Of all the cities, seen in the states the most beautiful remains New York, but the city you fall in love at first site and always try to fit it in your tours to the states is San Francisco. Maybe because of its skyline or its bay, who knows? One thing is sure, whoever see San Francisco would like to live their.
A visit of the city starts from the small square on the corner of Market St. and Powell St. where the famous cable cars departure, it is the symbol of San Francisco in absolute. If your stay is of more days It is suggested buying a daily pass (six$). You save, because every time you take the cable it would cost two$. The cable is the best way to reach Oakland, and to move from the zone of Union Square and the different Piers. In addition, the bus’s cover a vast area you can reach and if you live in other districts (like Coit Tower and all the Columbus Avenue).
San Francisco characterized by the high percent of “Tramps” even if it is noticed a drop from two years ago. They are not dangerous if you do not count their breath with a high percent of alcohol. Not all tramps are real. For some it is a temporary choice of life; in fact, some writers have admitted to want to try this experience to better find subject to write a book. Besides this San Francisco for security, divides in two parts. Market Street is the imaginary part that divides the city in two. The North side is much more expensive and safety, the South less recommended, much more economic for lodging level. On the North side to avoid the district Tenderloin that has on its side O’Farrell on north , Market St. on south, the Van Ness on west and the Jones on east. It connects with Civic Center. Also, avoid the financial zone at night, only because there is nothing and no one except parks and bushes. I have never had problem with anyone in San Francisco; so do not let any one scare you with stories, and avoid going around like a typical tourist this way avoiding bad intentioned people. However, this is the principal rule to use when traveling anywhere.
The most famous districts are:
Nob Hill: it is the most expensive and famous. You find five star hotels all over. Area well covered with cable cars and the beautiful GRACE CATHEDRAL. During the evening, a stop at Hard Rock Café is necessary.
Financial District: San Francisco is the city that counts the best attorney offices of America. A tour in this area during the day is very motioning. The skyscrapers of San Francisco are very beautiful and well designed. The best is the Transamerica Pyramid Bldg with its triangle form. A visit at the Embarcadero Shopping Center (were during the summer small bands play a very fin Jazz), situated between Clay, Sacramento and Drum. Enter inside the hall of the Hyatt; it seams to be inside an UFO.
ChinaTown: have you ever seen the Chinese in the cities of the States? If you have, nothing changes. The smell of fish all over, dirtiness also! Just a picture at the door of the Dragon. Here there is the biggest Chinese community of all the states.
Telegraph Hill: to get their, you must take a very divesting hill, but the view from Coit Tower of the bay is worth the whole trip. During the nights it is not a recommended area (like most of Columbus Ave) because of its many porno shops, but to contrast with, their also are many Italian restaurants. I have never tried because when I travel I do not look for Italian food, other wise I would bring my grandma with me.
Fishermans Wharf: the piers on the north side of the city. It is the apotheosis of the tourist. Full of shops, restaurants and the view over the bay is breath taking. The best point of San Francisco is a park at the cable stop in front of Ghirardelli. The park always flowered offers an unforgettable view of the bay. Taking pictures, you can photograph Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito. The most crowded point is Pier 39 full of stores and restaurants, but remembers everything closes at 22, so plan well your evening. You will also find a ticket booth for ferryboats that leave for Sausalito, Tiburon, and Angel Island. Going to Alcatraz (a tour inside the prison) you must reserve your ticket at least a week before, because they are always sold out.
Russian Hill: the most famous is Lombard Street, where with its famous coils in the middle of flowers is the point were the Kodak & c. erne a lot.
Union Square: in the center of San Francisco, the most crowded square, famous thanks to the splendid shops and commercial centers (Sacks; Nike; Levi’s…)
The climate at San Francisco is strange. To say it is hot is very rear, even during July and august the classical Bermuda and short sleeve shirt can be warn around 13 o ’clock, but the rest of the hours long pants and sweatshirt will be fine. Strangely, the winter season is warmer, because of the ocean current. If you have extra time on your schedule, rent a scooter (at the Pier) and visit all the neighborhoods (almost better then the traditional ones) as Alamo Square, Twin Peak, Fort mason, Presidio and Fort Point under the golden gate, Lincoln Park. Another interesting itinerary is, renting a mountain bike. Crossovers the Golden Gate reach Sausalito, exclusive and amazing town. Take the ferry to Angel Island and then another ferry to the Pier. Instead, if you have a car you can reach Napa Valley, Point Reyes, and Muir Woods. San Francisco offers so many opportunities it is hard to name them all. |
