Here is my list of 5 bucket list things to do in San Fransisco. These are my things that I would tick off my list if I was visiting San Fransisco for the first time.
Visit Alcatraz
Alcatraz Prison is one of the most famous tourist places in San Fransisco. I believe it should be near the top of everyones bucket list. Alcatraz is a small island in San Fransisco Bay. The island is around 22 acres in size, and 1.25 miles from shore. It was initially developed in the mid 19th century to host a lighthouse along with military fortifications. In 1934 the whole island was developed into a federal prison. Its location in the bay being surrounded by very strong water currents and also the extreme cold of that water made escape impossible. The prison closed in 1963 due to the high costs of incarcerating people there. It is now a major tourist attraction in San Fransisco.
Taking the boat across to the island you can see how close and yet so far away from the mainland the island is. After docking at the island you get to wander out the outside buildings. One you reach the main prison bock you collect a audio device to listen to while you walk about inside the prison. The cells look so small, as does the prison feel cramped in places. You can imagine what it was like for the inmates during their time there. It is easily possible to see most of the prison in a morning or afternoon.
There are limited places to get over on the boat to Alcatraz island each day so it is better to book a tour ahead of time. It is possible to buy tickets on the day, however there tend to be quite long queues to do that. Viator have lots of tour options, normally Alcatraz is linked with another activity.
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
Seeing the Gold gate bridge is another great bucket list idea for a visit to San Fransisco. The Golden Gate bridge is the iconic red suspension bridge that spans the one mile strait between the San Fransisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The bridge was designed by Joseph Strauss in 1917. At the time of its opening it was the tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world at 4200 feet long and 746 feet high.
When I went to visit I had a tour on a converted cable car. I met the cable car outside pier 33 which then took us for a tour of some of the sights of San Fransisco. We first stopped at Fort Point which is an old military fort under the southern side of the Golden Gate bridge. From there you get some amazing views of the bridge. After the fort we drove over the bridge it’s self. There is a small vista point that is very popular to stop at and see the bridge lined up.
There are quite a few tour options from Viator to get up close to the Golden gate bridge.
Lombard Street
Lombard street is very likely the most famous, photographed street in San Fransisco. It is a very very steep street that is one city block long. It is made up of eight hairpin turns. It is located in the eastern part of the Russian Hill neighbourhood. The street is within walking distance of the main tourist areas next to the bay. There always seems to be a queue of people wanting to drive down it. I have even seen people ride Segways down it.
Pier 39
Pier 39 is located on the edge of Fishermans Wharf. It is close to North Beach, Chinatown and the Embarcadero. It is a popular tourist attraction due to its many shops and restaurants. There are usually street performers performing at Pier 39. It is also possible to see the California Sea lions sunning themselves on the floating platforms. Pier 39 was created by Warren Simmons on October 4th 1978.
Muir Woods
Muir Woods is a United States National Monument. It is located in the southwestern part of Marin County, California. It is 12 miles north of San Fransisco which makes it very easy to have a day trip there. It is 554 acres in size of which 240 acres is the special Old Coast Redwoods. These trees can grow to some crazy heights, the tallest in Muir are around 258 feet. The Redwoods in Muir are between 500 to 1200 years old.
As you need a reservation to park and also for shuttle riders it is much easier to book onto a tour that goes to Muir Woods. Walking between living things are of such immense age is a very powerful thing. To think of what they have lived through, what events happened around them.