Visiting San Francisco City by the Bay
57The city with a pulse
It is one of the most visited cities in the U.S.A rich with history, culture, architecture, and food from around the world . San Francisco is not just a city, but a world unto itself. It is a city with a loud, thunderous, and inviting pulse. I know this because it is the city I call home. Everywhere I turn I find something to do or learn something I didn't know before. With a variety of people from all walks of life, San Francisco is a giant bag of trail mix. Basically what I am saying is everyone is welcome there and there is something there for everyone.
Golden Gate Bridge
For the visitors
Upon entering the city one can become overwhelmed by the busy streets and the never ending list of places to visit and things to do. My suggestion to you would be to treat it like one might treat Disney Land. Pull out a map, pick your top locations, and map them out from where you are to where the last destination is you want to visit. This is somewhat simple, but helps avoid running around the city in circles and wasting precious time. If you are using the public transportation systems (which will save you money) the muni maps will be an efficient choice for your city travel. Before you even arrive in the city you can easily obtain these maps online at the San Francisco Municipal Transitwebsite. From there click on transit and you will be taken to a separate page that has all the information you need. Another option is to use the trip planner which allows you to type in where you are and where you want to go and it will tell you exactly how to get there.
Another great thing about San Francisco is that no matter where you end up there is always shopping, food, and other acitivities. It is also helpful that everything is pretty close together because San Francisco is a fairly small city.
The other residents of San Francisco
Money savers and other fun stuff
City Pass: To save money and I mean a lot of money I highly recommend purchasing one of these if you are planning to stay for more than one day. It will allow you cheaper access to some really fun activities in San Francisco. The city pass more than pays for itself in one day.
Museums: San Francisco is full of them. A few of my favorites include: de Young Museum which features African, American, and Ocean Art. The Exploritoreum is a science based museum that is completely hands on and just a ton of fun. The Golden Gate Railway museum which I believe speaks for its self. There are so many museums to stop and see. If you have a city pass you can visit some of these museums at no cost.
Restaurants: Where do I begin? There is not a single neighborhood in San Francisco that doesn't have some delightful and delicious restaurant. Pier 39 has some of the more popular places to eat such as; Bubba Gumps, Rain Forest Cafe, and Hard Rock Cafe. All of them have delicious food but often come at a hefty price and a long wait. When your not looking for something as "busy" there are still plenty of options. If you roam away from the piers and down one of the many little streets you are nearly guaranteed to find some little whole in the wall with cheap and tremendously delicious food. One of my favorite places is down in the SOMA district Dos Pinas. This place offers big plates at a small price of authentic and delicious Mexican food. Another favorite of mine a little close to the Wharf is Pallaminos. If you get there around happy hour the price is right and so is the food!
Must see tourist spots
Pier 39:Probably one of the most visited sites in the city because it is a location with everything. There is shopping, eating, and lots of fun activities. This area of town is always busy with activity. Pier 39 alone can keep you busy for an entire day. You can take a tour of the Boudin Bakery and Cafe or hop on the Blue and Gold Fleet for a tour around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge or check out the Wax museums. There is even an Aquarium.
Ghirardelli Square:This is not just a great place to find fine chocolate. From high up on the hill you can see a beautiful view of the entire city. This is also a key location for hopping on the Trolley. Every visit to San Francisco should include a ride on the Trolley.
Union Square: Shop 'till ya drop! With all the finest in shopping and eating you will leave feeling like a star. From Dior to the Disney Store there is something in here for everyone. I know I sound like an advertisement here, but truly Union Square is another location packed with fun things to do. This is also a great location to purchase tickets for any popular show playing in the city or to take a look at the local artist's and their beautiful work out on display in the middle of Union Square.
China Town:Not only a beautiful and historical part of San Francisco's rich culture, but also an ideal place for souvenir's with little cost.
Golden Gate Park:For those more interested in a more scenic route Golden Gate Park is the place to be. You can take a walk on the trail, visit the Japanese Tea Gardens, or plan a picnic with your family. No matter what you choose Golden Gate Park is definitely a great spot to stop.
City Guides
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1940s San Francisco Historical Safety Movie: You and Your Bicycle DVD (1948)
Price: $4.99
List Price: $7.99 |
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Tadich Grill: The Story of San Francisco's Oldest Restaurant, With Recipes
Price: $5.34
List Price: $27.95 |
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The Tablehopper's Guide to Dining and Drinking in San Francisco: Find the Right Spot for Every Occasion
Price: $10.88
List Price: $16.00 |
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Back To The Bay: Exploring The Margins Of The San Francisco Bay Region
Price: $10.00
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San Francisco Maps
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Streetwise San Francisco Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of San Francisco, California - Folding pocket size travel map with BART map, MUNI lines, bus routes
Price: $3.11
List Price: $6.95 |
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San Francisco in Maps: 1797-2006
Price: $9.55
List Price: $14.98 |
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San Francisco in Maps & Views
Price: $29.26
List Price: $50.00 |
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Laminated San Francisco Map by Borch (English, French, Spanish, German and Italian Edition)
Price: $5.91
List Price: $9.56 |
San Francisco is jam packed full of places to see, things to do, and food to eat. While there is a lot left out of this little article or hub, I hope that what isn't left out has been helpful. In a city like this it is really hard to go wrong or have a bad time. Everywhere you turn you will find something interesting and that is pretty much guaranteed. Welcome and enjoy your visit!
useful links
- San Francisco Dining Guide - San Francisco Restaurants
San Francisco, California dining guide, featuring restaurant reviews and online restaurant reservations. - PIER 39
- Visit 5 San Francisco Attractions plus Cable Cars for just $59, a $113.40 value!
CityPass offers 5 attractions plus a 7 day Muni cable car and trolley pass in San Francisco. - Only In San Francisco - The Official Visitors Site for San Francisco
Only in San Francisco is The Official Visitors Site for San Francisco. Whether you want to sightsee, shop, dine, take in a show, relax or play (or all of the above), here is some information to help you get started. Simply click on a category below f
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prasetio30 says:
5 months ago
It like great place to visit. I'll go there someday. thanks for share