San Francisco: The West Coast Center of Culture and Diversity
by CL Hendricks
About halfway down the California coast, you'll find San Francisco, a city with a deep and colorful history. Founded by Spanish settlers, this city has an abundance of attractions. To help you plan your excursion to the "City by the Bay," here are some attractions to keep in mind.
Golden Gate Bridge: This most famous symbol of San Francisco opened in 1937 and has attracted drivers and photographers ever since. At 4,200 feet, it remains one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It accommodates cars, bicycles and pedestrians.
Alcatraz Island: This island, now part of the National Park Service, was home a federal prison, which closed in 1965 after housing some of the country's most dangerous criminals. Today it plays host to tourists hoping to escape with some unforgettable pictures.
Haight-Ashbury: This neighborhood, named for the intersection of the two streets, is famous for the music that was written and performed there during the 1960s and 1970s. If you're going to San Francisco, you'll find cafes, boutiques and hippie-related memorabilia here.
Japanese Tea Garden: In this five-acre oasis, you can grab a hot beverage and take in the realistic pagoda. You can also see an amazing array of flowers and other vegetation.
Fisherman's Wharf: As you might expect, this is home to some of the freshest seafood available anywhere. It also has some of the finest eateries you'll find anywhere.
Exploratorium: This museum, founded by Frank Oppenheimer (J. Robert's brother) in 1969, houses plenty of hands-on exhibits on science and technology suitable for all ages.
Lombard Street: This avenue, made famous by Hollywood, has eight separate twists, and traveling down it can be an adventure in and of itself.
Grace Cathedral: This Episcopal house of worship on Nob Hill offers awe-inspiring art and architecture reminiscent of churches in the Old World.
Palace of Fine Arts: This structure, built in 1915 in the Marina District, is now home to the Exploratorium, and a lagoon with its share of wildlife.
Mission Dolores: This mission was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1776 and remains home to a vibrant Catholic parish to this day.
About the Author
C.L. Hendricks has been a Jill-of-all-trades and become an expert in some. She has also traveled extensively and now writes about travel destinations around the world for Family Vacation Spots and Best Vacation Getaways
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