San Francisco, Sights to See, Things to Do

The Golden Gate Bridge is, of course, what I think about when I think of San Francisco. And my favorite picture is on the north side of the bridge with the city behind it. When I first saw the bridge, I was coming from Vallejo, down into the city and it was breathtaking. The Golden Gate is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Construction of the bridge began in 1933 and was completed in 1937. There is a toll, southbound of $5. But no toll if you are going north. A trip to San Francisco would not be complete with crossing the bridge by car, foot or bicycle.

Alcatraz, The Rock, a military fortress from 1859-1934. Home of the first lighthouse on the west coast. Federal Penitentiary from 1934-1963, and from 1969-1971, home to Indians of all tribes during their occupation of the island. Who hasn't heard of The Rock. From movies, "The Birdman of Alcatraz", " Murder in the First", "Escape from Alcatraz" and "The Rock". Famous prisoners were George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Al Capone, Robert Stroud, the birdman and Henry Young(Murder in the First). There were 14 escape attempts and although no one officially made it to shore and freedom, 5 prisoners are missing and presumed dead. So a tour of this island fortress is a must while visiting San Francisco. Links for tour companies are listed to the right.

Golden Gate Park is much more than just a park. Deeded to the citizens of San Francisco in 1870, the park is a vast improvement over what is used to be. Once sand dunes beaten by harsh oceanside winds, the park was converted to the lush grass, trees and foliage it is today by John McLaren. The first buildings were built for the Midwinter Fair to help boost the economy and tourism. A fine arts building was established to prove that San Francisco had culture. Horse stables and vast lawns provided outside entertainment and to add a little of the exotic, Cairo Street, Japanese Village and the Eskimo habitat were completed.

Today, though vast improvements, the park remains a testament to the will of the city to preserve it's culture, and to relax and play. The DeYoung Museum is an art museum that showcases collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th century, including art of the Native Americans, Africa and the Pacific.

The California Academy of Sciences is currently under construction, and temporarily located at 875 Howard Street. The $370 million expansion is to be completed in 2008. It will include the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and modern exhibition spaces. The new museum will have a 2.5 acre self sustaining roof of live plants.

Since 1879, the Conservatory of Flowers has been home to over 10,000 plants from around the world. The oldest glass and wood Victorian greenhouse in the Western Hemisphere was severely damaged in a storm in 1995 and closed for 8 years but is now open to the public again. The dome is host to the conservatory's prized century old philodendron. The east wing has the tropical plants and the west wing is dedicated to the seasonal flowering plants and education. The first exhibit in the educational wing is an exhibit about pollination and includes 800 live butterflies that fly among the visitors.

Designed in 1928 by the California Spring Blossom and Wildflower Association, the Garden of Shakespeare's Flowers, containing 150 odd specimens mentioned in Shakespeare's poems and plays.

The Japanese Tea Garden exists of 5 acres of paths, ponds and a tea house. It features native Japanese and Chinese plants. Also placed within the 5 acres are beautiful sculptures and bridges. This is a favorite visitor place. Makato Hagiwara who managed the gardens from 1895 - 1942, also invented the fortune cookie. For admission info, call 415-752-4227. If you pass through the Friend's Gate, you will enter the San Franciso Botanical Garden at Styrbing Arboretum. This garden of fragrance has free guided walks daily at 1:30 p.m.

There is a large abundance of activities to do at Golden Gate Park, including sports. You can practice archery, play basketball, roller skate, ride a bike, fly fish, boating, golf, handball, horseshoes, lawn bowling, swing dancing, Pentanque (French bowling game), sail your model boat, tennis, sunbathe, surf, watch the sea lions, beach combing, Disc golf and ultimate Frisbee. Whew, I am worn out just listing the activities.

You can rent bikes and skates:

Stow Lake Bike & Boat Rentals, 50 Stow Lake Dr., (415) 752-0347

Golden Gate Park Bike and Skate: 3038 Fulton St., (415) 668-1117

American Cyclery: 510 Frederick St. and 858 Stanyan St., (415) 664-4545

Avenue Cyclery: 756 Stanyan St., (415) 387-3155

Park Cyclery, 1749 Waller St., (415) 221-3777

Skates on Haight, 1818 Haight St., (415) 752-8375

Archery packages can be rented at San Francisco Archery Shop, 3795 Balboa St., (415) 751-2776. (Web site)

Paddle boats and rowboats can be rented at the north side of Stow Lake, 415-752-0347

You can let your dog play with others in the several dog runs the park has to offer.

Adults and children can takes classes in ceramics, painting, metal arts and drawing at Sharon Art Studio.

There is a small herd of buffalo next to Spreckels Lake.

For a free guide to the types of birds you might be able to observe, see the San Francisco Field Ornithologists website, http://www.sffo.org/SFBirding/Golden%20Gate%20Park.html.

The Golden Gate Park Band, has been performing free public concerts on Sunday since 1882. In April of 2006, they will resume these concerts at the Music Concourse.

Strawberry Hill is a 428 feet high naturally formed island in Stow Lake. From it's summit you can see the greater part of Western San Francisco and the Golden Gate Park. Access to the hill is provided by beautiful stone bridges.

In the Queen Wilhlemina Tulip garden you can see two authentic windmills. The tulips bloom in February and March. Both windmills fell into disrepair, in 1980 the North Windmill was restored and the South Windmill was restored in 2006.

As you can see, Golden Gate Park alone could take you a couple of days to see all the sites. The good news is there is a free shuttle that picks up passengers at 15 locations throughout the park on weekends and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through mid-December.