Ahh, San Francisco. Just thinking about this wonderful city conjures up visions of cable cars, steep hills, thriving culture, and an incredible amount of diversity in heritage, viewpoint, and lifestyle. There truly is no other city in the world like San Francisco, and everybody should have the opportunity to visit and explore at some point in their life. |
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Like many other very large cities, San Francisco is divided into a number of districts for the purpose of government but also to help visitors and residents alike navigate around the city and through its various areas. The names of some of these districts - Chinatown, Mission, Haight Ashbury, and the like - are well known in and of themselves but many people do not know the full range of what these districts have to offer.
For instance, the Golden Gate district is home to the world famous Golden Gate Bridge. This is one of the most instantly and easily recognizable landmarks in all of the United States and perhaps even across the world. It is a major route into and out of the city of San Francisco, but it is also one of the most popular tourist activities in and around the city. You can drive across the bridge, of course, but the best way to see it and experience its grandeur is to park in one of the end parking lots and walk across the bridge in the pedestrian pathway. This is a memorable experience all its own, during which you will feel firsthand the tremendous winds that blow through the strait as well as the great sense of height and sheer size of the bridge itself.
No visit to San Francisco would be complete without spending some time riding on the world famous cable cars that travel the streets and steep hills of the city. They are a terrific way to move between Fisherman's Wharf and Market Street, but most visitors enjoy them simply for the experience of riding in this unique form of transportation. The views are tremendous as you go up and down the hills, so be sure to bring your camera.
Some of the other best loved activities for visitors include exploring Golden Gate Park, visiting the San Francisco Zoo, or walking along one of a handful of scenic beaches. If you choose to spend time on a beach be aware that the water is very cold, and currents and tides are extremely dangerous in and around San Francisco Bay so you should never attempt to swim in those locations. If getting out on the water is important to you then look for one of many different tour operators offering harbour cruises and tours. These can vary from just an hour or two in length to a full day of exploring, so be sure to bring along the appropriate clothing for the amount of time you plan to be gone. Dressing in layers is an excellent idea because you can quickly and easily adjust to conditions on the water that can change amazingly fast.
Arts and culture thrive in San Francisco, in places such as the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the Asian Art Museum; and the California Academy of Sciences, just to name a few. The Civic Centre offers a huge variety of performing arts as well, such as the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Symphony, and much more.
Travel to and from San Francisco is most convenient by air, thanks to three international airports located in and near the city. San Francisco International Airport is closest to the city, but Oakland International Airport and Mineta San Jose International Airport are both close enough and offer excellent transportation option to get into the city proper. Once you are in the city, take advantage of San Francisco's world class public transportation systems including the Muni (buses, streetcars, cable cars) within the city as well as the BART light rail service to destinations across the bay.
Wiki:- San Francisco
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