subject: San Francisco Attractions Not to Miss [print this page] San Francisco Attractions Not to Miss San Francisco Attractions Not to Miss
A visit to the charming city of San Francisco won't be complete without exploring the must-see San Francisco attractions. These places are no tourist trap; they are important parts of the city's multicultural history and landmarks that define San Francisco as a hip, diverse, and family-friendly place. Not to mention that are no attractions like these anywhere else in the world!
Alcatraz
It's easy to see why the isolated Alcatraz Island is the most popular destination in San Francisco; it's the most well-known former federal prison in the United States. Between 1933 and 1963, Alcatraz's maximum security prison housed notorious criminals like Al Capone, Robert "The Birdman Stroud" Stroud, and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. It no longer keeps prisoners due to security issues and high costs, but the National park Service allows millions of tourists to roam the halls and learn about its history. There are many tours of Alcatraz available, but the most exciting one is probably the Night Tour. Night-time visitors can take the same self-guided walking tour as daytime visitors, with the help of audio tapes narrating the story of the prison. The only difference is that many rooms are only lit by the moon, making the eerie sounds of footsteps on the audio tape especially creepy. If there are teenagers in the family looking for exciting things to do, make sure you make time to see this fascinating island.
Rates for Alcatraz tours start at $78. Children under the age of 5 are free, though they may not appreciate the tour as much as you do.
Hyde Street Pier and Maritime Historical National Park
Did you know that the only floating national park is located at the San Francisco Bay? But that's not the Maritime Historical National Park's only claim to fame it houses the world's largest collection of antique ships. Dozens of these historic vessels are open for tourists to explore. Some boats are tiny fishing boats, houseboats, and steam tugs, while others are large enough to carry hundreds of sailors. Mom and dad can listen to the informative tour while kids explore the boats, sing sea chanteys, and even take on the wheel of a 19th century ship! At the park itself, there bird-watching games and other fun activities for kids.
The Maritime Historical National Park is located in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood.
Cable Car Ride
Even adult residents of San Francisco find riding cable car rides charming and quaint. As for kids they love viewing the city from the cable car windows and waving at people on the sidewalks, while thrill-seeking teenagers get a kick out of standing off the back of the trolley and riding the cable car old-school style. Make sure you ride the cable car to the end of Powell Street where it turns around. From here, you can head over to Fisherman's Wharf to view more of San Francisco's unique attractions, or pay a visit to the free cable car museum.
