Mussel Rock Park offers beaches, cliffs, and wildflower viewing.
Located a little further down the coast from Fort Funston, Mussel Rock Park (7.5/10) has limited access at this location so we had to view the hillside instead of the beach, but the surfers and paragliders were entertaining to watch from this vantage point.
Large leaved wildflowers that likely will turn red during the summer were blooming bright magenta, and still provide the best view of the coastline, even if getting to the view is more complicated than you would hope.
Forest Trails, a Seaside Labyrinth, and Distant Golden Gate Views
Lands End, located at the northwestern corner of San Francisco, feels less like a city park and more like a forest area. While most visitors will head straight to Ocean Beach, if you walk slightly uphill from there, it is a lot easier to find the Sutro Baths (9/10).
Cliff House is described as having a dramatic picture window that overlooks the Pacific and is said to be on the expensive side. Continue on to Sutro Baths. This was a privately operated saltwater swimming complex built next to the sea. It was closed due to high costs of operation and maintenance, and the site was destroyed by a fire in 1966. Today, the remaining concrete frames and pipes provide a chilling yet interesting view into its previous magnitude.
There is a heart-shaped rock on the right.
Right of Sutro Baths, a set of stairs leads through a thick area of wood and then to a split path trail. On one side is the forest, and on the other is the cliff. At Lands End Labyrinth (9/10), the view opens suddenly and dramatically. From the top of the estimated 40-50 meter high bluff, look down over the stone labyrinth; to the right rises the Golden Gate Bridge and to the left the cliffs and beach extend. This is one of the most captivating coastal sceneries of the city.
A Beautiful Twin Peaks Sunrise
For most people, the view in Twin Peaks (8/10) is the night one. After watching the skyline multiple times, we decided to go for sunrise instead — and it was the best surprise.
The night view is equally impressive, especially toward Market Street. If you are gonna be there after it gets dark, make sure to also wear warm because it gets really windy up there. You don’t want to be there when it’s foggy because you won’t be able to see anything.
We got there at five for a 5:30 sunrise. The sky was bright before then. Excited to take pictures, a few people noticed that the sun was coming up. Its edge was golden and the first light hit the houses below. The reeds at the bottom of the slope started moving and it was really pretty and calmed down a lot.
Equally impressive in their own way are the night views of Twin Peaks. Some views can only be appreciated from a certain vantage point. A Photogenic Mosaic Stairway One of the hidden gems of public art in San Francisco, the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps (8.5/10) is located just below Golden Gate Park. The staircase was funded by the residents in the area. It features a galaxy-inspired mosaic made out of broken glass and tiles. The top of the staircase features a sun, a river, and a moon. Legend has it that the tiles are luminescent and glow at night. The staircase has also adopted a succulent theme, and many plants are placed throughout the steps. It is very photogenic but expect a crowd as it is a popular location. When you reach the top, you will find another quick staircase that leads to Grandview Park. From there, you are entitled to a view of the Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean. There is also a smaller mosaic staircase next to it, the Hidden Garden Steps (8/10). It has a plant-themed design that features mushrooms and little animals in bright colors, making it a great place to snap a few photos. It is shorter than the larger staircase, and lacks the wooded view from the top of the larger staircase. Mission District Mural Streets Visitors sometimes skip The Mission because it is less uniform than the rest of the city. This is a mistake, as this area contains some of the best public art in the entire city. The murals wrap around entire blocks and cover them in color. Start at Mission Dolores Park. It has a gentle slope and is a popular place for picnics. Musicians and skaters gather at the top of the slope. Afterwards, cross the street to Bi-Rite Creamery. It has been an ice cream shop in the area for a long time. I was told the lavender flavor was the best. There's also the de Young Museum Gift Shop and Free Observation Tower The de Young Museum (7/10) is in Golden Gate Park and is very popular, but most people will miss the gift shop and the observation tower. The tower entrance is all the way to the right once you enter the museum, and you don't need to buy a museum ticket. Just follow the people and use the elevator to the upper levels. The observation deck is 360 degrees and has large, clean windows so you can see a lot of San Francisco really clearly. The gift shop in the middle has somewhat nice things, but they are overpriced. The lookout is worth it and it's free. If you want to spend a longer time in the park, the California Academy of Sciences and Japanese Tea Garden are close to it. The Disney Museum is Engaging Most of the time, the bigger museums in San Francisco offer free admission days and those days are usually on holidays or specific months. You can look up what days are free on the museum's official website. The Walt Disney Museum is in a scenic spot close to the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s a big lawn out front which is perfect for a picnic. Inside, there are several galleries showcasing some of Walt Disney's original sketches and a variety of Disney characters. There is also a large scale miniature Disneyland that moves every once in a while. It's a place I would suggest to Disney fans and kids for sure. The first evening on this trip was highlighted by a remarkable sunset viewed through the large picture window in the accommodation facing the Golden Gate Bridge. A Natural Retreat Among Towering Redwoods. The redwood preserve situated directly across the Golden Gate Bridge was said to be not very accessible by public transport. During a foggy day, with very few visitors, surrounded by colossal redwoods, I felt an authentic escape from the city. Some trunks were so massive that multiple people were unable to encircle them. There are countless trails throughout the forest, and the guide at the entrance lists them by length and difficulty. Remain on the constructed boardwalks and do not step on the soil or touch the bark. Magnificent as they are, redwoods are extremely vulnerable. Listening to the Ocean: The Wave Organ. Despite the absence of photographs, this stop made a lasting impression. A private yacht marina and a large lawn are located at the entrance. Follow the long narrow path along the water to the end, and you will encounter a neat arrangement of rocks. When the tide is high, water flows through the rocks and creates sounds of the sea as an instrument. Unfortunately, the tide was too low on this visit to hear it, but the idea is very enticing. Also, it is a great spot to see the Golden Gate Bridge, especially at sunset. Grace Cathedral, Reached by Cable Car. Hop on the cable car at the furthest end of California Street in the downtown area. Once you ascend a steep hill, and after you have gone through Chinatown, you will arrive at the grand Grace Cathedral.\ For those who have yet to experienced the grand churches of Europe, this still remains an impressive architectural feat. The central entrance is a historic landmark and has relief sculptures which are said to be gilded. The best time to go is when the sun is out as the stained glass will sparkle and shine.\ Weekend services demonstrate the strong commitment of the worshippers. The cathedral is worth visiting even for the secular, as it is a cultural and architectural masterpiece.\ SFMOMA: A Museum for Viewing, and a Museum for the Taking of Pictures.\ San Francisco has SFMOMA as New York has MoMA. SFMOMA can be found downtown and is one of the newer additions to the city’s museum collection. There are a nice green lawn and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial waterfall, a good spot to sit for a minute. Nearby is an AMC cinema and a good bubble-tea shop on the ground floor.\ The building’s design is a draw itself: a brown-toned exterior and a skylight that fills the whole building with natural light. For this visit, student admission was $19 and there was enough sculpture, photography, video, and painting on four or five floors to keep the museum open for a long time, in addition to an outdoor garden with a full wall of greenery.\ Almost every contemporary artwork will not be immediately clear, and the museum is certainly best enjoyed with friends.\ Christmas gifts and decorations at Macy’s. Macy's is situated directly across Union Square. Each year, holiday decorations adorn the five or six levels of the large picture window displays, featuring Christmas wreaths and pinecone centerpieces. Once the holiday lights turn on, the view from Union Square becomes even more enticing.
Inside Macy's, the Christmas merchandise is presented in a theatrical style. For Christmas lovers, it can feel like stepping into a holiday castle.
A DEEPLY MODERN ART MUSEUM
Located near SFMOMA, the Contemporary Jewish Museum has a sharply modern building design that includes a geometric cube that intersects the structure and many skylights. Like other museums, it was offering public or Bank of America cardholder free days, so check before visiting.
They change their exhibitions every three months and during this visit the show was “Generation to Generation: Inherited Memory and Contemporary Art.” The museum thoughtfully connected ideas of art, humanity, memory, and history and encouraged visitors to think about the ways that historical memory is carried. The museum is not large, but the exhibits were worthwhile
Alcatraz at night: One of the best views in San Francisco
Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's must-see sites. Tickets are very popular and should be booked in advance. They can be purchased on the official website, or at the site; at the time recalled here, daytime admission was about $40 per person, and night admission was about $55.
Part of the experience is the ferry ride with views of the San Francisco skyline. The island is now a historic district, so don't pick flowers or take stones as souvenirs. At the entrance, visitors can pick up an audio guide, complete with a Chinese-language option. The audio guide explains the small prison cells, which each have a bed, toilet, and sink; the escape tunnel dug by four prisoners; the dining hall; and the isolation cells. The quality of this audio experience is high and is accompanied by good signage to guide you along the way. At night, San Francisco lights up and becomes part of the experience. The nighttime trip is definitely better than a daytime trip. Be prepared though, the evening wind can be chilly. Free golf practice area with lawns and wooded trails This golf course felt a lot more accessible than the sport's usual intimidating image. There were no fences and visitors were able to roam the grounds as they pleased. At the time of the visit, $13 bought a bucket of 100 balls on the practice range, and golfers were responsible for collecting their own balls. Even if you don't play, the views make it worth a walk. There is also a lovely small tree-lined path out in the woods with a log sculpture. Fresh produce at the Ferry Building, and views of the Bay Bridge The Ferry Building hosts a Farmers' Market on weekends where visitors can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables as well as potted succulents. There are also many popular food and drink outlets serving steak, coffee and Western-style meals. The waterfront location with a fountain plaza makes it a great place for a weekend stroll.
There is a tiny pier a three minute walk from the Ferrry Building. This pier is not a primary stop for tourists so it tends to be more quiet. It has great views of the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline looks great against the water from the end of the pier.
Chocolate Scented Square Full of Artistic Details
The castle-like building at the square is the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. When you step into the chocolate shop you get a free sample. There are all different types of chocolate (some may be a bit too sweet). At the back, a shop serves a variety of chocolate themed desserts and drinks, and you can also see the chocolate being made.
There are nice little finds in the boutiques outside and there are street musicians playing the violin and the guitar and singing. If you buy a hot chocolate, and sit next to the wishing fountain, you can listen to the musicians for a while. This is the square at its best.
Ending with My Favorite School
When I reach the end of the guide, I feel like I should finish with USF. It is so easy to vent about little annoying things like the food, the campus, the routine, and the daily schedule, but when someone else criticizes a school, then people most commonly feel the most affection for that school.
And then, of course, there is the school mascot, the unforgettable one, with the mask, the cape, and the muscles. A very over the top mascot.
