Those who are looking to explore San Francisco attractions beyond the conventional recommendations should try to visit the West Portal and the Outer Sunset area. These places are often emitted from the list of San Francisco attractions that are displayed in the conventional travel guides, but offer a unique experience to visitors.

The first thing that grabs your attention in Outer Sunset is the unusual way in which the modern offices have merged with the antique-styled home-furnishings shops and boutiques to create a somewhat odd blend of businesses. Some buildings have a style that is a throwback to the ’50s, complete with fireplaces and Formica countertops.

This place is slightly separated from the more famous San Francisco precincts and it has a very palpable middle-class feel to it. However, many San Francisco attractions are found in Outer Sunset that are worth a visit and some of the more famous ones include:

Lake Merced — this is unlike the usual, crowded San Francisco attractions, surrounded by expansive parks and dense foliage. The Merced is a huge urban lake that is bounded by a beautiful parkland. It offers a lot of space for morning joggers and visitors who want to indulge in boating, fishing or golf. The Harding Park is a local favorite and visitors can head over to the skeet shooting zone at the Pacific Rod or visit the nearby Gun Club.

Mount Davidson Park, near Molimo Drive — not many folks realize that among the many San Francisco attractions, the Davidson occupies a special place, as its summit is the highest among San Francisco’s mountain range. Once here, visitors should check out the Council of Armenian American Organization (Northern California) and the surrounding park that has become inherent to this institution. Many day hikes are arranged here, starting from Mt. Davidson and ending somewhere near the Juanita.

San Francisco Zoo, Sloat Boulevard, near Great Highway — visitors who complain about San Francisco attractions being too urban should head to this zoo that is home to many koalas, kangaroos, lions, meerkats and penguins. It has the amazing Family Farm that offers children a rare chance to closely witness the animals in their natural, wildlife-like habitat.

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