Alcatraz Island

• The world knows Alcatraz as an infamous prison, which once held the likes of Al Capone and "Birdman of Alcatraz" Robert Stroud. But its history encompasses so much more: from its early days as a military fort to the one-of-a-kind occupation by the American Indian Movement in the early 1970s. The National Park service now conducts tours of the island, covering every aspect of its past and allowing visitors to wander its halls and grounds. Ferries leave to Alcatraz from Pier 33 on Fisherman's Wharf throughout the day, and audio tours are available featuring narration from some of the guards and prisoners who once lived there.
  
  

Palace of Fine Arts

• The Palace of Fine Arts was originally built as part of the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915, held to commemorate the completion of the Panama Canal and the city's recovery after the 1906 earthquake. It outlasted the Exposition, but eventually fell into disrepair, and was scheduled for demolition in the 1950s. A group of dedicated citizens rescued it and had it restored to its former beauty. Today it stands as a cultural beacon for San Francisco, hosting everything from classical symphonies to Presidential debates to performances from the likes of Robin Williams and Tori Amos. The nearby Exploratorium provides a unique science museum for young and old alike, and the entire area makes an excellent walking site on sunny days.
  
  

Chinatown

• San Francisco's Chinatown ranks as the oldest of its kind in the New World, and is certainly the most famous. It grew out of the gold rush of the mid-1800s, which attracted Asian immigrants from across the ocean to work. It retains its unique charms to this day, preserving Chinese culture while integrating with the cosmopolitan metropolis surrounding it. Its confines feature restaurants, parks, herbal shops and unique events such as the annual celebration of Chinese New Year. The Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue marks the official entrance to Chinatown, but it is easily accessible through numerous other streets and thoroughfares.