San Francisco

San Francisco: 

The Marin Vacation Home is just a 15 minute drive from beautiful Marin County, via the Golden Gate Bridge, into Metropolitan San Francisco.

Liberal and multi-cultural, the City of San Francisco is a delight for the taste buds and senses.

The San Francisco "Must See" list:

Golden Gate Bridge (part of Golden Gate National Park System):  The Golden Gate Bridge was completed during the year 1937, and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and California.  However, the bridges popularity has a lot to do with the beauty of its location and the color of the bridge.  Connecting San Francisco and Marin County, the Golden Gate Bridge is a sight that tourists and locals never get tired of seeing.  The Golden Gate Recreation Area covers both sides of this magnificent bridge and offers people activities such as the discovery museum, historical military sights, and natural beauty that is recognized worldwide.  This is a must do and see!

Golden Gate Park: Larger than New York's Central Park, and covered with more than one million trees, Golden Gate Park has beautiful lakes, even bison roaming!  Offering a complex system of cultural interests of all kinds, and featuring top exhibits at some of it's top notch Museums, such as deYoung, the Conservatory of Flowers, California Academy of Sciences, even culturally interesting Japanese Tea Gardens, the Golden Gate Park System is worth a visit! (Museums listed below).

Cable Car:   The famous "San Francisco Treat" trolly cars is a fun experience and a great way to feel San Francisco's pulse.  Marvel at San Francisco's steep hills, glorious sights, and unique culinary flavor of it's inner-city towns.  A must do!

Alcatraz:  This famous prison sits in the middle of the San Francisco bay.  Get locked up.  Enjoy magnificent views and a fun ferry ride.  Explore and learn the islands history and famous personalities that were there.

Chrissy Field:  This is a great place to stop and picnic or just take a break from your bike ride over the Golden Gate. From this location enjoy views of the city, the bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.  in every direction, something beautiful.  People out and about, take to this place.  Historical buildings and artifacts are here as well. A great beach at the east end of Crissy Field. 

Pier 39 / Fisherman’s Wharf / Ghiradelli Square:  Very much a tourist destination, but worth it! Fun filled streets include wax museums, great dining, Views to die for! Don’t miss Pier 39 where the Seals have taken over the docks to the dismay of the boat owners- the tourist and animal lovers of the bay area have declared these docks for the seals! It is a magnificent opportunity to see Seal community lifestyle upfront. Definitely a must see for tourists and locals alike!

Pier 39 - A popular tourist attraction in San Francisco - offers great Views of Marin, Golden Gate & Marin County.

Forget going to Pier39 for the shops- come and see real california sea lions that have taken over the Marina at this Pier!

The seals are right at home and display their stuff with ease. A real national geographic display!

Union Square: This is downtowns San Francisco Shopping Mecca. Top stores exhist here such as Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc... all the big guys and some powerful small boutiques! Great dining.

Lombard Street: This street is one known as the most "Crooked street in the world".  Cars line up to drive down its curves while people snap pictures from below.  This street is steep and only one block section long.   It is important to note that the Powell-Hyde cable car/Trolly line stops at the top of this block on its way to fishermans wharf.

China Town: San Francisco has the largest population of Chinese people, outside of China.  Explore China Towns authentic Chinese food and culture which is now a part of San Francisco.

North Beach- Popular to locals and tourists alike, North Beach is often reffered to as "Little Italy".  Come to this part of town and mingle.  Enjoy great Italian fare.  Complete with checkered tablecloths , come experience the Italian delicatessen “scene”. 

Another interesting note about North Beach is it's popularity in history with the "Beat generation".  Literary "Greats" such as Kerouac and Ginsberg read and hung out here.   But, don't worry, Nort Beach isn't just poems and pasta, but much more. Enjoy great nightclubs and bars in North beach. In the daytime, boutique shopping on upper Grant can’t be beat (no pun intended).

Union Square: Great City shopping and dining. This is wehre the big stores are located in a downtown city atmosphere.  Union Square includes big name stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and Nordstroms! Importantly, it is the beginning of the line to catch the San Francisco Trolley car that can take you all over, including Pier39!

Coit Tower: Fantastic 360 degree views of the city and bay area.  Historic murals decorate the inside, depicting San Francisco in the 30’s.This tower is located and built atop Telegraph Hill in 1933. 

Haight Ashbury: Famous for its role as a center of the 1960s hippie movement;  Modern counterculture happend here. Come for the history, cute Victorians, and of course, excentric Boutiques!

Ocean Beach/Sea Cliff House:  Visit a large stretch of beach and perhaps dine at the famous Sea Cliff house.  The views out to the Pacific are amazing.  Ocean Beach is located at the end of the Golden Gate Park, beach side.  Stroll the long stretch of sand after a fulfilling day at the park with friends or family.

Historic Victorian Home Viewing:  The "Painted Ladies" row in San Francisco gives you a glimpse of the bygone era- the Victorian era. Visitors who would want to learn more about its rich history, the Victorian lifestyle, and architecture can join the regular Victorian Walking Tour every Sunday at 2:00pm (check www.sfcityguides.org for more information about this tour).

Conservatory of Flowers

 SF Museums: 

(many more exist that are not listed)

De Young Museum  Website:

Conservatory of Flowers:  Bursting with life, come discover a unique living museum of rare, exotic plants and beautiful tropical flowers.    Website: http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/

Ansel Adams Center

Legion of Honor

Fine Arts Museum

California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park): Website: http://www.calacademy.org/

Japanese Tea Garden (Golden Gate Park): If you have never been introduced to Japanese garden culture, this is a must.  Stroll the gardens and admire the landscape.  Enjoy tea as well, around a beautiful pond; served with small Japanese cookies.  Website: http://japaneseteagardensf.com/