Travel Guides > San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Travel

From the rattle of the cable cars to the vast sparkling expanse of the Golden Gate Bridge to the smells of Chinatown, San Francisco charms its visitors with the best in everything that a large city has to offer.

Nearly every vacationer to this fine Northern California city walks away happy, having experienced the myriad of wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes that sets San Francisco apart from many other big cities.

San Francisco is often rated one of the top cities in the U.S. and was recently touted by Readers's Digest as the 4th cleanest city in the country. Another publication rated it the 3rd best for senior living.

It's easy to see why living here is so desirable. San Francisco boasts arts, culture, history, sports and leisure pursuits, and so much more. Also, the diverse communities here, from Little Italy to Pacific Heights to the famed Haight-Ashbury, make exploring the city quite fascinating.

There are many must-see attractions and activities in this hilly city. Start with a ride on a Cable Car. The various lines can take you to many of the city's best attractions and you'll be thrilled with the opportunity to ride the hills in these unique vehicles. Try to sit outside for the most exciting ride!

Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are usually the most crowded tourist areas, but you definitely don't want to miss them. Not only will visitors get a great view of the bay from this vantage point, but they'll also find fun and quirky places to shop and seafood stands and restaurants that are unmatched. Try the chowder in the sourdough bread bowl. Delicious!

With enough planning (tours fill up months in advance!), guests can take a boat ride out to Alcatraz and tour the infamous island that was once home to some of the country's most hardened criminals.

San Francisco is famous for its delicious sourdough bread and visitors can see how its made and get a taste of this unique bakery creation by touring the Boudin Bakery, conveniently located at Fisherman's Wharf. Another must-visit location for foodies is the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop in Union Square.

For an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful San Francisco weather, visit the Presidio. A former military post, the Presidio is now a National Park, and is home to lots of winding trails, ball fields, picnic areas, a playground, and even an 18-hole golf course. Visit the shoreline of the park during the summer months and try your hand at boardsailing.

San Francisco is also home to tons of venues, like the Cow Palace, that host rock concerts, classical music ensembles, dance troupes, specialty and trade shows, and theater productions, appropriate for a variety of ages.

Other attractions worth seeing include Lombard Street dubed "the crookedest street in the world" and Golden Gate Park which features hundreds of acres of natural beauty right in the middle of the city.

Also worth checking out: Sacramento, Napa Valley, Monterey