Tour San Francisco by Photograph

Take a tour through the iconic coastal city of San Francisco. This Northern California metropolis is known for its fog, cable cars, and the Golden Gate bridge.

September 01, 2021

By: Tatum Lenberg

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San Francisco, California

Don't call it Frisco! Founded in 1776 by Spanish colonialists, San Francisco is the 16th most populous city in the United States, and fourth most populous in California. The 1849 Gold Rush brought rapid economic and population growth, making San Francisco the largest city on the West Coast at the time. A major port city and birthplace of the United Nations, San Francisco is known as the center of liberal activism in the United States for its role in immigration, the peace movement, and human rights.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate is a suspension bridge covering the 1 mile strait between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Attracting more than 10 million visitors per year, the Golden Gate Bridge is known for its signature International Orange color and art deco style.

San Francisco Cable Car System

San Francisco is home to the last manually operated cable car system in the world. Transporting 7 million passengers a year, the SF cable car system offers three routes - two from downtown near Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, and one on California Street.

Coit Tower

Coit Tower stands on top of Telegraph Hill, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the city and the bay. This 210-foot-tower has been an emblem of San Francisco's skyline since it was built in 1933. The tower was named after Lillie Hitchcock Coit who died in 1929, leaving behind a substantial bequest “for the purpose of adding to the beauty of the city I have always loved.”

Conservatory of Flowers

The Conservatory of Flowers is located in San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Park. The greenhouse and botanical garden are home to a collection of rare and exotic plants. The conservatory was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a highly valued landmark in San Francisco.

Ferry Building

The Port of San Francisco is a working terminal for the ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay. The Ferry Building also houses merchants, restaurants, and a farmer's market. The building's mission is to operate as a community gathering space for a celebration of local culture and cuisine.

Pier 39

Pier 39 is a popular tourist attraction built on a real pier in San Francisco. Known for its shops, rides, and street performers, Pier 39 is two blocks from Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero.

After the October 1989 earthquake, California Sea Lions began hanging out on Pier 39's K-Dock. With a plentiful food supply in the bay, the number of sea lions at Pier 39 reached more than 1,700 - hitting an all time high in 2009. To view a live cam of the sea lions from the comfort of your own home click here.

Painted Ladies

San Francisco is known for its Victorian and Edwardian-style houses, painted in a triad of colors that accentuate their architecture. The most famous group of Painted Ladies is a row of Victorian houses across from Alamo Square Park featured in the show Full House.

Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island was formerly a military and federal prison. Created with the idea that the strong San Francisco bay currents and cold water would make escape virtually impossible, the prison housed a number of notable inmates like "Scarface" Al Capone, "Machine Gun Kelly," and the "Birdman of Alcatraz."

Now run by the National Park Service, Alcatraz is open to visitors. Can't make it out to the island? Visit one of their virtual exhibits here.

China Town

San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, and the oldest in North America. Beyond the famous Dragon's Gate lie bustling streets with traditional restaurants, bakeries, herbalists, souvenier shops, bars, and temples. Since its establishment in 1848, Chinatown continues to retain its own customs, languages, and identity. Now a major tourist attraction, Chinatown draws more annual visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge!

Sutro baths

The Sutro Baths were developed in 1894 to provide a healthy, recreational, and inexpensive swimming facility for San Franciscans. After the Great Depression, the baths could not remain commercially successful. Now the concrete ruins just north of the Cliff House are all that remain. Visitors can walk along the Sutro Bath ruins or sit on the rocks for prime sunset watching.