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California Destinations - The Monterey Peninsula

One of the most popular destination cities in the World, the City by the Bay is popular for its multi-ethnic culture, its uniquely identifiable architecture, a wide range of cuisine and landmark features such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown.

Visitors to this remarkable and historic western city will find a vibrant modern Californian city, brimming with history and character.

 
WHAT'S TO SEE ?
 Highlights

Lover's Point and 17-mile Drive
Dramatic windswept seascapes, luxurious mansions and the striking settings of fairways and greens of Pebble Beach's world-famous links courses combine to make the drive around Lover's Point and 17-mile Drive one of the most scenic in the world.

 

Haight Ashbury: "The Haight" was at the epicenter of 1960's counterculture. Today's version is a museum of its former self, but still a Mecca for the nostalgic and the curious.

Lombard Street

Mission Dolores: One of California's 21 Spanish missions, and the namesake for the Mission District.

Presidio: The most famous of 4 original Spanish military installations on the California coast.

Golden Gate Park: San Francisco's answer to New York's Central Park features scenic paths, lakes, museums and gardens, including the well-regarded Japanese Tea Garden.

Alcatraz Island: Dramatic audio tours bring the notorious federal prison to life, just minutes from Fisherman's Wharf

The Mission District: Center of Latino culture in the City, "the Mission" offers excellent Mexican cuisine, a vibrant atmosphere and a world class collection of urban murals.

The Embarcadero: Stretching from Fisherman's Wharf to AT&T Park, the Embarcadero features bayside shopping, dining, ferry service and other attractions. The historic Ferry Building brims with activity three days a week during the Farmer's Market.

Museum of Modern Art: Modern art lovers will find SF MOMA to be a world-class offering.

Chinatown: Oldest Chinatown in the United States, and historic center of San Francisco, this is one of the most prominant centers of Chinese culuture outside of China. The dim sum cuisine is not to be missed!

Golden Gate Bridge: One of the most recognizable landmarks in the modern world, the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen from much of the city, and transversed by vehicle, by foot, or by cycling.

Union Square: The thriving commercial center and heart of San Francisco.

Nob Hill: Perched high above the rest of the city, Nob Hill features some of the city's most historic hotels, it's finest mansions and wonderful views.

Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39: Tourist center of the City, Fisherman's Wharf teams with activity, including scores of restaurants, shops, street performers, and tourist attractions.

 Other Cool Things to See
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WHAT'S TO DO?
 Highlights
 

Lover's Point and 17-mile Drive
Dramatic windswept seascapes, luxurious mansions and the striking settings of fairways and greens of Pebble Beach's world-famous links courses combine to make the drive around Lover's Point and 17-mile Drive one of the most scenic in the world.

 

Ride the Cable Cars: These historic vehicles are a great way to experience the city from end to end.

Bicycle Across the Golden Gate: Great exercise, and an excellent way to experience views of the city at a leisurely pace. Finishing with lunch in Sausalito and taking the ferry back rounds out a perfect experience.

Attend a Sporting Event: One of baseball's newer ballparks hosts the San Francisco Giants' games right in downtown. Also playing within a reasonable drive from downtown are the Oakland A's (baseball), Oakland Raiders (football), San Francisco 49ers (football) and Golden State Warriors (basketball). A bit further afoot, the San Jose Sharks play hockey in the South Bay.

Take a Helcopter Tour: Among other things, see what it feels like to fly UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge.

Go to the Farmers' Market: Excellent place to experience agricultural delights from one of the most bountiful growing regions in the world.

Go on a Whale Watching Trip to the Farallons: Naturalist-led trips to the offshore Farallon Islands feature whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions and other aquatic wildlife, including ocassionally, great white sharks, which are seasonal visitors to the area.

Dine Out : San Francisco has some of the most diverse and high quality cuisine in the West.

Shop: Whether searching for souvenirs in Fisherman's Wharf, fashion around Union Square or electronics just about anywhere, there's something for everyone in San Francisco.

Fish: Sturgeon, stripers and salmon headline the list of fish targeted in and around the San Francisco Bay.

  • Explore the city's unique and readily identifiable architecture
  • Enjoy clam chowder in a sourdough bowld on Fisherman's Wharf
  • See the inner workings of the historic cable car system at the cable car museum
  • Get a different feel for the ordinary at the Exploratorium and Tactile Dome (Palace of Fine Arts)
Have a quiet lunch in the Yerba Buena Gardens, with gorgeous horticulture and spectacular views of downtown.
 
 Other Cool Things to Do
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Nearby Destinations

Sausalito:

Muir Woods:

Berkeley

Stanford University

Napa and Sonoma Valleys (Wine Country)

Half Moon Bay

Silicon Valley

Monterery Peninsula

 
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