No matter how long you’ve lived in San Fran, you probably haven’t had the time or opportunity to fully explore your beloved city. Before you leave the city for good, take some time to see the sites and make more memories. We’ve listed a few adventures below to help you get started.
Visit Golden Gate Bridge
This world-famous landmark spans almost two miles across the Golden Gate Strait-a narrow stretch of water that connects the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. This orange-colored bridge is also one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
With its ingenious design and architecture, combined with durable steel allows it to stand strong through intense winds and forceful tides and currents.
While you could drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, you may better enjoy the structure and the view of the city by walking across the pedestrian walkway.
Ride the Cable Cars
Cruise through the city in style and take a ride on the cable cars. Many of the streets in downtown San Francisco are still lined with rails, and the city still offers rides on these iconic machines to remind people of a pre-automotive time period.
Because horses couldn’t climb the steep slopes of the Golden City, the cable cars were built to help residents ride up to the top.
For just a few dollars, you can ride a cable car from Union Square to California Street. The cars even make stops in Russian Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob Hill, and Chinatown.
Tour Alcatraz Island
Take some time to play the tourist and visit Alcatraz Island if you haven’t done so already. Since the out-of-commission prison sits on an island in the middle of the Bay, you’ll have to take a ferry boat to get there.
Alcatraz housed famous inmates like Robert Stroud, George Kelly, and Al Capone. The abandoned facility seems haunting, and as you walk around, you can visit the cell blocks, yard, and other buildings on the island. You can even tour Alcatraz by night if you like. Listen to the audio cell house tour, and you’ll hear former inmates and guards narrate stories about life in the prison and on the island.
Eat at the Local Restaurants
While you explore San Fran, you’ll need to take breaks and replenish yourself. So why not take the opportunity to visit some of the local eateries? Regardless of the time of day and your personal preferences, you can always find something scrumptious and decadent in the city.
Visit India Palace in Mill Valley if you have a hankering for Indian food. Stop by Cinnaholic and devour the best vegan cinnamon roll in San Francisco. The Sycamore on Mission offers great lunch specials, like steak and cheese sandwiches, Reuben sandwiches with fries, or chili dogs depending on the day. Burma Superstar even offers an array of fragrant Burmese cuisine that will appeal to your taste buds.
View the City From Above
Want to get a different view of the city? Get to the top of Coit Tower and you’ll be able to see the city from above. And if you walk around the top, you can see different parts of the city from different angles.
Stationed on top of Telegraph Hill, this tower features a hidden gem: murals painted on the inside. These murals were inspired by Diego Rivera’s social realism style, and the paintings depict different facets of city life.
Walk Through Nature
While traveling through the inner city lets you make dozens of memories, you may want to explore the skirts of San Francisco to fully appreciate all it has to offer.
Grizzly Peak is the summit of Berkeley Hills, and you can find some choice hiking trails in this area. If you hike up to the top of Grizzly Peak, you can see incredible sunrises or sunsets. And, you’ll have an incredible view of the Bay Area. Although Berkeley Hills is about half an hour outside of San Francisco, you’ll enjoy the fast drive and the unique sites the area displays.
Another great option is to visit the redwoods in Muir Woods National Park. This forest also requires a bit of a drive, but once you’ve reached Muir Woods, you can take a walk through nature and stand in awe at the redwood trees. During your visit, you can even learn about the history of Muir Woods National Park or go on a one-hour guided tour if staffing allows.
Before you say “sayonara” to San Fran, explore the city and make new memories. Use the tips listed above to get started on your adventure. Instead of spending your time packing, let the professionals at Wheaton World Wide Moving. We’ll handle all the details of your upcoming move so you can take the time to explore the Golden City and make memories you’ll cherish.
