San Francisco Bay Area Tours Directory

• Tours: Sightseeing, boat, walking, recreation.

• Places to see.

• The great outdoors.

• Virtual San Francisco Tour

• San Francisco Sightseeing & Attractions

Places to see

Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is one of Golden Gate National Recreation Area's most popular destinations, offering a close-up look at a historic and infamous federal prison long off-limits to the public. Visitors to the island cannot only explore the remnants of the prison, but can also learn about the Indian occupation of 1969 - 1971, early military fortifications (the first U.S. fort on the coast), and the West Coast's first (and oldest operating) lighthouse. These structures and the island's many natural features - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare - are being preserved by the National Park Service which is working to make it accessible to visitors, preserve its buildings, protect its birds and other wildlife, and interpret its history.

Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art. Its holdings include nearly 15,000 treasures spanning 6,000 years of history, representing cultures throughout Asia. The museum's mission is to lead a diverse global audience in discovering the unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of Asian art and culture.

California Academy of Sciences
Explore the natural world within the walls of the California Academy of Sciences at 875 Howard Street, San Francisco, California. Immerse yourself in the worlds' oceans and fresh water environments displayed in Steinhart Aquarium.  ANTS: Hidden Worlds Revealed presents ants from Trinidad, the American Southwest, a tropical rainforest, and even your own kitchen. Go to the outer reaches of the Universe, and your own back yard to see organisms that survive in harsh environments in the exhibit, Astrobiology: Life in the Extreme. Gather information, and participate in hands-on science activities in the Naturalist Center, and Nature Nest.  The Academy is open at 875 Howard Street 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.  Morrison Planetarium, Natural History Museum, Steinhart Aquarium.

California Missions
Much of California's history began with the Spanish Missions. The chain of 21 missions along California's El Camino Real ("The Royal Highway") represent the first arrival of non-Native Americans to California. Life for the California Native Americans was forever changed. In addition to Christianity, the missions brought many other things to California such as livestock, fruits, flowers, grains and industry. This was also the start of the civilization in which we live today. However, as a result of the arrival of the Spanish, many Native American lives were lost.  Every one of the California missions tell a story about the history of California. All have been, to some extent, restored and can be visited today.  A brief history of each mission is presented here. Later updates to this web site will include addition information about California's rich history.

The Cannery
THE CANNERY at Del Monte Square is one of San Francisco's most treasured places. Located at the foot of Columbus Street overlooking San Francisco Bay, and originally built in 1907, THE CANNERY was once the largest peach cannery in the world. Today, THE CANNERY at Del Monte Square is a vibrant waterfront marketplace featuring one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, offices, live entertainment, and a world-class jazz club. The brick warehouse was converted into three levels of winding walkways, balconies and bridges surrounding an inviting courtyard with 130-year-old olive trees and several outdoor cafes. THE CANNERY's European charm, unique shops and restaurants, and award-winning architecture make it one of the finest shopping and dining experiences in the world.

Center for the Arts at Yerba Buena Center
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts opened ten years ago with much fanfare and expectation. Our promise then: that the Center would include, respect and celebrate the people and ideas that energize our myriad communities, that we would present exciting local artists in context with their national and international peers, and that we would provide the Bay Area with an eclectic and wide-ranging slate of exciting exhibitions, performances, films and educational programs.

Craft & Folk Art Museum
The Museum of Craft & Folk Art promotes the understanding and appreciation of human expression, ranging from utilitarian objects to contemporary art. This is accomplished through innovative exhibitions of craft and folk art from cultures past and present, educational programs, and publications.

Exploratorium
Housed within the walls of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a collage of over 650 science, art, and human perception exhibits. The Exploratorium is a leader in the movement to promote museums as educational centers.  This unique museum was founded in 1969 by noted physicist and educator Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, who devoted his efforts to it  and was its director  until his death in 1985. Dr. Goery Delacote, a renowned French scientist, science educator and public servant, was named executive director of the Exploratorium in February 1991.

Fine Arts Museums
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) is the city's largest public arts institution. Comprising the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor, FAMSF is also the city's most successful public/private partnership. Although a designated city department, most of the Museum's operational funding and all funding for art acquisitions and exhibitions are raised privately.

Fort Point National Historic Site
Fort Point was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1853 and 1861 to prevent entrance of a hostile fleet into San Francisco Bay.  The fort was designed to mount 126 massive cannon. Rushed to completion at the beginning of the Civil War, Fort Point was first garrisoned in February of 1861 by Company I, 3rd U.S. Artillery Regiment. The fort was occupied throughout the Civil War, but the advent of faster, more powerful rifled cannon made brick forts such as Fort Point obsolete. In 1886 the troops were withdrawn, and the last cannon were removed about 1900. The fort was then used for storage and training purposes for many years.  Between 1933 and 1937 the fort was used as a base of operations for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. During World War II, Fort Point was occupied by about 100 soldiers who manned searchlights and rapid-fire cannon mounted atop the fort as part of the protection of a submarine net strung across the entrance to the Bay.  Fort Point is the only third system brick fort on the west coast of the United States. It became a National Historic Site on October 16th, 1970.

Ghirardelli Square
Ghirardelli Square, a historic San Francisco destination, offering shopping San Francisco style, waterfront dining near Fisherman's Wharf, art galleries, family events, walking tours and more. Find out why we're one of San Francisco locals' favorite fun things to do in San Francisco and why San Francisco visitors love Ghirardelli Square!

The Golden Gate Bridge
Visiting the world famous Golden Gate Bridge is a unique experience for everyone. Whether you drive, walk, bike, shop, or just want to look, there is something for everyone.  We even have a virtual Bridge Walk for those of you that are unable to come to the Bridge.  Here are a few tips about What to Do.

Golden Gate Railroad Museum
The Golden Gate Railroad Museum (GGRM) started as Project 2472 in 1975 when a pharmacist, Michael Mangini dared to ask the director of the San Mateo Fairgrounds the question, "Who owns that old steam engine in the parking lot?" He was astounded by the answer, "You want it? Take it!"  That began a 16-year process of rescuing, restoring and repairing the vintage ex-SP #2472 P8 class Pacific type passenger steam locomotive that was donated to the County of San Mateo in the mid-50's, marking the end of the steam era.  On May 1, 1991, #2472 steamed under her own power for the first time to make her debut at Railfair '91, held in Sacramento at the California State Railroad Museum. She was the "belle of the ball" and her performance was a tribute to the hundreds of men and women volunteers and professionals who made the restoration possible-for many, it was a dream come true.

Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral is the daughter of historic Grace Church. The first little chapel was built in the gold rush year of 1849, and the imposing third church, for a time called Grace "Cathedral," was destroyed in the fire following the 1906 earthquake. The railroad baron/banker Crocker family gave their ruined Nob Hill property for a diocesan cathedral, which took its name and founding congregation from the nearby parish.  Dean J. Wilmer Gresham nurtured the young cathedral, and work began on the present structure in 1928. Designed in French Gothic style by Lewis Hobart, it was completed in 1964 as the third largest Episcopal cathedral in the nation.  Famed for its Ghiberti doors ("The Gates of Paradise"), labyrinths, varied stained glass, and medieval and contemporary furnishings, as well as its carillon, organs, and choir, the Cathedral has become an international pilgrimage center for church-goer and visitor alike.  The cathedral Close or block was completed in 1995 with a new front stairway, courtyard Chapter House, and Cathedral School addition.

Morrison Planetarium
The Morrison Planetarium's star projector is not a Zeiss, Spitz, Minolta, Goto, or any other mass-produced planetarium instrument. It is one-of-a-kind, designed and constructed by the staff of the California Academy of Sciences, and is formally referred to as the "Academy Projector."  Following World War II, when serious interest in building a major planetarium in San Francisco was expressed, no star projector was available from the Zeiss optical works in Germany, where the device was invented. Taking advantage of expertise gained during the war, when the Academy was contracted by the U.S. Navy to build and repair optical equipment (mainly because the original sources for the equipment were on the other side), Academy technicians convinced the powers that be that they could build a planetarium projector on their own. This position was supported by Russell Porter, who was instrumental in designing the mighty 200" Hale Telescope on Palomar Mountain - at the time the world's largest optical instrument - and who even drew a sketch of what the proposed projector might look like.  The Academy Projector was built between 1948 and 1952 under the supervision of Albert S. Getten and G Dallas Hannah. Its design was based largely on that of the Zeiss, but with changes. The star spheres were placed closer to the center and the planet cages moved to the outside (the opposite of the mass distribution of the Zeiss). As a result, the Academy Projector was better-balanced and required less power and, hence, quieter motors to rotate. This design was so successful that it was imitated by another company some years later.

Museum of the City of San Francisco
We are the virtual museum of the City of San Francisco. Under the direction of our curator, Gladys Hansen, our goal is to bring the fabled history of San Francisco into the light of historical accuracy. Please visit our site often as we will continue our mission with articles on new subjects and continue the enrichment of the existing materials on the site.

Museum of Modern Art
SFMOMA, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. We have developed a Web site that we hope you will find easy to use, informative, and beautiful.  As one of the world's most innovative museums of modern and contemporary art, SFMOMA has had an active Web presence for over nine years (a very long time, when measured in Internet time). During this period we have redesigned our site twice, always with the idea that a museum such as ours should continually strive to improve the ways in which it serves a diverse public. And, as our collective understanding of emerging digital technologies has increased, we felt that perhaps it was time to use the Web to explore our understanding of the museum itself.

National Maritime Museum Association
For more than 50 years, San Francisco Maritime National Park Association has worked to bring maritime history to life for visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area. When the Association was founded in 1950 as the San Francisco Maritime Museum Association, its primary mission was the operation of a museum in the landmark art deco building in Aquatic Park at the foot of Polk Street. In 1954 the Association acquired the tall ship Balclutha, renovated it and opened it for public tours, thereby expanding the concept of what the maritime museum might become. The Association has played an integral role over the past four decades in the development of Victorian Park and Hyde Street Pier as historical sites. Initially a part of the California State Park system and later a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the area became a distinct National Historical Park in 1989. These goals have been accomplished through the strong Leadership of our Board of Trustees and through generous grants and donor support.

Take home a video souvenir of you as the "star" flying above San Francisco at Studio 39 Magic Carpet Rides, Ride the San Francisco Carousel, Play to win at Riptide Arcade, an action-packed family entertainment center.  PIER 39, a property which is owned, leased and managed by Moor + South/PIER Management Co., LP, is home to a 300-berth marina, an award-winning waterfront park, postcard views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Alcatraz, the San Francisco Bay and skyline. The 45-acre complex is located in San Francisco, two-blocks east of Fisherman’s Wharf at Beach Street and The Embarcadero. Convenient parking is located across the street and access areas are available for the disabled. For further information, please phone PIER 39 at 415.705.5500 or 415 981.PIER.

Public Library

The Library and the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library hosted a grand celebration on June 7, 2004 on the steps of the Main Library in honor of 125 years of library service. Library users, neighbors, local officials and staff filled the Larkin Street steps to watch performances by Archbishop Riordan Jazz Ensemble, Kei-Lun Lion Dancers and Project Bandaloop. Sydnie Kohara, morning news anchor from KPIX Channel 5 was the emcee for the event and introduced notable speakers such as Mayor Gavin Newsom, State Librarian Emeritus Dr. Kevin Star, Library Commission President Charles Higueras, City Librarian Susan Hildreth and Executive Director of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library Martin Gomez. The Library received local and state recognition for its service; Mayor Newsom officially proclaimed June 7, 2004 as San Francisco Public Library Day and the offices of Senator Burton and Assemblyman Leno also jointly presented the Library with a congratulatory accolade. Senator Boxer and Congresswoman Pelosi were unable to personally attend the celebration but sent representatives on their behalf.

 

• Bay Area Travel Guide and other travel links

• San Francisco Bay Area airport transportation, shuttles and links

• San Francisco Bay Area Travel Guide

• Bay Area Information and community links

• Charter Bus companies in San Francisco Bay Area

• Mini Coach companies in San Francisco Bay Area