With so much to see and do in and around San Francisco, pre-planning your trip will help you get the most out of your visit. Here's a few pointers for what to see and do.
The Haight Ashbury district (San Franciscians usually only refer to streets and avenues by their first name) was the spiritual home of the hippie movement in the 1960s and retains that laidback atmosphere today. It's a great place to shop, eat and generally chill out.
From Haigh Ashbury, take the Muni bus #37 to Twin Peaks in the centre of the city. From here you'll be treated to spectacular views of San Francisco in all directions.
A great way to get a feel for a city is to hop aboard a sightseeing tour. San Francisco's only open-top double-decker bus lets you hop on and off wherever you want as it covers all of San Francisco including Fisherman's Wharf, Civic Center, Chinatown, and North Beach.
For a real fun way of seeing the city, take a GoCar tour of San Francisco. These funky little 3-wheeler yellow cars are so easy to drive and they take you on a GPS-guidded tour of the city! As you enjoy the drive, it takes you to the best of sites and shares interesting stories that bring the city to life. You can stop for photos, take detours, grab a coffee or break for lunch. It's up to you.
Another great way to see the city is from the water - most tours leave from docks between San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.
Out there in the Bay is the world's most infamous island prison, Alcatraz. No longer used to house inmates, it is now a popular tourist attraction. Entrance is free, but you will have to pay for the ferry to take you there and back. And because of its popularity, make sure you book your ferry tickets in advance.
There is another island in San Francisco Bay that is perfect if you want a break from city life. Angel Island was once home to an Asian immigration camp, earning it the title of the Ellis Island of the West. Today it's a beautiful park. Rent a bike and explore!
If you're hungry after all that exploring, where better to eat than Chinatown? It's the biggest Chinatown in North America and combines its tourist role with being home to a working and thriving Chinese community. If you're feeling particularly lucky, pop into Chinatown's Fortune Cookie Factory while you are there.
And how could you come to San Francisco without stepping foot on the Golden Gate Bridge? One of the most famous bridges in the United States, it spans the Golden Gate, a strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. And is you walk across, there's no toll to pay!
There are countless city tours and guide available for yoo to make the most of the rest of the city. Our favourite is A Friend in Town (800-960-8099) which offers personalised city tours by trained historians.
Flights to San Francisco from the UK are readily available. Once there use public transport (you have to ride the streetcars!), taxis or your feet to get around. You can buy day or multi-day passes to use on Muni buses, stretcars and even the cable cars.
San Francisco is blessed with mild weather
throughout the year, although it is wetter in winter. The combination of cold ocean water and the heat of the California mainland create the city's characteristic fog that can cover the western half of the San Francisco throughout the day during spring and early summer. Bear in mind, that even on hot days, out in the Bay can be a lot cooler so if you're taking to the waters take a jumper just in case.
Related website: San Francisco
