Things to do in San Francisco for self travelers

Alcatraz Island used to host a Civil War fort, a military prison and a notorious namesake federal prison till 1963. This tour will show how the maximum-security Alcatraz prison operated across the 17 important open-air sites and narrate its eventful past. The journey starts at Pier 33, where you will board the ferry to Alcatraz Island and listen to its history dating back to the Gold Rush era. Later on, you will enter one of the oldest buildings there, the neglected Military Guard House that was a cutting-edge fortification to defend California back then. Climbing up the rocks, you will pass by the stately shell of the Officers' Club where officers and their families would gather to play bingo, watch movies and celebrate holidays. As you approach the immense Cellhouse, where the most dangerous criminals in the whole U.S. used to lodge, its scale will amaze you. Looking at the imposing Warden’s House ruins nearby, you will imagine the lavish cocktail parties that the first warden would throw here. On your way up, you will admire the blooming West Side Gardens like a few lucky prisoners would, who worked there instead of the industry buildings. Finally, you will reach the island's summit and get back to 1936, when the first dare-devil inmate Joseph Bowers took his chance to escape and learn his fate. Join the tour to walk the secluded rocky grounds and discover how the Alcatraz residents, both imprisoned and free, lived and enjoyed it there!

Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is the world’s only aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum all housed under one incredible living roof. There’s something for someone of every age to enjoy. With hands-on exhibitions, shows, and public programs, you’re in for an action-packed science adventure. Plunge into the world’s deepest living indoor coral reef, home to nearly 40,000 live animals, representing more than 900 unique species. Meet the newest African penguin chicks, Pogo and Ozzie and the rest of the colony of playful penguins in African Hall. Then pay a visit to the iconic alligator with albinism, Claude.

If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to visit the Aquarium of the Bay. Located at Pier 39, this aquarium has 20,000 local sea creatures ready for seeing and even touching. With a 300-foot underwater tunnel, nature talks, and thousands of sea creatures, this is an amazing - and interactive - way to get to know the waters that surround this city.

Welcome to San Francisco, California! This audio tour clues you into how San Franciscans enjoy their beloved landmarks and provides a curious sidelight into the life of the city throughout time. You will start with the walk around Union Square, a neat and vibrant urban center now and a dune back in 1850. Next, you will discover the nostalgic Lotta Fountain, the city's oldest monument and the place where the Great Earthquake survivors in 1906 would meet. As you board off the vintage street car or after you walk for a while, you will stroll the famed Embarcadero promenade adorned with palm trees and artwork. From there, you will take in the glorious view of the historic Bay Bridge and get insights into its dramatic backstory. At the waterfront, you will explore the trendy Ferry Building marketplace crammed with local food produce. After these food stalls, the provocative Vaillancourt Fountain will grab your attention with its odd shape and cold public reception background. Then, you will venture out to the wondrous labyrinths of Chinatown, the largest neighborhood of its kind outside Asia. The tour will lead you through its nondescript storefronts to a little fortune cookie factory and show the best way to eat dim sum. Finally, you will admire the iconic Dragon Gate, North America's only authentic Chinatown Gate. Join the tour and experience San Francisco's scenery and historical background from a local's perspective!

Find animation, innovation, and inspiration, and immerse yourself in the remarkable life story of Walt Disney, the man who turned animation into an art! Get your Walt Disney Family Museum tickets to explore a world of Walt's own imagining in San Francisco's historic Presidio. Get to know the man behind the mouse! There's 40,000 square feet of imagination to inspire you here. Contemporary interactive galleries and state-of-the-art exhibits are narrated in Walt's own voice, and feature early drawings, cartoons, movies, music, listening stations, more than 200 video screens, and a spectacular model of Disneyland. Discover the entire life and times of Disney, from Walt's childhood right through to the launch of Disney World in Florida. Walt Disney tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a distinctly American legacy, transforming the entertainment world. These Walt Disney Family Museum tickets give you access to one of the Bay Area's most inspirational venues.

Fisherman's Wharf is a vibrant and bustling area with a lot to offer visitors. On this tour, you'll experience the best of Fisherman's Wharf, from adventurous marine stories to centuries-old recipes with a secret touch. Your journey will start at Ghirardelli Square. Built in the 1890s as a chocolate factory, it has since been converted into a retail and dining complex. However, one thing remained untouched – the delicious recipe for the chocolate. Don't miss the opportunity to try out their world-famous chocolate sundae. Expect to feel the real taste of Fisherman's Wharf on this tour. You will get a chance to try the finest seafood in one of the oldest restaurants in the area, visit the place where Irish coffee was first made in the US, and enjoy the legendary sourdough bread at Boudin Bakery. Also, don't forget about Fisherman Wharf's bustling bay. You will get to meet a variety of marine animals and walk down a history lane when visiting the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park vessel collection. You may get to start your adventure even before arriving at Fisherman's Wharf. Consider taking a cable car which is a moving monument in San Francisco. Choose the Powell–Hyde route and exit at its last stop – Hyde St&Beach St. The route is known as the most scenic and rollercoaster-like, as it goes by the highest hill in San Francisco. Join the tour and enjoy the spirit and history of this must-see destination of the Bay Area.

Embark on a self-guided audio tour of Fisherman's Wharf, with your ticket to the Cartoon Art Museum included. Note! While an audio tour inside the Cartoon Art Museum is not included, the city's intriguing sites ensure an unforgettable adventure across San Francisco. Putting cartoon art on the pedestal it deserves is what the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco does best. With over 7,000 original pieces on display, your tickets to the Cartoon Art Museum offer access to traditional comic strips and comic books, as well as anime, political cartoons, graphic novels, and more. After exploring the Cartoon Art Museum on your own, follow the in-app audio tour and have a walk along Fisherman's Wharf. On this tour, you'll experience the best of Fisherman's Wharf, from adventurous marine stories to centuries-old recipes with a secret touch. Your journey will start at Ghirardelli Square, built in the 1890s as a chocolate factory and converted into a retail and dining complex. You will walk along the Wharf's bustling bay, where you will get to meet a variety of marine animals and visit a historic lane when visiting the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park vessel collection. You will get a chance to try the finest seafood in one of the oldest restaurants in the area, visit the place where Irish coffee was first made in the US, and enjoy the legendary sourdough bread at Boudin Bakery.

The Legion of Honor sounds like an assembly of superheroes, but it's not. This museum in San Francisco still packs a punch though. Inside, you'll find an unrivalled collection of art. There's over 124,000 works spanning 4,000 years, from European sculpture and paintings to ancient art from the Mediterranean and Near East. Its most famous piece is Rodin's _The Thinker_, but there's plenty of other highlights by Degas, Monet, Rubens and more.

Spend some time getting up to scratch with your art here at the de Young, which strives to stay involved in today's most relevant cultural discussions. Be inspired by American art from the 17th to 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles, costumes and more!

Delve into the rich tapestry of San Francisco's cultural and historical heritage with this in-depth Self-Guided Audio Tour. History buffs and culture enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the expertly crafted narrative that weaves through the city's iconic landmarks and lesser-known sites, providing an immersive exploration of the milestones that shaped the modern face of San Francisco. The journey begins at Lands End Trail and takes travelers on a voyage through time, from the rugged coastlines and storied ruins of the Sutro Baths to the tranquil grandeur of the Filoli Historic House & Gardens in Woodside. The route offers a seamless experience, guiding participants from the revolutionary feats of the Gold Rush era in Golden Gate Park to the technological marvels of Silicon Valley. It concludes amidst the natural splendor of Half Moon Bay, enveloping visitors in the town's fascinating Gold Rush and maritime history. Throughout this tour, listeners will encounter the magnificent Legion of Honor, the poignant narratives of the Great Depression at PIER 39, and the modern achievements of tech behemoths like Apple and Adobe. Enriched by concrete sensory details, these stops provide a profoundly personal connection to San Francisco's evolution, guaranteeing memories that will linger long after the echoes of the final narrative fade.