From the mid 1930’s until the mid 1960’s, Alcatraz was America’s premier maximum-security prison. Today, Alcatraz is one of San Francisco’s most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions.
Coit Tower
The 210-foot tower sits atop Telegraph Hill, built with funds left by Lillie Hitchcock Coit. Visitors are treated to a spectacular 360-degree view of the city from the top. The parking lot is only accessible by Telegraph Hill Blvd, or on foot by walking up the Greenwich steps or via the Filbert Steps at Montgomery St.
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most photographed sights in the world, and in the top 10 longest spans. The bridge’s main safety innovation was a net suspended under the floor which saved the lives of 19 men during construction. Those men are the “Half Way to Hell Club.”
Lombard Street
Best known for one block on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, in which the roadway has earned the distinction of being “the crookedest street in the United States.” The design was born out of necessity in order to reduce the hill’s natural 27-degree slope to a lesser 16-degree incline. Take a drive down Lombard Street!
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Construction began after the Golden Gate, but completed 6 months sooner. October 1963 saw the bridge reconfigured with 5 lanes on each deck: top deck westbound; bottom deck for eastbound traffic. The legal name is The James “Sunny Jim” Rolph Bridge.