- Thousands will certainly gather in San Francisco for the upcoming Super Bowl 50
- But besides football, there’s plenty for visitors to the city to see and do
- Picturesque spots include the Palace of Great Arts and the Painted Ladies
- For some culture, head to the de Young museum or the Legion of Honor
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‘For the prisoners, the real torture wasn’t the conditions on Alcatraz, it was being stuck on this rock out in the water… However still close enough to see the individuals San Francisco having enjoyable and living their lives.
‘They were so close, they could even smell the chocolate from Ghirardelli Square.’
I doubt the smells from the city’s waterfront could waft more than a mile out to reach the inmates of Alcatraz Island, as my tour guide is suggesting.
But despite his embellishments, as I stand on the infamous rock that trapped America’s most notorious criminals on a tiny island off the coast of San Francisco, I can easily understand just what he means.
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Iconic: No visit to San Francisco would certainly be finish without a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, the most photographed bridge in the world
It’s a typically foggy day in the Bay, creating the kind of gloomy atmosphere that is perfect weather for visiting a former federal prison.
But despite the mist, the city’s impressive skyline is clearly visible. And it is stunning.
In fact, so numerous points in this city are.
Having lived in Brand-new York for several months, I didn’t believe anywhere else in the country could fulfill the Big Apple for sheer number of opportunities for amazing photos and outstanding Instagram photo posts.
But from the incredible murals in the Mission District to the palace that inspired George Lucas, not to mention the most photographed bridge in America, the city by the Bay has actually proved itself a worthy rival.
For those Brand-new to San Francisco, including the thousands that will certainly gather in the city for the upcoming Super Bowl 50 festivities, there are plenty of very sights and attractions to fill your time – and your envious friends’ Instagram feeds – with.
Stunning: Pictures don’t do justice to the beauty of the Palace of Great Arts (above) in the city’s Marina District
Similar? The Palace of Great Arts’ rotunda (left) is believed to be George Lucas’ inspiration for R2-DR (right)
First of all, Alcatraz Island is an absolute must. Once house to infamous convicts including Al Capone, the island is now part of the U.S. National Park Service.
Visitors can easily experience the island’s amazing history and see where the prisoners were estate through the Cellhouse audio tour. It’s award-winning for a reason.
As you walk around and explore while listening to the former prisoners and prison guards describe just what life was like in the prison, you truly feel history come alive.
During my visit, I was lucky enough to have actually a chat along with Bill Baker in the bookstore – one of a handful of surviving inmates.
He’s now in his 80s, However Bill – a self-accepted ‘bad boy’ along with a ability for escaping from prisons – Very first came to The Rock in 1957.
Popular: A visit to Alcatraz Island, once house to infamous convicts including Al Capone, is a must
Guide: Listen to former guards and inmates as they lead you along with the award-winning Cellhouse tour
No filter: The dining room in the cellhouse on Alcatraz is suitably gloomy even without an Instagram filter
View from the Rock: San Francisco’s skyline was visible from Alcatraz despite the fog in the air
Now, he visits regularly to sign copies of his book, which chronicles his time on the island, and speak to tourists.
So when I asked just what he believed happened to the three prisoners that famously escaped the island to an uncertain fate in 1962, he told me: ‘I believe they could have actually made it.’
Back in San Francisco, I enjoyed walking along the waterfront.
There’s the famous Fisherman’s Wharf – a haven for tourists and rather crowded. However head east along Embarcadero and you’ll glimpse of some of the city’s most scenic sights, including the Coit Tower, and you’ll reach the recently transformed Ferry Building.
The historic terminal, at the foot of Market Street, is now house to a marketplace, as well as a excellent selection of cafes and restaurants. simply outside, there’s a excellent view of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
Of course, riding the city’s famous cable cars was an absolute need to on my to-do list. Tickets cost $7 per ride – a little pricey However the conductors that narrated my journey explained this is due to the enormous cost of maintaining the historical vehicles.
They are very rickety, so hold on for dear life.
Contrast: From Alamo Square, the Painted Ladies can easily be seen along with San Francisco’s skyline seen behind
Hold on: A ride on the famous cable cars (pictured, one in Powell Street) is need to when in San Francisco
Other excellent sights to take a excellent picture included Lombard Street, which is known as the ‘crookedest’ street in America.
The tiny block features eight hairpin turns – down a steep hill. Despite the fact that it starts at Hyde Street, a much better spot to take a picture is at the bottom of the block on Leavenworth Street.
Another are the famous Painted Ladies, the name given to the ‘postcard row’ of picturesque Victorian houses in Alamo Square.
Find the perfect spot in the grassy park and you can easily capture the city’s skyscrapers, including the iconic Transamerica Pyramid, in the backdrop. It’s a lovely contrast between the old and Brand-new San Francisco.
The city additionally has actually plenty to offer in terms of culture and after a stroll through the sprawling Golden Gate Park – one of the biggest urban parks worldwide – I visited the de Young Museum.
The de Young showcases its collection of American art from the 17th century until the 20th centuries as well as art from Africa, Oceania and the Americas in a stunning building designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron along along with San Francisco’s Fong & Chan Architects.
On guard: A sphinx sculpture is seen at the entrance to the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park, along with the Hamon Tower visible behind
Panoramic: The Hamon Tower’s nine-floor observatory offers 360-degree views over San Francisco
I love a good rooftop view – and was delighted to unexpectedly locate the Hamon Tower, located in the museum.
From the ninth-floor observatory, you can easily see spectacular 360-degree views over Golden Gate Park and across San Francisco and as far as the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.
Conveniently, the California Academy of Sciences is located directly opposite the de Young, where you can easily experience an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum under one roof.
TRAVEL TIPS
Despite joining California, San Francisco days can easily swing from balmy to chilly in minutes.
The city has actually a temperate marine climate and enjoys mild weather year-round.
August through October are the warmest months of the year. Morning and evening fog rolls in during the summer months However rarely persists.
However, temperatures seldom rise above 21°C (70° F) or fall below 5° C (40°F). The weather can easily modification by the hour (and within simply a few blocks), so keep a light jacket handy.
So dress in layers and most importantly, wear comfortable shows.
The city is ideal explored on foot and the hills are as steep as they look!
Cabs are difficult to flag down However as the house of Uber and Various other ride-sharing apps such as Lyft, a ride is never more than a few minutes away.
Tickets to most attractions can easily be purchased online. San Francisco CityPass is worth checking out:
San Francisco Travel has actually a helpful page for putting with each other an itinerary.
If you don’t have actually long, don’t Skip a show at the academy’s planetarium – there are usually several a day. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Fragile Planet during my visit.
Also located in the 1,017 acres of the park is the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, the Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden.
If you’re a fan of street art, like me, a visit to the Mission District, additionally known as ‘The Mission’, is a must.
Throughout the area, which is house to much of the city’s Latino community, walls and fences are decorated along with graffiti and murals, including numerous in the style of Mexican artist Diego Rivera’s paintings.
Initiated by the Chicano Art Mural Movement of the 1970s, numerous of these murals are on Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley.
But the most stunningly beautiful place I visited? The Palace of Great Arts.
Inspired by the architecture of classical Greece and Rome, the palace consists of a huge rotunda flanked by colonnades as well as lush gardens and a lagoon.
The structure dates back more than a hundred years to 1915, when it was originally constructed for the Panama-Pacific Global Exposition (PPIE), a world’s reasonable hosted by San Francisco to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal.
The Palace was one of ten temporary palaces built for the exposition to estate works of art.
It was only intended to last the duration of the exposition, However the structure was preserved until long after the fair. Decades later, the fake ruin became an actual crumbling ruin and the unstable structure was demolished in 1964.
But Bernard Maybeck’s design was so beloved by San Franciscans that an identical permanent Palace was rebuilt along with concrete on the original site in the city’s Marina District.
Shadows: The Legion of Honor has actually an impressive collection of stunning Rodin sculptures, including The Three Shades (above)
Sea-lebrities: Pier 39’s famous sea lions can easily be seen relaxing along with the iconic Transamerica Pyramid and Coit Tower visible in the background
Today, the cherished landmark is a popular spot for weddings as well as engagement and wedding party photographs. I was told by a local that several weddings are scheduled to take place there every day during the summer. It’s additionally the go-to spot to propose. To be honest, it’s hard of believe of a more romantic setting to get engaged.
What I found was that no matter how numerous pictures I took, none of them could do justice to how truly spectacular this location actually is.
Interestingly, the Palace additionally has actually a spot in sci-fi history. Star Wars creator George Lucas had studios in the Marina District and the rotunda’s domed silhouette is said to have actually been his inspiration for the much-loved droid R2-D2.
Another remnant of the PPIE is the Legion of Honor museum, which was modeled on the French pavilion. It’s house to a collection spanning 4,000 years of ancient and European art.
Murals in The Mission: Murals are seen in Balmy Alley in the Mission District, an area famous for street art
What’s more, the museum’s setting offers something extra for visitors – follow the Land’s End Trail and you will certainly be rewarded along with an absolutely unforgettable view over the San Francisco Bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge.
Of course, no trip to San Francisco would certainly be finish without a trip to this iconic bridge, considered one of the wonders of the modern globe and undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark.
The Golden Gate is the most photographed bridge worldwide – not to mention instantly recognizable thanks to its unique Global Orange paint.
Unsurprisingly, it was additionally one of the most Instagrammed locations of 2015.
Popular: The Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed bridge worldwide – and one of the most Instagrammed locations of 2015
There are plenty of ways to experience this bridge – drive, bike or even hop on an open-top sightseeing bus – However to truly take in the 1.7 mile-long spectacle in all its glory, there’s no much better means than to walk.
It’s additionally the very best means to capture the bridge on camera.
And along with the near-constant wind whipping your hair along along with the city’s famous fog coming and going, when you do catch a clear moment and snap a shot that’s good enough to write-up on Instagram, it’s that much more satisfying.
TRAVEL FACTS: WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO
Hotel G (pictured) is a beautiful boutique hotel located near San Francisco’s Union Square
The King George Hotel (pictured) offers cosy and affordable rooms decorated in a European style
The bathroom at my room in the King George (above) was modern and stocked along with plentiful amenities
A few days later, I moved on to the King George Hotel, additionally a stone’s throw from Union Square.
This boutique hotel offers plenty of charm, However there’s a much more traditional feel to their cozy European-inspired rooms.
Each is furnished along with a pillow-top mattress as well as writing desks and a flat-screen television and candy jars for those along with a sweet tooth.
But despite the traditionally decorated rooms, the bathrooms are modern along with marble-finished sinks and plentiful amenities.
Rooms at the King George Hotel start from $104 per night. To make a reservation, call 415-781-5050. For more information, visit kinggeorge.com
from Golden Land Travel http://ift.tt/1R8KMV2
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