Home of the Golden Gate Bridge, the former stomping ground of the 1840s Gold Rushers, survivor of earthquakes and a massive fire, and one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities, San Francisco is rich in history and culture. Longtime residents relish the city’s nostalgic past and most visitors leave the city with a better understanding of why it really is possible to leave your heart in San Francisco.

San Francisco lies in a 46 square mile tip of land between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. A maze of one-way streets, most based on a grid system, it is easy to spend a day wandering throughout the city. And expect to use those leg muscles- there are more than 40 hills in San Francisco. You can also find a lot of San Francisco Hotels here.

San Francisco is a string of little neighborhoods, each with their own version of small-town charm. Union Square stands out as the most urban part of the city, serving as the center of the city’s downtown district since 1850. You can wander the incense-soaked streets of Haight and Ashbury looking for Jerry Garcia’s ghost, take a stroll through the entertaining Chinatown, gaze at the city’s Victorian houses or hop a trolley to Fisherman’s Wharf.

While San Francisco is known to be one of the most expensive US cities, it is possible to visit without putting too much of a dent in your wallet. With over 1 million acres of open space in the Bay Area, and nearly a third devoted to public parks and recreation, there are multiple spots to relax and take in the scenery of this beautiful city.

Just be sure to arrive with an open mind and be ready to jump into San Francisco with a sense of adventure!

San Francisco Travel Guides
 Frommer's San Francisco
 Lonely Planet San Francisco
 Let's Go San Francisco
 Fodors San Francisco