Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Survey ranked San Francisco the best US city to visit for the 17^th year in a row.  San Francisco is the 12^th most populous city in the United States and is the 4^th most populous city in California.  The city inhabits prime real estate with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the San Francisco bay to the north.  San Francisco is famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, its colorful neighborhoods and earthquakes.   There is no shortage of things to do in this city and for one thing it is ideal for people watching.  Sitting at a city café one can easily watch as the world slowly spins its weave of bustling people out doing their daily routines. As with many metropolitan cities San Francisco has much to offer the traveler here on a visit.

• Golden Gate Bridge: one must see this bridge while visiting. Some good ways of getting a view is taking a boat trip out of Pier 39 or head out to Fords Point to get a view. Driving over the bridge is also a treat if you have never been over a bridge this size.
• Alcatraz: this famous prison is now a national park. If interested in heading out to the island to see Alcatraz it is advisable to book a week or two ahead of time.
• Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39: this area has a variety of things to do. Catch the Sea lions basking in the sun or have a bite to eat. Watch sharks as you walk through glass tubes at the Aquarium of the Bay.
• Golden Gate Park: this is a fun place to visit if you have kids here they blow off steam at the playground. There is also a Carousel, boat rides and or try your hand at building sandcastles at Ocean Beach.
• San Francisco Zoo: this too could be a good stop for those that like visiting zoos.
• Presidio: a former military post and now a national park. Have a picnic, go for a hike and enjoy the spectacular view.
• Neighborhoods: there are 40 neighborhoods in San Francisco and no two are alike.

Fisherman’s Wharf

North Beach

Chinatown

Embarcadero/Financial District

Union Square

SOMA/Yerba Buena

Mission District

Castro/Upper Market

Haight-Ashbury

Japantown/Fillmore

Civic Center

Nob Hill

Marina /Presidio

Golden Gate Park

Bayview/Candlestick Park

San Francisco is surrounded by things to do. If you are in the mood to head out of the city try wine tasting, visit an amusement park or go for a drive along the coast.

• Yosemite
• Hearst Castle
• Winchester Mystery House
• Napa Valley Wineries
• Other Wine areas: Sonoma, Lodi and the Gold Rush region
• 49er Highway, California Gold Rush
• Lake Tahoe
• Reno, Nevada
• Santa Cruz Beachfront
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdon - Vallejo

As restaurants go in San Francisco the ones listed here are fairly resonable in price.

Restaurant Name/Neighborhood/Type of Food

• Four Seasons: China Town/Chinese Food
• Brandy Ho’s Hunan: China Town/Chinese Food
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co: Fisherman’s Wharf/Seafood
• Chowders: Fisherman’s Wharf/Seafood
• Cold Stone Creamery: Fisherman’s Wharf/Dessert
• The Windsor Tea Room: Union Square/Tea Rooms
• Tad’s Steak House: Union Square/Steak
• The Royal Exchange: Embarcadero/American
• The Plant Café Organic: Embarcadero/Californian
• Pena Pacha Mama: North Beach/Bolivian
• North Beach Pizza: North Beach/Pizza
• Mel’s Drive-In: Yerba Buena/American
• Cha-Am: Yerba Buena/Thai