Discover San Francisco in a day
San Francisco's clement weather and relatively European outlook on culture and entertainment has always made the city stand out somewhat next to its peers, like the bustling New York, the bookish Boston and the bronzed San Diego. Its laid back attitude and liberal values have made it a haven for alternative lifestyles and visitors from all walks of life, keen to experience for themselves what it is that makes San Franciscans just so happy and uplifting.
Visiting San Fran for yourself, its joyous atmosphere and easy going pace of life are addictive and, at just six miles square, it's a very easy city to navigate on foot. Plus, its compact size means that it's entirely possible to see the best of the city in a day without compromising on relaxing, unlike most cities.
Many of the city's highlights are popular in part because of their natural beauty or well-afforded views, so even somewhere with a past as brutal as Alcatraz has become a must-do city attraction. Once one of America's toughest penitentiaries, Alcatraz Island sits about a mile and a half offshore in San Francisco Bay and deserves its nickname of "The Rock" thanks to its unforgiving exterior and impenetrable prison walls. No prisoner is believed to have ever escaped from Alcatraz, but now getting the chance to visit the world's most famous prison is an opportunity most visitors don't turn down.
Like Alcatraz, the next thing to do on San Francisco's 'must do' list is another manmade but breathtaking structure; the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Instantly recognisable and all the more stunning as the early morning sea mist rolls in from the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge is an American icon and has featured in many movies and television shows; plus it provides one of the very best views of the city. Likewise, you can't visit San Francisco without going on one of the cable cars at some point. Built to traverse the city's short buy steep hills, the old fashioned cable cars aren't just for tourists, locals depend on them.
Once home to a fleet of hundreds of fishing boats, Fisherman's Wharf should be next on any San Fran itinerary. Now this seafood market provides the fish for most of the city's restaurants, if you arrive early enough you'll be able to experience the real Fisherman's Wharf too; busy, hectic, fast-paced and thriving. Afterwards, head slightly west to Ghirardelli Square, where the perfect morning coffee or hot chocolate can be found amongst the many shops, restaurants and coffee houses, before limbering up for Lombard Street. Said to be the 'crookedest' street in the city, it makes for a classic San Francisco photo opportunity.
Even though San Francisco is compact, if you plan to travel a lot and see many districts of the city, you should purchase either a San Francisco CityPass or a Go Card for discount city travel. These can usually be bought at San Francisco hotels or tourist information stalls. Once you have one, Chinatown is a great place to go for late night food and venture slightly out of the city centre to The Exploratorium. Housed within The Palace of Fine Arts, this interactive hands-on science museum is great for all ages, and is set around a beautiful outdoor lagoon.
About the Author:
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.