A surprising new twist to San Francisco's famous sites

Pedal on the world famous bridge, gallop around town in a fire truck, visit a mythical fortune cookie factory, create an animated movie with the kids and even spend a mysterious night in Alcatraz prison. Here's your chance to experience San Francisco's familiar sites in a slightly different way

Cyclists on the Golden Bridge (Photo: shutterstock)

Cycling, Golden Bridge, San Francisco (Photo: ShutterStock)

A lot of water has gone through this spectacular bay since Eric Einstein sang "sitting in San Francisco on the water." This city just doesn't rest - and invents itself all the time. And not just because it is one of the largest cities in California or because it is an important cultural and economic center. But simply because it has a different vibe. Different from everything you find in the cities of the United States.

She was born thanks to the enthusiastic 19th-century gold seekers who donned on her from every side, and quickly became a bustling metropolis, with character, daring and chic that were just her. Or, to put it simply, this is probably the coolest city in North America.

Every week, EL AL operates three flights to San Francisco, and thanks to the excellent weather that prevails most of the time, it is a destination that fits all year. This is also your chance to make a surprising new twist on the city's familiar sights.

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Pedal along the Golden Gate Bridge

This bridge starred in countless movies, books and songs, and one way to impress the full experience it provides is to simply pedal its length by bike (and if you insist, of course, you can also walk on foot).

Of course, you will be separated from the vehicle lanes - only you, the view and the gilded iron bridge, built in 1937 and about 1,970 meters long. Of course, it is recommended to stop from time to time, and simply admire the views of San Francisco Bay. It is worth noting that some bicycle rental companies operate in the area, so you are organized.

Spend a night at Alcatraz

During the day, countless tourists visit the notorious Alcatraz Island, which sits opposite the city's shores and contains some of the most famous criminals in American history. As a prison on an island, surrounded by ocean waters, it is considered almost hermetic, and escape from it was an almost impossible task.

The prison closed in the 1960s, and became a tourist site where fascinating tours are conducted, but if you want to experience it a little more mysteriously - go on an evening and night tour. It's called a "backstage tour," and includes a close encounter with prison cells and other unfamiliar corners, usually closed to the general public.

If you want to experience it a little more mysterious - go on an evening and night tour. Cell in Alcatraz Prison (Photo: shutterstock)

Cell at Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco (Photo: ShutterStock)

Discover urban art in Mission District

Nearly a thousand murals populate San Francisco, and these are indicative of its social, political and fashionable moods. The undisputed star of the murals is of course the trendy Mission District, which alongside the murals also contains graffiti for the most part. Just like wandering in an open-air gallery. If you want to go deeper, don't settle for an independent tour, but join a guided tour of the area (and there are many). It is also a place to grab a good coffee or a fine meal in one of the many trendy eateries scattered here.

Join a guided tour of the area. Mural in Mission District (Photo: ShutterStock)

Mural, Mission Quarter, San Francisco (Photo: ShutterStock)

Taste the City: From Chinatown to Little Italy

So what flavor does San Francisco have? This is exactly the question of trying to answer the cool food tours offered. True, you can discover them alone, but these tasting tours will reveal to you places you would never discover on your own.

The most recommended tours take place between Chinatown (a destination recommended for half a day's trip) to Little Italy, where you will be exposed for several hours to a surprising range of culinary experiences - Mythological Sam uniform and Vietnamese Boba Tea to Neapolitan pizzas and divine canola. Some tours pass through the Fortune Cookie Factory's Fortune Cookie Factory, which has been operating since 1962 and produces 10,000 cookies a day.

To hang on the cable cars

You definitely don't want to settle for seeing him or taking pictures. You want to get on it - and go on a fun (and a little scary) journey through the city's beautifully steep streets. We are, of course, talking about driving the strangest public transport you have met: the cable car. These are wagons attached to a cable that is under a railroad track. You can sit inside, and you can also hang outside (carefully). And it's worth noting that this transportation system has been in operation since 1873, and is the latest of its kind still operating in the world.

Drive the most bizarre public transport you have met. Cable Car (Photo: ShutterStock)

Railroad in San Francisco (Photo: ShutterStock)

Most convoluted in town: Climb the steps of Lombard Street

One of the city's icons is a section of Lombard Street, where cars move slowly, between sharp twists and flower beds. This is probably the winding street in the world, and unlike the drivers who struggle with twists, you are advised to simply walk down the stairs that move along it, and get new perspectives on the place so familiar.

Lombard Street (Photo: shutterstock)

Lombardo Street San Francisco (Photo: ShutterStock)

Picnic in front of the scenery and Japanese tea at Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Park is a place to devote for long hours and discover its many norths. It is San Francisco's Central Park, and among other things, you will find a charming Art Museum (De Young Museum), an amazing flower greenhouse, lawns where you can enjoy a leisurely picnic, botanical gardens and places to hear live music on Sundays, during the summer season.

But don't come out here before visiting the Japanese Tea Garden, which was founded over a century ago, featuring pagodas, statues, water pools, bridges and small waterfalls. And yes, there is an active tea house here that you must not miss.

Tour the firefighter's car

Well, it's already delusional and entertaining at super levels: a tour of an old fire truck that lasts 90 minutes and will introduce you to San Francisco's major tourist sites. Each such vintage fire extinguisher is capable of accommodating 14 passengers, and during the tour you will wear real firefighter clothing and hear particularly cool stories.

Fisherman's Wharf (Photo: shutterstock)

San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf (Photo: ShutterStock)

Fly the imagination with the kids

San Francisco is obviously suitable for the whole family, and if you are with children, you may want to visit the Children's Creativity Museum. Here, there is no limit to imagination, and you can create animation, crack interactive puzzles, create surprising materials, activate robots, compose music and more.

Meet sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf

Another place you should never forgo a visit to is Fisherman's Wharf, located in the city's marina. Beyond the abundance of entertainment, shopping and dining sites, a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge is visible from here. But there is no doubt that one of the cutest places of attraction comes in the form of the floating surfaces on which local sea lions are sunbathing. Because selfie with a sea lion you've already done?