San Francisco has so much to offer that most visitors will never experience because they refuse to try new things and step off the beaten path into the true culture of the city.

Ask a Local
Don’t know where to start? Ask. Most San Francisco hotels will have someone working the front desk who will gladly give their opinion on the best local restaurant or a hidden spot to watch the sunset with that special someone. It doesn’t have to be at your hotel, it can be anywhere… the point is get out and talk to people.

Did you know that San Francisco has a pirate supply store? Neither did I until I started up a random conversation with a man on MUNI. This store is amazing, containing everything to fulfill your greatest pirate fantasy. Do not feel guilty about spending your hard earned money because all proceeds go to benefit the free programming run by the writing and tutoring center at 826 Valencia and in schools all over San Francisco.

Walk everywhere
San Francisco is packed with beautiful streets lined with shops and restaurants but many of the best are hidden along back or side alleys. Take Belden Place for example, this little brick alley in the Financial District is only open to foot traffic and sports many French restaurants. Walking is the only way to reach and experience this part of the city.

San Francisco has more to offer than just the normal tourist experience but the only way to understand what San Francisco truly has to offer is to get off the beaten path and try something new.

Within Europe there are many great examples of cities which will simply take your breath away such Rome and Paris, two places which attract tourists from all across the globe. One of the benefits enjoying city breaks is the cost and many people assume that beach holidays are cheaper but for travellers who know how to shop for a good deal this isn’t the case.

When it comes to accommodation, for example, there are is a much more options for choosing somewhere to stay and as a result it means there are much more competitive prices. If you do   good shopping around you could be heading to the nation’s capital fitting in with a modest budget when you consider the cheap hostels in London that are located in many great locations.

London is a great example of somewhere that isn’t as expensive as you may have anticipated and this is down to the fact that many attractions don’t cost. Walks through Hyde Park or along London Bridge will allow you to ‘see the sights’ as it were, but there are various monuments such as Nelsons Column and Buckingham Palace were you take plenty of pictures – especially if there are Beefeaters on duty!

Europe is blessed with many great cities that have very intriguing histories that are just waiting to be explored, so when you are contemplating a short break this year consider one of the city options available.

What to Do in San Francisco?

If you and a loved one decide to head to San Fran, as it is affectionately known, you will be spoiled for choice when deciding how to occupy your days. Whatever your preference you can be sure there will be something on offer to suit your style. Popular attractions and entertainments in the city include:

• Cable Car Tours: See the city in style from a traditional San Francisco cable car. Wind up and down the steep streets made famous by the movies and see the city in style  – a great choice for your first day, as this will help you get a feel for what is where.
• Alcatraz: While an island prison may not seem like the most romantic of locations, a tour of the prison offers paramours ample opportunity to cling to each other as they visit the spooky, and some say haunted, abandoned halls and cells. A trip to Alcatraz also offers a great opportunity to take a boat across the Bay – a wonderful experience come fog or fair-weather.
• Haight-Ashbury: Visit the heart of the hippy culture and walk the streets that were once pounded by such cultural icons as Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane. Chill in the local bars and soak up the vestiges of the free love vibe.
• Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park: A stunning example of Oriental landscaping set a short hop from the city centre – this is an undeniably romantic location for a stroll, picnic or even proposal.

Romantic Tours for Two

While the city of San Francisco is, in itself, easily accessible using the available public transport system, including the BART, buses and cable car system – if you want to uncover the city and surrounds in style then why not take advantage of one of the many companies offering cheap car rentals in the area. Popular drives for couples include:

• Lombard Street: If you fancy a driving tour of San Francisco itself then you have to take in Lombard Street, with its winding curves that are an instantly recognisable symbol of the city.
• Marin County via the Golden Gate: The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is a must see stop on any San Francisco tour, so head out of town over the bridge and enjoy a day in Marin County. Spots like Muir Beach are great for couples who want to soak up the California feel and simply enjoy each other’s company.
• Napa Valley: A day out in Napa is achievable during a stay in San Francisco – although those hoping to sample to local wares may wish to plan for an overnight stay. Visit the top class wineries and taste the local wines, or enjoy a gourmet lunch at one of the areas many excellent eateries.

Dating back to the 1800’s, Chinatown was originally settled by thousands of immigrants that flocked to California to escape China’s terrible economic conditions and get rich during the Gold Rush. These Chinese citizens brought their culture, customs, food and way of life with them. The whole area was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake that demolished almost all of the wooden houses and shops. This time it was reconstructed specifically as a tourist attraction.

Visitors to this exotic part of San Francisco will find everything they can imagine when it comes to Chinese culture. There are several museums filled with beautiful works of art such as the Kee Fung Ng Gallery, with amazing sculptures, paintings and more. Other great places to visit include the Chinese Historical Society of America and the Chinese Culture Center.

For visitors looking to see how locals live, the Chinatown Marketplace on Stockton Street is lined with fruit and vegetable stalls and herb and tea shops.  There are also several alleys where you can find unique souvenirs as well as social clubs, including Ross Alley, where you’ll find the world famous Golden Gate Cookie Factory, Chinatown’s major fortune cookie factory. Plus, there are several special events throughout the year including the Chinese New Year Flower Fair and the Chinatown Night Market Fair.

And of course, nobody can visit San Francisco’s Chinatown and not try some genuine Chinese cuisine. The streets are lined with restaurants, from small Dim Sum snack shops like New Asia and Great Eastern, to elegant Chinese restaurants like The Empress of China. And as you walk down these streets several waiters will hand you flyers with their menus and encourage you to come inside.

From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz was used as a maximum security federal government prison. Nowadays it is managed by the National Park service, which allows vacationers to visit the island and the prison, coming in by boatloads. These boats sail from Pier 33 on San Francisco Bay. It is highly recommended you buy your tickets way in advance, as this popular San Francisco attraction is usually packed and tourists make their reservations up to 90 days ahead.

There is plenty to see and learn once on the island. One of the best history lessons you’ll ever listen to is the award-winning Alcatraz audio tour, which is available for people from all over the world in 8 languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Japanese and Mandarin. The audio tour is available year round and seven days a week. There’s also a guided tour that tells the story of the Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island and the prison, which includes short films and memorabilia. The prison’s gift shop is a great place to get your loved ones and friends an interesting souvenir.

However, for a more in-depth look at the history of the prison, visitors can choose to take the Alcatraz Night Tour. This tour starts after the day visitors leave and takes participants through the dimly lit rooms and halls of Alcatraz. The self-guided tour includes headphones that play stories of the prison, often told by ex-prisoners, as well as sound effects for different parts of the tour that can be rather scary.

With all that exertion, you are bound to want a cool refreshing drink and what better way to assuage your thirst than take a trip to Napa valley. America’s very own winery that gives Tuscany and the Champagne Valley a run for their money, Napa is known to produce some of the most delicious and robust wines this side of the Pacific. Priced at nearly half of their European counterparts, the wines from the region make wonderful gift items or can just be taken along to enjoy a quiet somber evenings spent watching the weary sun immersing itself in the San Francisco Bay.

A tour up the Tank Hill should be next on the list; named for the old water tank perched on its top in the 1800s, the hill offers a panoramic view of the city. Reaching the summit to enjoy the breath taking view that lies below is well worth the hike. The added bonus is that you can also enjoy a tour of Cole Valley on the way. The area offers numerous opportunities for fine dining and shopping to keep you occupied through the day.

The city certainly has no dearth of attractions; as a matter of fact, most tourists are in a quandary trying to decide on where to begin their adventure. The first place that comes to mind is the Alcatraz, once a federal penitentiary that housed infamous inmates like Al Capone, today the tiny islands nestled in San Francisco Bay is a national Park. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the former correctional facility.

Fisherman’s wharf: While the wharf may seem to be an unlikely tourist attraction, its medley of restaurants and retail establishments have a lot to offer. The principle attraction in the area is the Pier 39 which boasts of an astounding 110 shops and numerous restaurants. On your way to the wharf, you can drop by the other attractions of the city like the Ripley’s Museum, the AT&T Park and the Maritime National Historical Museum.

While in the area, you should certainly visit Chinatown, San Francisco’s very own tribute to its Chinese inhabitants. The neighborhood is a fantastic place to enjoy authentic Chinese delicacies served out of tiny, family run restaurants and to shop for jade jewelry

Copyright Zagat

Sorry, but I have a banana guard and it’s great. I run to work so everything gets shoved into my backpack. I endure a lot of jokes in the changeroom at the gym, and even my husband thought it was crazy…but he tried it and now we have two in our gadget drawer at home.

Copyright Zagat

Copyright Zagat