Places to Visit in San Francisco, California

Places to visit in the San Francisco area range from the rolling hills of the Marine Headlands – the Muir Woods, where you can see coast redwoods as tall as skyscrapers, to Sausalito , which has one of the world’s largest houseboat communities and one has a great view over the bay.

Further north is the Wine Country from Sonoma to Napa . Wine tastings and tours are offered here. In the picturesque towns like St. Helena , Sonoma, Yountville or Calistoga there are a variety of shops and restaurants.

Another very worthwhile excursion destination is south of San Francisco: the Monterey Peninsula with the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row. Not far away is the quaint artists’ town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and the classic Pebble Beach golf course . 17 Mile Drive, which runs along the coast, is particularly beautiful. Even further south – along Highway 1 – the rugged Big Sur coastline stretches for 70 km.

Muir Woods
According to localcollegeexplorer, Muir Woods National Monument is a protected area in Marin County, about 15 km north of San Francisco. Here you can admire the coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) that were once ubiquitous in the region. This tree species is one of the largest tree species in the world. The sanctuary was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Tours to Muir Woods and nearby Muir Beach are available from San Francisco.

Advance Reservations to Visit Muir Woods
Reservations for both private vehicles and shuttle rides are required to visit the monument. During park hours ( nps.gov/muwo/hours ) you must have a permit to park and pay park admission. You can get both at gomuirwoods.com .

Parking fees range from $9 to $55 depending on vehicle size, and admission is $16 for each adult (16 and older). Shuttle rides (weekends only) are $3.50 per adult (16 years and older). Admission is free for children up to the age of 15.

Sausalito
From the Golden Gate Bridge follow Alexander Road into town. The coastal suburb offers unique views of San Francisco Bay with the city as a backdrop. The picturesque houseboats anchored in the harbor are the most coveted residences next to the apartments in the bay area. Sausalito is a nice town with some great restaurants and shops.

Napa Valley/Sonoma Valley
Just half an hour from San Francisco is the Napa Valley – the epitome of Californian wine. If Tuscany were in America, it would be in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The Wine Country has changed fundamentally since the switch from good mass wine to cultivated and increasingly exquisite top wines a few years ago. California’s wines have risen to world class over the past 40 years. A minimum one or two night stay is recommended for a tour to Napa and Sonoma – during the week is best. Most wineries are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An ideal place for lunch is tranquil Yountville, which is home to numerous world-class restaurants. In the Bouchon, the casual cousin of the famous French Laundry, www.napavalley.com , www.sonomavalley.com , www.upgradedpoints.com/napa-valley

Monterey
About 120 miles south of San Francisco is the town of Monterey on the peninsula of the same name . The entire Monterey Peninsula is considered one of California’s most popular year-round vacation destinations. After the Spanish founding of Monterey in 1770, the coastal city was an important fishing and whaling port until the 19th century. With the collapse of the fishing industry in the 1950s, however, the coastal town suddenly lost its importance. The premises of many of the former sardine canning factories of the waterfront Cannery Row have been successfully converted into galleries, shops and restaurants. The area inspired author John Steinbeck’s famous novels Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
With more than 35,000 animals and 550 different species, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the world’s largest public aquariums. A wide range of aquatic creatures swim in the more than 200 pools, from tame seahorses to great white sharks. Exhibits educate visitors to the facility, located on the site of a former fish factory, about the mysteries of the oceans and the ways of life of sea otters, tuna, and sea turtles. The 4 million liter pool of the “Outer Bay” connects directly to the open sea. Through a 17 mx 5 m window, visitors get an insight into the underwater world and can watch what’s going on under water. 886 Cannery Row. www.montereybayaquarium.org

17 Mile Drive
The scenic route along the Monterey Peninsula is the highlight of any visit to this coastal region. The private toll road stretches from Pebble Beach to Del Monte Forest, passing a variety of scenic overlooks, golf courses and private homes. When paying the toll, drivers receive a map on which all 21 important sights are listed. The main attraction is the “Lonely Cypress”, which has withstood the Pacific storms for about 250 years on a rock in the sea.

Carmel-by-the-Sea
This quaint little town has been home to many artists, actors and scholars since the early 1900’s and strives to maintain the quaint charm of a coastal village. Restrictive construction measures prevent the proliferation of fast-food restaurants and the construction of tall buildings. There are no electric street lights, private houses and small country houses are not numbered. Pretty Carmel offers a variety of cultural events and festivals, an outdoor theater and museums. Along Ocean Avenue are galleries, small shops and antique shops as well as restaurants. Hollywood stars such as Clint Eastwood, Brad Pitt and Doris Day are among the famous residents of the town.

Big Sur
The coastline between Carmel in the north and San Simeon in the south – over a length of about 100 km – is characterized by rugged rocky coasts and high mountains. The low settlement density gives the impression of untouched nature with a varied flora and fauna. For years, this stretch of Highway 1 along the roaring Pacific coast has been ranked as one of the most beautiful. The famous Bixby Creek Bridge is also spectacular. Several state parks line the coast. There is also access to some. Sea otters can be seen in the sandy bays.

Half Moon Ba y
In the winter, mighty waves pound the rocks of Maverick in Half Moon Bay – and a handful of the world’s boldest surfers take to the surf. Even when the waves aren’t raging, a trip to this pristine shore is a day to remember.

• Visit Pillar Point Marsh and witness the power of nature. Since Mavericks is for experts only, it’s best to take a guided tour. Riptide Sportfishing takes you to 30 foot waves. Or paddle a kayak in the sheltered harbor waters with the Half Moon Bay Kayak Company .
• The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve , 1 mile north of Maverick’s, is one of the premier places in California for tide pool exploration. Fill your stomach with clam chowder at Sam’s Chowder House .
• Continue south toward Pescadero. Stop by the San Gregorio General Store – where pretty much everything is available – and do a bit of browsing. Live music is played here on weekends. Take a long, thoughtful stroll along Pomponio State Beach . At Duarte’s Tavern you should give serious thought to a refreshment. The inn offers steak and seafood, as well as delicious, creamy green chili soup.

Kiteboarding
Incidentally, the forces of the wind and the waves can be combined very well to surf at high speed over the water or fly high in the air. Under ideal conditions, a kiteboarder can soar 12 meters in the air. The principle is very simple: a kite sail is mounted on the small, short surfboards with a thin rope. Hotspots are Crissy Field (at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge), Waddell Creek (north of Santa Cruz, across the street from Big Basin Redwood Park), Cayucos, Jalama Beach (near Lompoc) or in Venturas on California Street. There you can optimally observe the kitesurfers doing their most unbelievable stunts. If you want to try it yourself, head to Coyote Point Park in San Mateo and Crown Beach in Alameda. The wind is gentle there and the water is a little calmer. the Boardsports School offers courses in both locations.
1603 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401, www.boardsportsschool.com

Golf
The Presidio Golf Course is located in the heart of San Francisco. 300 Finley Rd, San Francisco, CA 94129-1196, www.presidiogolf.com

Friendly staff, an award-winning golf shop, reasonable prices and nine-hole courses in the rolling Livermore Valley countryside.
4280 Greenville Rd, Livermore, CA 94550-9720, www.poppyridgegolf.com