Niet langer een gevangenis voor een aantal van de meest gevaarlijke criminelen van Amerika. Alcatraz is een onderdeel van het National Parl Service en is een must-see voor de bezoekers van de stad. Eenmaal op het eiland wordt je zeker gevangen door de geschiedenis en de immense schoonheid. Neem je camera mee, want ongeacht het uitzicht, er is altijd een fotomoment. Draag laagjes kleding )zelfs in de zomermaanden' want het eiland kan winderig zijn en het is tochtig en vochtig tussen de muren van de gevangenis. Als je de kinders wilt laten schrikken om zich te gedragen, is er een cellen audio rondleiding van Alcatraz; voor meer informatie kijk op de website. Veerboten naar Alcatra vertrekken van Pier 33, gerund door Alcatraz Cruises. Bekijk de website voor het huidige schema en compleet overzicht van de details van een bezoek.
In de late 1800's, heeft een Schot genaamd John McLaren meer dan 1000 acres (405 hectare) van zandduinen getransformeerd tot een bijzondere haven in midden in het drukke stadsleven. Zich uitstrekkend van Stanyan Street tot de Pacifische Oceaan, de prachtige eigenschappen van het landschap veranderen iedere keer dat je er bent. Er zijn paden om te wandelen, joggen, fietsen, paardrijden en een golfbaan, lawn bowling banen, voetbalvelden en een baseball veld. Voor diegene die een minder inspannende afleiding zoekt, bekijk het California Academy of Sciences en de authentieke Japanse Tea Garden. Voor families met kinderen zijn er speeltuinen, een reservaat met levende buffels en een draaimolen. Je vindt er ook de Shakespeare Tuin, als je een verborgen paadje inslaat in het Golden Gate Park.
Ferry Building Marketplace moet een San Francisco bezoeker gezien hebben. Dit multimiljoen dollar ontwikkelproject heeft een overvloed aan activiteiten voor de hele familie. Neem de rondleiding door de historische Ferry Building, struin door de antiekwinkels, geniet van het uitzicht op de baai en een kom vissoep bij Ferry Plaza Seafood, of koop biologische producten op de Farmer's Market. Geniet van de beelden en de geluiden van wat de Ferry Building tot een van de meest populaire bestemmingen maakt voor vermaak, eten en plezier.
Dit indrukwekkende neogotische gebouw als de kroon van Nob Hill werd gebouwd om de plek van de Crocker Mansion na de 1906 aardbeving en brand. Het interieur biedt gekleurd glazen ramen is celestijns blauw en bruisende gele en rode kleuren. Er zijn ook fresco's die de geschiedenis van San Francisco uitbeelden en scènes uit het leven dan de heilige patroon van San Francisco, Saint Francis of Asissi. Het vergulde bas-reliëf dat de deuren van de hoofdingang flankeren zijn gedeelten van de originele vormen van de Gates of Paradise van Ghiberti die de Baptij is Florence versieren. De plek bezit ook een binnen en een buitenlabyrint. Het labyrint buiten is gemaakt van Tezzaro steen en het labyrint binnen van limesteen.
Named one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Golden Gate Bridge spans the eponymous strait that links the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Designed by Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow, and Charles Ellis, the bridge opened in 1937 as the world's longest suspension bridge, its main span measuring at an impressive 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) in length. The bridge is not quite golden, but is instead a bright orange, its Art Deco towers looming through the dense fog that often mires the bay; a sight that has come to be emblematic of the city of San Francisco. The bridge ferries vehicular and pedestrian traffic between San Francisco and Marin City, the vista points on either side boasting awe-inspiring views of the Golden Gate, while the bridge itself promises unmatched views of the bay.
Dolores Park is one of the main hot spots in San Francisco and is the major meet-up place for many citizens. Though it is not very large, it attracts crowds of people and the beautiful views make it worth the visit. Recreational resources include a few tennis courts, basketball courts, two soccer fields and a children's playground, but most of all Dolores Park is often used as a venue for special events such as movies in the park. Its surrounding area is known for some of San Francisco's major culinary attractions: Delfina, Pizzeria Delfina and the Tartine Bakery. It is also a great place to chill with some ice cream from the Bi-Rite Creamery. Saturday hang-outs in the park are often events themselves and it's always packed on weekends. Given its location, it's almost always sunny; the famous fog knows better than to ruin the oasis that is Dolores Park. Whether you choose to sit in Dog Beach, Hipster Beach, Speedo Ridge or partake in actual activity at the playground or tennis courts you are sure to have an unforgettable time.
A charismatic metropolis hugging the Pacific coast and built on a series of hills, San Francisco is a major player in the world's growing technology markets. First inhabited by the Ohlone tribe, the land was soon explored by Don Gaspar de Portola. The Spanish constructed a fort at the Presidio and later a mission in the interior city dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi (the city's namesake), now commonly known as Mission Dolores. In 1906, a massive earthquake leveled three-quarters of the city and after major rebuilding it once again boomed as a strategic naval base and manufacturing hub. North Beach and Haight-Ashbury, once the hotbed of Beat culture in post-war era now pay homage to that time at vibrant spots like the City Lights bookstore. In the eye of the dot-com and social media storm, the city is still one of the most densely populated in the country. The birthplace of counterculture movements and hi-tech innovation, San Francisco blends cutting edge modern life with West Coast charm.
The city hall building is the site of some of San Francisco's finest moments. In 1954 Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married here. In the early 21st Century, over 100 same-sex couples were married by Mayor Gavin Newsom in the foyer. The Renaissance architecture rivals some of the country's most historical structures. Two Parisian architects designed and constructed the building from 1913-1915, and the dome is based on the one crowning St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. A small store, open during normal business hours, sells traditional San Francisco souvenirs including T-shirts, posters and postcards.
The War Memorial & Performing Arts Center is a series of cultural venues that make up the bulk of the Civic Center's events. The center is comprised of such architectural gems as the Veterans Building, the War Memorial Opera House, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall and Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall. The Opera House is home to the San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Opera, whereas the Veterans Building houses both the Herbst Theatre and Green Room. Check the website for a list of each venue's upcoming events.
The United Nations Plaza of San Francisco can be found between Hyde Street and Market Street, and is the main access point for the historic Civic Center Buildings. Lined with columns that list the various countries that form a part of the United Nations and with floors that have been inscribed with the philosophies enshrined within the UN charter, the UN Plaza is a lovely memorial to the signing of the charter at the War Memorial Opera House in 1945. Today, the Plaza is best known as the location for the Heart of the City Farmers Market that is held here every Wednesday and Sunday. During lunch hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Plaza once more comes to life when the Off the Grid food trucks offer up a variety of gourmet and exotic dishes. The Plaza also hosts a variety of craft markets, with stalls selling wares that are as diverse as the countries represented by the UN. Although the Plaza itself is a lovely sight, it is best to visit during market hours, as it remains rather secluded at all other times.
This imposing Moorish Revival structure was a United States National Guard armory and arsenal from 1914 to 1976. The San Francisco Armory, though listed in the National Register of Historic Places was left unused for three decades before it was renovated to its former glory in 2007. Since then this majestic building is a veritable events hub in the city. Comprising of spaces like the Drill Court, General's Quarters, Studios and Armory Club, this state-of-the-art beautiful facility hosts concerts, galas, corporate events, dance parties, movie screenings and film shoots.