Tourist Attractions: Some of the tourist attractions of San Francisco that you will surely enjoy seeing are Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Japanese Tea Garden, and Fisherman’s Wharf. The Alcatraz Island was once a prison for America’s most dangerous criminals. It is not used as a prison any more, but is a part of the National Park Service. A visit to this prison to relive the past is a must in your itinerary. You will be held in thrall by the exquisite natural beauty and glory of the island. You are certain to find many exciting photo opportunities. But, be sure to wear warm clothes because it can be quite breezy on the island and the atmosphere inside the prison is damp and gloomy. You can reach the Alcatraz Island by one of the numerous ferries that transport people there.

Museums: Plenty of museums offering a glimpse into the rich heritage of San Francisco can be found there. Some of the museums that are storehouses of information are Golden Gate Bridge, California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, and the Octagon House. Established by physicist Frank Oppenheimer in the year 1969, the Exploratorium is a science museum, which throws light on the scientific mysteries and languages of the world. It traces hundreds of languages through family trees. The tactile dome is a place, which visitors explore in the dark. On weekends, seminars are held about interesting subjects.

Amusement Parks: A few of the amusement and theme parks of San Francisco that you will certainly enjoy visiting are Paramount’s Great America, Bonfante Gardens Theme Park, and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Bonfante Gardens Theme Park has over 40 rides, gardens, and exhibits among its attractions. Some of the rides popular with the children are Quicksilver Express Mine Coaster, South County Backroads, and the park’s own railroad. Some of the exciting exhibits are a world famous collection of

Circus Trees, a rock maze, and the learning sheds. Bonfante’s Splash Garden is the aquatic play area of the park that offers the visitors a place to cool off during the hot summers. There are plenty of rides and activities offered by this park to keep you busy the entire day.

Beaches: The popular beaches in San Francisco are Baker Beach, China Beach, Land’s End, and Ocean Beach. The last of these is a four-mile long beach. The water of this beach is extremely cold and the undercurrent is dangerous, so swimming is not allowed in this beach. But, you can still watch enthusiastic surfers riding the waves. Another beach of San Francisco, the China Beach, is the only beach in San Francisco, which is a safe place to swim. There are lifeguards stationed at the beach during summers. Changing rooms are available on the beach. There are barbecue pits and an enclosed sundeck on the beach. But, to reach the beach, you will have to hike down a rather steep hill.

Outdoor Activities:San Francisco has plenty to offer the outdoor sports enthusiasts. For instance, those who love backpacking and hiking can hike in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, Angel Island, Barbary Coast Trail, and Crystal Spring Trail. The Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve is a 5,000-acre park, which is open all year round. This forest is overgrown with 1,000-year-old redwood trees. Small creeks weave through the woods. On the sides of these creeks, at some places, are placed picnic tables where the visitors can grab a quick bite. Children can play in the small, shallow creeks safely, while parents watch indulgently from the adjacent tables. The redwood trees keep the woods cool during the summer months and offer some protection during the winters.