It´s easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. With 43 hills and an abundance of odd and quirky corners, San Fran is one of the more unusual American cities. Part of the beauty of this town is it´s compactness. A map and a comfortable pair of shoes, teamed with a cable-car ride, will let you see all of the sites and sights on your tourist map.
Places to See
Alcatraz, despite having more tourists per day than it ever had as a prison, is a must-see. Even with the guided groups, raucous kids and bright lights, there is still an eerie sense of history here. This one is strictly for the clairvoyantly challenged.
If you have kids (or even if you don´t), the Musée Mechanique is a step backwards into the days of penny arcade games, long before the microchip took the squeak out of the carnival wheel. A quarter will buy you a belly dancer peep show (more tame than your average Disney channel show) and the creepy Laughing Sal will make you think twice about trusting a freckle-faced kid again. Good fun, especially for older kids.
Things to Do
Ride the cable cars, climb the hills and take a ferry to Angel Island. These are the well-known offerings of San Francisco and shouldn´t be shunned just because they are well known; they really are fun to do. One tip: don´t bother with the insane lines of tourists waiting to board the cable car at Fisherman´s Wharf. Instead, use the California line that starts in the Financial District. This one takes you through Chinatown, past Huntington Park to Van Ness. Great ride, minimal waiting.
Off the Beaten Path
Like any city though, San Francisco has its hidden treasures. Stroll down to Pier 39 for a glimpse of the BushMan, one of SF´s resident performing artist. He´s been working this spot for almost 30 years, crouching on the ground behind some (fake) shrubbery that he holds in his hand, then he jumps out to scare the pants off you. Crazy, but funny, and he seems to make a pretty good loving out of it.
For a true taste of San Francisco living, take the Blue and Gold Ferry to Sausalito. This undiscovered village is crammed with galleries, gorgeous little shops and waterfront restaurants. Relax with a glass of wine and take in the San Francisco bay views.
If you like to get away from it all – and are relatively fit – then take the walk to Land´s End. MUNI bus number 18 will drop you close by (look out for the Palace of the Legion of Honor museum) and a steep walk will bring you to a lookout that is not only peaceful and quiet, but also gives you the best views in the city, without the price tag of one of the towers.
Hotels
Hotels in San Francisco are undeniably pricy. If you don´t have a money tree in your back yard, stick with hostels (around US$30 per night) or if you have grown out of these, there are some gorgeous Bed and Breakfasts around that will keep your accomodation under the magic $100 mark (two people, per night). Paying for a five-star room will get you a truly breath-taking view of the Bay, but can be inconveniently located. Unless you have a car, or good walking shoes, mid-price accomodation will keep you closer to the centre.
Don't be easily seduced by a cheap hotel price tag in the theatre district. These tend to be the kinds of places that are more likely to rent by the hour than by the night and it is wise to bring (and then burn) your own sheets.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in San Francisco.
