Top Rated Attractions in San Francisco

The San Francisco Cable Car is one of the most popular mode of transport for those visiting the city for the first time. The cable cars run across various routes throughout, offering passengers a spectacular option for touring the City by the Bay. One could also visit the cable car barn where you get to see how the machinery operates the cable cars. All in all, there is nothing like a ride on the cable cars to tour the city.

With one ticket, guests can see three to five bands in one night at Bottom Of The Hill. All musical genres are represented here, and it is a good bet that whatever you like will play here eventually. Modest Mouse, Yo La Tengo, MGMT, Mates of State and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are just a few of the cutting-edge performers to have graced Bottom of the Hill's hallowed stage. Occasionally, all-age shows allow even the youngest music fans to rock-out with the big kids.

Founded in 1984, the Contemporary Jewish Museum presents scholarly and artistic programs that explore the Jewish spirit and imagination. The museum offers contemporary views and Jewish perspectives on culture, history and art, with programs reflecting global ideas that tie to the past and remain relevant to all people today. World-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind was commissioned for the project. The 63,000 square foot museum provides a welcoming space where people from all backgrounds may encounter, celebrate and debate artistic forms of all varieties.

This San Francisco landmark features some of Fisherman's Wharf's best shopping and attractions. Ride the carousel, people watch, or take in views of the bay. There are more than 25 one-of-a-kind gift stores that carry automobile, Hollywood, and rock 'n' roll memorabilia, as well as flags of the world, Russian dolls, collectible knives, hammocks, kites, and more. But that's not all. You will find over 30 more stores, including the famous Na Hoku to shop for clothing, jewelry and toys. It is a great place to pick up high-end San Francisco souvenirs. When you're done shopping and eating to your heart's content, visit the famous resident sea lions for a prime photo session. Pier 39 is a magnet for locals and tourists for many reasons, including their calendar of special attractions for the whole family like the Tulipmania tulip festival held in late February or the Holiday Tree Lighting in November.

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.

Acting as a major cultural destination since 1895, the De Young Museum reopened in October 2005 in a facility designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and Fong & Chan Architects in San Francisco. The building is magnificent and from the observation tower you can get a great view of the park. It is open, airy and massive. It also has a perforated and embossed copper facade which goes very well with the greenery around the museum. The museum houses the world-renowned American Painting and Sculpture collection, dating from the 17th to the 20th Centuries. Primitive Art is highly represented with extraordinary pieces of Native American Art (from the ancient Teotihuacan City), African Art (statues and potteries) and Oceanic Art (shields, dance dress and masks). Admission is free the first Tuesday of each month.