Insight Guides · Experience San Francisco by Guides, Insight -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

How To Use This E-Book San Francisco Overview In the Mood for…

… romance … fine dining … literary inspiration … being pampered … a quintessential experience … a bohemian atmosphere … escaping the crowds … family fun … retail therapy … great art … being active … street life … architecture … a night on the town … history … something different

Neighborhoods Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach

Take a spooky night tour of Alcatraz Sip Irish coffee at an iconic café, then jump on a cable car Venture aboard historic sea vessels at the Hyde Street Pier Swim in the bay at a century-old rowing club, then taste perfection at Gary Danko Camp out overnight at Angel Island, the Ellis Island of the West Linger over a perfect cappuccino at one of the city’s great cafes While away a lazy afternoon in Washington Square, the heart of North Beach Frolic with the family at Fisherman’s Wharf Get a bird’s-eye view from the top of Coit Tower, then hunt for a hidden tiger below Indulge yourself with one-of-a-kind finds and listen to local musicians on Grant Avenue Discover hidden Jack Early Park, with a breathtaking view of the bay Chuckle over stand-up comedy or over-the-top dinner-theater cabaret Feast on authentic Italian food in San Francisco’s ‘Little Italy’ Raise a glass to the Beat Generation and thumb through a rare edition of Howl

Chinatown, Russian Hill, and Nob Hill

Take a temple tour and go ‘dim hopping’ Sip heady cocktails at Chinatown bars, including a former opium den Peek into a tiny cookie factory and find your fortune Treat yourself to an indulgent meal at an old-school Chinese restaurant or be thrifty at an iconic hole-in-the-wall Rent a Mustang convertible and recreate the scene from Bullitt, hugging the Lombard Street curves Shop for kites and kimonos, then pamper sore feet with a reflexology massage Don walking shoes and take a tour of the stairways of Russian Hill Barhop at some of the city’s swankiest hotels Explore labyrinths and an interfaith chapel at Grace Cathedral Rejuvenate with a seaweed wrap or guided imagery massage at a posh spa An eclectic shopping experience and a seafood counter with a cult-like following on Polk Street Slip into a speakeasy with a secret password Soothe your soul while grooving to Gospel music

Union Square and Financial District

Learn about Frisco history while toning your thighs on the Barbary Coast Trail Rock out at The Warfield and gaze at the Baroque-meets-Art Nouveau architecture Get high above Union Square in a glass elevator, then drink in the stars Splurge on tickets and enjoy a night at the theater Gallery-hop your way round Union Square Step back in time at a venerable restaurant Parle Français in San Francisco’s petite but buzzing French Quarter Tease your brain at the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum Discover delicious bounty, then take a stroll along the Embarcadero Promenade

SoMa and Civic Center

Behold the West Coast’s most impressive collection of 20th-century art at the San Francisco MOMA Visit an architectural curiosity, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, then devour cream puffs Take a walk on the wild side – cheap eats, urban art, and cool clubs on Sixth Street Consult a personal shopper and upgrade your wardrobe at the Westfield Centre Stimulate young minds at high-tech Children’s Creativity Museum or go tech-less at Mission Creek Park Pay homage to Harvey Milk at the City Hall rotunda Seek enlightenment in the presence of the oldest known Chinese Buddha Taste California cuisine, then feast your eyes on the lights of the Bay Bridge Spend a night of high culture at the San Francisco Ballet or Symphony Step on the field where the Giants play baseball on a behind-the-scenes tour Wash down a cheeseburger with a beer at a blue-collar mainstay on the waterfront

Central Neighborhoods

Put a little magic in your life at Fort Mason Meander through the Marina, admiring the wealth of Art Deco architecture Scale the Lyon Street steps and catch a glimpse of Gold Coast mansions Forage for fashions on upper Fillmore Street, then feast on modern Roman cuisine Savor sushi and sake at one of many Japantown restaurants, then glimpse the future at New People Unwind in steam and saunas or splurge on a shiatsu massage at the Kabuki Spa Bask in rock ’n’ roll history at the Fillmore Auditorium or cool jazz at Yoshi’s Praise the Lord jazz-style at St John Coltrane African Orthodox Church Chat up locals at Nopa, then hit up cool bars in the ’hood Sip wine in a secluded back garden or coffee on a sunny sidewalk table Immerse yourself in Victorian architecture on a tour starting at the ‘Painted Ladies’

Haight-Ashbury and Golden Gate Park

Expand your horizons at Amoeba Music, the world’s largest independent music store Hike to the top of Buena Vista Park on a fog-shrouded morning Drink in the nightlife at the bars and clubs lining Haight Street Delve into the racks of vintage shops and thrift stores for a retro look Locate the Grateful Dead house and Janis Joplin’s apartment in Haight-Ashbury Breakfast with hungover hipsters on the Haight Immerse yourself in an art extravaganza at Friday nights at the de Young Paddle around Stow Lake, then visit the bison that live in Golden Gate Park Jam to the beats on Hippie Hill or mount a horse on a vintage carrousel Experience a rainforest, an aquarium, and a planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences Revel in expansive views of the city, the bay, and beyond on Twin Peaks Release your inner botanist at three of Golden Gate Park’s gorgeous gardens Brandish a bow and arrow for an afternoon of sporting leisure Enjoy a meal and a brew with a view at a landmark Deco building

Mission and Castro

Chow down on a burrito at a Mission taqueria Shop for peg-legs and spy glasses at a writing center disguised as a pirate shop Find fresh alternative theater at The Marsh, a breeding ground for new performance Support a grassroots culinary movement while learning to make Mexican mole Go on a bar crawl in the funky, diverse Mission Tuck into a California-style brunch with a movie at Foreign Cinema Experience edgy artwork at time-honored Mission galleries Roam around 24th Street to take in the Mission’s magnificent murals Travel back in time at the Mission Dolores, the oldest building in the city Hit Tartine Bakery for goodies and catch some rays at Dolores “Beach” Kick up your heels on the dance floor in the Mission and Castro Catch a film or a Mary Poppins sing-a-long at a single-screen movie palace Immerse yourself in the heart of the Castro gay scene at Café Flore

Outer Neighborhoods

Get rejuvenated at a spa in a former army barracks after a Presidio run Stroll along the bay from Crissy Field to a haunted military fort Pedal a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands or Sausalito Eclectic shopping on Clement Street and a cherished book store Tee off at one of the city’s scenic golf courses Ramble along the coast, then celebrate with champagne at the Cliff House Decide on the Richmond’s best thin-crust pizza – Pizetta 211 or Gaspare’s Contemplate life with Rodin’s The Thinker at the Legion of Honor Listen to English translations of opera classics at the Florence Gould Theatre Hang out with surfers at Java Beach Café near Ocean Beach Expand your global culinary palate at one of many ethnic eateries Take a walk through an African Savanna at the San Francisco Zoo Sample San Francisco’s famous steam beer on a brewery tour

Essentials

Age restrictions

Children Climate Clothing Crime and safety Customs

Disabled travelers

Electricity Embassies and consulates Emergency numbers

Festivals

Health

Drugstores (Pharmacies) Insurance and Hospitals

Internet

LGBT travelers

Media Money

Currency Banks and currency exchange ATMs Traveler’s checks

Police Postal services Public holidays in California

Smoking

Taxes Telephones Time zones Tipping Tourist information Transportation

Getting to San Francisco By air By train By bus By car Getting around San Francisco BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Buses and Metro Cable cars Taxis Cycling Driving Getting around the Bay Area Caltrain Ferries Intercity buses

Visa information

Websites

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