San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the USA. Steep streets lined with Victorian era houses, a great turquoise bay surrounded by low mountains, and antique cable cars that still shuttle passengers up and down the city slopes all make this city one of the most picturesque.
Famous tourist attractions include Alamo Square, Chinatown, Cliff House, the Coit Tower, Golden Gate Bridge and Mission Delores. Natural wonders are almost too numerous to name, but don't miss Angel Island, Golden Gate Park, Muir Woods and Twin Peaks. You have to ride the cable cars at least once. There are 3 lines to choose from, with easiest access on the California line in the early morning and evenings.
The Embarcadero (a broad avenue along the bay front) is lined with shops, restaurants and tourist attractions including several piers that have been converted to specialty shopping malls. Most famous is the historic Fisherman's Wharf, which still hosts a fleet of working fishing vessels, as well as fish markets, seafood restaurants and gift shops. Excursion boats and ferries depart from piers near Fisherman's Wharf. They are a great way to see the sights around the bay. The Alcatraz tour takes you to the "Rock" and allows you to visit its abandoned prison. No Wharf visit is complete without seeing the following: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, sea lions on Pier 39, the Cannery and Ghirardelli Square.
The downtown area of San Francisco is the center of business, commerce and shopping. There are a wide area of large department stores and smaller shops near Union Square, and a big shopping mall on Market Street. Sausalito and Tiburon (take a ferry) across the bay have many boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops.
Other neighborhoods to explore are Chinatown, Nob Hill, North Beach (Little Italy) and Telegraph Hill.
San Francisco is also a great place for family fun, with great museums and opportunities for parents, kids and anyone young at heart. Don't miss the Chabot Space and Science Center, Children's Discovery Museum, the San Francisco Zoological Garden's and Children's Zoo, and the Steinhart Aquarium.
Art lovers can enjoy SFMOMA, and the Berkeley Art Museum.
Click on map to open full-size version in new window showing points of interest near Club Quarters.
