San Francisco
An iconic little city with steep hilly streets and breathtaking panoramas, San Francisco is a really delightful place to visit.
San Francisco in a nutshell
An iconic little city with steep hilly streets and breathtaking panoramas, San Francisco is a delightful place to visit. Known for its laidback vibe, thanks to its hippie community in the ‘60s, San Francisco may be small but what it likes in size it makes up for in personality.
Silicon Valley has also made the city famous, with its tech savvy companies reigning supreme from this stunning setting and its landmarks are recognizable even if we haven’t been there before (who hasn’t heard of Alcatraz and the glorious Golden Gate Bridge?).
San Francisco is sunny, dazzling and full of character and its seafront setting adds to its burgeoning charm. There’s still a definite bohemian atmosphere here and plenty of history to enjoy, remnants from the Gold Rush and Spanish colonial rule.
There’s also lots of culture, not to mention superb cuisine – and the city’s music scene is legendary. Birthplace of the likes of Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead, San Francisco dances to a strong beat.
Of course, the beaches are superb, the entertainment offerings diverse and exciting and the neighborhoods, each offering its own special charm, culture and personality, are another major draw. The heart of the city is Union Square, where many shops are located.
Then there’s the Marina District, a posh residential area, North Beach, with a strong Italian influence and the scenic waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf, home to lots of shops, restaurants and entertainment. The Haight is where you’ll find homes of the city’s famous musicians, and in Alamo Square there are stunning Victorian homes.
Let’s not forget SoMa (‘South of Market’), where nightlife, museums and eateries reign abound. The Castro District is home to the largest Gay Pride Parade in the area, and Yerba Buena Gardens is the cultural district, and offers plenty of entertainment options.
Best time to visit: Come in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds have dispersed.
Best Area for Sightseeing: You’ll find plenty to keep you busy when you travel here. See Things to do in San Francisco below for some ideas.
Shopping in San Francisco: You’ll find lots of shopping delights in the city, including outlet malls and fabulous trendy boutiques. Union Square is the main shopping area, and features plenty of retail offerings and Pier 39, on Fisherman’s Wharf, is another delightful place to shop. Sophisticated Sacramento Street is filled with great décor and antique stores, restaurants and boutiques and the atmospheric Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market is a stunning diversion. Don’t forget Chinatown, with its quirky offerings and Ghirardelli Square for some of the best chocolate in the country.
Food & Restaurants in San Francisco: When you have more than 4,400 eateries to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Nightlife: The city’s night-time attractions include vibrant sports bars, beach bars, elegant clubs and gay-friendly spots. Take your pick.
Beaches: Of course, these Bay Area beaches are sublime. First up is Baker Beach, a popular spot to lay your towel in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Then there’s spectacular China Beach, with its iconic view of the Golden Gate Bridge and nearby Lands End, with its legendary labyrinth. Fort Funston Beach is a hidden gem and just below it is Mile Rock Beach, a rocky spot. Kirby Cove Beach offers spectacular views of the city in the distance and Rodeo Beach is quite unique with its colored pebbles. Further afield is the tiny town called Muir Beach, and then there’s Bolinas Beach at the mouth of the Bolinas Lagoon, a popular surfing spot. Other beaches to visit include remote McClures Beach, Montara State Beach along the San Mateo County Coast and Dunes Beach, situated in Half Moon Bay State Beach.
Things to do in San Francisco:
- Stroll or cycle along the paths in stunning Golden Gate Park, home to the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences and a Japanese Tea Garden.
- Visit Lands End Lookout, home to ancient ruins of Turkish baths.
- Walk or cycle across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
- Take the kids to the city’s science museum, the Exploratorium.
- Travel on the San Francisco Cable Cars, cable-powered street cars that take passengers up the hilly streets.
- Enjoy shopping, lots of entertainment and dining in Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Visit the most crooked street in the world, Lombard Street.
- Explore Alcatraz, once the place where notorious criminals were incarcerated, including Al Capone.
- Discover the Legion of Honor, one of the city’s finest art museums.
Best way to get around: Enjoy the MUNI-Metro transport system that includes buses, historic streetcars and cable cars.
Best Area for Families: Union Square A stunning neighborhood, Union Square is full of art galleries, theaters and shops, and offers plenty of transport options.