San Francisco

From the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Napa Valley, San Francisco is a city that will leave you with colourful memories.

An ideal place to stay San Francisco is Fisherman’s Wharf it has a good selection of places to eat and drink and home to some very noisy sealions. From Pier 33 you can take the boat to visit the famous Alcatraz. From the moment you disembark at Alcatraz you realise why it was thought to be inescapable as it is built on the top of rock surrounded by strong bay waters. As you walk around the abandoned prison you will see the cells in which many of the most dangerous criminals spent their sentences including the famous Al Capone.

You can take the cable car or walk for just over a mile from your base at Fisherman’s Wharf to visit the elegant area of Nob Hill. This is where you see the Fairmont Hotel used for the filming of the TV series of ‘Hotel’ along with the Gothic Grace Cathedral and Nob Hill Masonic Centre.  

Just three blocks away from Fisherman’s Wharf there is the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Hyde Street Pier with old-time exhibition ships and the ship-shaped Maritime Museum.  You will also find this is a popular spot for the local fisherman.

From Fisherman’s Wharf the cable car will also take you to Ghirardelli Square with its red brick buildings that served as a chocolate factory and is now a charming restaurant and shopping centre with open-air plazas and waterfront views.

The image everyone thinks of when they think of San Francisco is the Gold Gate Bridge you can view this from either Fort Point  or a short ride is the Fort Baker a former military post where you can see the full span of the bridge.  

Just further afield is the Napa Valley with its vineyards and a good way to sample them is the wine train which takes around 3 hours and you will be served lunch.

This is a colourful vibrant city with plenty to see and do and is worthy of 3 days at the least to see what is has to offer.

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