While its southern Californian rival may be larger and more famous, San Francisco will always beat Los Angeles as the more worthy holiday destination. The ‘City by the Bay’ combines European charm with American grandeur to create a truly delightful urban paradise. Ranked as one of the best cities for overall ‘quality of life’, San Francisco may tempt you to extend your holiday and stay there forever.
San Francisco is innately stylish, modern and laid-back. The best way to experience it is to live like a local during your stay. Uniquely, the city’s best ‘tourist’ attractions are also enjoyed by those who call it home, making it easy to get an authentic San Francisco experience during only a brief visit. So, just in case you aren’t already convinced, here are the top 10 reasons to travel to this west coast gem:
1. Fisherman’s Wharf – Packed to the brim with quirky shops, restaurants and street performers, this famous wharf is a giant whirlwind of San Franciscan culture, history and cuisine. Make it the first stop on your itinerary.
2. San Francisco Bay – There’s a lot to do in San Francisco, but the city’s incredible scenery is itself a tourist destination. Take in the sparkling beauty of the Bay with a Red & White Fleet San Francisco Bay cruise and appreciate the city skyline from this unique perspective.
3. Golden Gate Bridge – This iconic bridge, often cloaked in the city’s famous fog, gracefully extends across the opening of San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. Walking or cycling across the bridge (there are plenty of bike hire shops around the city) is one of the most memorable San Francisco experiences you’ll have.
4. Alcatraz – Serving as a federal prison from 1933 to 1963, Alcatraz was designed for a new kind of criminal – the mobsters from organized crime rings across the country, most notably Al Capone. The Alcatraz tour is equal parts spooky and fascinating.
5. Farmer’s Market – Known across the globe for its stellar local cuisine, San Francisco is a foodie’s paradise. Its famous Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market, located between Pier 13 and 14, just down from Fisherman’s Wharf, is filled with the incredible food stalls from local vendors. The best part? Plenty of free samples!
6. Cable Cars – A trip to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a ride on one of its famous cable cars. You can learn more about the world’s last manually-operated cable car system at the city’s Cable Car Museum on Mason Street.
7. The Castro – This historic San Francisco neighbourhood is known for being home to one of the country’s first ever openly gay communities and it played an important role in the city’s gay rights movement. Fans of the Oscar-nominated film ‘Milk’ will enjoy walking through the Castro District, where the movie’s title character worked and lived.
8. Haight-Ashbury – Another famous San Francisco neighbourhood, Haight-Ashbury was the hippest hippie hangout during the 1960s. Known for its bohemian subculture, the neighbourhood has contributed greatly to the city’s overall identity.
9. Chinatown – While many cities across the globe have a ‘Chinatown’, San Francisco boasts the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. You might be surprised to know that San Francisco’s Chinatown attracts more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge. Be sure to check out the Fortune Cookie Factory and the renowned House of Nanking restaurant.
10. Lombard Street – One particularly steep block of this famous street features eight hairpin turns – a harrowing experience for any driver. It may seem a bit gimmicky – but locals really do use Lombard Street to navigate their way through the city. An iconic San Francisco landmark, Lombard Street makes a great photo op.
Images by frontendeveloper and Justin in SD used under creative commons licence
