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Discovering San Francisco

AT&T Park

3/25/2017

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AT&T Park, home of the legendary team San Francisco Giants is the best baseball park there is! Some people may contest this statement, but for most tourists who have seen and been to the place, they would most likely say the same!
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source: http://www.kimvsgluten.com/2012/10/08/att-park/
After winning the 2010 and 2012 World Series, the Giants Giants have become one of the most famous and hottest baseball teams! Not only are their games a must-watch; you just can’t beat the one-of-a kind enjoyment and thrill the stadium has to offer!  

With its classic design and amazing views of the stunning San Francisco Bay, the AT&T Park was picked as the Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Daily and the Sports Business Journal in year 2008. This privately financed baseball park in Major League Baseball accommodates over 42,000 fans and offers many great features!

The most outstanding feature of this park is the 24-foot right field wall, built in honor of former San Francisco Giant player Willie Mays, who wore the number 24. Beyond the right field is the McCovey Cove, a part of the Bay named after the Giants’ first baseman Willie McCovey. “The Cove” as dubbed by Giant fans is where a number of home runs (famously referred to as “splash hits”) have been hit.  
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If you’re up for a unique adventure, you can rent a kayak and hang out in the McCovey Cove with other thrill seekers hoping for that rare, exciting chance of getting a waterlogged home run ball to keep as a souvenir!  
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source: http://www.ytv.com/blog/the-11-weirdest-ballpark-quirks
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source: http://www.ytv.com/blog/the-11-weirdest-ballpark-quirks
The stadium also features an 80-foot long Coca-Cola bottle with superslides every child and adult will enjoy. It lights up and blows bubbles every time a Giant hits a homerun. The stadium’s miniature version sitting next to the soda slide is also a fun place to play and pretend you’re one of the great Giants! A giant baseball glove made of fiberglass and steel positioned at the right side of the soda bottle is another monumental symbol of the park’s stalwart character.    
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When talking about food, garlic fries is a must! Look for those huge green booths that read “GARLIC FRIES.” But note that there is typically a long line because this one’s a sure winner! If you’re looking for the best hot dogs, look for the Bratwurst cart located near the Third Street Gate. You will definitely enjoy the freshly grilled sausage topped with some perfectly grilled onions and peppers.

The AT&T Park does not only offer great games, breathtaking scenic views, awesome park features and activities, splendid food and beverages, but also exciting behind-the-scene tour, where you’ll get to places only the Giants and staff go. You can even celebrate a birthday with the Park’s Birthday Party Tours for all ages!      

Before the game, you can engage in simple but fun recreational activities. On a nice, sunny day, take advantage of a relaxing walk along the beautiful Bay; visit a museum or watch a film at a movie theater located just a stone's throw away from the stadium; or go ice skating, bowling, or take a merry-go-round ride for the kids to enjoy before the ball game!

Contact our expert tour guides here at Private Tours San Francisco to get the most out of your visit to the spectacular AT&T Park!

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Golden Gate Park

3/20/2017

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Experience many acres of green lawns, tranquil lakes, beautiful paths, and stunning flowers amid thousands of towering trees, and 7,000 different kinds of plants nestled in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Enjoy many exciting attractions from gorgeous gardens to amazing events like the Outside Lands. Sunday is probably the best time to visit the park, as cars are prohibited on certain roads within the park on this day. Some of the great ways to discover this site is with a bike, strolling, or with a guided tour in San Francisco.
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Founded in 1871, this 1,017-acre park attracts around 13 million visitors every year, making it the 5th most visited park in USA! The park in general is open to public every day, but opening hours for certain attractions vary. The cost for visiting the Golden Gate Park is free, though some attractions may charge a certain fee.
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source: http://robertcampbellphotography.com/san_francisco.html
The park’s top attractions include: The de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

The de Young Museum showcases an astonishing collection of American art from the 17th century to the 21st century. It also features modern art; global costumes and textiles; photography; as well as African, American, and Oceania art. In the 9th floor of the Hamon Tower, you’ll get to experience astounding 360-degree views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and also the city of San Francisco.  

In the California Academy of Sciences, you’ll get to explore a natural history museum, planetarium, and an aquarium all in one roof! The four-story rainforest, breathtaking coral reef, as well as the planetarium will definitely amaze you! Daily exciting programs in the Academy include coral reef dives and penguin feedings.  

The Conservatory of Flowers boasts its rare, beautiful tropical plants and flowers from around the globe! It’s an architectural treasure with five awesome galleries. The Japanese Tea Garden is adorned with fabulous pagodas, gates, a stunning moon bridge, and grand 1.5-ton Buddha!
Strolling through the San Francisco Botanical Garden is like taking a tour through the Central American, Mediterranean, or New Zealand rain forests! It’s a gorgeous, tranquil refuge.
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http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/san-francisco-us-ca-sf.htm

The top places to visit in the Golden Gate Park which you shouldn’t miss include: the Stow Lake, National Aids Memorial Grove, Buffalo Paddock, Beach Chalet, Dutch and Murphy Windmills, Spreckels Lake, Speedway and Lindley Meadows, Rainbow Falls, Strawberry Hill, Music Concourse, and the Hippie Hill!
There are countless things to do in the Golden Gate Park! You can bike, jog, skate, play tennis, disc golf, soccer, or archery! There are also so many great things to see, from beautiful fauna and flora, arts and culture, to architecture! You can even see a real buffalo roaming in the park! So if you’re looking for a unique adventure in one place, contact Private Tours San Francisco to inquire about guided tours in San Francisco!
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Yerba Buena Garden

2/28/2017

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Yerba Buena Garden
2/28/2017
Yerba Buena Gardens is the name for two blocks of public parks located between Third and Fourth, Mission and Folsom Streets in downtown San Francisco, California. The first block bordered by Mission and Howard Streets was opened on 1993. The second block, between Howard and Folsom Streets, was opened in 1998, with a dedication to Martin Luther King, Jr. A pedestrian bridge over Howard Street connects the two blocks, sitting on top of part of the Moscone Center convention center.
 
The original block contains several public art installations. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located behind a waterfall, which is the largest fountain on the West Coast. The King memorial consists of large, etched glass excerpts of King's speeches in the languages of San Francisco's sister cities, and also includes a large green space where performance arts events are held throughout the year.
 
Located in the Gardens proper are the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a contemporary arts center in the  North block, and the Children's Creativity Museum, a children's media and technology museum in geared to children ages 3–12. Kids can make Claymation videos, work in a computer lab, check out new games and apps, and perform and record music videos. The museum is open year-round 10–4 from Wednesday through Sunday, and on Tuesday during the summer. An ice skating rink, a bowling alley, and a restored 1905. The historic Looff carousel twirls daily 10–5 originally located at Playland-at-the-Beach can also be found in the South block. Eateries within the gardens include the B Restaurant and Grill and the Samovar Tea Lounge on the North block's terrace, Mo's Grill on the South block's upper walkway, and a snack shop by the carousel.
The gardens are liveliest during the week and especially during the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, from May through October with free performances of everything from Latin music to Balinese dance.
 
Atop the Moscone Convention Center perch a few lures for kids. Just outside, kids adore the excellent slides, including a 25-foot tube slide, at the play circle. Also part of the rooftop complex are gardens, an ice-skating rink, and a bowling alley.
 
Nearby museums include: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, and Cartoon Art Museum.
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Cable Car Museum

2/21/2017

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​The Cable Car Museum is a free museum in the Nob Hill neighborhood Located at 1201 Mason Street, the San Francisco Cable Car Museum is the perfect place to learn how San Francisco's favorite means of transportation works. The museum has been operating since 1974, contains historical and explanatory exhibits on the San Francisco cable car system, which can itself be regarded as a working museum. The museum's main exhibition explains the history and operation of the Cable Car. On learning how it functions you will understand the great expense that is involved in maintaining the system alive.
In the ground floor you will see the enormous machinery on which the cables that make the trolleys circulate throughout San Francisco rotate.
 
In the Cable Car Museum you will also be able to see some old trolley cars and some photographs of its evolution over the years as well as learning how it was affected by the great earthquake which destroyed a large part of the system.
 
The museum contains several examples of old cable cars, together with smaller exhibits and a shop. The cable cars displayed include:
 
Sutter Street Railway - grip car 46 and trailer 54 dating from the 1870s
Clay Street Hill Railroad - grip car 8, the only surviving car from the first cable car company
 
Exterior of the Ferries and Cliff House Railway Co. Building Constructed in 1887. Houses both the cable car winding station, engines, and museum. The smoke stack in the rear was damaged in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, restored then soon decommissioned when steam power was replaced with electrical power at the winding station.
 
The museum is part of the complex that also houses the cable car power house, which drives the cables, and the car depot ("barn"). The car depot is not accessible, but two overlook galleries allow the visitor to view the power house, and to descend below the junction of Washington and Mason streets in order to view the large cavern where the haulage cables are routed via large sheaves out to the street.
 
 The cable car is part of the charm of San Francisco; everyone wants to travel in it and to photograph it climbing the steep hills. The best way to get to know it is in its own museum and, better yet, its free admission.
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Crissy Field

2/13/2017

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Crissy Field, a former U.S. Army airfield, is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, historically part of the Presidio of San Francisco, Crissy Field closed as an airfield after 1974, in 2001 the Crissy Field Center opened to the public. While most buildings have been preserved as they were in the 1920s, some have been transformed into offices, retail space, and residences.

Crissy Field is now part of an urban national park, which, due to its location and scenic views, is popular with both locals and tourists.

West Bluff — the westernmost part of Crissy Field, which includes a picnic area, the Warming Hut cafe, and connector paths and trails to the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point.

Beach and dunes — the shoreline along Crissy Field has been restored, including the creation of sand dunes which provide habitat for several native species.

Promenade and trails — The Golden Gate Promenade runs from the Crissy Field Center adjacent to the beach to the Warming Hut. This is also a section of the San Francisco Bay Trail, which runs along the coast of the San Francisco Bay.

Newly restored tidal wetlands — the restored tidal marsh now hosts 17 fish species and 135 species of birds have been seen there. Around the tidal marsh, native vegetation has been planted and a boardwalk across the marsh has been constructed, providing views of the wildlife.

​Crissy Field Center — An environmental education center for youth that provides school-year and summer programs. 
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Legion of Honor Museum

1/3/2017

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The Legion of Honor Museum offer unique insight into the art historical, political, and social movements of the previous 4,000 years of human history. Holdings include European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts; ancient art from the Mediterranean basin; and one of the nation’s largest repositories of works of art on paper.
 
It houses European art and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a neoclassical building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.
 
The museum contains a representative collection of European art, the largest portion of which is French. Its most distinguished collection is of sculpture by Auguste Rodin. Casts of some of his most famous works are on display, including one of The Thinker in the Court of Honor. However, there are individual works by many other artists, including François Boucher, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, David, El Greco, Giambattista Pittoni, Rubens, and many of the Impressionists and post-Impressionists—Degas, Renoir, Monet, Pissarro, Seurat, Cézanne and others. There are also representative works by key 20th century figures such as Braque and Picasso, and works of contemporary artists like Gottfried Helnwein and Robert Crumb.
 
Collection Highlights
  • Icon of Saints John the Baptist and Minias, Bicci di Lorenzo (15th century)
  • St. Francis Venerating the Crucifix, El Greco, 1595
  • St. John the Baptist, El Greco, 1600
  • The Tribute Money, Rubens, 1612
  • Descent from the Cross, Giambattista Pittoni, 1750
  • The Age of Bronze, Auguste Rodin, 1875
  • Trotting Horse Edgar Degas, 1881
  • The Kiss, Auguste Rodin, 1884
  • The Grand Canal, Claude Monet, 1908
  • Waterlilies, Claude Monet, 1914
  • The Grand Canal, Venice, 1908 by Claude Monet.
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San Francisco Dungeon

12/21/2016

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San Francisco Dungeon is one of the most popular attractions in Fisherman's Wharf. It recreates scary historical events using 360° sets, special effects, and live actors. Visitors walk through the Dungeon, and are guided through each show by professional actors.
 
This sixty-minute tour through the darker corners and more demented denizens of San Francisco history plays like a more sophisticated and elaborate version of a seasonal Halloween attraction; instead of masked monsters, long corridors, and jump-scares, you get a series of nine scenes that range from a maze and a boat ride to dramatic vignettes that require you to stop, sit, and sometimes participate. The results will literally have you screaming – first with laughter, then with terror.
 
The San Francisco Dungeon is the first American version of an attraction that has locations in London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and other European cities; though beyond the reach of our usual radar, the reputation of these Dungeons raises some high expectations. The exterior of the San Francisco Dungeon certainly looks innocuous enough: a sign above a busy sidewalk, with a barker luring victims toward the box office. The decor inside is wooden, suggesting the old west or a mining town – aspects of local history that will soon come to life before your eyes.
 
Shows and rides include:
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The Descent- visitors descend into the Dungeon in an old mine shaft elevator and meet businessman Colonel Jack Gamble
 
Gold Rush Greed- a re-enactment of the clash between the natives and the new settlers on the American frontier in 1848
 
Lost Mines of Sutter's Mill- visitors search the maze of mines for any remaining gold
 
Streets of San Francisco- visitors meet gang The Hounds and their leader Sam Roberts down Kearny Street
 
The Court of San Francisco- a re-enactment of an old San Francisco courtroom where visitors are interrogated by former mayor and judge "Mad Meade"
 
Miss Piggott's Saloon- recreation of an old drinking saloon featuring Miss Piggott and Shanghai Kelly
 
Shanghai Kelly's Boat Ride- boat ride through the back waterways to learn about the lives of those who were sold to work as sailors
 
Chinatown Plague- recreation of the streets of San Francisco during the Black Death epidemic in 1900
 
The Ghosts of Alcatraz- recreation of the Alcatraz military prison during the 1800s
 
It’s a dark comedy of attractions; dark, atmospheric and very, very funny. If it was a movie it would likely be PG13.
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de Young Museum

12/16/2016

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The de Young, a fine arts museum located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, is one of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco along with the Legion of Honor.
The de Young showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles, and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific and Africa.
The American art collection consists of over 1,000 paintings, 800 sculptures, and 3,000 decorative arts objects, with works ranging from 1670 to the present day, this collection represents the most comprehensive museum survey of American art in the American West and is among the top ten collections nationally that encompass the entire history of non-indigenous American art. Since its inception in the Fine Arts Building at the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894 in Golden Gate Park, its subsequent institutionalization in the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in 1924, and its reinstallation in the new de Young in 2005, the permanent collection has evolved exponentially.
Adore its striking copper facade, while others just hope that the green patina of age will mellow the effect. Most maligned is the 144-foot tower, but the view from its ninth-story observation room, ringed by floor-to-ceiling windows and free to the public, is worth a trip here by itself. The building almost overshadows the de Young's respected collection of American, African, and Oceanic art. The museum also plays host to major international exhibits, such as 100 works from Paris's Musée National Picasso and a collection of the work of Jean Paul Gaultier from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; there's often an extra admission charge for these. The annual Bouquet des Art is a fanciful tribute to the museum's collection by notable Bay Area floral designers. On many Friday evenings, the museum hosts fun, free, family-centered events, with live music, art projects for children, and a wine and beer bar (the café stays open late, too).
Bring your kids to the museum. We suggest approaching your visit as an expedition and letting your child or children take the lead. Children often have the ability to see things in artworks that adults may miss. When your children express wonder about a particular object, ask them to take a moment and look carefully at the work. Ask what they think is happening in the work of art and have them identify details that support their ideas. Any answer they provide is correct, as long as they can provide visual evidence!
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Pier 39

12/10/2016

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Pier 39 is a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier. there are shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39's marina. The marina is also home to the floating Forbes Island restaurant. The family-oriented entertainment and presence of California Sea Lions make this a popular tourist location for families with kids.
It is famous for its seafood. Home to at least 14 full-service restaurants, Pier 39 is known for serving up some of the freshest and most-delicious local cuisine, at Fog Harbor Fish House, you get more than just classic waterfront favorites such as oysters and cioppino — all seafood on the menu is sustainable, so not only is it local, but its guaranteed fresh and sustainably farmed. Not to mention, every meal comes with a complimentary view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
It also has more than 60 specialty shops with everything from saltwater taffy to left-handed merchandise, custom-blended spices to hand-crafted jewelry. So, obviously, it's difficult to leave without that perfect gift for the folks back home. Many of the store owners work directly behind the counter, and if you end up getting carried away, stop by the California Welcome Center and they'll help you ship your San Francisco memories back home.
You can also experience the thrill of a roller coaster and the excitement of an interactive shooting gallery, all without leaving your seat in a state of the art digital theater with surround sound, 3D effects and the newest in laser technology. Compete to achieve the highest score in the theater as everyone tries to capture the gold, eliminate the bad robot cowboys and save the day! And the fun doesn't stop there: be sure to check out the other 20+ attractions on The PIER.
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Union Square

12/12/2015

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If you are looking for a place to shop, dine, or stay in San Francisco, Union Square is a perfect  choice! This 2.6-acre public plaza located in the middle of Post, Geary, Stockton, and Powell Streets is surrounded by the best shopping stores, restaurants, cafes, and hotels in the city, and perhaps the world!
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source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/17/union-square-evacuated_n_4118993.html
The term “Union Square” was derived from the rallies and support shown for the Union Army on the eve of the American Civil War. The beautiful monument that stands tall in the heart of this place is a tribute to the United States Navy sailors.
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Built and dedicated in 1850, the Square is now considered as a historical landmark and famous for its surrounding area with the biggest collection of beauty salons, gift shops, boutiques, department stores, art galleries in the US making this one-block public plaza a leading tourist spot, a significant and sophisticated rendezvous in San Francisco.

​It is considered San Francisco’s ceremonial “heart,” also serving as the site of impromptu protest, winter ice rink, private parties, and the yearly Christmas tree lighting. Luxurious hotels and inns, as well as cultural events and celebrations, nightclubs, theatres, live concerts, and movies in park contribute to the Square’s lively, 24-hour spirit.
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source: http://unionsquareshop.com/
It’s a fabulous place to indulge in a sumptuous meal, enjoy shopping, watch a show, get a boost of caffeine, grab a drink, or just sit back, relax, and watch people go by.

Visit the world’s best place to live, visit, work, and play! But if you are wondering what’s the best thing to do, where to get the best food and drinks, where’s the best place to stay, where and when the top celebrations and shows are, and where to shop the latest fashion, our expert tour guides can help you!   

Contact Private Tours San Francisco to inquire about our private guided tour in San Francisco and experience the best of the famous Union Square!
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    Things to do in SF!

    All
    Alcatraz
    AT&T Park
    Beaches
    Bridge
    Bridges
    Cable Car Museum
    Cable Cars
    California Academy
    CAS
    Chinatown
    Churches/Cathedrals
    Community Service
    Crissy Field
    Culture
    De Young Museum
    Downtown
    Educational
    Entertainment
    Exploratorium
    Ferry Building Marketplace
    Fishermans Wharf
    General Tours
    Golden Gate Bridge
    Golden Gate Park
    Hikes
    Historical
    Hotels
    Lands End San Francisco
    Legion Of Honor
    Lombard Street
    Markets
    Monterey Bay Aquarium
    Monuments
    Muir Woods Monument
    Nightlife
    Parks
    Pier
    Pier 39
    Presidio San Francisco
    San Francisco Dungeon
    San Francisco Zoo
    Scenic Outdoors
    Science And Technology
    Secret Spots
    Shopping
    Sports
    Twin Peaks San Francisco
    Union Square
    Yerba Buena
    Zoo

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M Stolles
3/16/2017
A tour with Private Tours San Fransisco is the best way to see of San Francisco! My daughter and I booked a van for an all day tour. The city streets can be very crowded and our guide was able to get us  to all of our requested locations! We had a only a short time in town and we wanted an intimate local experience. We found PTS on his website. We are so happy to have found PTS and highly recommend this tour, which was reasonably priced, and we felt we got alot of value for our money.
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