Golden Gate Bridge Tour

California Attractions San Francisco Botanical Garden California Young Museum

Photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, don’t do it justice. Actually seeing this modern wonder in person is on most people’s must visit list. To view one of the world’s most iconic landmarks up close, try catching one of the bay cruises at Fisherman’s Wharf. Or drive across the 1.7 mile suspension bridge to the visitor’s center near Sausalito where you can snap your own picture from viewing areas and learn about Golden Gate Bridge history, design, length and more. California Highway 101, 415-921-5858 or 415-561-4700, http://www.goldengatebridge.org/ and http://www.nps.gov/goga/.

Activities & Attractions in Golden Gate Park.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is equivalent to Central Park in New York, but bigger. A number of unique San Francisco attractions reside within the Golden Gate Park including a vintage children’s carousel, museums, even a Japanese tea garden. 415-831-2700, http://www.sfgov.org/site/recpark_page.asp?id=17796.

Japanese Tea Garden.

Explore the paths, ponds, sculptures, bridges and a teahouse of this unique garden, which features native Asian plants. Tea Garden Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, 415-668-0909. [Top]

San Francisco Botanical Garden.

More than 7,500 varieties of world plants are displayed across 55 acres at this Golden Gate Park standout. Try one of the free guided walks given daily at 1:30 p.m. 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way. Http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/.

Biking, Skating, Boating in Golden Gate Park.

Bike through seven miles of paved trails, waterfalls and gardens or paddleboat or row around scenic Stow Lake. Equipment can be rented at: Stow Lake Bike & Boat Rentals, 50 Stow Lake Dr., 415-752-0347; Golden Gate Park Bike and Skate: 3038 Fulton St. and many other places surrounding Golden Gate Park. [Top]

M.H. de Young Museum.

Get a sense of San Francisco’s diverse mix of cultures at this unique art museum. Collections include American, African, Oceanic, American Indian, New Guinea, Maori and Filipino art; as well as treasures from Egypt. Underground garage, accessible via tunnel from Fulton Street and 10th Avenue. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, 415-863-3330.

Weekly Free Swing Dancing in Golden Gate Park.

Every Sunday from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. learn to swing dance to the sounds of blues, jazz and swing music at one of the more unique Golden Gate Park events. John F Kennedy Drive between 8th and 10th Avenue, http://www.lindyinthepark.com/. [Top]