The San Francisco Zoo benefits from its natural surroundings that allow it to create some impressive natural habitats for more than 5,000 animals and 250 species. Among the smartly designed enclosures and attractions, you will see such memorable creatures as penguins, lions, koalas, giraffes, bears, and elephants, among many others. The zoo also features one of the country's largest gorilla habitats as well as a highly entertaining kangaroo exhibits. In addition to the animals, the zoo also features a classic carousel, a petting zoo, a nature trail, and a wildlife theater.
The San Francisco 49ers are part of the National Football League (NFL) and have the distinction of being the city's longest-tenured professional sports franchise. The team first hit the gridiron in 1946. They moved into Candlestick Park as their home stadium in 1971 and won five Superbowl titles in the 1980s and 1990s. The team has also produced its share of star players that include Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Jerry Rice.
People who love books love Litquake, the yearly literary festival held every fall in San Francisco. Renowned authors are on hand for lectures and book signings, and interesting panels, workshops and parties are also part of what makes Litquake such an essential event for both readers and writers of all backgrounds. One of the highlights of this event is the three-hour Lit-Crawl through the Mission District that features stops at galleries, bookstores, bars and cafes.