Florence Baptistry. 25. HAIGHT-ASHBURY Haight and Ashbury Streets near Golden Gate Park Panhandle. Fifty years later, the “Summer of Love” lives on mainly in stores: vintage clothing, books and records are abundant along Haight Street, the neighborhood’s busiest stretch. Places of interest include 710 Ashbury St., once home to the legendary band the Grateful Dead; 112 Lyon St., where famous singer Janis Joplin lived (Note: these are private residences.); Buena Vista Park, with its views of the city; and, for architectural highlights, Masonic Avenue, Piedmont and Delmar Streets. 26. HAYES VALLEY Hayes Street west of Civic Center. A short distance from Civic Center lies Hayes Valley, boasting galleries, antique shops, restaurants and book nooks. Discerning shoppers will discover everything from rare William Morris wallpaper designs to found art rescued from the junkyard. The 700-seat, 35,000-square-foot SFJAZZ Center is the first concert hall of its kind in the western United States. Patricia’s Green, at Hayes and Octavia, is a neighborhood favorite with rotating temporary art installations, including some Burning Man favorites. 27. JACKSON SQUARE Jackson Street from Montgomery to Battery extending one block north and south. An authentic descendant of the rowdy Barbary Coast and Gold Rush era, Jackson Square has preserved handsome 19th-century buildings, which serve as showrooms for interior decorators, antique and art dealers. The alleys of this enclave invite a look at some alluring window displays and a stroll into San Francisco’s romantic, ornate past. Chic specialty shops and restaurants add to the charm. 28. JAPANESE TEA GARDEN Golden Gate Park, next to Music Concourse, 415-831-2700. Created in 1894 as a Japanese village for the California Mid-Winter Exposition, this four-acre exhibit (1.6 hectares) is one of the city’s most beloved treasures. Its Oriental landscaping includes a tea house, pagoda, Buddha, torii gates and several small pools, streams and bridges. In spring (late March and early April), cherry blossoms, azaleas and flowering shrubs enhance its tranquil beauty. The 9,000-pound Peace Lantern was presented by Japanese children. 29. JAPANTOWN Geary, Fillmore, Sutter and Laguna Streets. Visitors can take in Japan without a passport only 1. 1 miles (1.8 km) west of downtown. Nihonmachi, as Japantown is known to more than 12,000 of the city’s citizens of Japanese descent, is one of only three in the United States. The Japan Center is a five-acre complex of shops, restaurants and sushi bars, movie theaters, art galleries, Japanese baths, a major bookstore and Peace Plaza. New People on Post Street offers the latest anime, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan. The plaza, crowned by a five-tier pagoda, is the main setting for such celebrations as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival (April), Nihonmachi Street Fair (August) and several smaller festivals. 30. LAKE MERCED Southwest corner of the city. Adjacent to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens and TPC Harding Park Golf Course, Lake Merced is a favorite place for fun and relaxation. Once an ocean lagoon before it was separated by sand dunes, the lake is now fed by freshwater springs. It offers the only trout fishing in San Francisco and is also popular for boating and sailing. 31. LINCOLN PARK West of the Presidio, bisected by El Camino del Mar. Main entrance at Clement Street and 34th Avenue. These 270 acres (109 hectares) of green provide an impressive northeastward view of the Golden Gate. Two-hundred-foot cliffs (61 meters) enhance the grandeur. The Legion of Honor’s art collection, the Holocaust memorial and the Lincoln Park Municipal Golf Course are the principal attractions. 32. LITTLE SAIGON Lower Larkin Street Just beyond the Asian Art Museum’s front door at Larkin Street and McAllister up to O’Farrell has been designated Little Saigon. Some 250 Vietnamese-owned businesses are concentrated in this area and the nearby Tenderloin. For budget friendly meals, this is a good fit – from banh mi (tasty sandwiches on baguettes) to pho (spirals of noodles floating in broth). 33. MARINA GREEN Shoreline of the Bay, from Webster to Scott Streets. The broad waterfront lawn developed on the site of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition provides a restful place to view the boats sailing out from San Francisco’s Yacht Harbor or participating in weekend regattas. Excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well. Runners consider this one of the best spots for daily workouts. 34. MISSION BAY San Francisco Bay and I-280 near Third Street. Easily reached on the T-Third Muni Metro, Mission Bay’s most prominent tenant is the University of California San Francisco, Mission Bay, the largest biomedical university expansion in the United States. Chase Center, the future home of the Golden State Warriors, is under construction here and is slated to open for the 2019-20 basketball season. Visitors will also be intrigued by the floating real estate on Mission Creek; this small houseboat community has been a fixture since the 1950s. 35. MISSION DISTRICT South of Market between Potrero Avenue and Sanchez. Mission Street, the main thoroughfare in the district, once linked the Mission San Francisco de Asis (Mission Dolores) to the bay. Boasting one of the best climates in the city, “the Mission” has always been a bustling community. Some of the city’s most promising young chefs are making names for themselves here as well. Valencia Street has become a hotbed of new restaurants. Cinco de Mayo and Carnaval, a Mardi Gras-like revel, are commemorated in May. 36. MISSION DOLORES 16th and Dolores Streets, 415-621-8203. Founded in 1776, Mission San Francisco de Asis is the sixth of 21 missions established by the Franciscan Fathers in California. The name Dolores was taken from a nearby lake, Laguna de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, long since filled. Moorish, Mission and Corinthian styles combine in the church, the oldest intact structure in San Francisco; the altar and decorations are from Spain and Mexico. It has four-foot-thick adobe walls and hewn roof timbers lashed with rawhide. Alongside is a garden and cemetery where many pioneers are buried. 37. NOB HILL California and Mason Streets and adjacent blocks. Once a fashionable residential district of the silver kings and railroad barons, the “nabobs,” Nob Hill is now home to elegant hotels, apartments and restaurants. Views from atop the Mark Hopkins and Fairmont hotels offer a magnificent panorama of San Francisco Bay. Grace Cathedral, Huntington Park, the exclusive Pacific Union Club and The Masonic enhance the special lure of this locale. 38. NOE VALLEY Hoffman, Dolores, Alvarado and 27th Streets. The heart of Noe Valley, San Francisco’s “village within the city,” is 24th Street. This colorful and pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare boasts an inviting array of trendy boutiques, comfortable pubs, outdoor cafes and restaurants, some of them slightly off-beat, all of them interesting and unique. Visitors can explore retailers selling imported cheeses, gelato, herbs and oils, hard-to-find magazines, and coffee beans and teas from around the world. 39. NORTH BEACH Northeast sector of San Francisco; Columbus Avenue is the main artery. There’s no beach like North Beach — in fact, there’s no beach at all. The area’s name derives from the 1850s when a finger of the bay extended inland and the neighborhood was a sunny shore. Today it encompasses one of San Francisco’s busiest nightlife areas, a mosaic of cabarets, jazz clubs, cappuccino houses, off-beat bistros and established restaurants. All around are the vibrant accents of the city’s inhabitants of Italian descent. Delicatessens are filled with enticing appetizers: provolone, prosciutto, frittata, mozzarella, ravioli, galentina and on and on. Washington Square is an ideal spot for lunch. 40. OCEAN BEACH Along Great Highway at the western edge of San Francisco. Here, on the westernmost edge of the city, is an area of sand and surf that has long been a favorite with tourists and sunset watchers. Swimming and wading at this beach is strongly discouraged because of strong currents and frigid waters. Seal Rocks, the original attraction of this vicinity, are small, stony islands just offshore at the foot of Point Lobos Avenue; except for a few loners, most of the sea lions have departed for cozier quarters at PIER 39. Here, too, is the Cliff House, one of the best known of San Francisco’s westside landmarks. 41. OLD ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL 660 California St. at Grant Avenue; 415-986-4388. Having survived the 1906 earthquake and a fire in 1966, Old St. Mary’s, erected in 1854, has earned its place on the corner of Grant and California. Above the clock dial, its red brick facade bears this warning: “Son Observe the Time and Fly from Evil.” The city’s first cathedral is diagonally across from St. Mary’s Square where a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen by sculptor Beniamino Bufano presides. Outdoor Adventures 3 ANGEL ISLAND STATE PARK • 13 CRISSY FIELD 18 FORT MASON • 22 GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA • 23 GOLDEN GATE PARK 30 LAKE MERCED • 47 THE PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO 42. PACIFIC HEIGHTS Van Ness to Presidio Avenues, Sacramento to Green Streets. Stately Victorians crown hills blessed with glorious views in one of San Francisco’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Consulates, finishing schools and condominiums share this tree-lined perch with some of the city’s wealthiest families. Jackson Street near the northwest corner of Alta Plaza Park is a good place to begin a tour of the neighborhood’s mighty mansions. The house tour reaches its apex along the Broadway bluff between Webster and Lyon Streets. 43. PALACE OF FINE ARTS Marina Boulevard and Baker Street. A stunning Greco-Romanesque rotunda with Corinthian colonnades rising from a lagoon, the Palace of Fine Arts was built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Restored to its original splendor in 2011, this landmark currently houses a 120,000-square-foot space which features rotating exhibits, workshops, events and educational programming. 44. POLK STREET East of Van Ness Avenue. The Polk Street district parallels Van Ness Avenue and extends all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf, where it terminates in front of the historic Maritime Museum. The area is one of the oldest shopping districts in San Francisco. At the turn of the century, it was one of the city’s most exclusive shopping districts, favored by residents of nearby Nob Hill and Pacific Heights. The area features many specialty shops, galleries (art, jewelry and handmade crafts), discount stores, restaurants and entertainment. 45. PORTSMOUTH SQUARE Kearny Street between Clay and Washington Streets. Commander John B. Montgomery landed from the sloop Portsmouth to raise the United States flag on this spot, July 9, 1846, claiming possession of San Francisco (then Yerba Buena) in the name of the United States. California’s first public schoolhouse stood here, African American pioneer William A. Leidesdorff opened the city’s first hotel (City Hotel) at the corner of Clay and Kearny and a monument to Robert Louis Stevenson was erected in 1897. Nowadays, it’s a gathering place for Chinatown’s residents. 46. POTRERO HILL U. S. 101 and 280, Mariposa to 26th Street. Within the city’s “sunbelt,” Potrero Hill takes advantage of its sunny outlook with outdoor film series and its fair share of sidewalk cafes. Potrero Hill also nurtures one of the few neighborhoods to survive the 1906 earthquake and fire. One of 11 historic districts in the city, the area known as Dogpatch is home to several urban wineries and the Museum of Craft and Design. 47. THE PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO Northwest corner of San Francisco; main gate at Lombard and Lyon Streets. Founded in 1776, the Presidio served as a military garrison under the flags of Spain, Mexico and the United States before it became a national park in 1994. Its long history is reflected in many places: 17th-century cannons, a diversity of architectural styles and a forest planted in the 1880s. Within the boundaries of this 1,480-acre (599 hectares) preserve are The Walt Disney Family Museum, Main Post, the Officers’ Club, San Francisco National Military Cemetery and Fort Point. The Presidio is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. 48. RICHMOND DISTRICT Northwest corner of the city. In the Richmond District it is possible to shop in a Russian grocery, sip a beer in an Irish pub and have dinner in a Chinese restaurant, all within walking distance of one another. Myriad cultures inhabit the Clement Street shopping sector. Geary Boulevard Russian bakeries offering piroshki adjoin Greek delis and kosher meat markets. With an estimated 35 percent of the city’s Chinese Americans residing in the area, Chinese food markets, restaurants and dim sum parlors are abundant. 49. RUSSIAN HILL Between Nob Hill and Fisherman’s Wharf. Country-like lanes and panoramic views of San Francisco Bay lace beautiful Russian Hill. It takes its name from the Russian sea otter and seal hunters who were active in California waters in the early 1800s. Today it is one of San Francisco’s most prestigious addresses. It’s also home to Lombard Street, known as “the crookedest street in the world,” with eight hairpin turns in the single block between Hyde and Leavenworth. 50. SACRAMENTO STREET Sacramento Street between Broderick and Spruce. Outer Sacramento Street has carved out a colorful identity all its own since the early days when it was reminiscent of Union Street. Many of the shops, galleries and boutiques along this browsable, seven- to eight-block area occupy turn-of-the-century clapboards. Interspersed among apparel, antique, art, gift and home furnishings outlets are coffeehouses, snack bars and a movie theater. 51. ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL Geary and Gough Streets (Cathedral Hill), 415-567-2020. St. Mary’s, an edifice of striking contemporary design (not to be confused with Old St. Mary’s in Chinatown), is one of the city’s architectural glories. Its exterior is Italian travertine, approached via spacious brick plazas. Inside, stained-glass windows divide the ceiling and extend down the four sides of the cathedral to form a multicolored cruciform. 52. SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Van Ness Avenue between Grove and McAllister Streets, 415-552-8338 (tour information). San Francisco Performing Arts Center encompasses the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall, War Memorial Opera House and the Veterans Building and is one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States with a total seating capacity of 7,185. The War Memorial Opera House (3,126 seats) is the home of the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet, and hosts major opera, dance and performing arts groups on tour. Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall (2,739 seats), home of the San Francisco Symphony, is available for all types of musical performances, from the world’s leading orchestras to instrumental soloists. Herbst Theatre (892 seats), on the ground floor of the War Memorial Veterans Building, is suitable for both theatrical and musical offerings. Tours available. 53. SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE Opened six months before its counterpart, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge has connected the city with Oakland and the East Bay since 1936. In 2013 a $6.4 billion construction project was completed, replacing the east span of the bridge with the world’s largest self-anchored suspension span. The Bay Lights, a glittering 25,000 LED-light installation, were added to commemorate the bridge’s 75th anniversary. This incredible structure, one of the longest steel bridges in the world, spans eight miles (13.3 km) across the bay via Yerba Buena Island. In 2013 the western span of the bridge was named the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge in honor of the former San Francisco mayor. Auto Toll $4–6 collected westbound only; subject to change. 54. SIGMUND STERN GROVE Sloat Boulevard and 19th Avenue. In 2005, the completion of a $15 million renovation project designed by renowned landscape architect Lawrence Halprin added a terraced concert meadow, state-of-the-art sound system, improved access for patrons with disabilities and resurfaced trails to “nature’s music box.” Music among the trees is the lure of this restful glen. On summer Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m., this natural amphitheater, sheltered by eucalyptus, redwood and fir trees, is the setting for free opera performances, ballet, symphony, jazz and pops concerts. 55. SOUTH BEACH Northeastern waterfront south of Ferry Building. Since 1981, this area has been transformed into a mixed-use waterfront neighborhood that includes the rehabilitation of some of San Francisco’s oldest warehouses in the South End Historic District and the construction of more than 2,500 residential units. Among the most prominent landmarks in the area is AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, which opened on April 11, 2000, at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. Kayak tours from South Beach Harbor and a 700-slip marina encourage bay adventures. 56. SOUTH OF MARKET (SOMA) South of Market Street to the Bay, Division, 13th Street to Channel Street. SOMA includes two square miles of nightclubs, fashionable restaurants, experimental theaters and galleries. Major points of interest in this area include the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, The Moscone Center, Children’s Creativity Museum and Metreon. A number of museums are also located in the area; see Yerba Buena Gardens for additional information. 57. SUNSET DISTRICT Southwest corner of the city, near Golden Gate Park and north of Sloat Boulevard. The same vision that transformed Golden Gate Park into a green oasis influenced the transformation of the Sunset in the early 1900s. Now Sunset magazine is hailing the area for its new restaurants and “surfing vibe.” There are some serious coffeehouses to take the chill off after a stroll along Ocean Beach, and La Playa Park, a sliver of green between Kirkham and Judah right on the edge of the Pacific, is a good spot to relax and watch coastal swells. 58. TELEGRAPH HILL/COIT TOWER Northeast corner of the city, reached via Lombard Street, 415-362-0808. Overlooking the North Bay, picturesque Telegraph Hill is a reminder of San Francisco’s artistic and literary traditions. Once known as the “Art Colony,” the area has become a fashionable residential district. Its name stems from earlier days when a semaphore was used to signal to the town below the approach of ships through the Golden Gate. At the summit of Telegraph Hill is Coit Tower, also known as Coit Memorial Tower. This elegant tapering column was built in 1933, the legacy of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who left a $125,000 bequest to San Francisco “for the purpose of adding beauty to the city which I have always loved.” The ground floor lobby is adorned with a series of fresco murals by some 30 local artists, depicting life in 1930s San Francisco. Guided docent tours are available. An elevator to its 210-foot observation platform operates daily. Because of heavy traffic, public transit, the 39-Coit, is strongly recommended for access to Coit Tower; on weekends, parking near the tower may be limited to residents only. 59. THE TENDERLOIN Area slightly south of Union Square in the vicinity of Golden Gate Avenue. Thousands originally from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have given this 20-square-block district new life. Sermons on social justice blend with rockin’ choir music on Sundays at Glide Memorial Church on Ellis Street, symbolizing the neighborhood’s resurgence. An experimental theater house, the new Tenderloin Museum, jazz and blues clubs, bookstores, 200 restaurants and cafes point to an upbeat feeling. 60. TREASURE ISLAND East of San Francisco via the San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge. Treasure Island was created for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition to celebrate the completion of both the Golden Gate and San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridges. With the close of the exposition, which drew more than 17 million visitors, the island was leased to the U.S. government and was a military base for decades. Its location offers spectacular views of San Francisco’s skyline. Work is ongoing for new development on the island. 61. TWIN PEAKS Center of the city reached via Twin Peaks Boulevard. Noted for their sweeping vistas and 360-degree views of the entire Bay Area, these crests once were romantically known as Los Pechos de la Chola, “The Breasts of the Indian Girl.” Now a 65-acre park (26 hectares), the area is popular with hikers and sightseers. 62. UNION SQUARE Two blocks on either side of Union Square bounded by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton Streets. The hub of San Francisco’s downtown is strictly uptown. It’s Fifth Avenue, Rodeo Drive, State Street and local success stories all in one. Within a four-block radius of the park, elegant stores and richly appointed shops cater to every taste and do it with style, accented by a palette of posies brimming from sidewalk flower stands. 63. UNION STREET/COW HOLLOW Union Street between Russian Hill and the Presidio. Discover charming Victorians and colorful courtyards filled with more than 200 very special shops. This charming 10-block area attracts an international clientele as well as city residents. Union Street features the latest fashions for men and women, custom-designed jewelry and crafts, children’s shops and an eclectic mix of galleries. Savor the taste of San Francisco’s renowned cuisine at a sidewalk cafe or one of Union Street’s many restaurants offering international and California cuisine. Lively by night, Union Street is bright, friendly and entertaining. 64. WESTERN ADDITION Embracing four historic districts — Webster Street, Bush Street, Cottage Row and Alamo Square. Renowned for Victorian architecture, the Western Addition is one of the city’s most diverse areas. A thriving Japanese-American community and the Center for African and African American Art and Culture on Fulton Street reflect the neighborhood’s rich and varied heritage. A platform for the discussion of issues and trends affecting African Americans, the center also houses the San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society, Marcus Books, an art gallery and a theater. The area is known for a number of historic African American churches. The Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church emphasizes music as a medium to worship, while the Third Baptist Church, founded during the Gold Rush, was the first Black Baptist church west of the Rockies. Visitors interested in the city’s legendary volunteer fire companies should stop by the San Francisco Fire Department Pioneer Memorial Museum on Presidio Avenue at Pine Street. Unique Shopping 15 FILLMORE STREET • 25 HAIGHT-ASHBURY 26 HAYES VALLEY • 27 JACKSON SQUARE 29 JAPANTOWN • 35 MISSION DISTRICT 38 NOE VALLEY • 44 POLK STREET 50 SACRAMENTO STREET • 57 SUNSET DISTRICT 62 UNION SQUARE • 63 UNION STREET 65 WEST PORTAL 65. WEST PORTAL North of Portola Drive near Sloat Boulevard. Like many of San Francisco’s residential neighborhoods, West Portal has a cozy character. “Detached homes,” somewhat of a rarity in San Francisco, are popular in the nearby residential areas. The tree-lined sidewalks of nearby St. Francis Wood, Forest Hill and Balboa Terrace are perfect for a “stretch-the-legs” stroll. Shops along West Portal Avenue include many local favorites as well as several toy and gift stores and restaurants of all persuasions. 66. YERBA BUENA GARDENS Blocks bounded by Third, Fourth, Folsom and Mission Streets. Yerba Buena Gardens embraces 87 acres (35 hectares) of downtown development, including the city’s major convention facility, The Moscone Center. Numerous museums and galleries are headquartered here, including the new San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ visual arts and theater buildings, a sculpture court and garden. The center overlooks a park with terrace cafes, an outdoor performance area with lawn seating for 3,000 and a walk-through waterfall leading to a memorial for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Atop Moscone Center, the Rooftop at Yerba Buena Gardens features an ice skating rink, bowling center, carousel and the Children’s Creativity Museum, an interdisciplinary arts center for young people.
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