Alcatraz image
Of course, Alcatraz is the tiny little island in the middle of the Bay that has such an amazing past as a top security prision that no one ever successfully escaped from it. But there's much more to its past that can only be discovered by actually vi... more
Aquarium of the Bay image
Aquarium of the Bay is a marine nature center affiliated with The Bay Institute. The Aquarium is dedicated to protecting, restoring and inspiring conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed-from the Sierra to the sea. It is accredited by the... more
Bison Paddock image
Visitors to Golden Gate Park are often astounded to stumble upon a herd of American bison browsing in a meadow in the park's western end, but these huge, shaggy Great Plains denizens have been a beloved institution since 1892. more
It is a matter of historical record that the Coit Tower art project was the prototype for the decade of the New Deal art that followed, 1933-43, halted finally by World War II. Utilizing carefully selected artistic talent, the project provided an ico... more
Conservatory of Flowers image
The Conservatory of Flowers is a spectacular living museum of rare and beautiful tropical plants under glass. From Borneo to Bolivia, the 1,500 species of plants at the Conservatory represent unusual flora from more than 50 countries around the world... more
11 Upcoming events
Dragon's Gate image
The main gate to Chinatown is the entrance to Grant Street with it's many shops and interesting traditions. While the main shopping for everyday people is Stockton, this entire area of Chinatown is great for tourists and locals alike who are looking... more
Sometimes referred to as the "North Windmill", the first Golden Gate Park windmill stands 75 feet tall with 102 foot long spars, and was built to pump up to 30,000 gallons an hour of well water for irrigation purposes. (Before the windmill's erection... more
Fisherman's Wharf image
Fisherman's Wharf is a neighborhood and popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, California. It roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Avenue east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street. The F M... more
Golden Gate Bridge image
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km), one-point-seven-mile-long (2.7 km) channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the American city of San Franci... more
The Visitor Center offers hands-on activities that create an intimate experience with our marine world, which promotes understanding, while underscoring the importance of our protected marine sanctuaries. Our Visitor Center is open Wednesday –... more
Hard Rock Cafe - San Francisco image
It started with an Eric Clapton guitar (a Fender Lead II, for the gearheads in the audience). The beginning of something that nobody even knew was beginning. Today there are more than 70,000 guitars, drums, pianos, harmonicas, microphones, shirts,... more
Land's End image
Land's End is an amazing walking area from Legion of Honor to Cliff House. The beautiful walking trail is a must for runners or for walking the dog and family. It has gorgeous Golden Gate views, nice ups & downs and the hill climbs make it a fun... more
Madame Tussauds San Francisco image
Are you ready for your starring role? The world famous Madame Tussauds is now open on San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf! Located next to Pier 39, join us to walk the red carpet and experience the true spirit of San Francisco. Immerse yourself in S... more
Magic Bus San Francisco image
Step aboard Magic Bus and back into time! With bubbles in the air and a flower in your hair, feel yourself transported to the Summer of Love. Passing streets blend with historic projections on retractable window screens, creating a immersive experien... more
Mission San Francisco de Asis image
Mission San Francisco de Asís, or Mission Dolores, is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco and the seventh religious settlement established as part of the California chain of missions. The Mission was founded on June 29, 1776, by Li... more
A gift to the city from banker Samuel G. Murphy, the now-restored Murphy Windmill was the largest in the world when it was built. Able to pump 40,000 gallons of well water a day for park irrigation, its purpose was to save the city from the exorbitan... more
Musee Mecanique image
Welcome to the Musee Mecanique, one of the world's largest privately owned collections of mechanically operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines. We will take you on a journey from turn of the century hand cranked music boxes to modern... more
Pier 43 1/2 image
Pier 43 1/2 is home to the Red and White Fleet. Their boat tours make daily trips to many of the Bay Area's most popular destinations that can only be accessed on the water. more
Powell Street Cable Car Turntable image
The Cable Car turnaround is a classic tourist spot; unnecessary, yet it is a popular spot. Maybe it's the lines, or the slow motion movement of the cable cars, but in all seriousness, the area is packed with lots of people, there are often musicians... more
Motorized pumps were first installed in the Dutch Windmill in 1913 to augment the power system, and the Murphy Windmill was electrified soon after. It is commonly believed that the windmills were taken out of service around 1935, after which they beg... more
Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum image
San Francisco has staked its claim as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, bringing in travelers from all over. And though the city has its fare share of sights to see, one of its premiere institutions is Ripley's Believe It or Not, located... more
San Francisco Belle image
The San Francisco Belle, built in 1994 in Louisiana, was used as a floating casino on the Missouri River in St. Charles, Missouri. She's now known as San Francisco's landmark paddleboat. She features three fully enclosed decks, plus a large sun deck... more
The Sea Lion Center is a division of bay.org, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit with the mission to protect, restore and inspire conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed, from the Sierra to the sea.  We offer free interpretive programs to co... more
SS Jeremiah O'Brien image
The SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN is one of two remaining fully functional Liberty ships of the 2,710 built and launched during WWII. The O'BRIEN has the distinction of being the last unaltered Liberty ship and remains historically accurate. Moored at Pier 45,... more
Stow Lake Boathouse image
Our fleet of American-made boats includes rowboats, electric boats, and pedal boats that seat from one to four boaters. All motorboats, including the support boat, are electric powered and silently glide across the serene waters of Stow Lake. The... more
An 18-hole miniature golf course, arcade, food and drink (beer and wine included), and party rooms. more
The American Bookbinders Museum image
The American Bookbinders Museum is the only museum of its kind in North America, celebrating and exploring the culture and tools of bookbinding, from its earliest forms to the changes and innovations of the industrial revolution. more
The Flyer Thrill Zone at PIER 39 San Francisco image
OPEN FOR LOTS OF THRILLING FUN! Great for parties, get-togethers, office outings, youth groups, fundraisers, church groups and all family fun. Ride the 7D Dark Ride Experience, The Flyer--San Francisco Soaring & Wings Across America, as well as s... more
The Walt Disney Family Museum image
The fascinating and inspiring story of Walt Disney, whose artistry, imagination and vision helped define 20th-century America, has been brought to life at The Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco. The Museum illuminates Walt Dis... more
USS Pampanito image
The USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a World War II Balao class Fleet submarine museum and memorial that is open for visitors daily at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. The Pampanito made six patrols in the Pacific during World War II during which she san... more