Of all the American cities, San Francisco stands out as the most extravagant, liberal and cosmopolitan... some would say the most European! Bobos, hippies, hipsters, communities from all sides and from all sides mingle in his settings, which have been filmed many times: from steep streets to the masterful Golden Gate, from brave Cable Cars to the impressive Alcatraz. The city, on a human scale, charms with its peaceful atmosphere, its aesthetics, its attractions and its crazy night festivals: you can stay there for 15 days or a whole lifetime without ever being bored.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic feature of San Francisco, has linked the city to Marin County since 1937. This magnificent structure, designated as one of the seven wonders of the modern world, was then the longest suspension bridge in the world with its 2.7 km length and its 227.4 meters high towers. For the anecdote, its construction required 123 750 km of cables which, put end to end, would make 3 times the turn of the Earth! A place of passage or a destination in its own right, the Golden Gate never ceases to fascinate: its red-orange arches are in every cliché.
Union Square
In the center of Downtown, Union Square is organized around the eponymous square and its high buildings. A popular area for shopping enthusiasts, it is home to the city's major retailers, including Macy's, which is several stories high. Its streets are animated day and night by the comings and goings of the many hotels, theaters, restaurants and by the Cable Car stations that take people through Power Street and Fisherman's Wharf.
Pier 39
A must-see in the city, Pier 39 is a pier built in the Fisherman's Wharf area. In addition to its bars and restaurants, there are great attractions here such as the Aquarium, the Ice Palace and the 7D Experience. But the real star of Pier 39 is the sea lion and his cousin the sea lion who have made their home at the foot of the pier for 30 years. Far from being shy, they ensure the show by heckling and strutting without complex in front of the visitors who can't ignore neither their hoarse cries, nor their smells..
Alcatraz
2.5 km from the city's shores, Alcatraz Island is shrouded in legends and myths among the most frightening... Fortress, military prison and then high security prison, the site has housed the biggest names in crime and corruption, including the famous Al Capone. Today, you can visit its buildings, cells and black holes, accompanied by an audio guide that broadcasts the testimonies of former guards and prisoners. You will certainly recognize the settings of the many films that were shot on the island.
San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art
SFMOMA, from its acronym, is the largest museum of modern art in the United States since its expansion in 2016. Designed by Mario Botta, its new contemporary architecture is spectacular, housing a collection of more than 33,000 works, spread over 16,000m2... so you need to plan several visits to go around it. In addition to its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, the museum has a performance hall and film screenings, an excellent restaurant and a pleasant garden.
Lombard Street
Known as "the most tortuous street in the world", Lombard Street proudly displays its eight hairpin bends in the upscale Russian Hill neighborhood. Lined with beautiful mansions and hydrangea beds, this dizzying slope is the most photographed in the city, and it is here that many Hollywood chases were filmed. At the top, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the San Francisco Bay and the Coit Tower.
Alamo Square, residential area of the city
Alamo Square is famous for its Painted Ladies, seven Victorian houses in a row with soft colours. They face a large public garden, frequented by residents and tourists alike, who enjoy a very beautiful view of Downtown from its heights. It is one of the city's most striking contrasts between the 19th century architect of the Painted Ladies and the modern lines of the buildings in the background.
Castro & Mission
These two adjoining neighborhoods have their own identity that forges the bobo and hipster face of San Francisco. The heart of the gay community, Castro is the trendiest place in town, constantly animated by its bars, restaurants and the windows of its cheerful and uninhibited stores. Mission District is less provocative but just as flashy with its many murals and South American heritage. Surprisingly, the city's oldest neighborhood, built by Spanish monks in the 18th century, has become a reference point for the avant-garde scene.
Chinatown
Founded in 1848 with the arrival of the first migrants, Chinatown is home to the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Once past the Dragon's Gate, you enter a whole new world teeming with life between the stores, restaurants and the exotic market. It is also here that one can discover the secrets of fortune cookies, the Chinese message cakes that were invented by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Factory. You can watch them being made by hand and even create your own message to be stuffed into a cookie.
Cable Car
The famous Cable Car is the historical tramway of San Francisco, it is a cable traction tramway, the last in the world to be still in service. No engine, but underground cables that pull the streetcars on 3 lines. Built at the end of the 19th century to remedy the city's steep slopes, the Cable Car has become more of an attraction than a real public transport: it is part of the folklore and has a museum near the Powell-Mason station, the Cable Car Heritage.
