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  • Must see tourist attractions in San Francisco. Learn more
  • Discover the legendary Alcatraz Island on a Day Trip. Learn more
  • Top 5 Fun Things To Do In San Francisco City Tour. Learn more
  • The Japanese Tae Garden in San Francisco. Learn more
  • Travel Sized Products that Are Worth the Money. Learn more


Planning your vacation in San Francisco, California this year?
The Best Tourists must see list of hot spots and attractions in San Francisco



Have you checked out the top tourist spots you are going to visit? Preparation is vital when it comes to vacation or else a lot of time would be wasted and you would miss out a lot. Here is the list of the 7 must-see top attractions in San Francisco Bay Area.

The iconic Alcatraz Island that later became famous as "The Rock."

As one of the most amazing places to visit in San Francisco, Alcatraz Island will charm you with its stunning history and mazing natural beauty. Alcatraz has once served as a light house and later became the most federal prison in Northern America, and housed many notorious inmates and several well-known criminals, such as Al Capone, George "Machine-Gun" Kelly, "The Birdman of Alcatraz", Alvin Karpis (the first "Public Enemy #1"), and Arthur "Doc" Barker did time there.

In 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Today, the island's facilities are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; it is open to public tours. The captivating Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio self-guided tour brings history alive through the actual facts, voices of the correctional officers and inmates who lived on this legendary island.

How far in advance should I reserve my Alcatraz Tickets?

Tip of the day: Alcatraz tickets get sold out almost 2months in advance during holidays and summer’s vacation (April to October). The biggest mistakes most visitors do is showing up unprepared and then find themselves forced to pay top dollars for these tickets (almost 10 times more than the actual price!)Be aware of vendors who sell last-minute fake tickets as they will not allow visitors and tourists to disembark from the ferry on Alcatraz Island with these bay cruise tickets. In addition, Alcatraz issued a new law prohibiting all tour companies from reselling tickets unless they combine Alcatraz trip with a city tour!

Don't you deserve a hassle-free vacation planned by a professional travel company? Leave the planning and headache to us, book our private city tour by luxury SUV combined with a trip to Alcatraz Island, we will take care of the rest and you will be in very good hands. Learn More:

Why should you visit Woods National Monument?

Muir Woods forest is home of the world famous tallest trees called the Redwoods. Muir Woods

National Park is a remnant of ancient coastal redwood forests; the redwoods are the tallest trees on earth and became the state tree of California. This is the closest park of giant redwood trees to San Francisco and makes it very accessible to visitors and nature lovers. It protects 554 acres (224 ha) of which 240 acres (97 ha) are old growth coast redwood (Sequoia) forests.

Tip of the day: Do not drive to Muir Woods so you don’t end up walking for miles before you even get to the main entrance because this small park has almost no parking space at all. Vehicles must have permit to park in the only designated small parking lot for commercial vehicles. Sit back relax, and leave the driving to us. Learn More

The Golden Gate Bridge

A well-known iconic landmark in San Francisco, how can you even think of missing it? It was opened in 1937 and is named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the wonders of the Modern World. Be one of the nine million visitors that come to cross this 1.7 mile bridge on foot or on your bikes or cars. Don't forget to get yourself clicked on one the most photographed bridges in the world. The views from the bridge will make your visit one of the most memorable one. We recommend our full day adventure to enjoy the highest overlook of the city over and the Golden Gate Bridge Learn More

San Francisco famous Golden Gate Park

It is the third most visited park in the United States. You can have the pleasure of seeing hidden gardens, playgrounds, lakes botanical gardens, islands, museums, and much more. You can either rent boat in stow lake, try a horseback ride or take advantage of our full guided tour of this huge park. There is something for everybody here. It also has other attractions like California Academy of Sciences, the Koret Children’s Quarter, San Francisco Botanical Gardens and de Young Museum. You will love the historic windmills, the Japanese Tea Garden and a flower conservatory. Learn More

California Academy of Sciences

The attractive tourist spot houses an aquarium, a planetarium and the museum amidst a rainforest. The planetarium has the world's most accurate digital universes. Enjoy San Francisco night tour with music, dance, drinks and more. For kids, there is this "Earthquake: Life on a Dynamic Planet". Out here, they can walk on a model of earth and the infamous shake house. The star attraction of this tourist spot is its rooftop. It contains multiple weather stations which records temperature alterations. This helps in maintaining inner temperature (cold) via buildings automated system. Do watch "Color of Life," an exhibition that displays how color change takes place across species in nature. Learn More

De Young Museum

It is a century old museum and also the sixth most visited art museum in North Museum. It was founded in 1895. In 2005, it was reopened with some new facilities. You can see a collection of American, international and textile arts here. The collection boasts of 27000 works of art from Africa, America and Oceania. Do take time out to see the largest group of Teotihuacan murals outside of Mexico or the collection of Indonesian carvings. The structure of the museum in itself is enchanting. It has been constructed using stone, wood, glass, copper and these help the structure blend into the natural environment.

The cable car

It is one thing you should not miss out at all. The cable cars enjoy an iconic status and have been put on city's only moving historic landmarks. They run on three lines: the California Street Line, the Powell-Hyde Line and the Powell-Mason Line. People generally are dependent on these to get from one part of the city to the other. Your San Francisco city tour would be incomplete without a ride on the cable cars.

Ocean Beach

For the ones who like to have some peace, Ocean beach is a perfect getaway. Stroll around and enjoy the cool breeze. You will love the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean horizon. You can also set up a bonfire as the sun sets and enjoy the nights. So what tourist spot are you heading to? Do visit them all or let us take care of planning your vacation: Learn More

Discover the legendary Alcatraz Island on a Day Trip

How about experiencing the feeling of liberty as well as of captivity in a single day trip? Both these terms are quite contrary to each other, but a trip to Alcatraz Islands makes you well acquainted with both these sensations.

Alcatraz Islands are located at the San Francisco Bay, about one and a half miles offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. On this island, was the nation’s first high security federal prison which operated from 1934 to 1963 known for its infamous inmates and it was considered impossible to escape (though it has many stories of escape attempts). Today it is a famous national park with natural features like rock pools and seabird colony.

Access to the Island

The sole access to the island is through comfortable ferry rides organized by a private ferry company-Alcatraz Cruises. The ferry services start from Pier 33, near Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco. Ferries leave for the island at half an hour intervals.

The most important thing to be kept in mind is that the tickets to the island need to be booked 2-3 weeks in advance to avoid any last minute inconvenience in the peak summer season. People prefer coming early to board the ferry so as to get a seat of their choice but you need not be bothered about this as people also prefer standing along the railings to get a better view of the surroundings. They generally leave their seats to stand at the railings so you will get to sit, if you really want to.

For Alcatraz Tours last minute ticket, you need to line up early in the morning and this thing works generally during the off seasons. You can also keep an eye on the cancelled tickets which were booked in advance. And if you are really desparate to go for the Alcatraz Island Tour, then there are some companies which sell tickets of the combination tours which include the islands as well. So, if you have enough time to plan a combination tour, then this option may benefit you.

Major Attractions

Enjoy the scenic beauty while on the roundtrip ferry. The Golden Gate adds to the aesthetic value of the amazing views.

There is a provision of guided tours which will give you vast knowledge about the notorious history of the prison island.

You will also visit the Alcatraz Prison and get to witness the insides of the old prison. The visit to the prison includes a 45 minute audio tape tour. While you move through the cell blocks, you will listen to the real life incidents narrated by the security guards and the prison inmates, about their life while the prison still operated. It also shares some horrible accounts of the escape attempts, but it is believed that nobody succeeded in coming out alive

This visit makes you think about the life of the prisoners in this high security bondage and the cruelty of the then law system. After this visit to the prison, which leaves you pondering over the sentiments of bondage, you are free to walk and explore the island all by yourself. Notice the irony!! Nowhere in the world would you get to experience such an emotion.

Alcatraz Islands are the most attractive tourist destinations in San Francisco where you can enjoy full day sightseeing in between the natural beauty of the island. One can seriously not afford to miss visiting this wonderful place in San Francisco.

Alcatraz Souvenirs

If you love collecting souvenirs of places where you go, you won’t be disappointed at all, as there are some at the bookstore and a plenty of them in the gift shop, up the hill, once you move out of the prison. These include mugs, posters, t-shirts, hats and even replicas of prison keys, prison clothing and stuff of the sort. You can collect whatever fascinates you.

General Advice
  • The weather on the island is highly unpredictable. Even if the day starts off well, it may rain anytime. So it is advisable to keep jackets or stoles with you. Dressing in layers would be a smarter choice.
  • Avoid wearing high heels, sandals and uncomfortable footwear as there may be potholes along the way. Wear sneakers so that you can walk around the island whole day, without any discomfort.
  • There is no arrangement of food on the island except for water. Ferries do have snack bar. You may carry your own snacks.
  • Skateboards and bikes are not allowed on the island. So better do not carry them along with you. You have to walk around yourself to explore the island.
  • Do not bring suitcases or any kind of heavy luggage as they are not allowed on the island and you will have to leave them behind before you board a ferry.


Top 5 Fun Things To Do In San Francisco City Tour 3

Planning to have a rocking vacation in San Francisco? Well, sounds to be a great idea. But it is always wise to have some information beforehand so that you don’t miss anything worthy and regret it later.

San Francisco is a popular tourist destination known for its chilly weather and most importantly, the fog. But why bother about the fog, when there are so many fun things you can do in San Francisco.

Here is a list of fun things to do in San Francisco which do not need to be speculated much about before giving a try:
  • Stroll through the Golden Gate Bridge
The bridge which was once considered as ‘impossible to be built’ is now one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was constructed after many struggles and unstopping endeavors, which is why it is world renowned. So walk through this giant masterpiece or you may also ride on bike and appreciate the magnificence of the structure. There are many beautiful views worth admiring while passing through the bridge.

  • Alcatraz Island Tour
Most of the people, know it to be as a prison island, but there is much more in this island than visiting an old prison. Enjoy the wonderful roundtrip ferry rides while relishing the scenic beauty and spend whole day exploring the island which has been preserved as a national park. Make sure, you book the tickets to the island well in advance to avoid any inconvenience in the last minute.

  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
With a hop-on hop-off bus tour, get the privilege to make the most of the San Francisco City Tour at your own pace. There are various route options to choose from. So opt for the one, best suited to you. There is a facility of open-top or glass-top double-decker buses with free wi-fi too. Now this is a good news for social media lovers! The tickets of bus tours are easily available which means no standing in long queues. It also features live narration on the facts about San Francisco on the buses. Also, you get rid of the hassles of driving yourself and paying for the parking at all spots. Hence, you can spend all your time adoring the new places you visit.

  • Not to forget Cable Cars
You won’t afford to ignore the San Francisco Cable Cars if we tell you that this Cable Car System is the last manually operated system of its own kind. These cars run throughout the week and the San Francisco Tourism has 3 car routes in operation.These are considered as the city’s only moving historic landmark. Now this is a reason good enough to add Cable Car ride in your tour schedule.

  • San Francisco Nightlife
Experience the young, wild and free nightlife of San Francisco in the hottest nightclubs where you can discover the new ways of having fun. Bring out the party animal within you and hit the dance floor. Such an atmosphere makes you completely forget the world and you can be yourself for an evening. It is a chance you rarely get in your busy schedules.

With so much to do, you shouldn’t be wasting anymore time. Plan your tour in San Francisco around these major attractions and create memories for a lifetime.

Japanese Tea Garden -San Francisco Sightseeing Attraction 4

San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden was created by Japanese Baron Makoto Hagiwara.

Given as a gift to the city of San Francisco, the Japanese Tea Garden was inspired by the 1894 World's Fair exhibit called The Japanese Village.

All Japanese gardens reflect their surroundings, and so the Japanese Tea Garden had a rustic style, relative to its setting in Golden Gate Park.

As a tea garden, it also has a larger public area to accommodate a large number of guests. It also once included a smaller, more private area for the Hagiwara family's private residence. In its beginnings, the Japanese Tea Garden was only an acre in expanse, but over time and with increasing popularity, the Japanese Tea Garden swelled to 5 acres.

The materials used to build the Tea Garden were imported from Japan. Import and export laws were even relaxed for the Baron Hagiwara, due to his influence, to complete the project. The Hagiwara family fortune went into the Japanese Tea Garden, purchasing a number of extremely valuable goods like the aviary, bronze statuary, and even the goldfish in the shrine moat. The family was never reimbursed, and a number of these items were later stolen.

However, San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden holds a place of honor in an Francisco's history and geography.

A jewel in Golden Gate Park's crown, the Japanese Tea Garden is just down the path from the Academy of Sciences and the De Young Museum. Every year, the Japanese Tea Garden glows with the bloom of its thousands of cherry blossom trees, attracting thousands of guests to its peaceful, majestic interior. The Japanese Tea Garden boasts many assets, among them: three gates built by Japanese craftsmen of Japanese Hinoki Cypress. The gates are constructed entirely without nails; the Drum Bridge; the authentic Zen garden; the Lantern of Peace; the Buddhist Pagoda; and the Hagiwara Gate. There is also a small teahouse, where a guest can sit and enjoy a cup of genuine green or jasmine tea and look at the Japanese Tea Garden in all its glory.

110 years old, The Japanese Tea Garden is one of San Francisco's longest lasting landmarks. Established as a gift from Japan to San Francisco, the Japanese Tea Garden has become one of the most visited parts of San Francisco. There isn't a child in San Francisco who doesn't take a field trip to the Tea Garden in elementary school, and no visitor should leave without spending a peaceful afternoon in the Japanese Tea Garden's beautiful environs.

The oldest public Japanese park in the US, San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden is a treasure. Peaceful, beautiful, and a vital part of San Francisco history, the Japanese Tea Garden is a great place to spend an afternoon.

The Japanese Tea Garden is open 7 days a week and has low admission prices. It's an amazingly beautiful park honoring Japanese styles and customs, and stands as a tribute to San Francisco's diversity and elegance. The Japanese Tea Garden is breathtaking in all weather and at all times of the day. It's a good place for older children to explore and wander around. The Japanese Tea Garden is also located in a part of Golden Gate Park near many restaurants and transportation. Irving and Judah Streets, between 5th and 10th Avenues, have a dense concentrations of restaurants for all tastes. Vegetarian, seafood, Indian, Italian, a visitor can find all kinds of restaurants within walking distance of the Japanese Tea Garden. Most of these restaurants are also open for lunch, and are reasonably priced. Buses the run near the area include the 44 and the 43. These buses go directly to the underground train station at Forest Hill. Trains at Forest Hill run Downtown and to the beach and the zoo.

The Japanese Tea Garden is a great place to visit because of its peaceful atmosphere and historical value. It's also so well located that it's a simple matter to work the Japanese Tea Garden into a fun day of exploration and sightseeing.

Travel Sized Products that Are Worth the Money 5

The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page. This statement by St. Augustine sends out a clear message that travelling is an indispensable aspect of life. It rejuvenates your mind and soul, giving you a much needed break from your monotonous daily life. So once or twice in a year, plan to travel to destinations you have never been to. Travelling brings out the real version of what you actually are that has been long lost under the pressures and stress of life.

A vacation can be enjoyable and successful only if you have all the travel essentials with you, so that you have everything with you, whenever in need. Hence, packing smartly can be considered as an art, only a few can master. But, before you test your talent of intelligent packing, we bring to you a list of not-so-expensive travel sized products which must be kept handy in every voyage.

  • Body Balm/ Sunscreen
With travelling comes the problem of skin tanning. Not only women, but men too are becoming conscious about their skin condition. So, if your skin is sensitive to long exposure to sunlight, dirt and pollution (or even if it is not), you must carry a good sunscreen to keep your skin protected and to avoid skin problems.
  • Facial Cleanser
After a long day of exploring new places and moving from one destination to another, your face may look dull due to fatigue, pollution and long exposure to sunlight. Keep a good facial cleanser which cleans away the dirt and excess oil so that you look fresh in all your vacation pictures.

  • Cushion Brush
It is an all-purpose hair brush, with an air-filled, soft rubber base. It is easy to carry in your travel bag whenever you go on an outing.

  • Wet Wipes
Wet wipes are a boon to the people who have an oily skin. Whenever you have to be out whole day, enjoying site seeing and you don’t have access to a restroom, you need not worry about washing your face, if you have your wet wipes handy. They are soothing on your skin and make your skin feel fresh in no time.
  • Mini Torch
It is always advisable to keep a mini torch with you. Though you may not feel the need to keep it with you, but you never know when you may require it. It will not bother you much due to its light weight and you will always thank yourself for making an effort to keep it in your travel bag, if you are ever trapped in a situation when there is no light.

  • Mini First Aid Kit
Based on your health condition, you must keep with you, certain medicines which you need in some specific conditions. It is always better not to depend on the medical stores as they may not have the drugs prescribed to you which may lead to unnecessary panic and emergency. Even if you are not on a regular medicine, do keep medicines for common cold, headache etc; analgesics such as paracetamol, aspirin and motion sickness tablets as you may need them while travelling to a new place.

  • Ear Plugs/ Ear Muffs
These protect your ears and prove to be quite useful when you need to sleep comfortably, specially while traveling in a public transport.

  • Mouth Freshener
In a situation, generally when you are camping or traveling, and you can’t brush your teeth, a mouth freshener or mints can help you keep the bad breath away for the time being.

  • USB Mini LED Lamp
If you are Social media person and always carry your laptop with you to keep updating the world about your adventures, then this lamp is a must-carry for you. You can use your laptop even when you are sitting in dark with this lamp without bothering others.

  • Mini Power Strip
Some people love carrying an army of gadgets with them. Unfortunately, they do not come with an infinite power backup and hence need to be charged. A mini power strip helps you charge multiple gadgets simultaneously so that you can make the most use of your gadgets without a miss.

  • Alcohol based hand sanitizer
Hand Sanitizers are an alternative for washing hands with soap and water. It is always an easy option to disinfect your hands and keep you safe from transmitting pathogens which may cause dreadful diseases.

Planning a tour may cost you a few dollars but it is said – “Travel is the only thing you buy, that makes you richer”. It will give you priceless memories to cherish, some never-before experiences and also teach you lessons for a lifetime. Moreover, it is always better to experience some moments yourself, rather than getting details of them from others.

So if going on a vacation is in your bucket list, this year, then San Francisco Muir Woods Tour is an option worth considering. It takes you to a forest of marvellous redwood trees and gives you an atmosphere full of beauty and tranquility which fills your soul with utter bliss.