Passing through San Francisco and wondering which monuments to see absolutely during your stay? From the legendary Golden Gate to the infamous Alcatraz prison, through City Hall and the city's oldest religious buildings... We take you on a discovery of San Francisco's iconic monuments.

1. The Golden Gate

A true emblem of San Francisco, the famous orange metal bridge is one of the most celebrated bridges in the world. Stretching 2.7 km and soaring 227 m high, the Golden Gate is an architectural marvel. It was the world's longest suspension bridge until 1964! Designed by engineer Joseph Straus in the early 20th century and inaugurated in 1937, the Golden Gate was created to facilitate traffic and cross San Francisco Bay without needing to take the ferry.

Crossing the Golden Gate on foot, by car, or by bike is an absolute must during a San Francisco stay. The bridge stretches 2.7 km. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to walk across the Golden Gate. Among the best viewpoints to see the Golden Gate, there's the H. Dana Bowers Overlook (also called Vista Point) or Baker Beach to admire the bridge from the beach.

2. Alcatraz Prison

It's THE most famous prison in the country, if not the entire world. The island of Alcatraz was first used as a fort during the Civil War before being transformed into a state penitentiary in 1934. It housed the most dangerous prisoners, some of whom became famous: Al Capone ("Scarface"), George ("Machine Gun") Kelly, and Robert Stroud ("The Birdman of Alcatraz").

In total, the prison witnessed 14 escape attempts, the most significant being that of inmates Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, who managed to escape across the bay in 1962. It's believed they died at sea, but their bodies were never recovered. One thing is certain: Alcatraz Prison is a must-see during any San Francisco visit. Located 2.4 km from the coast, you can reach the island by boat in just 15 minutes.

3. Mission Dolores (Mission of Saint Francis of Assisi)

The Mission of Saint Francis of Assisi (better known today as Mission Dolores) is a Catholic church. Located in the Hispanic Mission District, it is the oldest monument in the city. Indeed, it was founded in 1776 by Spanish missionaries under the supervision of Father Junípero Serra, with the goal of evangelizing the Ohlone Indians.

During your visit, you can also discover a cemetery housing numerous graves dating from the Gold Rush era as well as the grand basilica in Churrigueresque Baroque style, built in 1913 after the collapse caused by the 1906 earthquake.

4. San Francisco City Hall

San Francisco City Hall is among San Francisco's must-see monuments since it is the city's town hall! Destroyed by the 1906 earthquake, the current town hall was completed in 1915. The building impresses with its sheer size: it features a chapel 90 m high, one of the tallest in the world. The interior of City Hall resembles a palace with its sublime decorations and gilding. Many compare the architecture of San Francisco City Hall to that of Les Invalides in Paris.

As a fun fact, San Francisco's City Hall has been used as a filming location for many movies, including "Diabolique," "The Perfect Wedding," and "Rock." It's also a highly prized location for newlyweds who come to have their photos taken there.

5. Grace Cathedral

Built in 1928, Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal cathedral located in San Francisco's Nob Hill neighborhood. Designed in a Neo-Gothic style inspired by French architecture by Lewis P. Hobart, it was completed in 1964. A major pilgrimage site, it is one of San Francisco's most important religious monuments.

Grace Cathedral is particularly renowned for its mosaics (De Rosen mosaics), its sublime stained glass windows, its 3 organs, and its 44 carillon bells. It also houses a replica of Lorenzo Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise as well as one of the seven altarpieces by Keith Haring dedicated to people who died of AIDS.

6. Ferry Building

Located along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street, the Ferry Building is an iconic San Francisco monument. It is also among the city's oldest buildings. Inaugurated in 1898 along the Fisherman's Wharf piers, the Ferry Building is the work of architect A. Page Brown. The architecture of its tower was inspired by the bell tower of Seville's Giralda. At the time, it was considered the second transit terminal in the world, just after London's Charing Cross.

Today, the Ferry Building is a multimodal building: it houses both a terminal and a shopping center. You'll find fresh produce markets as well as numerous bars and restaurants. It's a mandatory stop during any San Francisco visit.

7. Coit Tower

Perched atop Telegraph Hill, at the heart of Pioneer Park, Coit Tower is an Art Deco style tower. Erected in 1933 and designed by architects Henry Howard and Arthur Brown Jr., it was built to pay tribute to San Francisco's firefighters at the behest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit.

Standing 64 m high, Coit Tower overlooks the entire city. Inside, you can admire the murals painted by 26 artists (including Spanish painter José Moya del Pino). Most of the murals feature political and social subjects related to the Great Depression. For $10, you can also take an elevator to reach the tower's top floor and enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the city...

8. The Transamerica Pyramid

Located in the business district, the Transamerica Pyramid is the second tallest building in the city, after the Salesforce Tower. Built in 1969 and completed in 1972, its futuristic shape was not universally loved and the project sparked many reactions. Today, however, this tower is considered a major symbol of San Francisco alongside the Golden Gate Bridge.

Standing 260 m high (324 m including the antenna), the tower consists of 48 floors topped by a large spire. The building houses offices where 1,500 people work. While it's not possible to tour the interior of the tower, you can still see the view from cameras located at the top of the skyscraper.