Free and fun to do, Lombard Street in San Francisco has become one of the most popular tourist attractions around the city. But what about for the people who live here? Well, let's not lie…it's fun for them too.
The street is steep, hilly and curvy…but it also allows for some of the best views of San Francisco's beautiful Victorian mansions. Paved with bricks, it makes you feel as though you've been transported into some forgone era, rather than the modern city that it is. People often think that the street is too busy and that they can't experience the trill of riding down or climbing up. But that's just a misconception. Although it is busy because of the speed in which people have to descend, there are plenty of times throughout the day when the street is empty and ready for you to take your trip.
Although it's just a normal street to the people who live around the city, it still makes your heart skip a beat when you know you get to drive down it. The residents don't mind at all that they live on one of America's most crooked streets, but they do ask that you keep your squealing to a minimum while they're sleeping. Located only a few blocks from Ghirardelli Square, you can make a quick trip over to Lombard Street and get in a little exercise. In fact, many of the locals use this street to get in their cardio for the day. Think of it like a man made StairMaster…just with beautiful scenery. It can be quite the workout on your legs.
On a normal day, it'll take you less than 15 minutes to drive down the street. If possible, try to park around it and just admire the beautiful flowers that blossom during the spring and summer. The residents are incredibly proud of their landscaping and love to show it off. The locals like to come out not only to see the landscaping, but also to watch the slew of tourists struggling at each of eight switchbacks that are set on Lombard's 40 degree slope. But really, it's just pure fun.
Getting There
Lombard Street is very easy to find. It begins at The Presidio and runs east through the Cow Hollow Neighborhood. It goes for about 12 blocks but isn't as crooked throughout the entire street as it is when it hits the one block on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. This is where the fun really begins.
When you think of Ghirardelli you automatically think of chocolate. At least most women do! But Ghirardelli Square isn’t just about chocolate – although there is plenty of that to go around as well. Ghirardelli Square is about tradition and history and enjoyment. Whether you’ve lived in San Francisco your entire life or just recently moved to the city by the bay, Ghirardelli Square offers culture, cuisines, and incredible shopping all in one place.
Located on North Point Street between Larkin and Polk Streets, Ghirardelli Square is a stopping spot for many of the businesses in the area for a quick bite to eat, as well as a place to gather with friends and family on the weekend. With over 50 restaurants, galleries, and boutiques there is no shortage of enjoyment, especially when it comes to visiting the Ghirardelli Chocolate manufactory. If you haven’t had the thrill of taste testing and learning about one of the best chocolates in the world, you simply don’t know what you’re missing. The manufactory is open for different hours during the seasons so you need to call ahead to make sure they are taking tours the day you plan on arriving.
In September you can enjoy the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival which brings in people to celebrate a very special cause, Project Open Hand. The money that is raised goes to this very special charity, and Ghirardelli is proud to be part of this annual tradition by bringing in some of the best chocolate delicacies from the Bay area to share with locals and tourists alike. In October you can enjoy the popular Fleet Week where you can watch the Blue Angels fly overhead in the most amazing aerial stunts you’ll ever see. It doesn’t matter which time of the year you visit this very diverse area of San Francisco, you’ll have a great time.
For the most fun you can just jump on the cable car that lets you off at Beach and Hyde Street and walk the quick block to Ghirardelli Square. From there you can shop at some of the "one of a kind" stores such as Fun Time, Glass Creations, and Lola of North Beach. For lunch or dinner you can partake in sumptuous meals at Cellar 360, Lori’s Diner, or Marche on the Square. Whether you’re looking for a dessert with the famous Ghirardelli hot fudge sauce or a more romantic dinner for two…you’ll certainly find what you are looking for in the square.
Ghirardelli Square is a very unique area of San Francisco that calls to both residents and tourists. The art galleries are some of the best in the city, and the boutiques are eclectic and fun to shop in. Ghirardelli Square has been around for more than 30 years and continues to be a landmark in the city – offering patrons everything from culinary delights to mouth watering chocolate treats.
When was the last time you took your own child’s advice and visited the zoo? Even if you don’t have children, it is about time you get back to the roots of childhood and go see some of the most amazing creatures that have ever graced this earth. Not just to learn, but to explore and take in their beauty. Visiting the San Francisco Zoo is just one way to spend a day enjoying what you can only see in magazines and on documentaries. Now it’s time to experience the real deal.
With over 250 animal species in their natural habitat, Northern California is proud to boasts this zoological park and conservation center. Located right near the Pacific Ocean, this is a zoo you can visit year round to enjoy the comfortable climate and dedication to preservation. Even if you are a San Francisco local you can take the day and appreciate the respect for animals that the San Francisco zoo shows all of its visitors and guests alike. Currently the zoo is being transformed into the New Zoo, which does more than house exotic animals. It is a conservation oasis for many of the wild life that lives there. If you haven’t been to the zoo since your grade school class trip, it might be time to come into contact with these creatures all over again.
There are a slew of animals to be seen and heard. From the anaconda to the polar bears, you can easily learn to appreciate all of these wonderful creatures. Even the anteaters that live there will make your heart melt. Not to mention the furry and cute Koala bear and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo. For the more fearless there are plenty of amphibians to admire, as well as the tigers and African lions. A trip to the zoo is just what you need to unwind from the pressures of work and school. It is a place you can just let loose with your friends or family and be who you want to be. The animals don’t mind at all!
Getting There
Follow Sloat Blvd until you reach 47th Avenue where the new entrance is located. You’ll notice it because of the infamous Doggie Dinner and Sloat Garden Center that sit across the street.
Admission
If you’re a resident of San Francisco, the Zoo will give you a $2.00 discount off the regularly priced tickets which are $11.00 for adults. Youth from 12 to 17 get $3.50 off of the regularly priced tickets of $8.00. Even the little ones get a discount of $2.50 off of a $5.00 price from ages 3 to 11.
Note: The first Wednesday of every month is free for everyone!
Pier 39, located in the popular Fisherman’s Wharf area, is an attraction all on its own. There is something for everyone at Pier 39 and that’s why so many people flock to it year round. Tourists abound, but locals have to admit they like it as well. In fact, many of the people that shop in the 110 stores and dine at the 14 restaurants are people that just walked in from the surrounding neighborhoods – North Beach and Telegraph Hill.
Pier 39 is an excellent way to show family and friends the sights or just to take in the many street performers and music that seems to be pumped in from everywhere. Summer is a great time to experience Pier 39, but there are seasonal events year round. Fleet week is always a popular event, just as Pumpkin Pandemonium is for the kids. It isn’t just about the shopping and dining, although that is just as wonderful. Pier 39 is more about the overall experience and the stunning views of San Francisco.
Within Pier 39 there are plenty of attractions to broaden the mind and entertain you. First and foremost you have the most popular residents of Pier 39. The sea lions of course! Their barking can be heard throughout the pier and all over Fisherman’s Wharf. Every weekend from 11am to 5pm they do sea lion tours where you can learn about the precious animals that make Pier 39 their home. There are hundreds of them that can be seen at any given time, and the visit alone is worth the trip to Pier 39.
Visiting the Aquarium of the Bay is another stop for animal lovers on Pier 39. San Francisco has amazing marine life that people just aren’t aware of. You can see them all in a very natural setting while you walk through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels. You can see and sometimes touch many of the creatures that live in the shores of this beautiful city.
If you’re considering going to Pier 39 on a date, you can try a little adventure with the city kayaks that are available for rental. If you are an experienced kayaker, take your kayak and head out to the famed Golden Gate Bridge or Alcatraz Island to paddle around in more advanced waters. If you are a beginner, you can certainly take in the beautiful waterfront views while enjoying a day in the San Francisco waters.
San Francisco is a beautiful place, but Pier 39 is truly special to the neighborhood locals and the people living in San Francisco. It is easy to get to and you’ll find plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining, recreation, or simply sitting around and passing the day away.
If you have a love for contemporary art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is an absolute must. Just the building in which the museum is housed is a sight to behold. Built by famed Swiss architect Mario Botta, this is one of the most remarkable of the attractions in San Francisco. Whether you meander down the corridors by yourself or take your family, there is going to be a piece that catches your eye and your heart.
The museum is comprised of more than 25,000 works of art ranging from paintings to sculptures, architecture and design, as well as media arts. There are standard exhibits as well as moving exhibits that come through the museum for a few months and then move on to other popular art museums in the world. They want everyone to experience the works of artists such as Matisse, photographers such as Munkacsi, and architects such as Felix Schramm. Whatever medium makes your heart soar you can find at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
The artistic program at the museum remains true to the founder’s original vision and is devoted to the exhibition of works that truly showcase the range of modern art. There are oils, canvas, and acrylics just to name a few. The names of the artists may sometimes be unknown but the paintings and art that you see are unmistakable.
Since the conception of the museum in 1935, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has been exhibiting photographs as a true art form. They embrace a wide range of subjects and give you a view of the world in a much different way then what you would read in history books. The photographs are collected from all over the world and embrace it as we have never seen before.
The architecture and design collections show the modernism of how buildings, appliances, and even furniture have developed over time. They not only include designs themselves but drawings, models, photographs, sculpture, and video to give a factual account how the world has evolved. They are one of the only modern art museums that emphasize experimental work in range of design mediums.
Admission:
Adults: $12.50
Seniors: $8
Students: $7
Children (12 and under): Free
Many of the locals already know that Union Square is one of the best places to shop in San Francisco, but in case you don’t, you should run, not walk to Union Square. It’s heaven for your shopping addiction. The name Union Square is in reference to the park that borders the main streets of the square; Geary, Post, Powell, and Stockton Streets. Though some renovation has taken place over time, and some still to come, retail is back up in Union Square and it has once again become "the" place to shop.
It is also a great meeting spot to begin to see the city when you have friends and families come to visit you. There are plenty of places to eat, both for long conversation filled dinners or short business lunches. There are even occasional dance and music performances. You can’t forget the famed Macy’s holiday tree that rolls in during the holiday season. There really is something for everyone here!
As you stroll along the streets in Union Square you’ll come across some fine art galleries as well as galleries that exhibit their work rather than selling it. New stores are popping up every day with specialized boutiques of every flavor and the streets are alive with people looking for entertainment.
When it comes to the shopping itself, Union Square offers both upscale retailers as well as big named stores such as H&M, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s, Saks, and Bloomingdale’s. Stores account for almost 125,000 square feet of Union Square with more retailers coming in all the time. The luxury stores are rivaled by the very popular fast fashion stores that sell their clothes at a price than anyone can afford. It gives the people shopping here the best of both worlds.
Union Square is such an amazing place, not only because of all the wonderful stores set in one unique district, but because even if you don’t want to shop you can just pull up a bench and do some people watching. On a beautiful day, you'll find tons of people eating lunch on the grass or just enjoying each other’s company at a cafe.
Getting Here
Union Square is very easy to get to by way of the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars that serve Powell Street in Union Square. There are also numerous trolley and bus lines up and down the streets of Union Square. The Muni Metro is even planning an extension of their metro system to include Union Square to be completed by 2016. You don’t particularly want to drive because not only is it hard to find a spot, but if you park in the garage, you’ll end up handing over a hefty amount of cash for a couple of hours.
No matter how you get there, just get there! It is an amazing array of shops and department stores that will be sure to leave your wallet light but your bags heavy.
Free and fun to do, Lombard Street in San Francisco has become one of the most popular tourist attractions around the city. But what about for the people who live here? Well, let's not lie…it's fun for them too.
When was the last time you took your own child’s advice and visited the zoo? Even if you don’t have children, it is about time you get back to the roots of childhood and go see some of the most amazing creatures that have ever graced this earth. Not just to learn, but to explore and take in their beauty. Visiting the San Francisco Zoo is just one way to spend a day enjoying what you can only see in magazines and on documentaries. Now it’s time to experience the real deal.
