A Brief Guide to San Francisco, California

San Francisco has been a big part of California tourism for centuries. It attracts tourists from all over the world each year, and with good reason. Because it is a port city, it has one of the most diverse populations on the West Coast, comparable with New Orleans or even New York City. There is an abundance of things to see and do, fine as well as casual dining, and there is always something to do for just about any age.

The first place to start really is lodging. There are many different accommodations in and around San Francisco, from five star hotels, bed and breakfast inns, hostels, and even holiday apartments. Because this is a city that is open to tourists all throughout the year, it is important that you make your reservations early.

While there isn't any real 'off' season here, during the Spring and Fall is when you are going to get the best deals. Winter brings many different festivals and decorations that this is a busy time of year as well. San Francisco apartments can range from fifty dollars a nigh to well into the hundreds of dollars, depending on location and elegance. You can find high quality San Francisco accommodation online.

Transportation is also a big thing in this City. There are many one-way streets and back alleys, that if you own a car, you should keep it parked at the hotel or airport. The public transportation system in San Francisco is extensive, and you won't have any trouble getting around. If you must use your own vehicle, make sure you have a pocket full of change for the meters.

In many cases, once you arrive at an attraction, you can walk from one adventure to another. One attraction that combines both old city charm with transportation to all the hot spots is the San Francisco Trolley system, in places since before the 1900's. This is a great way to experience some of the sights, with starting points from Market Street as well as the Marina District.

There are more dining opportunities in San Francisco than you can shake a stick at. If you are looking for seafood, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are two good places to start. Some of these restaurants sit right on the bay, with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and even beyond. Chinatown has a number of fine oriental establishments, from hole in the wall diners to five star restaurants you can't get into without a reservation. It all depends on your tastes as well as your budget. Of course your will find an abundance of fast food, especially on market street, from brand name franchises to specialty diners and delicatessens.

There are so many different attractions here, some that are completely free, others that have an admission cost. There are guided tours on both land as well as the bay; some of the most popular are a guided tour of world famous Alcatraz Island, where many infamous criminals were housed. What many people don't know is that this island once belonged to Native Americans, or that some people that stayed within the prison walls never left.

You can also walk to many attractions. Another famous place here is the Wax Museum on Fisherman's Wharf, where you can meet Brad Pitt, or King Tut. This is just one of the many different museums that San Francisco has to offer.

Close by is the San Francisco Maritime Museum as well, If you journey to Golden Gate Park, you will find the DeYoung Museum, San Francisco Aquarium, Planetarium, as well as the nearby botanical gardens. Golden Gate Park is also home to one of the largest Greenhouses, an Authentic Japanese Tea Garden, several ballparks, and even large ponds for paddleboats and even RC sailboats. This park also ends at Ocean Beach, and all the activities that can be found here.

We hope you find our San Francisco guide useful!