30 Oct The 5 Best Things to Do in San Francisco

Written By: Rui Tamura

San Francisco is full of exciting things to do but here are the top 5 must see places when visiting San Francisco!

1. Golden Gate Bridge
   The first thing that you should check out is the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. You can walk, bike or drive across it for stunning views of the bay and city. The San Francisco State Transportation Department provides free shuttle service during the Fall and Spring semesters. Therefore, SFSU students can go for free!! I went there three times already and the best time that you should visit is on a sunny day without any fog.
2. Alcatraz Island
   The second thing that you should visit is Alcatraz Island. Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island and explore the former maximum-security prison. This Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was operated from 1934 to 1963. During its time as a maximum-security prison, it housed some of the most notorious criminals in American history. Exploring the prison will provide you insight into the criminal justice system and the lives of inmates during the era. There’s also a tour to go there. You can use Expedia to see and get discounts. I’m planning to go there at the end of this month.
3. Fisherman’s Wharf
   Strolling along Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy the beautiful view and seafood restaurants. You can also get the souvenir. Don’t forget to take a picture of the sea lions at Pier 39.
4. Chinatown
   Explore San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest in North America. Discover unique shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
   Although there’s also a Japanese town downtown, don’t expect that you can eat real Japanese food. From a Japanese perspective, the Japanese food we ate was a little bit different from our country, Japan. One cannot visit Chinatown without indulging in dim sum, a quintessential Chinese dining experience. Choose from an array of bite-sized dumplings, buns, and other delectable dishes at renowned restaurants like Yank Sing. Visit a traditional tea shop and partake in a tea-tasting ceremony. Learn about the rich history of Chinese tea culture and savor a variety of fragrant teas. Sample Chinese pastries and sweets at local bakeries. Favorites include egg tarts, pineapple buns, and mooncakes during special occasions.
5. Golden Gate Park
   Spend time in Golden Gate Park, a massive urban oasis with gardens, museums, lakes, and the famous Japanese Tea Garden. On Saturday, I always go here to play pick up frisbee games. It’s a nice place to go on a picnic.

So go out and enjoy San Francisco!