Many people travel to San Francisco, and leave their hearts there. The city by the bay is charming and seductive, a unique seven-by-seven peninsula full of colorfully painted Victorians and swirling fog. Covering a total of 43 hills, a visit to San Francisco will likely include vigorous walks up and down its many sharp inclines. Luckily, the climb is worth the exertion, as sweeping views of the city’s many landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Coit Tower, await visitors upon arriving at the peak of each hilltop.
Things Not to Miss in San Francisco
• Walking over the Golden Gate Bridge, which has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
• Riding one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars
• Dining on pasta in North Beach, the city’s Italian district
• Driving down Lombard Street, famous for being the ‘crookedest street in America’
• Shopping on Fillmore street, known for its swanky local boutiques and eateries
When to Go to San Francisco
The city enjoys a mild climate, with temperatures hovering between the high 50s and low 70s year round, so make your San Francisco travel plans at your leisure. Keep in mind, however, that while the days are quite comfortable, the nights – even during the summer months – are often quite chilly.
DON'T MISS
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Strolling polyglot Clement Street, in the inner Richmond District. Known for its ethnic restaurants, it’s also got design-kid galleries, a boutique selling French tchotchkes, a bespoke-shoe salon, and the city’s biggest used-book store, Green Apple.
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Seeing an obscure-but-riveting documentary at the Roxie, a classic theater in the Mission, and following it up with dinner at Foreign Cinema restaurant (which does indeed screen films on the wall of its courtyard).
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The annual Bay to Breakers footrace, held every May. Some 75,000 runners and walkers, many in costume (and a few in their birthday suits), tackle this 7.46-mile course—which also happens to be the city’s biggest (moving) party.
RECOMMENDED LINKS
- Best Hotels in San Francisco
- T+L Insider Video: Where to Eat in San Francisco
- Find San Francisco Hotels on Y! Travel
- For more bars in SF, visit NileGuide
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