Alison Bing - Lonely Planet Discover San Francisco

Welcome to San Francisco

Quick, name the main attractions in San Francisco. Even if youve never been here before, you can probably rattle off Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz, the cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge without much thought. And while those places do sell the most postcards, San Francisco is equally famous for the unscripted moments that exist in between.

San Francisco has always been one to set itself apart. A climb to the top of one of San Franciscos 47 hills yields a unique panorama of Victorian houses, monumental bridges, funny-shaped skyscrapers and stairway gardens, all surrounded by a glittering bay. The city is naturally rebellious, shrugging off typical California stereotypes with fog that turns a warm summer day into an excuse to buy outerwear and enough hills to give the feeling of a slow-moving roller coaster. With a population of free thinkers, crafty inventors and weirdos passing as normal, this city stubbornly refuses to be brought down to earth.

Did we mention the food? With an abundance of ultrafresh, locally grown ingredients and the most restaurants per capita anywhere in North America, San Francisco is spoiled for choice. And its not just lavish, multicourse meals with wine pairings. From burrito joints and food trucks to every sort of ethnic food imaginable, cheap eats are not just plentiful but fabulous.

If youre bored in SF, youre not doing it right. Even people who live here stick to a rigorous schedule of year-round farmers markets, free concerts in Golden Gate Park and what seems like an endless supply of street fairs. The city has a way of bending to your will, becoming whatever you want it to be. Child friendly? Gay friendly? Pet friendly? All that and more. So consider permission granted to indulge in whatever you want: that just means youve gotten the hang of San Francisco.

The city is naturally rebellious

California St Cable Car ()
ANGUS OBORN /LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Golden Gate Bridge ()

Ferry Building ()

Alcatraz ()

Cable Cars ()

Pier 39 ()

Asian Art Museum ()

The Mission ()

SFMOMA ()

Dragons Gate ()

Lombard St ()

Golden Gate Park ()

California Academy of Sciences ()

Exploratorium ()

Coit Tower ()

Gay Life, the Castro ()

Alamo Square ()

Ocean Beach ()

Telegraph Hill ()

The Haight ()

Hayes Valley Boutiques ()

The Presidio ()

Symphony and Opera ()

Drinking in Speakeasies ()

San Franciscos Hilltops ()

Japanese Tea Garden ()

San Franciscos Top Experiences

Other suspension bridges impress with engineering, but none can touch the Golden Gate Bridge for showmanship. On sunny days it transfixes crowds with a radiant glow a feat pulled off by 25 daredevil painters who maintain the bridges luminous complexion by applying 1000 gallons of International Orange paint every week. When afternoon fog rolls in, the bridge puts on a magic show thats positively riveting: now you see it, now you dont and, abracadabra, its sawn in half. Tune in tomorrow for its dramatic unveiling.

ORIEN HARVEY/LONELY PLANET IMAGES

This monument to food stands tall and proud on Saturdays, when star chefs trawl farmers market stalls for rare heirloom varietals and foodie babies blissfully teethe on organic peaches. Local farmers and food trucks have dedicated followings any rock star would envy; youll wait for organic Dirty Girl tomatoes and Namus Korean steak tacos. Bide your time exchanging recipe tips, then haul your picnic to Pier 2 with sparkling bay and culinary bounty in hand.