ABOUT THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO:Whatever image you have of San Francisco before you get here, you will find that it doesn’t match up to the reality. Golden Gate Bridge is just as spectacular as you though it would be, the hills are as steep as you imagined and, yes, there are still tie-dyed teenagers looking to find themselves around Haight-Ashbury. Its no surprise that San Francisco is always among the top tourist destinations in the world.
Despite being densely populated, the city’s location on the waterfront, parks and the way that the hills ensure that you can never see a few blocks make it seem more like a small town rather than the centre of a metropolis of more than 4 million people.
Among the highlights of a trip here is the obligatory visit to Alcatraz Island’s ‘inescapable’ prison, as well as a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, a trip that must be reserved for a sunny day. Golden Gate Park is home to the M.H de young Museum and one of the best botanical gardens in the world, as well as a great place for a picnic. Its also home to a herd of Bison.
Neighbourhoods that are worth seeking out include North Beach [also known as Little Italy] and Chinatown. The Castro, is home to a thriving café culture and plenty of small art galleries, as well as being one of the focal areas for the city’s gay population.
Fisherman’s Wharf is the place to go for the regional speciality, Dungeness Crabs, which you can eat while watching the sea lions lazing around in the sunshine.
The Museum of Modern Art is housed in an amazing building in South of Market, while the Palace of Fine Arts is in the Pacific Heights, overlooking the Golden Gate and has a popular science museum. The Palace of the Legion of Honour in Lincoln Park has mainly European paintings. Other museums explore the African Diaspora, San Francisco’s own history, craft and folk art, Mexican, Chinese and Jewish culture, among many other things.
A ride on the cable cars is a must – take a trip to Fisherman’s Wharf or Union Square up to Nob Hill, home to the rich. Its also worth the trip to see the Grace Cathedral.
San Francisco has some of the best in sightseeing, dining, culture, history and scenery, and truly does have something to offer everyone.
LOCATION OF SAN FRANCISCO:Roughly halfway down the west coast of the United States, in the state of California. 350 miles north of Los Angeles. City centre 20 miles north of San Francisco international airport.
SERVING AIRPORTS:San Francisco International [SFO]
Flight time from the UK: approximately 11 hours
BEACHES IN SAN FRANSISCO:Best is Baker Beach, just west of Golden Gate Bridge, accessible by bus; it has a picnic area and nudist section at the northern end. China Beach, just west of Baker Beach, is a calm cove with a small picnic area. Ocean Beach stretches 4 mls along the western shore. Fort Funston, at the southern end of Ocean Beach, is popular with hang-gliders and their spectators.
SHOPPING IN SAN FRANCISCO:Primary shopping districts for tourists are Union Square and the area near Fisherman's Wharf. The former, in the heart of Downtown, is noted for its smart boutiques and upmarket department stores along with a number of city shopping malls. Fisherman's Wharf, created primarily as a tourist magnet, is more middlemarket and stretches along the north shore of the city; it includes Pier 39, the Cannery and Ghirardelli Square. Interesting neighbourhood shopping areas include Union Street (not the same as Union Square), upper Fillmore Street (with its chic boutiques) and the Castro district.
EATING OUT IN SAN FRANCISCO:The entire gamut of culinary tastes from elegant to basic. Every imaginable ethnic cuisine, with various types of Asian, Latin American and European restaurants.
DON’T MISS IN SAN FRANCISCO:- The 49-mile drive
- Colt Tower
- Pier 39
- The drive across the bay to Oakland.
YOU SHOULD KNOW:Don’t call it Frisco: the locals don’t like it.
Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our destination guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
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