As many students start their first academic year at Cal State East Bay after leaving their hometowns and friends, the Bay Area might seem like a plentiful and at times threatening place for young college students in terms of activities.

Luckily, San Francisco is an exciting place filled with beautiful natural settings and modern, up-tempo activities. Here is a list of some of the most iconic and amusing places to visit.

San Francisco Academy of Sciences

The impressive building for the Academy of Sciences boasts 412,000 square feet of scientific exploration. Home to a four-story indoor rainforest, a planetarium and a two and a half acre living roof, it is one of the must-see attractions in San Francisco. As one of the most eco-friendly and green centers in the United States, it is an exciting place to see technology at its best.

The Academy offers a student discount at $24.95 for general admission. For more information log on to www.calacademy.org.

The Presidio at Golden Gate

This beautiful park is also a must see. The national park is home to the seacoast defense museum at Baker Beach and Fort Point. During its long history, the Presidio was involved in most of America’s military engagements in the Pacific.  The park, featuring beautiful views of the San Francisco hills, wooded areas and scenic vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay and the Pacific Ocean, is a great place for a nice picnic or scenic bike ride.

Giants Game at AT&T Park

Whether you’re a San Francisco Giants fan or not, it’s hard to dispute the fact that AT&T Park is arguably one of the most beautiful ballparks in America. Situated right next to the water in the SoMa district with garlic fries, Sheyboygans, carmel apple fries, carved sandwiches and crab cocktails, the stadium is sure to attract visitors.  Tickets in the bleachers run relatively affordable and the Giants often host college nights where students are given a discount. Check www.sfgiants.com for more information.

House of Nanking Restaurant

This quirky restaurant is situated on the edge of Chinatown and provides a twist on authentic Chinese food. The sesame chicken and mushroom shrimp are favorites, as is the full bloom green tea. If you happen to go on a weekend, be prepared to wait in a quickly-moving though long line that usually extends out the door, but in the end the great food is worth the wait.

Alcatraz

The chilly confides of Alcatraz are synonymous with the city by the bay. The island is not only a historical landmark but a quintessential San Franciscan symbol. Daily tours starting at just $6.95 will give you a peek into the infamous island jail, once home to gangsters of George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Al Capone stature. Check out alcatraztrips.com for more information.

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39

There is quite a lot to do at Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the most iconic parts of San Francisco. It roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco, from the chocolaty decadence of Ghirardelli Square to the F Market streetcar that runs through the area. For the true San Francisco experience, the Powell-Hyde-Mason cable car lines run to Aquatic Park at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf. Whether you’re looking for top-notch Italian dining or world famous clam chowder and sourdough, you can find it at the wharf.

Tacolicious

This trendy taco joint in the Marina features regulars like guacamole and churros but their namesake tacos are the best feature on the menu.  You can get four tacos for $10, and choose between fried local rock cod, traditional carnitas, and shot-and-a-beer braised chicken, among more.  Check out tacolicioussf.com for more information.

Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park

This beach near Golden Gate Park offers a picturesque view of the Pacific Beach. It’s also home to the once nationally famous Playland at the Beach Cliff House, where many people gather for evening bonfires during the extremely chilly weather. Located nearby, Golden Gate Park is 1,017 acres of parkland, lakes, courts for different sports, the Japanese Tea Gardens, de Young Museum, AIDS Memorial Grove, and many more attractions.

Haight-Ashbury District

This district is noted for its role in the 1960s hippie movement, a post-runner and closely associated offshoot of the Beat generation or beat movement. The ‘60s era and modern American counterculture have been synonymous with San Francisco and the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood ever since, as reflections of the Summer of Love still reside in the colorful area, with eccentric cafes, art centers, unique shopping stores and delicious food.