Destination San Francisco
Traveling is tricky at the moment, and many of us have decided to explore closer to home this summer. With restrictions in place, there’s an opportunity to discover incredible places without booking long haul flights. For travelers who enjoy urban adventures and city slicking, San Francisco is a fabulous destination. If you’re planning to visit the Golden City, here are some ideas for your itinerary.
The Golden Gate Bridge
No visit to San Francisco is complete without a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge. One of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in the world, the distinctive red bridge dominates the skyline. It is possible to appreciate the views from the center of the city but to get an idea of the scale and magnificence of this feat of engineering, it’s beneficial to get closer. You can hire bikes and cycle, add a romantic touch with a tandem ride, or go all-out and explore luxury yacht charter San Francisco options. As with most tourist attractions, the bridge does get busy, and it’s a good idea to aim for dawn or dusk to dodge the crowds and capture photos without having to wait your turn.
Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz
Most of the city’s sights, restaurants, hotels, shops and bars are concentrated around Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf is a tourist hot spot, which flanks the water and offers beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you’re keen to enjoy the best views and avoid the busiest periods, head away from the main stretch to Pier 39 in the late afternoon or evening to see the resident sea lions and catch the sun setting. You can also board a ferry bound for Alcatraz Island from the wharf. Alcatraz is one of the most notorious prisons in the world. Now vacant, the prison is open to visitors. Walking tours provide an insight into the chequered history of this mysterious, isolated facility, as well as fabulous vistas of the city and the bay. The night tour comes highly recommended for those who aren’t afraid of the dark.
San Francisco Architecture
One of the best things to do when sightseeing in San Francisco is to meander through the winding, undulating streets admiring the stunning architecture. The Painted Ladies are perhaps the most famous residential buildings in the city. A row of spectacular, colored houses located on Steiner Street, these iconic homes have become one of the most Instagrammable spots in a city that is bursting with scintillating photographic backdrops. If you’re a fan of photography, you may also want to take on the challenge of getting a great shot of Lombard Street. One of the prettiest streets in the US, this meandering, curved road, which is lined with giant hydrangea bushes, runs from the top to the bottom of a hill overlooking the city.
San Francisco is one of the liveliest and most interesting, unique and energetic cities in the world. If you’re planning to visit the Golden City, hopefully, this guide has given you some ideas for your itinerary.
