Make Time for San Francisco Gems Before You Leave

You’ve probably already got a list of must-see places in San Francisco and the surrounding area for your next trip to the Bay Area. Everyone wants time to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Alcatraz. What about those lesser known spots, though? Can you really say you saw the city if you’re visiting the same places everyone else sees? We put together a list of must-see places in San Francisco for your next business trip, and many may be places you’ve never before considered.

San Francisco Botanical Garden

An alternative way to enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge is to visit the San Francisco Botanical Garden. This land is part of the Golden Gate Park, but you can also take in the beautiful plants, flowers, and water features in addition to gazing at the architectural marvel that spans the bay. As a part of San Francisco tourism since the 1920s, the Botanical Garden is just one more relaxing way to spend time in the city without hordes of other tourists cramping your style. You’ll love the natural layout and winding paths, which invite short walks and lots of photography.

Palace of Fine Arts

Originally designed by Bernard R. Maybeck for the 1915 Pan-Pacific International Exhibition, the Palace of Fine Arts has become a San Francisco landmark over the years. The entire structure is designed to reflect Roman ruins, and the majestic placement on a lagoon just adds to the ethereal beauty. When you visit, you can stroll the grounds and enjoy the architecture, or you can visit the Palace of Fine Arts Theater for music and drama performances. There is also a science building, called the Palace of Fine Arts Exploratorium.  Founded by Dr. Frank Oppenheimer in 1969, the Exploratorium features a hands-on science center where people of all ages can enjoy the exhibits.

Union Square

Billed as the top shopping spot in San Francisco, Union Square is often touted as a must-see, but maybe you would appreciate other aspects of this beautiful downtown oasis. In addition to fantastic shops, Union Square also has a deep history that goes back further than the Civil War. You can sit on the steps or at a café table and just enjoy the beautiful architecture while other shoppers pass you by. Of course, much of the area was leveled during the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire, but that only makes the surviving buildings and those rebuilt since even more exciting to behold. Be sure to get photos of the Victoria Monument, and you can also secure tickets to one of the many plays and musicals in the theater district that lines Union Square.

Japanese Tea Garden

The Midwinter Fair of 1894 marked the introduction of the Japanese Tea Garden to the city of San Francisco. Since then, it’s had some ups and downs, but it still stands today as an oasis of tranquility in the middle of a bustling city. There is no better way to relax after a stressful business meeting or prepare for a long flight home than a few hours spent in the beauty of the Japanese Tea Garden. While you’re there, you can enjoy unusual flowers and plants, water features, and incredible Japanese architecture. Not much in San Francisco could leave you feeling so relaxed and fulfilled.

Haas-Lilienthal House

Standing as one of the premier examples of the Victorian homes in San Francisco and the surrounding area, the Haas-Lilienthal House is an important landmark. The house was one of few in the Nob Hill neighborhood that survived the earthquake and fire of 1906 and still stands to this day for visitors and photographers fascinated with the Bay Area’s history. If you visit, you’ll find a beautiful Queen Anne-style house with a round tower and beautiful scrollwork. The house is a museum with many interesting exhibits regarding San Francisco architecture and history. For many, it’s a must-see.

Sutro Heights

Incredible views of the Pacific can be found from many places in the Bay Area. Sutro Heights is just one such place, but you may want to go ahead and add it to your list of must-sees. Originally part of Adolf Sutro’s estate, the space now stands as a public park from which to view the ocean and surrounding scenery. You should also take a trip just north of the Cliff House to the Sutro Baths. These now lay in ruins, but they once reflected the grandeur of Greek and Roman baths. Slides, trapezes, and springboards awaited the city’s daredevils. The baths saw an incredible boom in the 1950s, but just couldn’t survive. You can now soak in the history instead of the water, but you’ll still love every second of it.

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