San Francisco's beautiful bay setting, interesting hilly terrain, charming cable cars and liberal, relaxed atmosphere explain its appeal as a premier holiday destination.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is synonymous with San Francisco. The bridge can be observed from locations all over the city, however the pick of these is Golden Gate Park. While at the Park, you can visit conservatories, a museum, an aquarium, as well as a quaint Japanese tea garden. Alternatively, take a cruise from Pier 69 and view the bridge from the water while taking in the beautiful San Francisco Bay scenery and other great bridges such as the Bay Bridge, longer, older and busier than its famous cousin. Other attractions around the Bay area include the infamous former prison of Alcatraz (reached by ferry from Pier 39), Lincoln Park Coastal Trail, Twin Peaks, Mt Sutro, and Vista Point where you can gaze at the entire bay from an elevated position. Mt Tamalpais has spectacular 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and Bay area.
Travelling within the city is convenient and fun, with most cable cars originating from Union Square, home to a variety of shops and hotels. A few blocks north, Chinatown offers authentic Chinese cuisine. SoMa (South of Market Street) has museums near Yerba Buena Gardens as well as a late night entertainment area along Folsom and 11th Streets. The intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets was the centre of the 1960s ' flower power' movement, while the city's famous gay scene can be experienced at Castro.
North Beach includes the Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill among its attractions. It is also known for its stretch of strip joints, bars, restaurants and cafes. Further north, Fisherman's Wharf is more of the same, though less seedy, with entertainment centred on Pier 39. Scenic residential and college towns surrounding the city include Marin County, Sausalito, Oakland and Berkeley.
Whale watchers can head for Point Reyes National Seashore, while, further afield, wine lovers can sample the famous vineyards of Napa Valley, Calistoga and Sonoma Valley.
San Francisco International Airport serves most flights from other countries, while Oakland International and San Jose International handle connections from other US cities. Shuttle services from any of the three airports into the city are frequent, convenient and reliable.
More information on California, San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
www.sfvisitor.org
|
