San Francisco

It was not until the gold rush of 1848 that San Francisco saw its boom and began shaping into the city we know today. It also gave us the name of the San Francisco ‘49ers. Most of the population boom came from Asian countries, as men would come over to work in the gold mines and bring their family. This was the start of what is now one of the biggest Chinatowns in North America and one of the many different attractions San Francisco has to offer.

With a population of nearly one million people, San Francisco is a much bigger city than you might expect. There are approximately seven thousand people per square kilometre, making San Francisco one of the top ten most densely populated cities in North America. The downtown financial district has towering buildings, and the main strip, Powell Street is always teeming with people. Huge bridges connect the city to the other side of the bay and places like Napa, Oakland and Sausalito.

San Fran is rich with history; places like Haight-Ashbury, Alcatraz, Chinatown, Powell Street and the Palace Of Fine Arts are just a handful of historical sites around. In reality, just take some time to walk around and sure enough you will come across sites with some historical significance.

Accommodations

San Francisco is a large city; take your time and do some research on accomodations. There are some very nice hotels to book around town, you might have to make some calls and do some digging on-line. One thing I found out, it is not the cheapest place to stay.

There are different areas you can choose from when selecting accomodations. It all really depends on what you want to do while on vacation. If you want to stay close to the bay, you will want to look at places around Fisherman’s Warf. Powell Street is the main strip; it is where Union Square and most of the big names retailers are located. Another good thing about being on, or close to Powell Street, is that you can catch a cable car on Powell that connects to all the cable car stops. Other places you might want to stay in close proximity to are Chinatown, the Financial District and Russian Hill. Remember there are no shortages of hotels in the city. With research and advance booking you should be able to find something to serve your needs.

Alcatraz

Quite possibly the most recognizable San Francisco landmark is the world famous prison, Alcatraz. It was home to some of the most notorious criminals the United States had. People like Machine Gun Kelly, The Birdman, and Al Capone all resided in Alcatraz at one point. For thirty years (1930-1960) Alcatraz put fear into the hearts of the hardest criminals. Now Alcatraz is one of the biggest tour attractions in town. It is a must see when you come to San Francisco.

In order to book tickets, you must either call (415) 981-7625 or go on line at www.alcatrazcruises.com. Do not trust any other site or ticket dealer, as you might end up throwing money away. The ferry departs from Pier 33 on the waterfront and tends to fill up. You are going to want to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets range in cost depending on when you go and what tour you select. They will run you anywhere from about $20 (US) to $30 (US) including the ferry ride.

The tour itself is very informative. It highlights not only the prison and prisoners, but the flora and fauna, history and geographical tidbits of the island. The tour is an audio tour, which means there are no guides, but headsets that help you through the jail and allow you to listen to the voices of former inmates. The dark and dreary feel the jail still possesses makes you feel like the rumours about hidden dungeons and rooms might be true.

Fisherman’s Warf

The smell of freshly cooked crab and bread were my first impressions of Fisherman’s Warf. The fact that you can purchase fresh crab and chowder in the same way you can buy a hot dog or pretzel from a steet vendor, is reason enough to visit the Warf. Jam packed with restaurants, gift shops, chocolate stores, clothing shops and countless views of the bay, makes Fisherman’s Warf a busy spot for tourists.

Head up to the Warf after breakfast to walk around and check out the shops. There is a really interesting arcade made completely of antique games called Musee Mecanique that

is worth the visit. Make your way over to Pier 39, where most of the action is. Here you’ll find most of the restaurants and shops, but also the Aquarium and the stars of the Warf, the Sea Lions. The Sea Lions are a lazy bunch; lying around on the docks inside the piers, but you will not mistake the sounds they make.

Enjoy dinner overlooking the bay. The night views of ships and sailboats strung with lights up against the star lit sky is a breath taking view. There are many great places to purchase dinner here depending on what type of food you are in the mood for. If your trip falls in January, you may benefit from the annual city wide event called ‘Dine About Town’ where you can eat at participating restaurants and select from a pre fixe menu which includes appetizer, entree and dessert at a very reasonal price.

Chinatown

The gate to Chinatown is located at Grant Street and Bush Street. The trolley will take you right to the gates. From here you can walk up Grant through the heart of Chinatown.

Stroll through the authentic shops and look at souvenirs, Asian clothing and artefacts. Walk through the markets full of fresh fish, vegetables and fruits, and take in some of the more unconventional North American foods such as toads and turtles.

If Asian food is your thing, this is where you will want to eat. There are countless Dim Sum and Chinese restaurants around, so take your time choosing. Grant Street is always crawling with people, so prepare yourself for leisurely walking.

Napa Valley and Sonoma

California has become one of the premiere producers of wine around the world. A fair amount of this renowned wine comes from the Napa Valley, which is located about 45 minutes north of San Francisco. There are different tours you can take out to this area, but guideyou.com has an excellent package that will pick you up from your hotel in San Francisco.

The tour starts at 9 am when a driver will pick your party up from your hotel. The tour company’s offices are located in Fisherman’s Warf, so if you are close by you could probably walk to or take a short cab ride to meet your designated bus. Once loaded up on the bus you will cross over the Bay Bridge and cruise through the suburbs of Oakland. The tour guides are very knowledgeable, and will provide history about the towns you drive through.

The first stop is a winery called Madonna. This inviting family run business is the smallest of the three wineries you will visit on the tour. Your guide will teach you about basics of farming grapes before moving inside the facility to receive a background on the winemaking process. Next is the best part of wine tours, the tasting, and at 10:30 in the morning, what is better? After the tasting, you have the opportunity to purchase various Madonna wines and other wine related items from shop.

Next stop is the beautiful little town of Sonoma, which is a page out of any old western. Situated at the centre of town in a large park, City Hall is framed by four main streets lined with shops and restaurants. The towns mission with its old bell, and numerous buildings with wood shutters and paneling makes you feel like there might actually be a showdown at dusk. You will get to explore the town, and pick a spot to have lunch on your own. There are many different restaurants, delis, and bakeries around, even down the alleys you will find little places to eat and shop. If you are a big fan of dairy, be sure to pop into the Cheese Factory where you can sample a plethora of phoenominal cheeses.

If you love traveling, and appreciate photography you must stop by Lisa Kristine’s Gallery. Stunning pictures from all the diverse places she has traveled; including Asia, Africa and Europe, Lisa was able to capture the culture, people and emotions of each place visited with beautiful photos. Trust me, you will be captivated, and it is worth spending a good amount of time here. It is located at 452 First Street East, and is open Friday through Monday, 11 am till 5 pm.

After Sonoma, the tour stops at two more wineries. The first is Cline, which is the biggest and most commercially successful of the three. The explanation of wine agriculture and production process are similar, but touring the larger winery showcases how Cline is able to produce much more than the smaller outfits. Again you will taste and be able to purchase bottles and wine paraphernalia.

The last stop on the tour is a winery called Viansa. This estate is beautiful; it would be perfect for weddings or other gatherings. Hoisted on a hill, the Viasna Estate overlooks a valley, and is back dropped by rolling grassy hills. At this point the tour guides sound the same, explaining different techniques, proper wine tasting etiquette, and so on.

Although the wine tasting part of the tour is over, there is still one last highlight before you are dropped off at your hotel, the drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Even if a wine tour is not a particular “must do” for you while in San Francisco, take some time and head out to the bridge so you can either walk, bike or drive over the bridge, it is really an amazing structure.

For the entire tour the cost is only $57 (US) per adult and $55 (US) per senior, which includes your transportation, wine tasting and tour guide (you might want to tip your guide), if you book on-line. The tour takes an entire day, but gets you back to your hotel in time for dinner depending on traffic. It runs all year round, although during the winter months the vines are bare and do not make for the best pictures.

Conclusion

There are many things to do in San Francisco, far too many to put into one article. It all really depends on what sort of trip you are looking for. Some people come to San Francisco for its diversity; some are looking to experience the street fashion. San Francisco really appeals to every type of traveler, from families and young couples to guys looking to get out to a couple games and people wanting a more cultured experience. One thing is certain; San Francisco is one of the most intriguing cities in North America

Links

Guide You - Wine tour and others
Lisa Kristine Gallery
Alcatraz Tours
Dine About Town