Start your visit in the City by the Bay by heading down to Golden Gate Bridge. This iconic landmark is spans 1.7 miles, and connects San Fransciso to Marin County. You can visit the bridge, walk across it, or simply admire it from a vantage point. A drive across Golden Gate Bridge is sure to make a great activity that will provide you with breathtaking views of the bay expanding right in front of you.
A visit to San Francisco's Chinatown is always an experience not to be missed. With over 100 restaurants, numerous shops, and plenty of cultural landmarks, it will transport you to another world. With many unique markets offering food and trinkets, Chinatown is a great location to buy gifts or souvenirs. Don't forget to look out for the famed Chinatown entrance gates which mark the spots of a once-thriving Chinese community.
A visit to Alcatraz Island is always a highlight of a trip to San Francisco. This island was originally a military fortification and later converted to a federal prison. Today, it's a National Park and is managed by the National Park Service. You can explore the prison and learn about the notorious criminals, including Al Capone and Robert Stroud, who served time there. The audio tour is known to be informative and chilling, giving you a sense of life in the prison.
If you have more time, visit Fisherman's Wharf, a popular district with plenty of things to do. You can also ride on the iconic cable cars or explore Mission District's street art or the Haight-Ashbury area's hippie scene. For travellers with less time, you can still take in the sights by signing up for a full-day tour that usually covers Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and Alcatraz Island.