Out of all my vacation destinations, my favorite is sunny California and places to visit in San Francisco is always the height of my trip. That being said my son Richard also live there so that makes it even more enjoyable every time we visit.
Fisherman’s Wharf Area
There are just so many beautiful sights in San Francisco that it’s almost difficult for me to start but let’s dive right in and I’ll tell your about all of my favorites starting with Fisherman’s Wharf and the
fantastic restaurants they have there. And don’t to try the Dungeness Crabs. If your enjoy like sea food your will definite love them. They are usually served at most of the restaurants in that area.
Ghirardelli Square – Historic And Beautiful
We can’t forget Ghirardelli Square since it’s just a few blocks away from Fisherman’s Wharf and it’s walking distance from there. There is also a beautiful park right in the area so your can just relax. Ghirardelli square does have a great restaurant, and I can attest to the quality of the food. Don’t forget to pick up your free square of their chocolate as well.
Watch The Sea Lions Play At Pier 39
Pier 39 is also a short walk for Fisherman’s Wharf but the opposite way of Ghirardelli Square and your can watch the Sea Lions basking in the sun and barking at each other as they frolic in San Francisco Bay entertaining everyone that will take a couple 
of minutes to watch them enjoy the crowds. Please don’t try to feed that’s illegal and your will end up paying a hefty fine. Next On my list is one of the most historic in San Francisco as far as I am concerned.
San Francisco Cable Car
This one is ab absolute icon of the city, established between 1873 and 1890 and they had 23 lines at that time but presently there are only for remaining. The most popular in my opinion the route from Union Square To Fisherman’s Wharf. My family and I have been on the cable car countless time and every ride is more enjoyable than the last. Don’t miss this opportunity of a lifetime when your visit. During rush hour it probably best to stay away from the Union Square stop since there is usually quite a waiting time during those hours.
The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge was completed back in 1937 and was the longest suspension bridge in the entire world until the Verrazano Narrows Bridge opened in 1964. Today the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan is the world’s largest suspension bridge.
Most people don’t that an earthquake struck the bridge before it was even completed and that the safety net they had in place saved the lives of 19 men while the Golden Gate Bridge was being built.
The orange color that was used was originally intended to be just a primer coat bust because it made the bridge so visible. The color is officially called International Orange. It cost only $0.50 each way to cross the bridge in 1937 today the toll is $8.40 as of the writing but that covers a round trip.
On May 24, 1987, which was their 50thanniversary the bridge began to sway due to the 300,000 walking on it and the bridge sagged seven feet under the weight. When the lead-based paint had to be removed it to 30 years to get the job completed to be sure it was all removed properly.
The Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies are a symbol of the California Gold Rush and the builder want to build spectacular home to boast their newfound wealth. To the best of my knowledge the last one sold for $2.7 million dollars and it still needed to be renovated from top to bottom.
One of the painted Ladies was used to shoot just a few episodes of Full House but the house where most of the remainder of episodes was shot at 1709 Broderick Street.
Lombard Street With 8 Hairpin Turns
It’s claimed that Lombard Street is the crookedest street in the world and would your believe that over 17,000 people a day visit this street during the summer months. It’s just one of the very wealthy parts of San Francisco. That’s really somewhat of a joke since there really are no poor sections of that city.
I my very humble opinion the wealthiest parts of San Francisco
Are Pacific Heights being number one and then Twin Peaks, Russian Hill, The Presidio Heights, Noe Valley and Potero Hill.
The Fairmont Hotel – San Francisco
My favorite hotel in San Francisco is The Fairmont on Mason Street which is very exquisite and the service is like nothing your have ever experienced. They offer every service your could ever imagine. Don’t forget to buy one of their signature bathrobes for only $225.00 each. Due to Covid-19 the prices as of today are $271.00 a night down from the regular price of $535.00 for the basic room.When your drive down the hill from the Fairmont Hotel the road is so steep that your are actually looking out into space and unable to see any road for a couple of seconds, it really frightened my wife quite a bit
Muir Woods National Monument
Muier Woods is actually located in Mill Valley is part of the Golden Gate Recreational area it took my wife and I about 2 hours to walk through it entirely but at our age we walk much slower than most people.
The giant towering Sequoia Redwoods are a sight your will never forget as long as your live. We have been there a number of times as well and each trip is as exciting and enjoyable as the last. Our photo of the giant redwoods really doesn’t do it justice. This is one of those things that your really need to see it for yourself to appreciate it.
The last time we were there the cost was only $15.00 per person and parking was $8.50 per vehicle but that was two years ago and it may be a bit more now but definitely worth every penny spent.
One thing I will mention to your is that cell phone service is pretty well no existent anywhere in the Muir Woods area so don’t think your have a problem with your cell phone because it’s probably just fine.
Yosemite National Park
I left Yosemite National Park for last intentionally because it’s approximately 4 hours East of San Francisco in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is one the most spectacular places I have seen in my entire life. Be sure to go all thee way up to Glacier Point. The view from there is beyond breathtaking.
You can see El Capitan and Half Dome from that elevation. Everything your could ask for is there from Ansel Adams Gallery with prints of the landscape to restaurants excellent lodging and gift shops so your can shop until your drop.
The last time I was there was in 2018 and the costs were $35 per vehicle and $30 for motorcycles with an annual member ship of $70 but that was two years ago and it may be a bit more now.
Conclusion
When planning your trip to San Francisco try to give yourself at least a week to ten day if your really want to take in all the sights your will need every minute of that time.