San Francisco, CA USA

The San Francsico Zoo and Gardens are beautiful.  The Zoo occupies a 125 acre area.  There are live feedings, demonstrations, a children's area, and a train and carousel. If you park at the Zoo you pay a fee but if you are willing to walk 3-5 minutes you can park nearby.  This attraction is included with the San Francsico Explorer Pass.

The Red and White Fleet Cruise Line offers several different cruises on the San Francisco Bay.  We have been on several of their cruises and prefer the Bridge2 Bridge cruise which takes you to the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge.  This attraction is included with the San Francisco Explorer Pass.

Big Bus San Francisco offers 3 different routes and the guides are very helpful with local tips and history of the city.  We typically take advantage of a bus tour wherever we go as these give you an overview of where you are and help you decide where to spend the remainder of your time.  This is included as part of the San Francisco Explorer Pass. 

The Aquarium of the Bay is located on Pier 39.  Plan to spend about 2 hours here.  The highlight of this attraction is the underwater tunnel that provides spectacular views of the marine life.  There are also fish you can touch and live demonstrations.  This is included as part of the San Francisco Explorer Pass.

The Cable Car was invented in San Francsico by  Andrew Smith Hallidie in 1873.  There are 3 different routes which you can ride.  The steep hills make this a fun experience with great views of San Francisco. 

The Walt Disney Family museum is a must see if you are a Disney fan.  The museum has 10 galleries, rotating exhibitions, special events, and film screenings (extra fee).  This is included with the San Francisco Explorer Pass. 

Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a great experience. On a clear day the views are amazing.  The distance from one end to the other is 1.7 miles (2.8 km) each way.  You can walk across for free. There are many parking areas nearby; some paid and some free. The link below lists the parking lots and other general info which you will find helpful.

Lands End Trail is a 3.4 mile trail (moderate hike) that provides beautiful views of the the Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. This trail is located in the Northwest Corner of San Francisco near the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center.  There is 4 hour parking at the Visitor Center which is free. 

China Beach is located in the Northwest Corner of San Francisco.  This is a small and very quaint beach.  The Beach provides great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Beach is named after the Chinese Fisherman who camped here.  The neighborhood surrounding the Beach is amazing as well. 

The Golden Gate Park is a wonderful place to spend time.  The park is 3 miles long and .5 miles wide.  The park includes museums, gardens, lakes, a stadium, an archery range, and more. Here you can find free and paid attractions.

Pier 39 is located in Fisherman's Wharf and is a great place to shop, eat, and watch street performers.  From the end of the pier you can see the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate, and Alcatraz. Here you can also see the famous Sea Lions.

Chinatown in San Francisco is the oldest Chinatown in North America.  The area offers  shopping, eating and various attractions that allow you to immerse yourself in the Chinese culture right within San Francisco.  Don't miss Dragon Gate, Tin How Temple, and the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company. 

Stacks offers the best breakfast food we have ever eaten.  The pancakes & omelettes are our favorites.  They have 3 locations one of which is in San Francisco.  Don't miss Stacks for breakfast.  

Gordo Taqueria has the best burritos in the San Francisco.  Our favorite item is the carnitas super burrito with sour cream, cheese, and black beans.  They also have great chips.  There are 3 locations in San Francisco.

The Stinking Rose has some of the best Italian food in San Francisco.  We love the garlic chicken pasta and garlic roasted prime rib.  The garlic soaking in a hot tub is a must.  If you love garlic & Italian food you will love this place.

House of Nanking is located in Chinatown in San Francisco.  They offer some of the best Chinese food in the city.  We love the hot and sour soup, eggplant in chili garlic sauce, and famous nanking sesame chicken.

The original Ghirardelli shop has the best desserts.  Some of our favorites include treasure island, crissy field, and classic hot cocoa. The link below provides a special offer download coupon.  

 Tony's Pizza Napoletana is renowned for its wide variety of award-winning, authentic pizzas, crafted by 13-time World Pizza Champion, Tony Gemignani. This popular North Beach eatery offers everything from Neapolitan to New York style, showcasing exceptional skill and high-quality ingredients.