Famous the world over for attractions, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, San Francisco offers so much more than just picture perfect postcard scenery. While there are week’s worth of things to do and see in the city, its relatively compact size means you can certainly still get a feel for the place in a day. Though you’ll have to schedule time for when you’re coming back to see the rest!
A great way to start a day trip to San Francisco is to take a walk along the Golden Gate Bridge itself. The bridge less than three miles long so shouldn’t take you more than half an hour, that is depending how often you stop to look at the views!
Have a picnic
If you’re there on a Sunday from March to October, a great place to stop off for a bite to eat after your walk along the bridge, is at the Picnic at the Presidio. This is when a number of food vendors converge on the park and offer a delicious variety of food and drink. There are always a great range of fun activities too, just be careful it doesn’t take up your whole day! I personally love picnic dates or dates at the park 🙂
Visit the Aquarium of the Bay
One of the first ports of call on any trip to the city is to visit the Aquarium of the Bay. San Francisco’s own aquarium boasts a multitude of fascinating exhibits and lets you see up close the ecosystem of the Bay Area for yourself. Perfect for a family day out, this attraction hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and it is easy to see why.
Union Square
The next stop on your way should be a trip by cable car to Union Square. Often called the “Heart of San Francisco”, the plaza is home to department stores, boutiques, and it will give you a glimpse into the 24-hour character of the city. From there you can venture to the Coit Tower on top of Telegraph Hill. From the tower you’ll get to marvel at an uninterrupted view of the city and the bay.
Chinatown
Once you’ve taken in the scenery, why not take a walk through Chinatown? As the oldest Chinatown in the country, it is also the biggest outside Asia. The narrow alleyways of Chinatown offer a unique experience, and the culinary nature of the area means that there is a a wealth of places to dine.
A great place to eat is the Yank Sing at the Rincon Centre. Known for its dim sum, this delicious menu will give you the perfect taste of China through a San Franciscan filter. And over dinner you can start planning your trip back, so don’t leave your heat in San Francisco, make sure you have a day to remember.
