San Francisco conjures up a lot of images - Rice-a-roni, Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars. It also brings to mind gay rights and the Silicon Valley.
Whatever your thoughts are, San Francisco retains a special place in the heart of most Californians because it so much epitomizes the state - its spectacular beauty, its breathtaking coastal and bay views, and its historic architecture. To be sure, it ' an expensive place to live - sometimes the costliest place to live in California - but an incredibly diverse and entertaining place to visit.
Some Francisco history. Some are located in the waterfront, while others are perched on one of the many hills that have made this city famous.
Whether you & # 39; re a California resident, or visiting from out of state, San Francisco should rank high on your list of California destinations. While it & # 39; sa good 400 miles north of the Los Angeles basin - in other parts of the country you would travel through three or four states to drive that far - it & # 39; s so much a part of the california experience that it can not be overlooked.
According to Laurie Armstrong, vice president of public relations for the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, Important Tidbit Number One: You do not need a car. The city is You can find a Bart (mass transit) station at the airport, or across across the East Bay and let these transportation in the public transportation in San Francisco is easy, fast and cheap. If you have a streetcar or take a streetcar or take a streetcar or take a short taxi ride to any part of the city you want to visit. If you do take your car, be sure to budget for parking spaces that cost more than some cheap motel rooms.
To save even more money, Ms. Armstrong suggests buying a San Francisco CityPass, which will give you seven days of riding all San Francisco Municipal Railway vehicles: cable cars, streetcars and buses. The pass, which is priced at $ 43 for an adult , also includes admissions to some of the city & # 39; s best museums.
Another important thing to remember when visiting San Francisco is that the weather is quite a lot cooler than Los Angeles or the Central part of the state.
"We can always tell who the visitors are," said Ms. Armstrong, "because they 're wearing the woolen shorts.
A few of the highlights in San Francisco that you & # 39; ll not want to miss are Fisherman & # 39; s Wharf with its bustling waterfront, museums and many restaurants. A trip to Alcatraz is a must - you ' Pier 39 is the second most visited attraction in California and is just east of Fisherman & # 39; s Wharf. The Aquarium of the Bay is located here as well as various rides and attractions.
With Golden Gate Bridge obviously must be part of your visit and you & # 39; ll want to visit the Marin County side to see spectacular views across the bay to San Francisco. With about 1,000 acres, the Golden Gate Park is an attraction to to with trails, grassy meadows, lakes and gardens.
Go to the area just west of Van Ness Avenue and you 'll find more than 14,000 great examples of Victorian architecture. Coit Tower is atop Telegraph Hill and you & # 39; ll find a history museum inside.. Chinatown is a colorful part of the city, rich in ethnic culture and well worth a visit. And do not forget to stop by Lombard Street, "the crookedest street in the world."
According to the folks at the San Francisco CVB, here are some other interesting stops to make while in San Francisco:
Boudin Sourdough and Bakery Tour - Just opened in Spring 2005, the two-story Boudin flag building is where 5,000 square feet of bakery action. Located in Fisherman 's Wharf, you can take a history tour showing the legend of San Francisco sourdough and enjoy some fresh - from the oven samples while you 're at it.
The facility will showcase the, the well-known attraction has been around more than 100 years, on October 15, will re-open in a state-of-the-art facility that integrates art, architecture and natural landscape. museum & # 39; s priceless collection of art from the 17 th through the 20 th centuries.
Metreon in Yerba Buena - Metreon in the first-of-the-kind entertainment center located at the Fourth and Mission streets in the heart of downtown San Francisco. This 350,000 square-foot complex features an eclectic mix of the Bay Area restaurants, shopping venues, theaters, and entertainment destinations, including the West Coast 's largest IMAX theater.
Go for a hike, a walking tour, a picnic, to view a exhibition or take The park is open daily, year-round.
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose - A bizarre, four - story mansion containing 160 rooms. Mrs. Sarah Winchester kept carpenters and craftsmen busy 24 hours a day for 38 years building this Victorian structure, but its strange construction and purpose remains a mystery. Hours Daily from 9 am daily; closed Christmas Day. Admission $ 19.95; $ 17.95 seniors 65 and over; $ 13.95 ages 6 - 12; under age 5 free.
Families experience Naval History and space exploration firsthand with authentic aircraft on display, Apollo exhibit, and flight simulator available. Hours 10 am - 5 pm, admissions close 4pm. Limited access Tuesday. Admission $ 12 adults; $ 10 military, students and seniors; $ 5 children ages 5-18, free under 5.
Closed Mondays except holidays. Admission $ 13 adults; $ 10 students, seniors , disabled and youth (13-17); $ 8 children (4-12) and under age 4 free.
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, you & # 0 # # Finally, your trip to San Francisco would not be perfect without visiting many of the locations in the general jurisdiction of San Francisco. Wine lovers will want to know that Napa Valley and Sonoma are not far away. 39; ll find Sausalito with its many trendy shops and drop-dead views of San Francisco. Travel south from the city and you come to the beach city of Santa Cruz, a popular travel destination for both Californians and out-of-staters. Farther south is the historic Monterey Peninsula with its many reminders of John Steinbeck and its world-class golfing at Pebble Beach. Just south of Monterey is the storybook village of Carmel, loaded with fascinating shops, great boutique hotels and excellent restaurants.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: San Francisco is located about 400 miles north of the Los Angeles basin.
WHAT: San Francisco boasts some of the finest hotels, restaurants and historic attractions in the state of California and is culturally one of the finest cities in America. Oh, did we mention the gorgeous bay views from most any given place in the city?
WHEN: Any time of year. The climate in San Francisco is closer to Seattle than Los Angeles, so dress warm.
WHY: This is just a must-see part of California and will give you many sightseeing options while you visit.
HOW: San Francisco hotel can be expensive so be sure to look for travel deals or vacation packages to help lower the cost.
