|
California Destinations - San Francisco
|
Instantly recognizable for its steep hills, its unique
mix of Victorian and modern architecture, and its iconic
landmarks, San Francisco is one of the great cities
of the United States.
Culture lovers will appreciate San Francisco's mosaic
of ethnic neighborhoods, while shopping afficianados
will find myriad venues to browse. Visitors interested
in culinary pursuits will enjoy a wide spectrum of offerings
from world class seafood and ethnic offerings to signature
gourmet restaurants like Gary Danko.
|
|
WHAT'S TO SEE ? |
|
Signature
Sights |
|
|
|
The 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. |
|
Lombard Street: Few of our
clients remember the street's name, but all of them
get that "ah ha" moment when they see
the "world's crookedest street" in person
for the first time. |
|
Coit Tower: Perched atop Telegraph
Hill, the 210 foot high tower affords some of the
better views of the city and bay. |
|
City Hall: Destroyed by the
1906 earthquake shortly after its completion, the
existing structure is one of largest buildings in
the world to use base-isolation technology to protect
against a repeat occurrence. |
|
The Cable Cars: Run by an extensive
underground cable system, San Francisco's iconic
transportation system was implemented when horses
proved unable to conquer San Francisco's steep hills. |
|
Painted Ladies: Few cities
are as readily identified by their architecture
as San Francisco. |
|
|
|
Highlight
Attractions |
|
|
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39: Tourist center
of the City, Fisherman's Wharf and adjacent Pier 39 team
with activity, including scores of restaurants, shops,
street performers, and tourist attractions.
Alcatraz Island: Just minutes by ferry from
from the Embarcadero, dramatic audio tours bring the
notorious federal prison to life.
Union Square and Market Street: The thriving
commercial center and heart of San Francisco, the area
in and around Union Square and Market Street is tremendous
for shopping, dining and soaking in the vibrant city
atmosphere.
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, Strybing Arboretum and Conservatory
of Flowers.
Chinatown: Oldest and largest 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!
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.
|
|
|
More Points of Interest |
|
|
The Palace of Fine Arts: This iconic building
houses the Exploratorium and Tactile Dome, which are
excellent attractions for families.
SFMOMA: Celebrating its 75th anniversiary in
2010, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art the first
museum on the West Coast devoted to modern and contemporary
art
Yerba Buena Gardens: Gorgeous horticulture with
spectacular downtown views.
California Academy of Sciences: Recently remodeled,
and featuring and excellent aquarium, the Academy is
one of the largest natural history museums in the United
States.
Other Museums and Gardens
- The Beat Museum
- Cable Car Museum
- Cartoon Art Museum
- de Young Museum
- Maritime Museum
- Wells Fargo History Museum
- Museum of Asian Art
Mission Dolores: One of California's 21 historic
Spanish missions, and the namesake for San Francisco's
Mission District.
The Presidio: The most famous of 4 original
Spanish military installations on the California coast.
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.
North Beach: San Francisco's "Little Italy"
is home to a vibrant nightlife, boutique shopping, excellent
restaurants and a unique atmosphere that makes it popular
with locals and visitors alike.
The Mission District: Center of Latino culture
in the City, "the Mission" offers a world
class collection of urban murals, and a hip locals-oriented
nightlife scene.
Haight Ashbury: "The Haight" was at
the epicenter of 60's hippy culture, and ground zero
for the "Summer of Love."
|
|
|
Just Beyond the City |
|
|
Sausalito: Just across the Golden Gate, Sausalito
offers quiet seaside shopping and dining, with views
back towards the City.
Muir Woods: Old-growth redwoods, preserved less
than an hour's drive from the Golden Gate.
Berkeley and Stanford: Two of the West Coast's
most notable and prestigious university are short drives
from San Francisco. Both campuses and their surrounding
neighborhoods are worth a visit, particularly for families
with college-bound children.
The Wine Country: Both the Napa and Sonoma Valleys
are less than an hour's drive from San Francisco.
|
|
WHAT'S TO DO? |
|
Signature
Activities |
|
|
Shop: With myriad venues like the San Francisco
Centre, Union Square and Chestnut Street, San Francisco
is a California mecca for shopping connoisseurs.
Dine out: From San Francisco's many neighborhoods
come some of the best ethnic cuisine on the West Coast.
Mexican, Japanese, Chinese and Italian offerings head
the list. Seafood is, of course, another of the city's
highlights, and sourdough bread is a signature staple.
Throw in fine gourmet offerings like Gary Danko, and
it adds up to one of the best arrays of culinary delights
west of the Mississippi River.
Ride the cable cars: For most visitors, this
is a must, even if it's simply a short trip from the
Financial District to the top of Nob Hill.
Bike or walk across the Golden Gate: Great exercise,
and an excellent way to experience views of the city
at a leisurely pace. Include lunch in Sausalito and
take the ferry back for a complete experience.
Visit the Ferry Building Farmers' Market: The
Ferry Building is always a beautiful spot to enjoy a
handful of eateries and some exotic culinary shops,
but on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the bayside
farmer's market turns this into a hub of activity.
Attend a sporting event: Bay Area citizens are
passionate about their sports; particularly baseball
and football. Downtown, AT&T Park is one of Major
League Baseball's better parks. Just outside the city,
Candlestick Park hosts the 49ers, and both Cal and Stanford
feature top tier college football action.
|
|
|
Other Popular
Activities |
|
|
Take a helcopter tour: Among other things, see
what it feels like to fly UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge.
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.
Go fishing: Sturgeon, stripers and salmon headline
the list of fish targeted in and around the San Francisco
Bay.
Explore the city's architecture: Victorian,
Georgian and modern architecture mix and mingle to form
San Francisco's unique landscape.
Grab some seafood: Enjoy clam chowder in a sourdough
bowl at Boudin's, or have a seafood cocktail from any
number of vendors in and around Fisherman's Wharf.
|
|
|
|
|