San Francisco on Foot: 10 Must-Do's For A First Timer

In the world of travel blogs, writing about San Francisco has been beat to death. Why do people keep returning to this town and writing about their experiences? What is this city all about?

Because of all the hype, I decided to travel there to see what all the fuss is about since never in all my years have i been there. Needless to say, the town and surrounding area lived up to its hype. There are so many unique stories and experiences out there about this great city, I figure I would ad my adventure to the list.

San Francisco is a city full of exciting new adventures. Its unique architecture, history, people, and natural surroundings tend to stimulate the senses and keep people coming back to catch the vibe that is found along its shore lines, narrow streets, and iconic bridges.

This town is also one of the most pricey towns in the U.S. Being part of California, where everything is pricey, San Francisco can have you dirt poor within hours if you are not careful. One of the worse things about the city is finding parking. Once you find parking, get ready to shell out $50-$100 for a few hours parking time. There are alot of small parking lots that are charging $45 for the first hour and then $5 for every twenty minutes after that. So one of my most important suggestions is to park once and then do as much on foot as you can.

Experiencing the city by foot is key to having a true San Fran experience. Below is a list of 10 things that I think every first timer to the city should experience and most are done on foot. Many people have their own opinions about what is best to see and do there in this great town. These 10 of my favorites:

1) Fisherman's Wharf. As a first timer, its crucial that you experience the wharf. Located on the north piers of San Fran, the wharf is the gate way to bay area tour ships and transfer boats to Alcatraz. It showcases tons of tourist trap type shops selling all sorts of San Fran clothing and swag. I was there at the beginning of May and I couldn't have asked for better weather while walking the boardwalk along the wharf. The Wharf is also home to lots of street performers, restaurants, and Pier 39.

2) Pier 39. Yet another touristy must see. This pier in particular has plenty of unique shops and stalls including a magic shop, a left handed store, and a "7D" theater experience. My favorite part of Pier 39 is all the delicious seafood restaurants that surround Pier 39 as well as Fisherman's Wharf. Smells of fresh deep fried fish, crab, and lobster waft for miles down the wharf magnetically drawing people towards the Piers. Next to Pier 39 you can also watch the local sea lions sunbathing on the docks which is something they've been doing for decades.

3) Musee Mechanique. This is not your average museum. It actually houses hundreds of turn of the century coin operated machines. The "museum" has collected these from fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks from across the country. Test how strong you are with a mechanical arm wrestle or check out some 1920's "peep" shows. The museum also houses a few more recent arcade style games. The place is worth spending some time in.

4) Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate, the great icon of San Fran. You really can't leave this city without seeing it or going over it at least once. If you are feeling adventurous, you can walk across, drive across, or rent a Segway to cross the bridge on. For great photos, I suggest finding the road that takes you to the old civil war fort underneath the south side of the bridge to get a good view. Its just as picturesque when it is fogged over.

5) Alcatraz. This is another must-do while visiting the bay area. Take the ferry ($30) across the bay to experience the rock. The trip across the bay is just as awesome as the tour of Alcatraz itself. The rock's decaying cell blocks, rusted fences, and crumbling building tell a story of their own as you take a self guided tour through the old penitentiary.

6) Ride a Cable Car. What better way to see the city, especially the historical district, than by cable car. The cable cars have been operating the same way for over a century. It is quite the experience to stand on the edge of the car as you race up and down the steep streets while people hop on and off the car at different locations. The car will take you from Pier 39 to Market street with stops along the way at Lombard Street and Chinatown.

7) China Town. When visiting this area, I expected there to be alot more tourists than there was, but no it was alot like being in China. Packed within a few block radius, Chinatown houses several unique shops and delicious authentic Chinese restaurants. Passing a few markets, one can hear salesman shouting out specials in Chinese, the hustle and bustle of the market, and several different dialects being spoken. It is a true Chinese type experience.

8) Muir Woods State Park.  If you are looking for an escape from the busy city life in down town San Fran, you can escape to a forested sanctuary just a few miles north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Muir Woods is home to thousands of giant redwoods and sequoia trees that date back centuries. Juxtaposed to the busyness of San Fran, this grove of giants brings peace of mind and a break from running around the big city or sitting in the California traffic.

9) De Young: Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. Located half a mile from the Golden Gate Bridge, this museum houses hundreds of works of art from well known arts from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. One of its best features is its contemporary exterior neo-classical architecture.

10) San Francisco Giants Game. AT&T Park is one of the most unique ballparks in the U.S. We were fortunate enough to get some $9 nosebleed seats but i really don't think there is a bad seat in that stadium. From our perch on the very last row, we were able to experience the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the bay itself. The park sits on the edge of bay. People in Kayaks sit out in the bay waiting to snag home run balls. It is a great experience for friends and family alike.

These are my top ten things to see. If i were to give an opinion of things to miss or just drive by i would say Coit Tower, Lombard Street (its cool to drive down), the Painted Ladies (the "full house" houses), Ghiradelli Square (Good place to visit for an ice cream),and the downtown area.

As you explore this down by foot, you will open yourself up to new sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and even textures. You will begin to experience what everyone else is talking about. I know I did and I plan on making several more trips to explore more of what this great city has to offer.

I, like many out there, need to start planning my next visit to this area. What are some of your favorite places to visit in San Francisco? What are some of your favorite restaurants as well as things to do?