Around San Francisco

There is so much to see in the city. You definitely shouldn’t miss the Golden Gate Bridge from both ends, maybe even nicer is the viewpoint from across the bridge on the North, the Battery Spencer.

You can then take a walk through Presidio along the beach to the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. If you are keen on walking you can then continue through Marina District with all the gorgeous houses to the Fisherman’s Wharf and famous Pier 39 where if you’re lucky you can see sea lions. If you follow the piers, you get to Pier 33 from where you can buy a boat cruise on Alcatraz island ($30 per a day tour). Be aware that the tickets may be sold out for weeks ahead. Close to Pier 33 there is Coit Tower from where there is also a nice view.

If you like beaches, you definitely shouldn’t miss the Ocean Beach and Baker Beach. In between these two beaches you can visit Sutro Baths, previously being a swimming pool complex, now in ruins. North Beach is also called Little Italy where you will find many Italian restaurants.

In terms of parks, there are plenty of them in the city. The biggest one Golden Gate Park offers places for BBQ, amazing Japanese Garden, windmills and slightly unkempt landscape. The closest park to our place is Mission Dolores Park with an amazing view to the Financial District. It also worth visiting Buena Vista Park, Alamo Square Park with Painted Laidies.

Among other interesting places we would list Chinatown, zigzag Lombard Street or a hippie Haight-Ashbury district with colourful houses. And you should definitely take a ride with a San Francisco cable car.

For shopaholics, you will find all shops around the Powell Station incl. shopping center Westfield or Macy’s on Union Square (TIP: There is a nice view from the Cheesecake factory on the 8th floor of Macy’s). For regular grocery shopping there is Safeway chain or for those who enjoy fresh and organic food, Whole Foods Market is the right place.

The Tenderloin area is considered as the least nice because of many homeless people and drug addicts but they are harmless.