San Francisco is a coastal city located in Northern California, on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean. It was founded in 1776 by Spanish colonists, who formed the Presidio of San Francisco at the Golden Gate and Missions San Francisco de Asis. The California gold rush in mid 1800s brought tremendous growth. The city has suffered several major earthquakes, notably among them: in 1906 and 1989.

The city is also the cultural, commercial and financial centre of Northern California and is headquarters for several banks and numerous major corporations. Its uniqueness is that it is a hilly city known for its year-round fog, cool summers, traditional cable cars and colourful Victorian houses. San Francisco today is the second most densely populated city in the US, after New York City.

Airport:

San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport.

Recommended Hotels:

Palace, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Westin Union Square, Taj Campton Place, Grand Hyatt, Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf and Fairmont Heritage Place.

Transportation:

-BART from/to airports go through the city, suburbs, and eastern part of the bay.

-Public transportation (MUNI): buses, trains, cable cars (running since 1873) and F-line heritage streetcar in the city (running since 1912).

-Train Station/AMTRAK: Transbay Temporary Terminal, Station Building.

-Taxi.

Recommended Sights:

Among the most popular sites that you should visit:

Recommended restaurants in San Francisco:

Seafood (mostly in the Fisherman’s Wharf area): Joe’s Crab Shack; The Fransiscan Crab Restaurant; Guardino’s.

Hamburgers (fast food): In & Out Burger in Fisherman’s Wharf.

Steak: Harris’ Steakhouse; Alexander’s Steakhouse; Castagnola’s.

And there is also a big Chinatown.

And for dessert, you should go to Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in Ghirardelli Square, near Fisherman’s Wharf, for its very famous chocolate and hot fudge sundae.