San Francisco - San Francisco guide, attractions and pictures


San Francisco Travel Guide


San Francisco: Funky neighborhoods, cable cars, eloquent Victorian architecture mixed in with breathtaking views of the Pacific ocean; doesn’t even begin to describe this California city on the bay. The picturesque Golden Gate bridge looms large as the gateway to this magnificent city, where sail boat tours will take you right under the bridge, your stomach churning, as the ship's sails barely make it through the underbelly of the bridge. Some of the steepest streets in the world make driving an endeavor only for the adventurous. Rolling fog, chilly temperatures, even during the summer months, require warm clothing tucked away with your lighter attire. Five-star restaurants, excellent museums and a lively nightlife round out any visit to this charming city.

The Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are landmarks not to be missed while in San Francisco. The Coit Tower offers panoramic views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Pier 39, home to delightful sea lions lounging on the docks, offers a busy, working marina, with views of the infamous Alcatraz Island. Golden Gate Park is so vast, it takes days just to see it all, with its many lakes, paddle boats, Japanese Tea Garden and Arboretum & Conservatory. Fisherman's Wharf, borders the Pier and is the ultimate in tourist attractions with seafood restaurants, shopping and sightseeing.

Once you have hit all the major San Francisco landmarks, its worthwhile to take some time to explore all the diverse and eclectic neighborhoods, such as Nob Hill, Haight-Ashbury, North Beach, Chinatown and Japentown, to just name a few. Enjoy a coffee drink in one of the coffee shops that seem to be on every corner, and do some people watching, which can be as entertaining in San Francisco as visiting any of the famous landmarks. For a quirky trip out of the ordinary, visit the Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum, that has two floors filled with the wacky and bizarre.

After all that sightseeing you will be ready for a retro Italian dining experience at Joey and Eddies, raw oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co. or the famous roast chicken at Zuni Cafe, which is popular with celebrities. Whatever you decide to do while in San Francisco, you will leave this city with a real appreciation for its beauty and first class city attractions.




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Alamo Square
Alamo Square: Painted Ladies and Stunning Views
Alcatraz
Alcatraz: ‘The Rock’
Berkeley
Berkeley: College Town, Upscale Shopping and Radicals
Cable Cars
San Francisco Cable Cars
Chinatown
Chinatown: Temples and Dim Sum
City Hall
San Francisco's City Hall: Beau-Arts Styling
Coit Tower
Coit Tower: Panoramic Views of the City Skyline
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39: Tourist Mecca
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge: Architectual Wonder
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park: A Garden Sanctuary
Haight-Ashbury
Haight-Ashbury: Hippie Chic
Lombard Street
Lombard Street: The Crookedest Street in the World
Nob Hill
Nob Hill: Upscale Hotels and a Tiki Bar
The Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts: Neoclassical Style at its Finest
Transamerica Pyramid
The Transamerica Pyramid Building: City Skyline Wonder
Union Square
Union Square: Retail Therapy at its Finest
Yerba Buena Gardens
Yerba Buena Gardens: Successful City Redevelopment Project
 

User Comments about San Francisco



Flo says:
San Francisco is a wonderful city. So much to see there. With its steep hills it is so picturesque. I enjoyed Golden Gate Park but we didn't have time to explore it all, it's so vast. For a new traveler - bear in mind to get warm clothes. The famous San Francisco fog lifts only for a couple of hours, from noon to around 4PM. It is cold and windy most of the time. If you rent a car be careful when navigating the steep streets.


Patti Royster says:
The best times to go to San Francisco are from April to October. There's less fog and more sun. There's also a spooky night tour of Alcatraz you should be sure to take to create a great memory!