People who have never visited San Francisco before often have a certain idea in mind of what it will be like. They may envision riding the cable cars, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, strolling Fisherman’s Wharf, and ending the day with dinner in Chinatown. There is nothing wrong with participating in any of these activities; after all, these San Francisco tourist attractions are popular for a reason.
Both tourists and locals sometimes forget that they have numerous other options available to them when it comes to interesting things to see and do. This blog covers three lesser known attractions that people may want to add to their San Francisco to-do list.
Lilac Alley
The Mission District of San Francisco is home to the well-known Balmy Alley that gives street artists a place to play their music to passers-by. Taking a stroll in the artsy area can be a fun way to spend the evening. However, even people who have visited Balmy Alley multiple times are not always aware of Lilac Alley nearby.
Lilac Alley provides a unique view of the back doors and garages of several area businesses. What makes the back view interesting is the painting and graffiti that covers much of it. Some paintings reflect intricate street art, including Mayan gods, geometric patterns, and cartoon characters. The view is something that visitors definitely would not see in some of the more touristy areas of San Francisco.
Take a Hike at Mount Sutro
People sometimes express surprise and delight when they see Mount Sutro for the first time because they did not expect to find a mountain-top cloud forest in California’s fourth-largest city. Eucalyptus trees abound on Mount Sutro, as does a low-level fog for much of the year. Visitors can get to Mount Sutro via several forms of public transportation, which avoids the problem of looking for a place to park.
Whether local to the area or visiting San Francisco for the first time, people should plan to wear comfortable, well-fitting hiking shoes or boots for their time at Mount Sutro. They will travel over many muddy paths, but the effort will be worth it when they come upon some of the most peaceful landscapes San Francisco has to offer.
Visit Some of the City’s Most Interesting Museums at No Cost
Everyone loves to get something for nothing, and they can do that when visiting one of the handful of museums in San Francisco that do not charge an entrance fee. For example, the Wells Fargo Museum shows exhibits from the earliest days of the nationwide chain of banks. The stagecoach dates to the 1850s, and museum employees are happy to teach guests how to use it.
The Cable Car Museum displays help people learn how the city’s huge cable car system works. Another option is to visit Randall Museum to discover more about animals native to San Francisco.
In a city of nearly a million people, it seeks there is always something new to discover about San Francisco. The joy of discovery could even be worth a return trip.