Learn About Famous Land Marks in San Francisco

Here are some famous landmarks about SAN FRANCISCO, California

The city of San Francisco is nicknamed “Everyone’s Favorite City”. This beautiful city is located at the very edge of a peninsula sandwiched between the San Francisco Bay and the coast of the Pacific Ocean. This city, even though it is a bit compact, is filled with rolling hills, and has water on 3 of the sides. There is beautiful Victorian architecture, cable cars, and summer fogs you can see in San Francisco. A few reminders-Don’t call San Francisco “Frisco” and make sure you have warm clothing! A funny quote that many people have heard is “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”. If you are planning a visit to this great city, here are some great places to check out!

PALACE OF FINE ARTS

This is the only remaining structure from the 1915 World’s Fair. It features a Roman rotunda with beautifully curved colonnades. The Palace of Fine Arts is set in an idyllic park with a European style lagoon. You can unwind, enjoy a picnic and even watch swans float by. There is also a theater there that offers a variety of shows and cultural events.

ADDRESS-3301 Lyon St, San Francisco

PHONE-(415) 563-6504

SAN FRANCISCO’S CHINATOWN

One of the largest and most famous of all Chinatowns outside of Asia, San Francisco’s Chinatown is believed to be the oldest. It was established in the 1840’s. Many of the Chinese who settled in this area were immigrant workers working on the transcontinental railroad, or mine workers during the Gold Rush era. There is also a tourist area of Chinatown that brings many people to the area.

ADDRESS-North Beach and Telegraph Hill neighborhoods, along Grant Avenue from Bush to Broadway.

ALAMO SQUARE

This residential neighborhood and park are known best for the famous Painted Ladies row of Victorian houses. You have probably seen this area on San Francisco postcards before. This gorgeous park includes a tennis court and playground. You have a great view of the Transamerica Pyramid building and the top of the Gold Gate and Bay Bridge when there is a clear day.

ADDRESS-Corner of Steiner St and Hayes St

TRANSAMERICA PYRAMID

You will find the Transamerica Pyramid in the heart of the Financial District. This is probably San Francisco’s most famous icon other than the Golden Gate Bridge! William L. Pereira, who was the architect of the Transamerica Pyramid stated that the pyramid shape was the best shape for skyscrapers because it offers the advantage of letting more air and light into the streets below. It has a height of 853 feet and is the tallest building in the San Francisco skyline.

ADDRESS-600 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111

LOMBARD STREET

Lombard Street is famously known as the “most crook street in the world”, even though it really is not the most crooked street, nor the steepest. One particular block portion of Lombard Street contains eight hairpin turns to help reduce the hill’s natural steep slope. It is so steep that the speed limit in this particular section is only 5 MPH!

GOLDEN GATE PARK

Golden Gate Park is an urban park with windmills, museums, lakes and many other attractions. Funny enough, at one time, this was just an area of sand dunes. It is 1,017 acres large, and almost 20% larger than Central Park in New York! It places you will want to plan out to visit. The Japanese Tea Garden located here is a popular attraction for tourists. You can find beautiful ponds, bridges and great architecture here.

ADDRESS FOR TEA GARDEN-75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dry

By the way, these events can cost money.  So if you need help for getting money to click here.

CABLE CARS

You can find the world famous Cable Cars running on three lines throughout the steep streets of San Francisco! These cars are such a fun ride! While it may be a little impractical for everyday use, it is most fun if you get to stand on the running boards of the cars while it runs down the streets! On weekends you can find extra-long lines for the Cable Cars, even though the walk is shorter but steeper!

ADDRESS-Between Market Street and Fisherman’s Wharf.

ALCATRAZ

Long known as The Rock, this small island has served as a lighthouse, a military barricade, and as a prison. Some of the most notorious criminals of all time have stayed there, including Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. It is surrounded by freezing water and is believed to have been inescapable. One famous attempt was made by Frank Morris, as well as brothers John and Clarence Anglin. They used an inflatable raft that was made from stolen raincoats. Alcatraz is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in San Francisco.

ADDRESS-Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing

FISHERMANS WHARF

Another very popular tourist attraction not only in San Francisco but even in the US, the Fisherman’s Wharf is famous for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the entire city! For more than a century its historic waterfront was the center of San Francisco’s fishing fleet. You can also find museums, souvenir stores and scenic views across the Bay. Don’t forget to check out the famous sea lions at Pier 39!

ADDRESS-Pier 39 through Municipal Pier at the end of Aquatic Park

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

This suspension bridge spans the Golden Gate, which is the strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. It took over 4 years to build this bridge, and it was completed in 1937. When it was complete, it was considered the longest suspension bridge span in the whole world. It has become a symbol of San Francisco internationally. The unique red-orange color was chosen for the specific reason to make it easier to see through the thick fog that often encompasses that bridge.