The Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 area is one of San Francisco's most popular attractions. If you have been to Chicago's Navy Pier you have an idea of what to expect. In addition to the usual shopping, you can take a ferry to Alcatraz or to the Golden Gate Bridge, savor Dungeness Crabs, be deafened by the honks and squeaks of warring male sea lions, get an impromptu portrait made and take a tram or cable car ride to the rest of San Francisco
Market Street and Union Square
Market Street is the place of street photography. On weekends, the area teems with entertainers doing everything from dancing to strumming the guitar, folks playing chess and political demonstrators of every hue (well, mostly Democratic - this is San Francisco after all). This is the gritty section of San Francisco and is far removed from the well manicured lawns at the Palace of the Legion of Honor and other such spots in the city. Union Square has so many shops that you should avoid going there with women as you are likely to spend most of your time inside stores. If you do get trapped, go to Macy's and hitch an elevator ride to the top where you have some nice panaromic views of Union Square. This part of the city is more like New York City than any other.
City Hall
San Francisco's beautiful City Hall was built anew after the 1906 Earthquake destroyed the older one. It was retrofitted and renovated in the late 1990s and is now one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
Alamo Square
Alamo Square is where you want to go if you are looking for the famous 'Postcard Row' photograph with old Victorian Buildings in the foreground and the city's high-rises in the background. The buildings are called 'painted ladies' - they are old Victorian homes which have been restored and painted in bright colors.
Japantown
Japantown on Geary Blvd is a small compact section whose most obvious feature is the Peace Pagoda which was gift from Japan to the city. In addition, it has a couple of malls with Japanese food and the like. Not extremely intersting but worth a visit nevertheless.
Assorted
Then there's everything else - Lombard Street, Treasure Island, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Park. If you want to see more photographs of San Francisco, go right here.
Comments from others who've read this article
1. on Wednesday, 31-Aug-2005 Lisa said:
Thank these pictures helped me with my essay.
2. on Friday, 25-Mar-2005 robyn said:
These pictures are spectacular! my family and i are going this july, looking at the photo encourages me to jump on a plane and head out this moment.
-robyn
3. on Friday, 11-Mar-2005 Mike said:
As I will be coming to San Francisco for the first time in April, these pictures give me a great insight and can't wait feeling
