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Why
San Francisco
is special
San Francisco has many highlights, including the top seven must-sees for
travelers (in alphabetical order):
 Alcatraz
Island
Cable
cars
Chinatown
Fisherman's
Wharf
Golden
Gate Bridge
Lombard
Street
Bay &
Cityscape
Why the top
seven
highlights of
San Francisco
are special
 Alcatraz
Island - On the bay lies Alcatraz Island, which is a Hillman Bronze Medal
winner. It is the former high-security federal prison for nefarious criminals
like Al Capone. Frequent tour boats take you there.
Cable
cars - They, too, are a Hillman Bronze Medal winner. They are also dignified
as National Historic Monument, a formidable title for these quaint cars. Three
lines operate up and down San Francisco's steep hills.
Chinatown
- One of the two largest Chinese communities outside the Orient. Grant
Avenue is the main drag, where numerous restaurants thrive.
Fisherman's
Wharf - Tourist restaurants everywhere. Many overlook picturesque
fishing boats. Outdoor vendors cook crabs in huge, steaming vats.
Golden
Gate Bridge - San Francisco's most famous landmark. It's
60-story high. Its main span
stretches 1300 meters (4200 feet) over water. Though some new bridges in the
world have eclipsed its engineering feats, it will always be stunningly
attractive.
Lombard
Street - Steep, bricked street with eight curves in a single block (descends
from Hyde Street).
San
Francisco bay & cityscape -
Beautiful San Francisco Bay is the
world's largest deep-water harbor. It frames the lovely San Francisco city,
which was built on on 46 hills. This helps create the charming undulating
cityscape adorned with mostly small buildings. Skyscrapers have been kept to a
reasonable number.
Other leading
San Francisco
travel highlights
If
you have time, see all of these:
Golden
Gate Park - Its over 1,000 verdant acres were nothing but sand dunes 100
years ago. Showplaces are the Conservatory and the Japanese Garden.
Ghirardelli
Square - Eye-catching array of restaurants and shops set in complex of brick
buildings (some were once factories).
Cannery
- Similar to Ghirardelli Square, but ensconced in restored warehouse.
Mission
Dolores - Sixth of California's chain of missions and the city's oldest
building.
North
Beach - Bohemian quarter. Also teams with tourist entertainment traps.
More notables -
 Coit
Tower on Telegraph Hill
Ferry
Building
Maiden
Lane
Market
Street
Oakland
Bay Bridge
Presideo
Seal Rock
Twin
Peaks
Union
Square.
San Francisco
tips & insights
"Frisco"
- Never utter that word within earshot of a native unless you relish being
given the evil eye. Use the full San Francisco name or simply refer to it as
"the City".
Unusual
weather - Many summer tourists unknowingly pack shorts for walking around
the city. That season tends to be chilly (Mark Twain supposedly said, "The
coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco").
Best
views - Outstanding panoramas can be enjoyed from these lounges and
restaurants: Carnelian Room, Top of the Mark, and Sky Deck. Other popular
vantage points include Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and Marin Headlands
(just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). And, you get memorable glimpses of the
San Francisco Bay and cityscape as you walk the hill-steep streets or ride the
endearing cable cars.
Fog
show - If you’re lucky, you’ll be in San Francisco when a massive incoming
fog bank sweeps over the Golden Gate Bridge and tumbles over city buildings like
a gentle tidal wave. It’s a phenomenal sight.
View my other gold,
silver & bronze medal
winners in the USA
 
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