The City of San Francisco is one of the most popular settlements in the USA and a world famous tourist destination. It has so many interesting landmarks that it’s hard to know what to visit, especially if time isn’t on your side, but there are some city sights you certainly don’t want to miss.

5. Union Square

Union Square

Throughout the years Union Square has become one of the most famous shopping districts in the entire world, and one of the largest in America. This is where you can find a large collection of big department stores, boutiques, art galleries, trinket shops and salons, basically any establishment that will gladly provide you with anything you desire, as long as there’s money in your pockets.

Union Square has been called the heart of San Francisco on several occasions and as such, it hosts all the city’s important events and celebrations. This is also where the Christmas festivities, private parties and concerts are organized.

4. Coit Tower

Coit Tower

Designed by architects Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Howard and constructed atop Telegraph Hill, in 1933, Coit Tower is one of the most popular sights in San Francisco. It is a 64 meter high art deco creation, decorated with murals by 26 different artists and several other assistants. Most of the murals depict “leftist” political themes like the Great Depression.

Standing atop telegraph Hill, Coit Tower offers great views of all the other major sights of San Francisco.

3. Fisherman’s Wharf

Fishermans Wharf

Known for its delicious seafood and historic waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf is a place where anyone can find something to do. There are museums like the Musee Mechanique, The Fisherman’s Wharf Wax Museum or Ripley’s Believe or Not, street entertainers, souvenir shops and old restaurants where you can try fresh seafood specialties like Dungeness crab and clam chowder, while watching the fishermen arranging their fishing boats.

Although it doesn’t resemble the rest of San Francisco, it is the most popular attraction in “The City by the Bay”.

2. Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

The most internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge is considered one of the most beautiful examples of bridge design and engineering. It was constructed in 1937 to connect the city of San Francisco to Marin County and at that time it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It’s painted in International Orange, a color that helps it blend with the surrounding elements and makes it more visible in case of fog.

Golden Gate Bridge holds the honor of being “possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world” according to Frommer’s Travel Guide.

1. Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island

Known as simply Alcatraz, or The Rock, Alcatraz Island first served as a lighthouse location, then as a military facility, then a feared prison and is now one of San Francisco’s most visited tourist attractions.

During 29 years of operating as a penitentiary, there have been no reports of inmates successfully completing their escape attempts, although many have tried. Criminals like the infamous Al Capone, Robert Stroud or James Bugler all served time here, and now tourists from all around the world come to visit their cells and find out what made Alcatraz escape-proof.

We can say Alcatraz went from being a place where no one ever wanted to go, to being an international travel destination, for which people buy tickets in advance.

So don’t waste time book your hotel in San Francisco today and check out these amazing sights of the City By The Bay.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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