San Francisco Travel Guide

The Hippo's guide to San Francisco, the home of hippies, free love and Alcatraz

San Francisco is located north of California and is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge and the infamous Alcatraz Prison. The steep streets give exceptional views over the city, its bay and the California Coastal Mountains. It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the United States and certainly one of the most visited.

The best way to get around this city is by cable car. Visit the Embarcadero on the bayfront, full of restaurants and shopping malls. Take a trip to fisherman’s Wharf for more attractions, view the Sealions chilling out by Pier 39 or explore the Aquarium to get even closer to marine life. Take boat rides around the bay and see the deserted prison of Alcatraz. See the diverse areas like Chinatown and Japantown with plenty to see and do in each one. For a shopping experience then visit Union Square or the shopping centre on Market Street. There is a huge outlet in Milpitas, near San Jose called the Great Mall of the Bay Area. For a slightly groovier experience, take a walk through the Haight Ashbury district, packed with bohemian bars and shops, and one time home to Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

San Francisco is renowned for it's many and varied nightspots, and you can find just about any nocturnal pursuit, whatever you're into. The nightclubs that have it all include Dolce on Broadway Street, offering sexy house, rock, vintage hip hop, R&B, & 80’s classics, and Suite One8One on Eddy Street, where you can dance the night away to soulful house, hip-hop, Detroit funk and rock and roll. Check out the SOMA (South of Market district) for electronic and hip hop music. The Mission District hosts many places for music of mixed genres. A popular destination for the mid 20’s and 30’s is the Marina District. Whatever your style, wherever you go, you can be sure you’ll have an experience to remember.

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