San Francisco Tips


	San Francisco Top 10 Travel Tips
		*Best tourist attraction* The number one tourist attraction in San Francisco is of course Alcatraz. The audio tour narrated by ex-cons and guards is fantastic and one of the best touristy things you'll ever do. It's normally always sold out for the day you turn up at the ticket office though, so book ahead - you can buy tickets here. While you wait to board your ferry, be sure to check out the noisy seals on adjacent Pier 39. They've been residents for years!
*Best tourist attraction number 2* Every visitor must ride the trolley. The best route runs from the Powell and Market turnaround (just off Union Square) to nearby the Fisherman's Wharf area. If you catch the trolley around 9am you can avoid the crowds and make a mid-morning ferry to Alcatraz. Unless you're into tat and the company of other tourists though, don't waste too much time around Fisherman's Wharf. Get yourself to nearby North Beach instead.
			*Best bars and restaurants* North Beach is San Francisco's Italian district with great restaurants and bars along the length of Columbus Avenue. One of many decent cheap Italians is Michelangelo, near Washington Square. If you don't mind queuing for a great breakfast head to Mamas on the corner of Stockton and Washington Square. Bordering Chinatown there's also loads of great Asian food in the area. North Beach was also where the original beat poets hung out, so browse round City Lights book Store and grab a coffee in Vesuvio (regular haunt of Dylan Thomas and Jack Kerouac), both on Columbus Avenue. Nearby you'll pass the green Sentinel Building owned by movie director Francis Ford Coppola. Hang a right and you'll see House of Nan King - a highly recommended budget eatery, but again prepare to queue.
*Best city photo* One of the most famous tourist areas in San Francisco is of course Haight Ashbury, where the hippy movement started. Today it's plagued by high-street chain stores, but is still worth a visit to say you've been. You can catch a bus direct from Market. For one of San Francisco's most famous sights, be sure to visit the nearby(ish) "painted ladies", a terrace of Victorian houses on Steiner Street, with the city visible from behind.
			*Best up and coming area* Soma (South of Market) is one of the trendiest areas in town, with lots of great bars and restaurants - the Thirsty Bear Brewing Co on Howard St is a great micro-brewery, although a tad large. Just round the corner are the main cinema, and Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). If you want to drink with the truly hip crowd though, take the BART to 16th Street and Valencia in the Mission area. Dulva is typical of the bars here.
*Best shopping* For big-name shopping head to Union Square where you'll find Macys and a host of other department stores. For a nice view of the square, head up to the Cheesecake restaurant at the top of Macys, but rather than queue for a table, nip outside to the balcony with your camera. While at Union Square try a steep walk up Powell to Nob Hill, where you'll find four massive hotels built and owned by the original railroad barons.
			*Best tourist attraction number 3* How can we talk about San Francisco without mentioning the fabulous Golden Gate Bridge? It's an absolutely essential part of any visit to the city, and great to view from any angle. The bridge is best approached by car, as public transport can take some time (and a change of bus). Along with a compulsory stroll along the bridge, it's also worth walking down the steep hill from the visitor centre car park to view at sea-level.
*Best city view* If you're driving over the bridge from the city, look out for the first exit afterwards. This leads to several high viewing points on a hill which look down over the bridge and bay area. If you're lucky and it's clear, you'll get Alcatraz, the Transamerica Pyramid and Golden Gate in a single photo! Of course San Francisco is equally famous for its fog, so you may not see anything at all.
			*Best day-trip* About half an hours drive North over the bridge brings you to the beautiful Muir Woods, where you'll find giant Californian Redwood trees and some excellent hikes. This is Marin County, home of the mountain bike and also George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch along with special effects house Industrial Light and Magic. Watch out for the Ewoks!
*Best overnight trip* Ninety minutes North of San Francisco brings you to the Napa Valley: a haven for wine enthusiasts. Two highlights include the cable car at Sterling vineyards which offers a unique elevated view of the valley and the film memorabilia upstairs at Niebaum-Coppola. Lovers of mud baths and massage should stay in the northern gold-rush town of Calistoga and in the morning, check out excellent breakfasts at Cafe Sarafornia. The whole area is wonderful for one or two nights but beware this is the weekend playground of well-healed San Franciscans, who book well in advance and don't baulk at tasty but pricey Californian wines. Serious foodies could also try and get a table at The French Laundry in Yountville - reportedly one of the best restaurants in the world!