A city that appeals to travelers with all different tastes, San Francisco is a global tourist destination. Whether you stop off as part of a West Coast road trip or set up camp in the Bay Area for the duration of your holiday, you will never run out of things to see and do in this beautifully unique part of the world. As much as this is one of the city’s selling points, it does present visitors with something of a headache. To help you plan your American itinerary and make the most of your time in ‘Frisco, we narrowed down the many options to just three must-see sites that should top your to-do list.
Golden Gate Bridge
It’s hardly one of the city’s best kept secrets, but that doesn’t detract from the beauty of this iconic site. For good reason, the Golden Gate Bridge headlines the itineraries of most tourists landing in this part of the world, and there are so many ways to soak in the splendor of this marvelous feat of engineering. Some of the best viewpoints can be found at Baker Beach, Lands End and Fort Point.
If you’re interested in the history of the bridge, you can sign onto a free walking tour led by a local expert, or lead your own learning by visiting the Welcome Center which is packed with exhibits, stories and information services. You aren’t confined to land when looking for ways to admire the bridge, either. Take to the skies in a seaplane or helicopter for a bird’s eye view, or sail beneath the structure on a cruise tour.
The sea lions
Sticking with the waterfront theme, sea lions are synonymous with San Francisco. While the total number of creatures fluctuates in line with seasonal and migrational patterns, more than 1,000 sea lions have been spotted simultaneously lounging on the docks of PIER 39. The colony is said to have first appeared after a 1989 earthquake and the location has since become an important area for conservation, with ongoing efforts to protect the species. Tourists are encouraged to see the sea lions, but to do so responsibly: be sure to keep your distance, don’t disrupt them and keep the area clean.
The sea lions can generally be found camped out on the docks all year round, but numbers decline drastically in June and July, when most relocate south to the Channel Islands for breeding.
Muir Woods National Monument
Located about 17 miles from the city center, we’re sure you’ll forgive us for including this spectacular spot which technically sits in Mill Valley – a city just north of San Francisco. Owing to its boundless beauty, this national monument features on plenty of people’s itineraries when staying in San Francisco. Away from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area hub, Muir Woods presents the perfect opportunity to get back to nature and enjoy California’s wild side.
The region is packed with wildlife, including chipmunks, river otters and woodpeckers. However, the stars of the show here are undoubtedly the 800-year-old trees that climb up to 250 feet high. Explore the many trails that take you through the heart of the woods; with six miles of trails in total, you can spend as much or as little time as you like sauntering through the towering trees. After a day spent exploring, you can hop on the shuttle back to San Francisco.
