San Francisco, California is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. It is rare to find a city of this size that still discovers ways to maintain a unique small-town feeling. You will quickly find that San Francisco is overflowing with art, music, museums, architecture and festivals. With all of the things you can see and places you can go like those listed above, and others that even I have yet to experience – one truly can create their own customizable experience within this grand city!
For instance, if you are more interested in seeing the great outdoors through the lens of San Francisco, you can. If you’d prefer to walk through history, and eat your way through every dish that catches your eye, your goal is easily achieved! All of this being said, I highly recommend you get your “tourist gitters” out of the way before you truly dive into everything that this city offers. What’s the easiest way to do this, you ask? Get up early on your first day, and make your way over to that famous Golden Gate Bridge overlook. Yes, I know it’s early, yes, I know it’s a smallish hike – however, the view is worth every step. Then afterwards you can make your way back downtown for a well-deserved brunch!
In the Bay Area there are well over three thousand, four hundred and eighty-nine places to eat. The area staples that you will see on nearly every menu are the ‘Joe’s Special’, definitely a brekkie item – think an omelette filled with ground beef, spinach, mushrooms and onions. The next item that you will see repeatedly on the menu is a mission style burrito. If you see items like this repeating on menus in a city like this, take it as a good sign. This means that the locals are competing to see who can make it the best!
Now changing the topic to a place to sleep, like when purchasing a house; location, location and location are your allies! Fisherman’s Wharf is the best place to stay if you are seeking tourist activities to occupy your time. Not only is the Wharf close to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, you are also guaranteed to find some top-notch seafood! However, if you are looking to mingle with some locals, book a lodge around Union Square! There are plenty of hotels to choose from, retail stores to poke your head into, theatres to catch the latest flick and it’s only about a mile from Fisherman’s Wharf. A pleasant easy stroll.