San Francisco City Tour
It was 7 years ago when I first had my first opportunity to travel to San Francisco…. for just one night! It’s like forever ago that what I saw and where I went for that one night seemed to be a blurry memory to me. But, oh yeah, I remember my friend taking me for dinner in one of the restaurants somewhere in the Fisherman’s Wharf; I remember driving along the Golden Gate Bridge and I remember driving up to the Twin Peaks and enjoyed the amazing view of San Francisco City at night. And I told myself that one day, I would be back and enjoy the beauty of SanFo some more.
And that day came… However, this time around, I have ONLY 2 days to explore the city so of course I had to figure out the best way to see MORE of Sanfo in a short time and in the most inexpensive way. So what did I do on those 2 days?
Day 1:
I booked a San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour through Aviator for $34.99 (tax-included) allowing me to explore numerous tourist spots/stops at my own pace.
( Stop 1) Fisherman’s Wharf
Delish food from variety of restaurants, souvenir shops, sea lions, great street performances and etc…. what’s not to love about this place? Hmmm.. parking fee. Parking fee ranges from $6-$40, depending on where you park and what day of the week you visit (I paid $40 on a Saturday).
(Stop 2) Pier 39/Aquarium of the Bay
What to enjoy in Pier 39?
Attractions
In Pier 39 alone, there are plenty of attractions and activities tourists can choose from; the Aquarium of the Bay, 7D Experience, Bungee Trampoline Jump, Pier 39 Marina, San Francisco Carousel, Sea Lion-watching, walk up the magical Musical Stairs, bike rentals and tours, caricatures, street performers, and of course, bay sailing, cruising, and wine-tasting.
Dining
Known for its “every meal served with a side of Golden Gate Bridge”, one can never go wrong dining at Fog Harbor Fish House when you are in San Francisco. Delicious food and a scenic bay view, who can beat that? And yes, their clam chowder is to die for!
Shopping
With more than 100 waterfront stores, Pier 9 offers tourists a different shopping experience – shopping by the bay. As a Warrior and Stephen Curry new fan, I found the NFP/College Shop as an ‘eye candy’. And as an avid collector of Hard Rock Café hurricane tall glass and stuffs, I sure did not miss hitting HRC Sanfo.
(Stop 3) Ghirardelli Square
If you have sweet tooth, you will love this place for sure. Tourists flock this place to get a sweet taste of this famous chocolate factory. Just passing along the square and smelling the scent coming from the store is already a treat itself. If I had a sweet tooth, I would for sure be one of those many tourists waiting in long lines each day just to get me some of these well-known sugar.
(Stop 4) Lombard Street
After reading so many reviews about ‘the crookedest street in the world’ a.k.a. the Lombard Street, I told myself that there is no way I will miss this part of the tour. I was really wondering what make this street attract so many visitors each day other than of course being crooked.
Now I know why; Lombard street is very neat!
Although it was exhausting to walk down the winding street, the photographic view looking up from the bottom of the street was so worth it.
And man, those Victorian mansions were gorgeous! If you ever go visit, try to drive down the street too. It was quite an interesting experience.
(Stop 5) Palace of Fine Arts
A monumental structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition and art exhibits, Palace of the Fine Arts is definitely a MUST-SEE attraction in San Francisco. The classic Greco-Roman architecture of this place makes it one of the most photographed spots in the Bay area.
It could get very crowded and parking spaces are limited so come at the earliest possible time. I don’t know if I can call it a blessing in disguise but since it was a rainy day when I came, I had this beauty just for myself. Lucky me!
It’s a great place to chill, relax and spend time with friends and family. As gorgeous as it is, I swear I could stay here the whole day.
Stops (6) and (7) Golden Gate Bridge/Golden Gate Park
Just like nobody goes to France without seeing the Eiffel Tower, no one goes to San Francisco without seeing the most famous bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge. It is iconic, beautiful and inarguably one of the most photographed landmarks in the world.
I’ve always been fascinated about the history of the Golden Gate Bridge. Contrary to its name, the color of the bridge is not gold but red. The name of the bridge is derived from the strait of water where it spans, the Golden Gate strait.
Overlooking the beautiful but infamous island – the Alcatraz. Do not miss the chance on visiting the most beautiful bridge in the world. Tip: It could get so cold and windy so don’t forget to dress for the weather.
(Stop 8 and Stop 9) Haight-Ashbury (west) and (east)
Having been born in the 80’s outside of United States, I really didn’t know anything about the ‘hippie era’ so I didn’t know what to expect about this part of the bus tour. Basically, Haight-Ashbury is an intersection of two streets where the origin of hippie culture is believed to be originated from.
This part of the tour might not be for everyone based on the conflicting reviews from people who have visited this famous district but I had to say I enjoyed it. For one, I believe the Haight-Ashbury boasts some of the most beautiful and historical Victorian houses in San Francisco.
Walking tours are also available if you want to see the famous residences in the Haight-Ashbury district like S. Thompson’s house, Janice Joplin’s, the Grateful Dead House and other interesting ‘hippie-cultured’ spots.
My first day in SanFo was indeed very productive. I have seen a lot of the city on my first day though I know there’s still a lot more to explore in the Bay Area. Below are photos of some of the must-see spots and attractions while visiting the beautiful city San Francisco.
If you’re looking for an interesting place to explore, dine and shop, this place is definitely right for you. An iconic Asian destination in the heart of San Francisco that would make you feel like you’re walking somewhere in a town in China. Have some tea, fortune cookies, dumplings and TONS of authentic Chinese/Asian cuisines. Tip: An Asian restaurant R & G Lounge is a must-eat place in Sanfo if you love Asian food, just like me. And lastly, splurge yourself on bargain shopping! Tip: Bring your own shopping bag.
If you want to have that feeling of being in Italy enjoying some authentic Italian cuisine, then make sure to visit this Italian district in San Francisco dubbed as one of the most charming areas in San Francisco. Tip: Not far from Little Italy, you’d find one of the top attractions in San Francisco – the Beach Blanket Babylon show. Known to be the longest live musical show in history, it’s hilarious, hysterical and definitely a MUST-WATCH!