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The cultural heart of San Francisco

Once a desolate parking lot, the area has been transformed into San Francisco’s cultural oasis, the Yerba Buena Gardens. Picnicking families sit in the grass, children play by the waterfall and art lovers visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) or the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA). Hectic city life seems very far away here.

Arts & Culture

The eye-catching SFMOMA

Modern art in the SFMOMA

Undoubtedly, the most eye-catching building is the SFMOMA. A large collection of modern art hides behind this brick façade with its black-and-white striped tower. Here you will find photographs by famous photographer Ansel Adams and paintings by Picasso and Matisse. The museum opened its doors in 1935 but was moved in 1995 to the location next to the Yerba Buena Gardens. Please note: due to renovation and expansion, the SFMOMA will be closed until 2016. However, several exhibits are on display elsewhere in the city and in the Bay Area — check out the locations at www.sfmoma.org .

The YBCA

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

The great strength of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is its enormous variety of exhibits and the continuous change of displays. The YBCA has no permanent collection and its displays focus on the most recent contemporary art. Video art, photography or an exhibit about the Bay Bridge: there is always a surprise in store. Next to the art centre is also a theatre that regularly hosts music and dance performances.

The Creativity Carousel

Creative kids

Popular with families, the Children’s Creativity Museum is an interactive art and technology museum geared especially towards children. The museum’s mission is to teach children the 3 C’s of contemporary skills: communication, collaboration and creativity. In a multimedia environment, young visitors are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination. Another very popular attraction is the ‘creativity carousel’, a merry-go-round dating back from 1906; even the youngest visitors may enjoy a ride on the beautiful wooden horses.

All

Culinary

Nature

Arts & Culture

Culinary

San Francisco is famous for its burritos. Surprised? The Mexican burrito is a popular lunch or dinner item around the world, but this classic dish has been given a unique twist in San Francisco, called the Mission-style burrito. Make it your mission to try at least one during your visit to the City by the Bay.

Nature

With 2 museums, a variety of gardens and endless miles of greenery, Golden Gate Park is perhaps best described as the playground of San Francisco. Originally home to massive sand dunes, construction began in 1871 to create a park that would be bigger than Central Park in New York. The green oasis now attracts 13 million visitors each year.

Arts & Culture

It was ‘the bridge that could not be built’ – and yet it was. After 4 years of construction, which was often hampered by icy winds, treacherous currents and thick fog, the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. With its 2 towering supports and eye-catching reddish-orange colour, this magnificent bridge quickly came to symbolise San Francisco.

Nature

A drive out of the city and across the Golden Gate Bridge takes you to a completely different landscape. Rugged cliffs, beautiful grassy meadows and a diversity of wildlife: welcome to Point Reyes National Seashore, a park filled with countless biking and hiking trails and a 130-kilometre-long coastline for enjoying fresh sea breezes. And all of this at only a stone’s throw from the city.

Arts & Culture

Jazz is not a music style that many people associate with San Francisco, but this bustling city on the west coast of the United States has a very lively jazz scene – one with an unusual history. Although the heyday of jazz may have come to an end, the city still has dozens of excellent jazz clubs.

Nature

Fishing boats, souvenir shops and seals – they make Fisherman’s Wharf one of San Francisco’s most popular attractions. Locals are quite adamant about avoiding this touristy area, but visitors just can’t get enough of it. It may not be the most authentic place in town, but it’s definitely fun and entertaining.

Culinary

In addition to fish, crab and Ghirardelli chocolate, San Francisco is also known for yet another culinary tradition: sourdough bread. A slightly sour taste, soft inside and crispy crust characterise this classic treat from the Bay Area. Although this bread can be bought throughout the city, there are a number of places that are worth going a little out of your way for.

Arts & Culture

A sinister place used for many years to incarcerate the most dangerous criminals of the United States – that’s the first association that comes to mind when someone mentions Alcatraz Island. Even though famous gangsters like Al Capone were indeed once imprisoned here, the island also has another surprising history. Alcatraz is more than just a prison.