2017-12-22 13:08:57
The fabled streets of San Francisco offer so many exciting sightseeing possibilities that the way you tour the city is almost as important as what you see. From nightlife tours of North Beach to world-class culinary adventures, or simply spending the day enjoying the city’s most popular attractions, here are a few ideas for memorable excursions to experience the city. THE GREATEST HITS The city’s icons loom large, so places like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and other top sights are a must for most first-time visitors. Guided city tours are the most popular way to check a bunch of items off your bucket list without sweating the logistics. City Sightseeing San Francisco, Gray Line of San Francisco and Tower Tours have comfortable buses and comprehensive tours that cover much of the city and some surrounding areas as well. For more freedom, hop on/hop off tours such as Big Bus San Francisco Tours will lead you to more than 20 top sights, plus you can go at your own pace. Enjoy a long stop for lunch in Chinatown, peruse the famous City Lights bookstore in North Beach or take a break for some shopping in Union Square. Buses arrive every 10-20 minutes and multilingual options are available. A TASTE OF SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco and its surrounding areas are legendary for locally sourced cuisine and wine, so eating your way around town is both a delicious and memorable way to experience the city. Gourmet Walks has excellent food, wine and chocolate-focused tours exploring San Francisco and beyond, including Hayes Valley and Russian Hill, where visitors can enjoy up to seven tastings of different local foods. Local Tastes of the City tours Little Italy and Chinatown accompanied by stories as flavorful as the food. For an upscale experience, Avital Tours offers progressive meals that take you off the beaten path to discover a different side of the culinary scene. Edible Excursions’ “walking feasts” visit locales such as the Ferry Building and Japantown as well as Oakland and Berkeley. DIVE DEEP INTO A SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD Did you know that Chinatown was almost relocated to Hunters Point in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire? That Beat Generation poets wrote at cafés in North Beach? Or that Gold Rush-era industry barons popularized Nob Hill? San Francisco City Guides’ free walking tours cover virtually every district and landmark across the city, so you can learn about the rich, artistic history of the Mission, glimpse stately mansions in Pacific Heights, tour the colorful night life of North Beach or relive the hidden history of Fisherman’s Wharf, depending on your taste and schedule. While the tours are free, donations are always welcome. Interested in Chinatown? With its distinctive architecture, bustling markets and restaurants, Chinatown is the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia — and one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations. Wok Wiz or All About Chinatown are two local guides who can take you through the secret alleyways and colorful streets of this unique neighborhood. HIKING THE CITY Want to explore hidden stairways, picnic in a magical urban forest of old-growth redwoods or climb to the summit of Twin Peaks for breathtaking views? San Francisco’s ample greenspace and natural beauty make urban hiking a one-ofa- kind experience. Grab a backpack and sign up with Urban Hiker San Francisco, whose tours combine history and hiking. This tour is perfect if you seek both urban amenities and outdoor adventure. The company also has combination tours that include hiking trips in Marin and beyond the city as well. Experience the city like a local with Urban Trek San Francisco. Their guided, day-long tours to small groups cover several neighborhoods and parks. Visitors walk and take public transit to get around the city. Ask about self-guided and customized treks, too.
©San Francisco. View All Articles.