With local artisanal produce on the table and wooded mountains on the doorstep, this San Francisco Bay county combines a laid-back lifestyle with natural splendor.

Escape to “The Rock,” home of the infamous and abandoned island prison, and discover how it earned a reputation as a cold and unforgiving place.

Walk among towering redwoods hundreds of years old at this National Park, less than an hour’s drive from downtown San Francisco.

Cars trundle across it and ships sail under it, but the best way to experience this iconic bridge is on foot. 

Discover history, culture, open spaces, spectacular views and the Jedi Master Yoda at this former military base.

This waterfront neighborhood dates back to the gold rush era and is a hub for tourist activities, sea lions and seafood restaurants.

Fashion puts on its finest face in one of the country’s largest shopping plazas.

This waterfront attraction offers thrilling rides, innovative street performers and colorful souvenir shops, but it’s the sea lions that win the day. 

This Roman-inspired palace built in 1915 remains a modern-day renaissance center of fine arts and science. 

The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States is a place of peace and beauty nestled in Golden Gate Park.

This beloved park offers relaxation among trees, flowers and wildlife, right in San Francisco’s backyard. 

Enjoy an upscale excursion to the country’s best-known and most luxurious wine-growing region.

This vast scientific institution is one of the world’s largest museums of natural history.

Use all your senses as you explore science through dozens of interactive exhibits at San Francisco’s famous museum on Pier 15.

This famous fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park was founded in the 19th century and boasts a collection dating back to the 1600s.

Step aboard century-old ships, watch boat builders at work, browse exhibits about U.S. maritime heritage and enjoy scenic picnics at this historic waterfront district.

Bring your camera to capture the iconic, colorfully painted, Victorian-style houses and the downtown cityscape from this well-known hilltop park.

Go up to the top of this lofty peak on a clear day for unparalleled aerial views of San Francisco’s most recognizable landmarks.

Built for the 1939 World’s Fair, this small artificial island offers paddleboarding, dining and wine-tasting opportunities along with superb views of San Francisco. 

From shipwrecks to the Sutro Baths, find adventure and plenty of photo opportunities around every corner in San Francisco’s stunning coastal park.

Enjoy sun, surf and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge in this tiny secluded cove between Lands End and Baker Beach.

Discover the man behind Mickey Mouse at this interactive museum located in the heart of San Francisco’s Presidio neighborhood. 

Admire the incredible array of blooms on display, from insect-eating plants to elaborately shaped orchids, at this well-preserved Victorian-era conservatory.

Learn about the old-fashioned cable cars that have transported San Franciscans for generations as you tour around a historic powerhouse and working museum.

Drive, bike or walk across the state-of-the-art bridge that connects San Francisco to Oakland and the East Bay beyond.

Go boating on Golden Gate Park’s largest lake. The placid body of water is the home of turtles, ducks and during winter, Canadian geese.