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.
Located in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is one of the greenest buildings in the city and has a platinum certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The museum features the newly renovated and expanded Steinhart Aquarium, complete with a hands-on tide pool and the well-known alligator swamp. Other exciting features are the Morrison Planetarium, the four-story rain-forest dome, and the Hall of African Mammals. In addition to these educational gems, the museum features other natural history exhibits as well as exhibits about global warming. The Academy Cafe offers international cuisine, while the elegant Moss Room restaurant is the only dining option available in the park past museum closing time.
Conventional wisdom holds that this iconic monument is shaped like a fire-hose nozzle. It is not, at least not by design. The tower is the gift of Lilly Hitchcock Coit, an eccentric heiress who managed to stand out in a city that teems with eccentricity. Lilly's particular passion was for the San Francisco Fire Department. The money she left in her will for the city's beautification was used to construct the Art Deco tower on Telegraph Hill in 1932. The view from here is one of the most impressive in San Francisco, offering unrestricted sights of the scenic Bay, the neighboring bridges, and the Marin Headlands. Inside, the first floor is ornamented with excellent murals, commissioned in 1933, that depict San Francisco's history. The tower's summit can be accessed by taking its elevator for a small fee.
The Oakland Zoo is home to more than 440 exotic and domestic birds, mammals, marsupials, and reptiles. Some of its attractions include a park with picnic facilities, an educational wildlife theater, a children's petting zoo, a carousel, a chair lift ride, and a miniature train. The zoo also offers group tours and a lecture series for adults in the spring.
University of California Botanical Garden is located within the campus of University of California Berkeley. Open to the public since 1890, this is no less than an outdoor living museum that boasts over 12,000 species of flora and fauna. The garden can be rented for private events, wedding receptions, twilight tours, summer walks and concerts.
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 New Main Library was opened on 18th April 1996 after extensive renovation on the Main library building amounting to a staggering 109 million dollars. The New Main Library is fully equipped with 300 computer terminals, a room equipped with 1100 laptops and a special children's wing. The management has acted upon the feedback they have received from the general public and improved facilities like adding more computers for public access, meeting and study rooms for students and local groups, comfortable and roomy seating areas and also better wheelchair access. Take a peek at the sleek top floor terrace.
The City Guides are sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library. Over 25 tours focus on different aspects of San Francisco culture, including the city's history and architecture. Recent tours have included a walking tour of the Mission District's murals and an Art Deco tour of the Marina. All tours are free, though donations to benefit the library are requested. Departure locations and times vary. Call or write the main library branch for information.