San Francisco - A Must See

Whatever you want out of a holiday, San Francisco will have something to offer. With its great mix of diverse neighbourhoods, spectacular shopping and vast culture you can wander around the city for days and get lost in all it has to offer.

If you have the pleasure of heading over to this great city on vacation then here are some tips on how get the most out of your time there.

On arrival
If you aren’t too tired and you can handle a little more travelling, then follow the signs to the BART train system. This is very easy to use and the most cost effective way of getting into the central area. Before you go, ask your hotel for the best station to get off at and directions of how to walk up to the hotel.
If you just want the easiest way to get to the hotel and don’t mind the cost then just follow the signs to the taxi stand, with three of you it is just as cost effective as a hotel shuttle.
Also – one word of warning before we go any further. As soon as you step out of the airport, be prepared for panhandlers. There are more ‘homeless’ people in this city than I have ever come across before and they are not shy in asking for money. It can be irritating and somewhat intimidating especially coming from New Zealand where you see very little of this sort of thing but don’t ignore them, a polite ‘sorry’ is better than no recognition at all.

Accommodation
Union Square is a great place to stay – it is walking distance to a lot of the inner-city attractions – including the best shopping areas, but I will get to that a little later.
There are all sorts of price options, from US$60 – $US500 a night. www.wotif.com has a great range of options and prices.

First things first
To get to know the city better and to orientate yourself, pick up a brochure on the red double-decker buses. They are a great way to see the main attractions of the city in a couple of hours. Alternatively, there are the newer Segway Tours which feature the machines you can stand on and roll yourself around the city. The third option is the Go Car – these are GPS guided tours where a voice will tell you when to turn and what you are driving past etc.

 

 

The Main Attractions;
Once you have had a quick buzz around the city you will have worked out a few places you would like to go back to. Perhaps some of the following places will be on your list:

Fisherman’s Wharf
This is a vibrant area of restaurants and a perfect place for the shopper looking for a bargain. There are plenty of souvenir type shops and stalls selling imitation bags and sunglasses etc.

And if you are heading to the famous Alcatraz then give yourself some extra time so that you can browse around this area before heading to the pier for your boat ride across to the island.

Alcatraz
This is a must-do. And make sure you book two weeks in advance as the trips do fill up. I found the best site to be www.alcatrazcruises.com. You can make your booking online and print your own ticket to take with you, so no queuing up at the pier.

The island itself is amazing and the award-winning audio tour will be something you remember forever.

Ferry Building
If you happen to be in San Francisco on a Tuesday make sure that is the day you head down to this area. Tuesday is market day and you can get delicious fresh fruit as well as wander through the local stalls that are set up.
If you don’t happen to be there on a Tuesday – then head down anyway when you are going for your walk or run. This is by far the flattest place to train and also seems to be the most popular for the locals – so it must be one of the best spots around for exercise.

Other must-do attractions include:

Golden Gate Bridge
If you arrive back to New Zealand without a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge, no one will believe you even went to San Francisco. There are several options of how to obtain this snap for your album; the bus tour mentioned earlier does have an option where you can extend your tour to include the bridge loop, this is a good option if you are limited for time or you don’t like walking or cycling.

If you do have the time and you are up for some adventure then make your way over to Fisherman’s Wharf and hire a bike from one of the bike shops. You can then follow the cycle path for about 20 minutes when you will arrive at the bridge. It is great fun riding over the bridge and if you are up for a bit more adventure then keep going once you have crossed it and head into Marin Headlands where some great mountain biking opportunities await!

Marin Headlands
Just north of San Francisco, the Marin Headlands sit just the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is an area of rugged beauty that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of the inner city. There are great views looking back into the city and also well maintained tracks for running, riding and walking.

Shopping
This city has some great shopping to offer. It has some flagship stores from some of the biggest brands in the world. From the five levels of Nike town to large GAP stores and Apple stores where you can play with the latest gadgets all day. The outlet malls are also exceptional and if you get the chance to head a little further north – make your way to the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, only 35 minutes north of San Francisco. Check out www.premiumoutlets.com for more info.

Hopefully, time does allow you to head a little further north and if so, as well as the shopping, there are some great wine regions up there. Sonoma and Napa Valley are well known wine areas and have great tours where you can sample the local wines and see some of the fabulous vineyards that have been established.

The greater San Francisco area is a great place to visit; it has so much to offer with such a diverse range of people, attractions, shopping, wine and food. Enjoy!