City Tour Extension Activity Far East Book 2

World Map

North America

USA

California

San Francisco

Fishermans Wharf Fishermans Wharf is the most popular tourist destination in the city. It is still a working fishing pier, bringing in tons of fresh fish and crabs annually.Over eleven million people a year come here for shopping, bay cruises, attractions and historic view restaurants.

Golden Gate Bridge Golden Gate Bridge is a beautifully designed single-span suspension bridge. With a color of “international orange” (not gold), the bridge is famous for its graceful lines and natural setting. It was designed by Joseph Strauss and cost $35 million to build. The bridge was opened In 1937.

Alcatraz Alcatraz, a small island named after the pelican that used to live there, is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It used to be a prison for most dangerous prisoners. No one ever escaped because it was the most secure prison in the U.S. (an “escape-proof” prison from 1933 to 1963).

Battle of Alcatraz On May 2, 1946, six prisoners attempted to escape. Led by Bernie Coy, who worked as a librarian, the men overpowered several guards. They stole two guns and several keys and took control of the cellhouse. The prisoners were never able to get out of the building. It took three days for the Alcatraz guard staff, San Francisco Police, the Marines and the Cost Guard to regain control. Two guards and three inmates were killed.

Cable Cars Cable cars are regarded as America’s only moving national historic landmarks. No trip to San Francisco is complete without taking a ride on the famous cars. They can sure get crowded though, so you may have to almost hang on the outside. Tickets can be purchased from the conductor as you board.

Chinatown Chinatown, established in the 1850s, was once destroyed in the earthquake and fire of However,now it is quite a densely populated neighborhood which crams with many temples, herbalists, and shops. The restaurants are good with mostly inexpensive food. McDonalds even served noodles.

Bay Bridge Although Bay Bridge is less famous than Golden Gate Bridge, it is as vital because this bridge links the city with the communities of the East Bay. Opened in November 12, 1936, Bay Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world and carries over 270,000 vehicles each day.

Lombard Street Lombard Street might be the crookedest street in the world, which is also a major tourist attraction because of its 10 sharp turns on a 40 degree slope. The street is beautifully maintained with flowers and from the top you can get a wonderful view of the bay.

Alamao Square One of the most-photographed residential street in America, Alamao Square is also called “Postcard Row.” A number of these Victorian houses are open to the public either on private-home tours or as B&Bs.

Palace of Fine Arts Designed by Bernard Maybeck, the Palace of Find Arts was originally used as a temporary structure for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition. It was rebuilt in 1966 and always gives visitors a sense of joy and timeless beauty.

Union Square Union Square is in the center of San Francisco`s downtown shopping district. It is a shopper’s paradise, filled with elegant, upscale stores selling stylish and expensive goods.

End of City Tour Check the Activities