Top 10 things to do and see in San Francisco?

can anyone please tell me 10 things that needs to be seen and done in San Francisco..

i am planning a trip there...Top 10 things to do and see in San Francisco?
Here is my top 10 Must Do San Francisco



1. Ride a Cable Car, the only moving historical landmark in the world. Stop off at the Cable Car Barn at Washington and Mason to get a full understanding of this unique form of transportation. Riding the Powell Hyde line will allow you to see Lombard Street the famous crooked street.



2. Visit Alcatraz, this former prison is the most popular destination in San Francisco. The bay cruise to and from the island will give you the opportunity to see the skyline from the water a unique perspective. During the height of tourist season it is wise to purchase tickets before you arrive as tours are often sold out days to a week in advance.

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com



3. Visit Coit Tower, Beautiful murals inside, impressive bay view from the tower or Pioneer Park at the base. Then descend Telegraph hill via the Filbert Steps on the East side of the park for a unique view of how folks on Telegraph Hill live, more beautiful bay views and the chance to hear and see the famous Parrots of Telegraph Hill.



4. Golden Gate Bridge, not just a feat of engineering, this 1.7 mile span offers incredible views of The City, the bay and the Pacific ocean. Be sure to visit Ft. Point under the bridge for a different view of this San Francisco Icon.



5. Explore Golden Gate Park, this large urban park can consume a whole day. The New Academy Science, Japanese Tea Garden, Deyoung Museum [American Art], the Arboretum, Bison Paddock, and Paddle boats are all worth a look and watch the sun go down over the Pacific over a drink or dinner at the Beach Chalet.



6. Chinatown, the most densely populated portion of San Francisco offers the largest Chinese center for shopping, food and unique architecture found outside of Asia. The best place to buy souvenirs to take home to friends and family.



7. North Beach, traditionally the Italian section of the city which has no beach but abounds in quaint shops, great restaurants and The City’s best coffee options.



8. Civic Center, the largest collection of Beaux Arts buildings in the US. Home to San Francisco City Hall, with a dome larger than the US Capital, the Asian Art Museum and the Modern San Francisco Library with its San Francisco History Room housing an eclectic collection of city artifacts and photographs.



9. Buena Vista Gardens, this urban park is home to; the Museum of Modern Art the Museum of The African Diaspora, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Cartoon Art Museum and the Metreon will keep you entertained for hours.



10. Twin Peaks, see The City and the bay spread out at your feet. Especially captivating at night when the lights seem to go on for ever.Top 10 things to do and see in San Francisco?
Visit Alcatraz, go over the Golden Gate Bridge, see the Cliff House, go to Marin County and see the giant red woods, take a day trip up to Napa, walk in China town, take the 7 mile drive through Pebble Beach to Carmel by the Sea, go to Giardelli Square and look around.Top 10 things to do and see in San Francisco?
*_~ So glad that you're considering San Francisco for your vacation.



Try to stay in Union Square.

When you arrive at the airport, take the SFO air train that goes around the airport, then you’ll get off when you see Bart, take Bart to Powell Station (should be about $6-9 and it takes 20 mins ) that’s Union Square.

http://www.bart.gov/ for schedule..



I just love the weather and the diverse culture here!! Traffic can be hectic but still bearable. Public transport is great! You can always take Bart, ferries, bus, taxi or cable car etc. However, if you don’t have much time or want to travel beyond the city – I think a car would help a lot. Yes, you have to pay for parking, but save you time to go more places faster..



Try the “City Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour” which is about $30. “This unique open-topped bus tour of San Francisco includes four different routes, the Downtown Loop, the Golden Gate Loop, the Park Loop, and the Night Loop.” You're free to hop on and off as often as you want on the downtown loop.



Embarcadero is wicked nice, and it's not THAT far, so you could really just walk down it to the Ferry Building. http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

On Saturdays they do a nice farmer's market and you can get lots of good stuff. Walk down to Pier 39.

Check out : Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze- very cool at Pier 39.





GET THE San Franciso POPOUT Maps—

I loves these POPOUT map- you get to see where you are-

=) No Thinking required, especially on vacation. (Look at the pictures.)

I have about 20 of these map of different cities.. It was so useful when I was in Europe!



On a budget : http://www.bayareaonthecheap.com/

http://sf.backpage.com/community/classif…

http://www.bestofbayarea.com/home.html





To Save money: get the “Go San Francisco”,

http://www.smartdestinations.com/san-fra…

Cable Car

Ferry Building

Pier 39

Alcatraz or Angel Island

Japan town

Lombard Street

Chinatown

Coit Tower

Fishermen's Wharf

Union Square for Shopping

Golden Gate Park – Walk across the bridge

Academy of Science

Union Street

Ocean Beach

Exploratorium

Palace of Fine Arts

San Francisco Zoo

Westfield Shopping Centre

DeYoung Museum

Yerba Buena Gardens

SF Giants Fair at AT%26amp;T Park

Take the ferry to Tiburon or Sausalito

Segates is a great way to travel around the city.

Gray Line's Yosemite in a day- Daily depart 7am

San Francisco Giants- Baseball Game

49ers- Football games

Winchester Mystery House Mansion- overrated.

Gray Line's Motorized Cable Car City Tour







*_~ Unique places in San Francisco



-à Must be Open minded and bring your camera for tons of pics.!! We always bring our guest from out of town to these places. Have early dinner at Asia SF about 6pm and then a show at Beach Blanket Babylon.. They loved it and never forget SF.

à Teatro ZinZanni -http://www.zinzanni.org

à Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazi -http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/



à For half price shows/comedy/sports etc.. Try www.goldstar.com (Teatro and Beach are usually discounted.)

à Academy of Science during the night time- $10 buy ticket in advance.





San Jose- Winchester Mystery House and Great Mall outlets in Milpitas.



Santa Cruz area- 30 mins from San Jose and less than an hour away south of San Francisco

Santa Cruz Beach Boalkwalk - http://www.beachboardwalk.com/

The Mystery Spot : http://www.mysteryspot.com/

Another 20 mins away- The famous Monterey Bay Aquarium/Pier- stay overnight. (Romantic)

check out the beautiful shore of Carmel to view Pebble Beach.



Napa Wine Country is about 2 hours north of San Francisco.

They have wine tour that brings you there form any SF hotels. Visit their outlet and Wines tours. Yummy!





HOTELS:

1.Hilton San Francisco Downtown/Financial District - Downtown. Affordable and cheap.

2. If you have a car, Best Western Grosvenor Airport Hotel – Budget Hotel, parking $3, free breakfast buffet and shuttle to airport/bart. (Remember it’s a budget hotel.)

3. Hotel Kabuki- Japan town.





If you have money, Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Le Meridien San Francisco.

=) I stayed at Sir Francis Drake for New Years eve and love it!