San Francisco Attractions

Alcatraz is a decommissioned prison island (federal penitentiary) nestled in the bay. Before it became a prison it served first as a lighthouse (the West Coast's first lighthouse), then a military outpost, and then a military prison. After this, it served as a federal prison for 29 years between 1934 and 1963. Its location was near perfect due to its isolation and the frigid waters and hazardous currents of the bay, which made escape attempts extremely difficult. Known by it's nickname "The Rock", this prison was once home to some of the most notorious inmates in U.S. history. Famous inmates included Al Capone, who served four and a half years here, and Robert Stroud — "The Birdman of Alcatraz," — who spent a long 17 years here. The notorious gangster and bootlegger, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, also served time at the Rock. I...

Fisherman's Wharf is San Francisco's most popular tourist destination with around 12 million visitors each year. For over a century this historic waterfront has been the hub of the city's fishing fleet and is still famous for the depth and variety of its harvest, as well as for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the city. Today, it's also renowned for its numerous tourist attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. It is located at the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, along the San Francisco Bay. It runs all the way from Pier 39 through to Municipal Pier at the end of Aquatic Park. It is bordered by Van Ness Ave to the east and Bay St to the south. The most densely centred tourist area of Fisherman's Wharf is Pier 39 which is a 45-acre pier-complex featuring over 100 specialty st...

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world's largest and most recognisable suspension bridges which spans the Golden Gate (the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean). As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, it connects the city of San Francisco on the N tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. The bridge is widely regarded as one of the architectural triumphs of the 20th century and is also one of the most photographed bridges in the world.