Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is one of the iconic points of interest in San Francisco. Also called “The Rock,” this island was originally a military site and lighthouse base. It became a federal prison in 1963. It once housed some of the most infamous lawbreakers in the history of the US including the nigh legendary Al Capone. The popular Cellhouse Audio Tour will provide you the prison’s entire chilling history. Book in advance if you visit in the summer.

Hetch Hetchy

If you favor quiet, peaceful hikes hit Hetch Hetchy and take the Wapama Falls hike. It is actually the quietest of all the official Yosemite National Park trails and it includes its fair share of memorable scenery too. The well-known Hetch Hetchy Reservoir was originally erected to supply the residents of San Francisco with water after the 1906 earthquake wrecked their water source. The hike features verdant forests, rock crossings and at trail’s end, the 1080 foot high Wapama Falls.