Points of interest San Francisco: Tourism & Monuments

Practical information : Sightseeing San Francisco

Timetable

The vast majority of attractions and museums are open every day of the week, generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., all year round, with the exception of certain public holidays such as December 25, January 1 and Thanksgiving. When museums that normally charge admission offer free entry, expect crowds.

To be booked

Few tourist attractions in the region require advance reservations. Reservations are highly recommended for an excursion to Alcatraz, or a boat trip under the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the SFMoma's popular temporary international exhibitions must be booked in advance.

Budget & Tips

It's going to be difficult for us to give you good tips on how to pay less - everything in San Francisco is overpriced! That's why it's a good idea to buy a pass to visit San Francisco's must-sees at unbeatable rates. The City Pass (www.citypass.com/san-francisco), for example, will save you money if you plan to visit 4 of the city's must-see points of interest.

Main events

San Franciscans like to party, a lot and often. Anything is an excuse for a parade, festival or fair. They're particularly fond of masquerade costume, and take any opportunity to bring out feathers, hats and clown noses. The list of festivals is long, but July 4th, Gay Pride, Chinese New Year and St. Patrick's Day are well worth a visit. Even our own Bastille Day on July 14 gives rise to festivities. Particularly in the downtown French Quarter, between the Café de la Presse and the Hôtel de France, where flags and blue/white/red balloons are waving...

Guided tours

To see as much as possible in the shortest time, hop on a red double-decker bus from the Big Bus Tour (www.bigbustours.com) and you'll get around the city without getting tired and with the commentary of the guides. For the sporty, there are guided bike tours or running tours; for the foodies, there are food tours (Local Tastes). And if you are more comfortable in French, let yourself be guided by French-speaking expatriates (Voyage en français). They offer thematic guided tours, often off the beaten track, to discover San Francisco in a different way. You can even discover the wine route from the comfort of a sidecar (www.ridesbyme.com).

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, offices, clubs, concert halls, bars, restaurants and even on terraces. In fact, the minimum distance for lighting a cigarette from the entrance to a building is 4.5 meters (15 feet).

Tourist Attractions & Monuments San Francisco

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

UNITED NATIONS PLAZA

ALCATRAZ

ALAMO SQUARE - PAINTED LADIES

COIT TOWER

FILBERT STREET STEPS

BAKER BEACH

THE SAN FRANCISCO SPIRIT

CABLE CARS DE POWELL STREET

GOLDEN GATE PARK

DOLORES PARK

EXPLORATORIUM

SFMOMA

LOCAL TASTES OF THE CITY TOUR

FISHERMAN'S WHARF AND PIER 39

LOMBARD STREET

MISSION DOLORES

CABLE CAR MUSEUM

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

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