Things to Do in Usa

Known for its hilly streets, cable cars, liberal outlook and the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is located in northern California on a peninsula between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  Founded by Spanish settlers in 1776, the city’s population exploded during the California Gold Rush of 1849. An earthquake destroyed about 90% of the city in 1906, but San Francisco rebuilt and today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

How to Get to San Francisco
Your cruise ship will dock at Pier 35 on the San Francisco Bay, not far from the Embarcadero, the city’s downtown. Thus, many of San Francisco’s major sights are within an easy walk from the port.

One Day in San Francisco
Start your visit by taking a ride on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars, which run up and down the steep streets between Fisherman’s Wharf and Market Street. Those with a strong interest in the history of the cable car may want to stop at the Cable Car Museum at the top of Nob Hill. Otherwise, while the morning fog is still lingering, head to the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood to check out some of San Francisco’s finest museums. In SoMa, take your pick of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, the Museum of African Diaspora or the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Once you’ve had your fill of museums, make your way to Chinatown, the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. Wander through the streets and alleys and stop in at shops selling herbs, porcelain and other trinkets before taking a break for an authentic Cantonese lunch.

Head back down to the waterfront and to Pier 41 and catch a ferry across the bay to Alcatraz Island. The island was home to a military prison in the late 1800s and a federal prison from 1933 to 1963, infamous for its inmates’ failed escape attempts and for housing criminals like Al Capone. Take an audio guided tour of the prison and then stroll around the island, enjoying views of the city, the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Returning from Alcatraz, head to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can sample some Dungeness crab, salmon or Pacific herring before returning to your ship.

Port Information
The official language is English, although you may encounter locals who speak Cantonese, Mandarin or Spanish as well. The currency is the U.S. Dollar and ATMs are widely available, but currency exchange facilities are harder to come by. You may need to head to a major bank in the city to exchange money.

The oldest continuously operating religious community in Texas, San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral was constructed between 1738 and 1749. In fact, the dome of the original church was the point from which all mileage in Texas was measured in the 1700s. The cathedral is well-maintained, and mass still goes on daily so make sure to be respectful when entering. One major attraction inside the sacred space is the Alamo Coffin, located near the church entrance, which is believed to hold the remains of the men who lost their lives at the Alamo. The cathedral played a part in the battle, as it was President-General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s headquarters during the siege of the Alamo, and from where he sent a terrifying message. Instead of flying the tri-color Mexican flag from the church’s belfry he flew a blood-red flag, letting the defenders of the Alamo know he would kill them even if they surrendered.  

Inside the church there are many beautiful points of interest, for example, the gold gilded alter, intricate stained glass windows and dramatic columns and archways. Outside, visitors can admire the mix of Gothic and American Colonial architecture.

As the church is not only beautiful and sacred but also historical, visiting the museum next to the gift shop can help enlighten you on its heritage. Additionally, the church offers both self-guided and group tours. You can either purchase a guidebook at the gift shop explaining the highlights and artwork of the cathedral or take a 45-minute guided tour with a knowledgeable docent.

San Diego, where the locals brag about their 70-degree-and-sunny weather nearly year-round, can fill almost any desire you have for a day in port. Historical or naval-related? Check out Old Town or the USS Midway Museum.  Culture, nature and animals? Head to Balboa Park and the famous San Diego Zoo. Beach and water activities? Make your way to Coronado Island or take a speedboat tour.

If you feel like simply exploring, go on a walking tour around districts like Little Italy or Seaport Village.

How to Get to San Diego

Cruise ships dock at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal downtown. Just walk north or south along the water to get to attractions like the Maritime Museum, or grab a taxi or a bike cab outside the port to go beyond downtown. You can also catch the trolley to Old Town or the Gaslamp Quarter, among many other city stops.

One Day in San Diego

It’s going to be a busy day, so hopefully you had a good breakfast on your ship. Start with a cab ride to Balboa Park to spend a couple of hours at the San Diego Zoo (don’t miss the panda bears) or one of the park’s several museums, including the Air and Space Museum, Museum of Art, Model Railroad Museum and Natural History Museum.

When you’re ready for lunch, take a quick cab ride to the Hillcrest neighborhood (or walk the 0.7 miles (1 km) from the northwest corner of the park) for a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants off the typical tourist trail. Then hail one more cab for the ride back to the port, where you’ll catch the ferry to Coronado Island.

Relax on Coronado’s wide beach, just up from the Navy base, and then head to the sprawling and historic Hotel del Coronado (or the Del, as it’s known locally) for a drink, following in the footsteps of Old Hollywood stars like Clark Gable and Mae West.

If you’ve got time after the ferry ride back to port, visit the USS Midway Museum.

Though it doesn’t often get the attention of its famous sibling, the Golden Gate, the San Francisco Bay Bridge is spectacular in its own right. Once the largest and most expensive bridge of its time, in 75 years the Bay Bridge has proved critics wrong – the dream of connecting San Francisco to Oakland would not be stopped by anything. Logistics, cost, and politics couldn’t stop the expansion, and now the Bay Bridge has made history yet again my becoming the world’s largest self -anchored suspension bridge. Safely transporting the 280,000 automobiles that transverse its roads every day, the Bay Bridge connects San Francisco to Oakland, with a little stop at Yerba Buena Island along the way.

San Diego Old Town is a pleasant place to soak up some history, browse for souvenirs, and perhaps enjoy a Mexican meal. Old Town is the site of the original pueblo (village) that sprang up in San Diego below the mission and fortress back in the 18th century. It preserves five of the original adobe (mud brick) buildings alongside scores of recreated structures, including a schoolhouse and a newspaper office.

The well-known San Diego Convention Center is a staple structure in the city. The impressively equipped location hosts many of San Diego’s famous events and happenings — most notably, the entertainment bonanza that is Comic-Con International. Enjoy the sunny, bayside views and free WiFi while attending one of the events held here before taking a quick walk to the numerous restaurants and shops nearby in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Check out what’s going on at the convention center during your next visit for some entertainment.