San Francisco Tourist Attractions

Alcatraz

Located just a few miles south of San Francisco, Alcatraz is a small island in San Francisco Bay. It was first used as a military fortification in 1849 and later converted into a prison.

In 1963, the prison on Alcatraz was closed down. The island has since been used for several different things: it was initially turned into a national park, later became an attraction for tourists, and now serves as a historical center and museum.

The history of Alcatraz is fascinating, especially when you consider its location in the middle of San Francisco Bay and how it became known as one of America's most notorious prisons. It was believed that the inmates couldn't escape by swimming because of the cold waters of San Francisco Bay.

One of the most prominent residents of the facility was Al Capone, who became known as a modern-day Robin Hood. He started his career in crime at a young age.

The island's natural beauty and history are some of the reasons why people flock to it. They can also see the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge from the island.

Only ferry boats can reach the island. It's operated by a company known as Alcatraz City Cruises. They're located at The Embarcadero, near Bay Street's intersection. The entrance fee to Alcatraz is $41.00 for adults, $41.00 for juniors, and $25.00 for children under 12, ferry boat trip included.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is not golden, but it is orange. The Golden Gate Bridge's structure served as a representation of the innovation and spirit of the United States. Additionally, it established a standard for the use of suspension bridges all over the world.

Aside from being an important transportation link between San Francisco and California's northern counties, the Golden Gate Bridge is also a popular tourist destination. Its beautiful architecture and tranquil environment make it an ideal choice for many visitors.

The Golden Gate Bridge was opened on May 27, 1937. It was constructed for a cost of $35 million and was expected to be completed in five years. Joseph Baermann Strauss was the Chief Engineer and Architect of the Golden Gate Bridge. Its primary function was to link the San Francisco Bay Area with the Pacific coast. When it was built, the Golden Gate Bridge spanned 4,200 feet, making it the longest suspension bridge in the world at that time.

The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County. Go to the GGT bus stop at the south end of the Toll Plaza. Cross Highway 101 and follow it to the northbound stop. Once you reach the first stop, take Route 130 and follow it to the Vista Point bus stop. The toll for cars is $8.40 for two axles, $25.20 for three axles, and $33.60 for four axles. For motorcycles, the toll is $8.80.

Pier 39

Pier 39 is located in San Francisco Bay and offers spectacular views of the city's famous landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge.

This waterfront area is near The Embarcadero and Beach St. and is part of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. There are a variety of activities and events that can be found at Pier 39.

The story of Pier 39 began in 1973 when Warren Simmons, a native San Franciscan, came up with the idea for a shopping, dining, and entertainment center on the waterfront. Five years later, the public was allowed to enter the area.

Fourteen restaurants, including casual and fine dining, can be found at Pier 39. In addition, visitors can purchase trinkets, jewelry, and t-shirts at over 70 shops. You can easily walk down the center aisle and stop at any shops you want. While you're there, take some time to wander around the area and check out the various stores that can be found on the pier. World-famous California sea lions can also relax and swim around the K-Docks.

The Pier 39 Marina can be reached easily by public transportation in San Francisco. The area is very accessible using the city's public buses. If you plan to visit the place via BART, you can get off at the Montgomery Street station. Because PIER 39 is not a gated attraction, there is no admission fee.

San Francisco Zoo

The San Francisco Zoo is located near the Pacific Ocean and is an urban oasis. It houses over 2,000 animals, many of which are endangered and exotic. Its gardens are full of foreign and native plants. The zoo is located in San Francisco's southwestern section, near Lake Merced and on the Great Highway, about a hundred acres. It's managed by a non-profit organization known as the San Francisco Zoo Society.

The zoo was established in 1929 as part of a project carried out by the Works Progress Administration. Herbert Fleishhacker was the zoo's founder.

The San Francisco Zoo has a wide variety of animals, including some of the world's most endangered species. There are also over 2,000 rescued exotic animals that reside in the facility. One of the newest additions to the zoo is a young Komodo dragon named Zoe.

The San Francisco Zoo has one of the largest populations of Magellanic penguins in California. It also has a large number of western lowland and silverback gorillas.

You can reach the zoo by taking the Muni L Taraval line from San Francisco. The other lines that stop at the zoo are 23 and 18. If you're taking BART, the Daly City station is the closest to the San Francisco Zoo.

The zoo is best visited in the morning as the animals are active and the crowd is still relatively small. It also has feeding sessions that occur between 10 am and 2 pm. Adults (12-64) are charged $25 for a general admission ticket. Seniors (65 and over) pay $20 for a general admission ticket. Children (2-11) are charged $18 for a general admission ticket, while children under 2 are free of charge.

Weekday parking is only $11 per vehicle; weekends and holidays are $13 per vehicle. Valet parking costs $25 per vehicle on weekends or holidays.