[Image Credit: San Francisco Sunset courtesy of Bistro Boudin]
For someone planning on visiting San Francisco for the first time, picking and choosing sights and activities can be quite overwhelming. From the world-class restaurants to the picturesque view of the surrounding Bay Area, tourists are left with so many options its proves difficult to jam-pack everything into a single visit.
That being said, here are a few of the places and activities that every “first timer” should experience in order to get a proper idea of what San Francisco has to offer.
1. SFMOMA
There could not be a better time to visit San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), as they recently reopened to the public after completing a 3-year long expansion project. As a result of the expansion, the SF MOMA is now not only the largest modern art museum in the Bay Area, but also the largest modern/contemporary art museum in the country. The added space will allow the museum to display over 4,000 new works of art by world-renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Andy Worhol, Sol LeWitt, and Gerhard Richter.
2. Alcatraz
Known as “The Rock”, the notorious island prison situated of San Francisco’s coast was known for the numerous high profile criminals that served time there. Because of its location and seemingly “escape proof” nature, the penitentiary became the premier locale to house prisoners that were known for making escape attempts and causing trouble. Famous criminals like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Mickey Cohen, and James “Whitey” Bulger all called Alcatraz home for a number of years. Although the prison closed in the 1960’s guided tours are offered everyday, offering visitors a glimpse into the history of the famous prison.
3. North Beach
The North Beach district is San Francisco’s little slice of Italy. After the 1906 earthquake, Italian immigrants settled in the half square mile area above the city’s northeast shoreline, establishing authentic restaurants, bar’s and café’s that the neighborhood is still known for. It’s also known as the epicenter of the 1950’s “beat Generation” where poets like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg established residency. Today the neighborhood offers some of the best fine dining in the city, as well as plenty of sidewalk cafes perfect for people watching and soaking in the vibrant community.
4. Cable Cars
The cable cars in San Francisco offers visitors an opportunity to climb its hill riding the last manually operated cable car system in the country. Initially there were 23 separate lines that operated in San Francisco, but today only three remain. Two lines operate between Union Square and the North Beach/Fisherman’s Wharf area, and one line runs along California Street from near the Embarcadero out to Van Ness Ave. The cable cars offer visitors an awesome way to get from destination to destination in style. If you are lucky enough to visit the city in July you can catch the bell-ringing contest, where you can watch veteran conductors compete to perform the most unique and fun bell ringing routine.
5. Ocean Beach & Sutro Baths
This might be surprising to some, give the cities normally cool and foggy weather, San Francisco does have a beach you can go to and soak up a few rays on a sunny day. Ocean Beach is located on the western coast of the city, and runs along the back end of the Richmond and Sunset districts. While the beach is not exempt from the normal foggy weather, visiting during the late fall and early spring will give you the best chance at a bright, sunny day to enjoy. If the sand is not your thing, you can always enjoy a hike along the adjacent Sutro Baths and Sutro Heights Park. Originally a large, private swimming complex, the ruins of the historic public pools provide visitors a glimpse into the past. Next to the remains is the Sutro Heights Park, where you can enjoy a day hike or picnic during your visit. Either way, both destinations offer visitors a chance to escape the bustling downtown area for an afternoon.
Andrew Armstrong is a technology enthusiast and digital marketing adviser based in the San Francisco Bay Area. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley in 2003, Andrew now lives in San Mateo, California with his wife and young son. Follow him on Twitter at @kickstartsearch
