San Francisco, CA

Nearby areas in San Francisco, CA

Fisherman's Wharf

Adjacent to North Beach, this was once the busy heart of the city's great harbor and waterfront industries. Today, it is a kitschy tourist magnet that also attracts lots of friendly sea lions that lounge by the hundreds along the docks.

North Beach

This is the Italian Quarter, stretching from Montgomery and Jackson to Bay Street. It's a great place to pass some time in a café, reading the local alternative press and people-watching. Landmarks from the beat generation are still found along Columbus toward the Financial District. The nightlife is festive, with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs attracting people from all over the Bay Area.

Haight-Ashbury

This trendy, funky, nostalgic neighborhood was the soul of the psychedelic, free-loving 60s, and the center of the counterculture movement. Today's upper Haight Street, east of Golden Gate Park, is more refined and South Cole Street is a peaceful, quaint spot but the commercial district still harbors a colorful population, from aging Dead Heads to Gen Nexters, with eateries, shops, and bars to please every style.

Union Square

Most major hotels and department stores are packed into the area surrounding the square, which was named for a series of pro-Union demonstrations on the eve of the Civil War. It's the commercial hub of the city, with an abundance of upscale boutiques, restaurants, and galleries.

Chinatown

A large red and green gate on Grant Avenue at Bush Street marks the official entrance. Beyond the gate is a 24-block maze of restaurants, markets, temples, and shops jam-packed with tourists and vendors.

The Marina District

Here are some of the best views of the Golden Gate and lots of open green space along San Francisco Bay. The elegant Mediterranean-style homes of the well-to-do line the streets, as well as shops, cafes, and boutiques. This district also hosts the Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium, and Fort Mason Center.

The Mission District

Mexican and other Latin American people fill this area with their cuisine, traditions, and art. There are over 200 amazing murals, alternative arts organizations, and a hip young-crowd nightlife.

For more information about San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau

Hallidie Plaza, Lower Plaza Level, Powell and Market Streets, PO Box 429097, San Francisco, CA 94142-9097, phone 415-391-2000, email visitor-info@sfcvb.org.