The best San Francisco has to offer, from Asian art and Beatnik culture to whale-watching and night tours of Alcatraz; we've even found the best place to photograph Golden Gate Bridge from…
Worth getting out of bed for
Viewpoint
At an elevation of 922 feet, bang in the middle of town, Twin Peaks offers amazing 360º views; Twin Peaks Boulevard is the only road to the summit. And there’s Golden Gate Bridge; walk across the eastern sidewalk, and, at its centre, you’ll be 220 feet above the surface of the water. If you’d prefer a nice view of the bridge itself rather than the slightly scary view from it, the best places to view it are at South Vista Point on the city side (via Lincoln Avenue), or from scenic Baker Beach (popular with picnickers and walkers, though also a nudist beach, so mind where you point your camera).
Arts and culture
In the Financial District, SFMoMA (www.sfmoma.org) on Third Street has an impressive collection of paintings, sculpture, photography and design. The Legion of Honour (www.thinker.org) in Lincoln Park houses some of the city’s most important art pieces. San Francisco’s immigrant population has been vital to the city’s character; get a Walking Tour of China Town from the Chinese Culture Center on Kearny Street (www.c-c-c.org) to relive the post-Gold Rush era. The Asian Art Museum (www.asianart.org) has the largest collection of Asian Art in the Western World and hosts fantastic exhibitions.
Something for nothing
Take a stroll through Golden Gate Park – the San Francisco Parks Trust organises various free guided tours; ring +1 415 263 0991 for details. Do yourself a favour and look out for a copy of the free monthly listings magazine TODO. Basically a best friend in your back pocket, it’s seriously worth picking up for up-to-date tips on where to eat, drink, shop and visit.
Shopping
Hike up the stepped hills of boutique-packed Fillmore Street (www.fillmorestreetsf.com) from the Marina for lunch and more shopping in the fashionable Notting Hill-like neighbourhood of Pacific Heights. American Apparel on Union Street has an excellent mix of clothing, shoes and accessories; great shops on Fillmore include the gorgeous knitwear emporium Margaret OLeary, and Erica Tanov womenswear. Urban hipsters should head for the Chrissy Bee boutique on Shrader Street near Haight-Ashbury for cool denim and accessories. For arty interior design and contemporary homewares, browse the galleries and studios in Hayes Valley. The Mission district with its boho atmosphere and Latin soul is a fun place to shop, with food stalls and taquerias on every street corner. Literature fans should make a pilgrimage to San Francisco’s counter-culture and Beat Generation mecca City Lights (+1 415 362 8193), the book store and publishing house on Columbus Avenue.
Daytripper
A 90-minute drive will get you to the prolific vineyards and caves of Napa Valley; there are plenty of companies that will escort you there for a day of wine tasting and gourmandising – your hotel concierge can help you choose one. If you don’t want to spend much time in a car, a day cruise to the Farallon Islands makes a lovely day out from San Francisco. SF Bay Whale Watching (www.sfbaywhalewatching.com) will take you out under the bridge and along beautiful coastline to see whales, sea lions, dolphins and sea birds galore; boats leave dock at 8am and return 3–4pm.
Activities
Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 49 or the Ferry Building Marketplace provide a hive of colourful local activity. The Ferry Building is a destination in itself, and geared towards foodies, with farmer’s markets and lots of fresh, seasonal produce (see www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com for details). Charter a catamaran or join a cruise with Adventure Cat (www.adventurecat.com) for a unique perspective of the city skyline and the Bay. Drive down the ‘crookedest street in the world’ – Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets boasts eight tight turns. You’ll recognise it when you see it; car commercials galore are filmed here.
And...
Who can pass up the temptation to make like Nick Cage and Sean Connery with a visit to the Rock? We hear the night tour of the historic maximum-security penitentiary on Alcatraz Island is super spooky – book early (www.alcatraztickets.com) as places fill up quickly.
Diary
Late January/early February Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout Chinatown with a colourful parade, street fair and fireworks. Mid-February The California International Antiquarian Book Fair (www.sfbookfair.com). Mid-March St Patrick’s Day Parade. April San Francisco International Film Festival. Third Sunday in May San Francisco Bay to Breakers; the world’s largest footrace is half serious sports event, half crazy costumed run from Embarcadero to Golden Gate Park. 4 July Independence Day celebrations, with fireworks over the Bay. Mid-July The Cable Car Bell-Ringing Championship in Union Square. 2 November Día de los Muertos sees Mexican celebrations in the Mission.
