Sightseeing, Touring Museums and Exploring Art Galleries in San Francisco and the Bay Area

A diverse geography makes San Francisco and the Bay Area a haven of microclimates. In the mountain areas the summers bring hotter days and cooler nights, while near the Bay Area the days are cool and somewhat foggy, without much change in temperature at night. Seeing the area on a classic cable car is only found in the San Francisco and Bay Area. Sightseeing, touring museums and exploring art galleries are among the top of tourists' to-do lists in this rich cultural area. The music industry also has great roots here.  
   
Going sightseeing in the area is a must-do, and what could be better than taking a cable car ride through the city? Not just any cable car will do, either; you must take the only cable cars built from oak and brass, just as they were first built in the early 1900's. These cable cars are the only guided tours that bring you over the famous and fabled Golden Gate Bridge. As you sit looking at all the historic, comedic and monumental areas of San Francisco and the Bay Area a lively tour guide will narrate the sights for you, so you can make the most of your trip. Have fun and learn on your one-of-a-kind, two-hour trip around the area.  
   
As for the Golden Gate Bridge, it's an engineering marvel that deserves attention as it is acclaimed as the most brilliantly designed bridge in the world. The bridge itself attracts over 9 million visitors a year. With its tremendously large towers, sweeping main cables and amazingly long span, it is a visual and sensory orchestra. Whether driving, biking or walking the expansive bridge, you are sure to enjoy your time discovering the secrets of this famous bridge. For example, one secret of the bridge is that over thirty painters and seventeen ironworkers maintain the bridge year round.  
   
While in San Francisco and the Bay Area you have to check out Chinatown, the largest in the world. It's a great place to find unique souvenirs and some of the best Chinese cuisine at great prices, especially if you head down Grant Street to get off the commercial tourist strip. Getting off of the main strip will give you a real view of Chinatown and the local culture. In a little hidden alleyway you can find a secret fortune cookie factory, see how the tasty little treats are made and grab a bag to take home for a sweet treat along with a line of wisdom for your day.  
   
Another out-of-this-world tour you must take is a tour of Alcatraz, the federal prison that housed some of the most dangerous criminals during its years of operation from 1934 - 1963. The notorious prison had to be shutdown in 1963 due to high operating costs. Before it was closed, though, the inescapable prison was home to the likes of Al “Scarface” Capone among many other criminals just as infamous. One recent television series has made the prison highly popular this last year and now you have to book days or more in advance in order to secure your spot on a tour. Many of the series' dedicated fans have been visiting the prison trying to find the Hollywood-depicted hidden rooms.  
   
There are a million other great spectacles to behold and things to be done in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The only way to fully appreciate this remarkable city is to visit and stay awhile because if you only plan for a couple of days, after your first four hours in the area you will regret you have such little time.