If you do not want to wait in line for a cable car, you may wish to consider taking a Muni bus. You may board lines 15-Third or 30-Stockton at the corner of Kearny and Market Streets. Lines 15 and 30 travel through Chinatown and North Beach, two of San Francisco's most colorful neighborhoods. Line 15 terminates at Bay and Kearny Streets near PIER 39; line 30 operates on North Point Street from Columbus Avenue west to Van Ness Avenue and serves The Anchorage, The Cannery and Ghirardelli Square.

Alcatraz Island (Northeast)

the notorious former federal prison in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, is accessible to the public through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Blue and Gold Fleet.

To reach Alcatraz Island, you travel by ferry from Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf. The ferry ride will take you approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The ferry is easily reached from the Union Square by bus lines 15-Third or 30-Stockton or by cable car Powell-Mason line.

Once you arrive at Alcatraz Island you must walk up a steep hill. There are no elevators. There is an accessible, interactive computer program of the island's history available for those unable to make the walk uphill.

415-705-5555 or visit the ticket booth at Pier 41, Fisherman's Wharf. The ticket booth is open Monday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Call 415-705-5555 for an update on extended summer hours.

Golden Gate Park. (Southwest)

John F. Kennedy Dr. west of Stanyan St.

415-263-0991 for walking tour info. Open 24 hours. Free guided tours:  Sat. at 11 and Sun. at 11 and 2.

Muni Buses 5-Fulton and 21-Hayes; N-Judah light-rail car.

Bordered by the Great Highway on the west, Lincoln Way on the south, Stanyan Street on the east, Fulton St. on the north.

The 1, 017 acre park contains a dozen artificial lakes; a world renowned collection of trees and other plants; miles of roads, bridle paths and foot trails.  The park extends three miles from Fell and Stanyan Streets to the ocean. 

In addition to the Asian Art museum,  there is a bison paddock, a restored Dutch style windmill,  an equestrian center, a trotting track, tennis courts, archery fields, golf course, a polo field stadium,  and an outdoor music concourse which offers concerts all year. 

The Visitor Center is located in a Beach Chalet on Great Highway and features murals with scenes of the city during the Great Depression, as well as mosaics and wood carvings. (Daily:  10-dusk). 

Palace Of Fine Arts (Northwest)

3601 Lyon Street (Adjacent to the Exploratorium)

415-567-6642

San Francisco's rococo Palace of Fine Arts is at the western end of the Marina. The palace is the sole survivor of the many tinted plaster, lath and chicken wire buildings built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the world's fair that celebrated San Francisco's recovery from the 1906 earthquake and fire. The Palace of Fine Arts was recast in concrete and reopened in 1967. The massive columns, great rotunda dedicated to the glory of Greek culture, and swan-filled lagoon have been used in countless fashion layouts and films.

Exploratorium (Northwest) 

Inside the Palace of Fine Arts is the city's science museum.

Baker and Beach Sts.

415-561-0364 for palace tours; 415-561-0360 for Exploratorium info.