Abstract San Francisco: Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions
If you’ve been to San Francisco, you’ve probably crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, taken a peek at Alcatraz and ridden the cable cars. If you haven’t been to San Fran, that’s probably what you plan to do when you go. But after you visit the usual tourist destinations in the City By the Bay, don’t miss out on some the best hidden gems.
Haight-Ashbury
Once the mecca of the hippie counter-culture, Haight-Ashbury is now a yuppie haven, but it still has a lot of that old Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin charm. From taxidermists to pot brownies and upscale boutiques, the Haight has something for everyone and is still a little off the wall. Whatever you do in the Haight, don’t miss out on a trip to Amoeba Music – a vintage record and CD shop with one of the largest music selections in the world.
Point Reyes National Seashore
If there’s one place you don’t want to miss in the Bay Area – more beautiful than the Bay Bridge and more exciting than a Giants game – it’s the Point Reyes National Seashore . This National Park rivals Yosemite and Yellowstone in natural beauty, and with over 1500 plant and animal species to see, you’ll never overstay your welcome.
Explore the beaches, whale watch from January through April or mountain bike on the winding backcountry trails – there’s something for every type of traveler and picturesque views in every direction.
The Exploratorium
San Francisco’s museum of science, art and human perception – the Exploratorium – is not your average vacation destination. You and your travel buddies (kids too) will love the hands-on experiences in every corner. The Exploratorium is state-of-the-art and natural at same the time, and it’s brand new location at Pier 15 means it’s better than ever. Stop spending your rainy days in San Fran at the movies or MOMA, the Exploratorium is far more than an educational destination – it’s just plain fun.
Little Italy
Chinatown is a popular place in San Francisco for many reasons, but sometimes Little Italy , in North Beach, falls under the radar for tourists. San Franciscans love Little Italy, and the area has remained one of the hottest spots in the city since Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac used to frequent the area. Enjoy Old World eats, boutiques, craftsman’s shops, cafes and some of the oldest streets in the city. There’s a reason the Beat generation loved it here, and there’s no doubt you will too.
If you’ve never been to San Francisco (or even if you have) this quick one-minute tour featured on “Let’s Roll,” will give you a crash-course tour of the city. And when you get to the city, don’t forget to visit those less-traveled places. As Jack Kerouac once said, “Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.”
