San Francisco

Nature

Alcatraz Island

An island in San Francisco Bay that once housed a notorious prison. It's now part of a national recreation area, where visitors can explore the former prison facilities.

Views & landmarks

San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge

The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge spans San Francisco Bay, connecting the two cities and offering scenic bay views for drivers. It's commonly known simply as the Bay Bridge.

Parks & gardens

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco's signature urban park, larger in area than New York's Central Park. It's a favorite spot for visitors looking to stroll and relax.

Museums & galleries

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art houses 20th-century modern and contemporary art. It holds the distinction of being the largest modern art museum in the United States and the first on the West Coast.

Museums & galleries

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary

A former federal penitentiary on an island off the coast of San Francisco, accessible by boat. Once a maximum-security prison, it offers a unique glimpse into history.

Museums & galleries

USS Hornet

The USS Hornet is an aircraft carrier that served in World War II and is now docked in San Francisco as a museum. It's also known for recovering the Apollo 11 and 12 astronauts after splashdown.

Zoos & aquariums

California Academy of Sciences

A natural history museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, combining an aquarium, planetarium, and tropical rainforest under one roof. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, it reopened in 2008.

Shopping & districts

The Castro

The Castro is a neighborhood near Eureka Valley in San Francisco that was once home to many working-class residents before transforming into one of the country's leading gay communities. Today it stands as one of the largest gay villages, and it's a great place to walk around and take in its history and atmosphere.