San Francisco is a windy, artsy, and culture-rich metropolis. One of the most popular tourist destinations in California, it is a vibrant melting pot of artists and technology, hipsters and hippies, and everything in between. Landmarks like Silicon Valley, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Lombard Street are just a few of the most interesting attractions a person must see while in San Fran.
Whether you’re looking for affordable 1 bedroom apartments in San Francisco during the week or planning a dinner cruise on the weekend, you’ll surely be satisfied by what San Fran has to offer. Continue reading to find a few fun and unusual things you might want to do while in San Francisco.
Listen to the Wave Organ in the Marina
The Wave Organ is a waterside park, which was originally part of the Exploratorium, San Francisco’s science museum. It is located across from the Marina Green and near the Golden Gate Yacht Club. There are more than 20 pipes located in the bay that provide a unique symphony of natural music. It not only provides interesting sounds but it is also a nice place for a picnic.
It is a public sculpture, so it’s open all the time. Keep in mind that the organ performs best at high tide, so you might want to visit then. You can bring your kids, as they will enjoy the unique sounds of the Wave Organ as well. You can find it on a jetty on the eastern side of Crissy Field, and you’ll have to walk behind the St. Francis Yacht Club building to get there.
Find Yoda Statue
For those who love Star Wars, you can visit the statue of one of the wisest beings in the galaxy far, far away, and receive his blessing for nothing more than just some pocket change. The Yoda Statue is located in the Presidio National Park at the LucasFilm headquarters. The best part is, that it can be accessed 24/7. This is one of the coolest things to see in San Fran, especially for Star War fans.
Along with seeing the life-size Yoda statue, you’ll also be able to see the memorabilia in the lobby, including a life-size Darth Vader. Additionally, the lobby features a selection of books that inspired George Lucas’ famous creations. However, if you want to see the memorabilia, visit on weekdays during normal business hours.
Discover the Land’s End Labyrinth
Located on the northwestern tip of San Francisco, this hidden spot seems random but it was actually a deliberate installation by artist Eduardo Aguilera in 2004. Although most people visit this place to take a selfie, it would be much more interesting if you walk the full labyrinth. Since you’ll have to look down to walk through the labyrinth, you’ll get a big reveal at the end. When you look up, you can see a full view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
It’s a cool thing to see, so it’s worth spending a few minutes doing the full circuit. You might want to avoid going when it’s raining since the trail will be muddy. The Labyrinth is made out of rocks and you can find it on a small path off the Land’s End Trail. However, it doesn’t have its own sign, you’ll be able to find it by following the “Mile Rock Beach” sign.
Catamaran sails around San Fran bay
If you wish to experience the Golden City differently then being on the water is a great way to see the magnificent landmarks and amazing skyline of the city. The catamaran sail on the bay is especially fun when you get to sail right under the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. You can enjoy the city lights at nighttime when you start to sail back.
You can take the sunset cruise so you’ll get some wonderful afternoon, sunset, and evening views where you can take pictures of the city in different lighting conditions. Some boats even offer appetizers and drinks during the cruise. You can find many cruise companies around the bay, but sailing on a catamaran might be a cooler way to see the city.
Final thoughts
San Francisco is one of the most interesting places to visit in California, offering plenty of attractions that not many people know about. When you want to take a rest from visiting all these amazing and unusual places, you can chill in Dolores Park, which is one of the most unique and authentic places in San Francisco. The locals love it, and if San Fran were a college campus, this park would be its quad. From street murals to walking the mosaic-tiled steps, don’t forget to visit as many places as you can in this amazing city!