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.
For great value sightseeing, the San Francisco City Pass not only gives you entrance to some of San Francisco’s most famous attractions but also seven days unlimited use of the cable cars, street cars, subway, trains and buses within San Francisco City. An adult ticket costs £35 and a child pass (5-17 years) costs £26. Attractions included in this deal include the Aquarium of the Bay, a Bay cruise adventure, Museum of Modern Art, California Academy of Sciences and either the Planetarium or Museum of Fine Art.
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.
The San Francisco Tour and Cruise Trip offers you a great introduction to San Francisco. Split into two parts, you begin the tour in an air conditioned coach to see landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks (with its panoramic views of San Francisco) and Golden Gate Park. The tour also meanders through China Town, exclusive Nob Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach and Presidio National Park. Next, it's down to the Bay for a wonderful 45 minute cruise of San Francisco Bay including a close up of Alcatraz Island.
The world's most infamous island prison, Alcatraz is no longer used to house inmates, but 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.
For a birds eye view of Alcatraz, take a San Francisco Helicopter Tour. See the stunning views of the city skyline, San Francisco Bay and world-famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge from the air.
And for those really wanting to push the boat out, the San Francisco Helicopter Tour With Sunset Dinner combines the exhilaration of a helicopter flight over the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island with the romance of a sunset dinner cruise around San Francisco Bay.
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 you 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, streetcars 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
