text:
San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco's most popular destination among travelers, Fisherman's Wharf is the tourist center of the city. Its historic waterfront, once the hub of the city's fishing fleet, is still famous for the depth and variety of its harvest and for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the city, with scenic vistas over San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. Here you will also find numerous tourist attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, all competing for attention with the many restaurants, tour operators, peddlers and street entertainers along the docks between Pier 39 and the Municipal Pier of Aquatic Park. The Wharf is located at the northeastern tip of San Francisco, with the main Wharf district bordered roughly by the bay to the north, Van Ness Ave to the east, and Bay St to the south, although this guide also includes attractions along the Embarcadero stretching south.

Understand
Three generations of fishermen have worked on the Wharf since the 19th century and the days of the Gold Rush. Once boasting an impressive flotilla of nearly 500 fishing vessels, the fleet's numbers have dwindled over time. Today, the boats moored at the Wharf are only equipped to supply San Francisco's restaurants with a small portion of their seafood appetites. Most of the remaining vessels are moored at Fish Alley, close to Pier 47.

Every year the Wharf attracts millions of visitors to its numerous and eclectic attractions including; the sea lions at Pier 39, the Maritime Museum, the chocolate factory at Ghirardelli Square, Hyde St Pier, and of course the infamous Alcatraz. There are also some great vistas overlooking the Bay, and a plethora of restaurants to enjoy them from. Additionally, many people visit the Wharf to either take a ferry or a cruise around the Bay. The Wharf is also home to many events such as the Fourth of July celebrations, Crab Season, and Fleet Week. Being a tourist haven, expect to see large crowds, an abundance of t-shirt stores, novelty museums, and street performers all vying for your attention. Many locals are put off by the crowds on the Wharf, and the seemingly "tacky" nature of many of the tourist stores and attractions. However, all things considered, there is probably enough here to keep everyone happy.

Get in
Getting here on foot or via public transportation are certainly the best options if you are already in or near San Francisco.

By car
Driving here is easiest (but often slow) by going north on Van Ness Ave (which is part of U.S. Highway 101) up to North Point St (a block beyond Bay), turning right, and then locating a parking space after a few blocks. There are a number of smallish lots, and two major garages near Pier 39, at Stockton and Beach. If you plan to spend much time, you may want to park on a street farther away (but watch the posted limits) and take public transportation to the Wharf.

If you are so inclined and have good brakes, you can go from Van Ness Ave onto Lombard St east, up Russian Hill and down the "crookedest street" in San Francisco. Turn north on any of the streets (except Taylor, because of the cable cars) into Fisherman's Wharf. Stockton St, 2⅓ blocks past Columbus Ave, gets you to the garages. Note that pedestrians and cable cars have the right of way.

From the Bay Bridge it is best to get off soon, head north and east towards the Embarcadero, and then go west into the Fisherman's Wharf area. These exits are still being reconfigured to cope with future earthquakes. You'll see the garages across the way near Pier 39.

San Francisco is small, so consider taking a taxi, at a cost of around $10 from downtown, and double the price from outlying areas.

By cable car
Both cable car lines start at Market and Powell, near the BART and Muni station there, pass Union Square, and traverse the charming hills and houses of San Francisco before reaching Fisherman's Wharf.
 * The Powell/Mason cable car line brings you a few blocks south of the center of the district, at Taylor and Bay Sts.
 * The Powell/Hyde cable car line brings you to Fisherman's Wharf western end, at the intersection of Hyde and Beach Sts.

By streetcar

 * MUNI's historic F streetcar line comes up on Market from Castro Street, turns west at the Embarcadero in front of the Ferry Building, and traverses much of Fisherman's Wharf. You can exit at any of the Market St BART or MUNI Metro stations to catch the streetcar to Fisherman's Wharf.

By bus

 * MUNI offers several bus routes to Fisherman's Wharf. The frequent 30-Stockton trolley bus and the 47-Van Ness bus go from the Caltrain station to Fisherman's Wharf, using very different routes. The 30 bus goes through Downtown, passes Chinatown and North Beach, and then travels west via North Point St up to Van Ness. The 47 bus takes longer; it goes first through the grubby parts of the SoMa area, then via the Civic Center up Van Ness, and finally east on North Point St. Additionally, the 19-Polk and 49-Mission/Van Ness also serve the area, both terminating near the Aquatic Park on the western edge of the Wharf. The 39-Coit heads up to Coit Tower in North Beach.

By ferry
A couple of companies offer ferries serving the piers of Fisherman's Wharf:

On foot
Due to its proximity to the Downtown area, one of the best ways to get to the Wharf is simply to walk! Eastbound through Fort Mason from the Marina (15 min), northbound along Columbus Ave from North Beach and Chinatown (25 min), or from either the Ferry Building or the Financial District, walk northbound along the Embarcadero promenades (25 min).

Get around
Fisherman's Wharf is best seen on foot, but there are also pedicabs, horse-drawn carriages, and of course the F-Line streetcar, all of which will take you up and down the Wharf. There are also several companies in the district that rent bikes out to tourists by the hour or for the day, including Wheel Fun Rentals, Bay City Bike, Bike and Roll, and Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals. Any of these bike services is highly recommended as you get the opportunity to see a lot of the city in a relatively short-amount of time. One of Blazing Saddle's stations is located near the Ben and Jerry's stand and the trail leads you over the Golden Gate Bridge and to Sausalito where you can catch a ferry back to the piers or continue to the redwoods on an "extended" ride. Regardless of what company you choose, just prepare for leg soreness the following day. The California Welcome Center is located on the second level of Pier 39, and they offer visitor maps and information on Fisherman's Wharf which will help you navigate your way around.

See
The Wharf is a very compact area and attractions are centered mainly along the half-mile stretch of Jefferson Street. So, ambling from east to west you'll discover:

Do

Bay cruises and ferries
From Fisherman's Wharf, one has a wide variety of options to explore the city and the Bay by water.

The following companies provide cruises or ferry service from Fisherman's Wharf.

Alcatraz

Alcatraz is a decommissioned island federal penitentiary nestled beautifully in the bay. Before it was a prison it served first as a lighthouse (the West Coast's first lighthouse), then a military outpost, and then a military prison. After this, it served as a federal prison for 29 years between 1934 and 1963. Its location was near perfect due to its isolation and the frigid waters and hazardous currents of the bay, which made escape attempts difficult to say the least. Known by its nickname "The Rock", this prison was once home to some of the most notorious inmates in U.S. history. Famous inmates included Al Capone, who served four and a half years here, and Robert Stroud — "The Birdman of Alcatraz," — who spent 17 years here. The notorious gangster and bootlegger, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, also served time at the Rock. It was claimed (by the penitentiary) that no one ever escaped from the prison alive.

Take a tour and listen to an audio tape in English, Japanese, Chinese, or other languages. The most interesting aspect of the tour is that you can go into the prison and see what it was like to be imprisoned. The tour takes you all around the interior of the prison, including into some of the tiny cells, the segregated cells, the old barber shop and mess hall, and then out into the parade grounds and exercise yard. It might be more interesting if you've watched the movie Escape from Alcatraz and seen what happened in Alcatraz when it was operating as a prison. Tickets for the Ferry to Alcatraz are available at the Alcatraz Cruises website, but they sell out fast so buy in advance. Only one company is allowed exclusive access to dock at Alcatraz.

Events and festivals

Buy
There are five principal shopping centers in Fisherman's Wharf. However, all along the Wharf and its side streets you will find an abundance of souvenir stores, T-shirt stores ("I'm with stupid" and "Alcatraz Outpatient"), electronic stores (digital cameras, etc.), candy and sweet stores, jewelry stores, craft stores, and various other specialty stores of all descriptions.

Three of the major shopping centers of Fisherman's Wharf are also attractions in their own right: Pier 39, The Cannery, and Ghirardelli Square, which are listed under the See section above. Each one has multiple shops to explore.

Eat
Many of the restaurants here are seafood restaurants, so if you're not into seafood at all, it's best to go to any other section of town. North Beach (Italian) and even Chinatown are within healthy walking distances. Many of the older established restaurants have Italian names like "Castagnola's" and "Alioto's" — a reflection on the fact that many of the Wharf's first fishermen were immigrant Italians. Alas, much of the fare available is overpriced, but not all, there are still plenty of places on the Wharf where you can fill up on the cheap. Most of the old-line high-end Italian restaurants on the wharf, while maybe disparaged by locals as hopelessly uncool, do in fact maintain a high standard of food and service. If you're tired of the manic crowds, get take out and bring it up to Aquatic Park where there is lots of room to sit and enjoy your food in peace.

Bars
The Wharf is not particularly well known for its nightlife scene. Most of what is there is of the "smart casual" variety, in restaurant bars and hotel bars. As the Wharf is primarily commercial, and not residential, the clientele consist mostly of either tourists, or workers from the local businesses. There are still some interesting watering holes however, including:

Sleep
Many of the nation-wide chains have hotels in the area but the prices can be very high, so expect to pay a premium. There are very few budget options here, so if you're traveling on a shoestring and need somewhere for under $100, you'll have to either go south a bit towards North Beach, or west towards the Marina. Either way you'll be a 10-minute or so walk from the action. If you are insistent on staying within the Wharf area, do check for the actual location if you want to be right in Fisherman's Wharf — the names of the accommodations can be confusing.

Connect
The Fisherman's Wharf Deli and Taqueria, listed under the Eat section above, has internet facilities. Other options include:

Stay safe
Fisherman's Wharf sometimes attracts an unsavory element; with questionable charitable organizations, timeshare marketers, and 'Three Cup Shuffle' scam artists. It's wise to steer clear of these traps, and be mindful of how you spend your money.

Beware of pickpocketing: it is a common occurrence at Fisherman's Wharf. Follow the usual steps for avoiding being pickpocketed, such as keeping your wallet inside your front pocket or an inside jacket pocket.

While not necessarily a danger, the Wharf (being the major tourist destination it is) is home to a huge number of buskers, and some of them get pretty creative in order to coax you out of a few bucks. Particularly well-known is the infamous "Bushman," who sits behind a pair of eucalyptus branches and harmlessly scares passing pedestrians. It's always best to take such antics with a sense of humor — and hey, if you enjoy it, why not drop a few bucks and stick around to see the next unknowing person get scared/entertained?

Go next
The Marina — If you are interested in boats in general, why not take a 15-minute walk over through Fort Mason and into the Marina District. There you will find some impressive yacht clubs with sail and power boats.

title: San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf


text:
San Francisco/Golden Gate

With some of the most beautiful scenery and intact natural environments in the city, the Golden Gate area is the spectacular northern tip of the San Francisco peninsula. The city's most famous landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge, connects this district with Marin County across the Bay. The area is made up of two National Historic Landmarks — The Presidio and Fort Mason — as well as several upscale neighborhoods famed for their Victorian architecture and views of the city, including Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, and the Marina District. The district is roughly bounded by the San Francisco Bay to the north and west, Lake St and California St to the south, and Van Ness Ave to the east.

Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights, located 370 feet above sea-level and overlooking the Bay, was little more than a sandy hill until 1870, when the Cable Car line was extended and connected the area to downtown. Today, it's favored by visitors for its impressive panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and the Presidio, its abundance of opulent Victorian mansions, historic chateaus, foreign consulates, and finally its many upscale restaurants. The three blocks on Broadway St between Lyon St and Divisadero St have particularly good vistas and are known as the "Gold Coast." Some of the buildings date back as far as 1853, with the majority being constructed after the 1906 earthquake. Considered today to be the home of "old money" families and young urban professionals, it was first settled by the "nouveau riche" of the late 1800s. The neighborhood is predominantly peaceful and residential with most of its activities centered around Fillmore St. It was also the backdrop for the 1990 movie "Pacific Heights" starring Melanie Griffith.

Cow Hollow
Cow Hollow derived its name from the many dairy farms that were established there in the mid-1800s. However, with the advent of the Gold Rush, the neighborhood flourished. Prominent San Franciscans began to settle the area and erected grandiose well-appointed Victorian, and then later Edwardian mansions. By 1891, the area had become so popular that all the dairy farms were closed down. Today, this once luscious grazing land is more renowned for its impressive mansions and its eclectic mix of antique stores, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Union St is the main drag, where the Union St. Festival is held annually.

The Marina District
The Marina district was built on landfill — some of it wreckage of the 1906 earthquake — in the early 20th century to provide a fairgrounds for the 1915 World's Fair (also called the Panama-Pacific Exhibition). Its poor foundation made it the focus of most of the damage (and media attention) in the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989. Today it is an affluent, residential neighborhood with well trimmed hedges and colorful flower window boxes. Bounded by the Bay, the neighborhood actually has an impressive marina, which is home to a couple of prestigious yacht clubs. Marina Green, an 8 block stretch of grass running along the edge of the bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying. Only a few blocks away, Chestnut St. is where shoppers can peruse boutiques or people watch while sipping on a latte. "Culture vultures" circle round Fort Mason, with its array of museums, art galleries and quirky theaters.

Fort Mason and the Presidio
Fort Mason and the Presidio are two former military posts on the northern tip of the San Francisco peninsula. Today, both are national historic landmarks and come under the remit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Fort Mason is smaller and has a world class youth hostel as well as several museums and theaters. The Presidio is huge, with 1,480 acres of rolling hills, forests, hiking trails, historic buildings, architecture, beaches, and marsh lands. It has one of the most intact natural environments you will find on the peninsula and is a must for every itinerary.

By car
The main entryways are Van Ness Ave from the south and Bay St from the east. From the north and west, take Highway 101 through the Presidio to Lombard St. Chestnut St, one of the main shopping and restaurant streets, is one block north of Lombard St — parking is scarce and can sometimes take up to an hour to find. The best choice for parking may be the free area in Fort Mason, at Beach and Buchanan Sts, another 4 short blocks north of Chestnut. Union St, being Cow Hollow's main street, is three blocks south of Lombard St.

By bus
Public transportation, provided by MUNI, is plentiful and frequent.

 * Cross town routes: The 28-19th Avenue bus travels along Lombard St to Fort Mason from the Daly City BART station, traveling first a long way up 19th Ave and stopping at the Golden Gate Bridge. Buses 29-Sunset and 43-Masonic traverse much of the western part of San Francisco before terminating in the area, with the 29 stopping at Baker Beach and the 43 running through the Presidio before stopping in the Marina district. The 22-Fillmore bus (24-hour service) from the 16th St BART Station goes north on Fillmore St all the way to the Marina Green.
 * From Downtown: From the Caltrain station, traveling through Downtown past the Montgomery St BART station (outbound) or the Powell St BART station (inbound), the 30-Stockton bus (which runs about every 6 minutes during the day, until 1AM) gets you to Chestnut St and near the Palace of Fine Arts. You can also take the 41-Union or 45-Union/Stockton, which both serve Union St. Routes 1-California, 2-Clement, and 3-Jackson serve Pacific Heights and Lower Pacific Heights.

In addition to the many MUNI routes, there is also the free Presidio Go shuttle service.

On foot
If you enjoy walking, you can take the Historic F-line streetcar from downtown along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf, and walk along San Francisco Bay past Fort Mason — it's a bit of hill — to the Marina Green. If you're downtown, simply follow Van Ness Ave all the way north and take a left anywhere from California St to Lombard St.

Get around
With six lanes, going east-west, Lombard St is the main road and considered (along with north-south Van Ness) to be part of Highway 101. The winding section of Lombard St is due east, on Russian Hill.

This is a fantastic area to either walk or cycle through as it is predominantly flat (with the obvious exception of Pacific Heights), and also because it's a very safe area. Given the area's popularity with joggers, walkers, power-walkers, and cyclists, you will definitely not be alone. Chestnut St is the business section of the Marina and considered among the poshest of San Francisco's streets. Union St and Fillmore St are the other two main shopping areas in this district. To the north, along San Francisco Bay, runs the 74 acre stretch of Marina Green. Your walk can continue along the bay to the west, through the Presidio, along the restored Crissy Field marshes, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge; or to the east, a short climb through Fort Mason and down into Fisherman's Wharf.

If you are interested in biking around the area — "biking the bridge" is very popular activity — there are several companies that rent bikes out to tourists by the hour or for the day, including Bay City Bike, Bike and Roll, and Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals.

See
There are lots of things to see in this district ranging from the pristine natural landscapes of the Presidio, to man-made marinas, Victorian architecture, and the Golden Gate Bridge. In places like the Presidio and Fort Mason you'll find an interesting blend of both, with modern offices, historical buildings, and museums making their home alongside sandpipers, coyotes, and fox squirrel. "City slickers" should be more at home further inland where they'll find galleries and museums, architecture, and urban parks. Naturalists will be more at home along the coast line, from Fort Mason all the way along into the Presidio.

Parks
The two largest parks in this area are listed separately under the Fort Mason section and The Presidio section below. The Marina Green Park is listed under the Do section below as it's primarily used as a recreational area. Other parks include:

Galleries and museums
Many of the galleries and museums are listed separately under the Fort Mason section and The Presidio section below. Here are some others:

Architecture
Architecture buffs will definitely enjoy taking a stroll through the Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow neighborhoods, where ornate (and huge!) Edwardian and Victorian mansions are on display. Many are privately owned so be respectful, but some are open to the public. If you are a fan of the Spanish Colonial Revival-style, continue your tour through The Presidio section below where you will find many fine examples.

Fort Mason
Fort Mason was a U.S. Military coastal defense post and port for over 100 years. In 1985, it was ordained as a National Historic Landmark, primarily for its vital logistical role during World War II and then later the Korean War. Today, it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is under the remit of the National Park Service. Situated on a headland, Upper Fort Mason has great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and of Alcatraz. Lower Fort Mason, which comprises approximately 13 acres, is the site of the former military port and today houses the Fort Mason Center, which is committed to nonprofit and cultural activities with an emphasis on entertainment, recreation, and education in the fields of; the visual/performing arts, humanities, and ecology/environment. It has three museums and six theaters and hosts nearly 20,000 events each year. Most of the activities are provided at nominal or sometimes no cost to the public. The small, specialized museums in Fort Mason include:

The Presidio
The Presidio was founded in 1776 and was the longest-running military post in the U.S. before closing as a base in 1994. It is now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Congress has designated it a National Historic Landmark District, which is the highest historic designation that can be given in the U.S. The park is a beautiful 3 square miles of mostly hilly and wooded areas.

The Presidio has around 800 buildings within its perimeter, many of which are of historical significance. Some of the buildings have residential tenants, others commercial ones. At the end of 2005, about 2,500 people lived in the Presidio and it is home to the headquarters of Lucasfilm (owned by George Lucas, the creator of "Star Wars"), a unique situation for a national park. Part of their drinking water comes from Lobos Creek (Rio de los Lobos), the last free-flowing creek in San Francisco. The Presidio Trust, that manages the majority of the park, is renovating the remainder of the buildings, with a view to increasing its list of residents to 5,000.

The Presidio contains 11 miles of hiking trails, including the Golden Gate Promenade, the Coastal Trail, an ecology trail, and portions of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Bay Trail, and the Anza National Historic Trail. Cyclists can explore the area on 14 miles of paved roads and along some unpaved parts of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. A world-class board-sailing area borders Crissy Field, while fishing and crabbing opportunities abound from the nearby rocks and pier. Along the way there are also many historical and architectural points of interest as well as some fantastic vistas and natural scenery.

Nature and recreation
Nature lovers will adore the Presidio. Its geology, climate, and geography — combined with the Army's decision not to overdevelop the Park — mean that it has some of the most intact natural habitats on the San Francisco peninsula. It is home to many rare species of flowers including Raven's manzanita and Franciscan thistle as well as mammals like the coyote, gray fox, and the Fox Squirrel. Bird lovers will be pleased to know that there are a great variety of birds milling about including Gulls, Sandpipers, Plovers, Ducks, Herons, Loons, Pelecans, and Kingfishers.

Golden Gate Bridge

Vehicular traffic in both directions share a single deck; a movable barrier (operated on by a zipper machine) used to allot lanes to one direction or the other depending on traffic conditions. Observation areas and parking lots are provided on both the north and south sides of the bridge; the best way to enjoy the bridge is to park and walk across, not least because you don't have to pay a toll. Winds are high and it can be cold and foggy; dress appropriately. Bikes can also be difficult to navigate in the high winds and narrow pathway.

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the United States, and has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The bridge spans the Golden Gate, a strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north, and is one of the major road routes into and out of the city.

The masterwork of architect Joseph B. Strauss, whose statue graces the southern observation deck, the bridge took four years to build, and was completed on May 27, 1937. It managed to survive a major earthquake in 1989. The bridge is painted a deep red-orange color known as "International Orange," also known as "Orange Vermillion," which was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge. Erroneous legend has it that the bridge is continuously painted, with crews starting at one end and, on getting to the other end, turning around and starting over again. In fact, the bridge is only painted once every few years, but touch up work is done continuously by a team of 40 painters.

The San Francisco end of the bridge is accessible by the Muni 28 bus line from Fort Mason in the Marina District near Fisherman's Wharf. The fastest way to reach it from downtown is to take the 38 or 38L up Geary to "Park Presidio" (after 12th Ave) and transfer to a Fort Mason bound 28. Golden Gate Transit buses serve the bridge on request, but buses are very infrequent and unpredictable except at afternoon commute times, when they are crowded.

Toll collection on the Golden Gate Bridge is entirely electronic (no cash accepted) and done by license plate recognition. As you pass through the former tollbooth plaza, reduce your speed but do not stop. If you are driving a rental car, you have 48 hours to pay your toll by going to bayareafastrak.org and following the link for Golden Gate Bridge Toll. From there, you may make a one-time payment of your toll by providing the license plate of your rental vehicle, the date and time of your crossing, and your credit card information. Failing to do so will result in your rental car company being charged the toll, and they will usually pass the charge on to you with additional fees.

Do
Due to the "outdoorsy" nature of the area, many of the activities here are centered around nature, exercise, and recreation. If you feel like catching a show, there are also many theaters here of all descriptions.

Buy
The three main shopping thoroughfares are Union St (Cow Hollow), Fillmore St (Pacific Heights) and Chestnut St (The Marina). Most stores here are of the small specialist boutique variety — a mix of unique and trendy chain shops reflecting the upscale nature of the neighborhoods. Union St is unquestionably one of the best streets in the city to window shop on (and hey, that costs nothing!), so take a slow stroll down Union St and enjoy the vibrancy and atmosphere of the shops, galleries, eateries, cafes and passers-by. With a friendly neighborhood feel, Fillmore St displays its charm through eclectic Victorian buildings that the stores are housed in. The street has a relaxed vibe, shopping here is a leisurely activity — many stores don't open until 11AM, some are closed on Mondays and most are closed on holidays. Chestnut St in the Marina is the one-stop street for anything you could need. Word to the wise — watch out for all the double-wide and double-decker baby strollers... they'll run you down.

Eat
There is an excellent selection of restaurants in this area; everything from regional Chinese restaurants to Tapas bars, and from Japanese sushi houses to American steakhouses, romantic French bistros, and Italian restaurants. A lot of the food plated here is of the healthier variety — a reflection of the heightened overall health consciousness of residents in this area. Therefore, many of the restaurants serve up food that's organic, vegetarian, or produced from locally sourced ingredients... is there any other way!? Like most other businesses in the area, most restaurants are on Chestnut St, Union St, and Fillmore St; or indeed, one of the side streets leading off them.

Drink
The area is not particularly well known for its cutting edge nightlife; it's more residential vis-à-vis downtown, and it does not have the cool cachet of trendy hotspot SoMa, nor the hipster popularity of North Beach and The Mission. So, if you're looking for a progressive clubbing scene, you probably won't find it here. What the area does offer though is many upscale bars, wine bars, sleek lounges, and clubs. The scene here can be pricey and many people deliberately avoid the bars and clubs here feeling that they are too pretentious, and consequently sterile. However, this can be a mistake as there are also plenty of cheaper options where you can get equally raucous and debaucherous on your nights out... thank God for that!

Coffee
This area has a great "cafe culture," with lots of good Americana-style cafes. It's a great place to sit down and unwind at a curbside table, sipping away on latte, after a hard day trekking around. Not listed here are the more ubiquitous coffee chains like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Peet's Coffee; although these are very well represented here too, particularly along Union St, Chestnut St, and Fillmore St.

Sleep
The neighborhoods in this district are really just that — neighborhoods; as such, you won't find many of the larger luxury chain-hotels here. Many of the areas accommodations are located on Lombard St, which runs east from Russian Hill to the Presidio in the West, and actually forms an informal boundary between the Marina and Cow Hollow. Most of the accommodations along Lombard range from run down motor lodges to slightly more respectable bed and breakfasts. Thankfully, as the area is not as congested as downtown, many of the hotels/motels offer free parking.

Connect
Most of the cafes listed under the Coffee section above have free wi-fi facilities available upon purchase of a beverage. You can get on the internet for free at the Golden Gate Valley Branch of the San Francisco Public Library — listed under the Architecture section above. Other branches include:

Go next
Golden Gate Park — If you're a fan of either Fort Mason or the Presidio, why not continue your tour into the enormous Golden Gate Park, where you'll find many more museums set in a natural park environment.

Fisherman's Wharf — If you like everything nautical and would like some more, you should check out the flotilla of fishing vessels at the Wharf.

Marin Headlands — Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, you can find beaches, hiking, history, and spectacular views of the California coast.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: San Francisco/Golden Gate


text:
San Francisco/Haight

The Haight (pronounced like "hate") is a district of San Francisco running along Haight Street and the famous center of San Francisco's hippie community, with a multitude of eclectic stores, coffee shops, and art that reflects this fact. The district is bounded roughly by the Panhandle and Fell/Oak Streets on the north, Market Street on the east, Duboce Avenue and Buena Vista Park on the south, and Stanyan Street (and Golden Gate Park) on the west, with a small extension west to include the University of California, San Francisco Parnassus campus just to the west.

Understand

The Haight is made up of two neighborhoods: Haight-Fillmore, usually called the Lower Haight, and Haight-Ashbury, also known as the Upper Haight. The two neighborhoods are separated by a large hill and are bisected by Divisadero Street. The neighborhoods have somewhat separate histories. The Haight-Ashbury gained international fame in the 1960s as young white Hippies moved into the area and made contact with poor, young black residents in the neighborhood and surrounding areas like the Lower Haight and the Western Addition. Together, these outcasts forged the counter-culture movement for which the Haight is most well known.

Today, both the Upper and Lower Haight are residential neighborhoods served by businesses and transport along Haight Street. However, the Upper Haight is the busier tourist destination, because of the stronger identification with the Hippie era. Into the 1990s, the Lower Haight had lower rents and a larger African-American community, but that difference has eroded with the rise of rents in both areas and the steady dwindling of San Francisco's black population. The most obvious difference to a visitor today is that the Upper Haight has many more head shops and stores catering to Hippie-nostalgia foot traffic.

In the 1960s large portions of the predominantly African American Fillmore District were involuntarily relocated to the Haight-Ashbury due to the disruptive urban renewal movements of the time. At the same time, middle class whites began moving to the growing suburbs of the Bay Area, causing home values in the area to plunge. The neighborhood, with its then-surplus of affordable Victorian homes, was ripe for housing an influx of African American families as well as Beats attracted by the growing intellectual, anti-establishment community surrounding the local universities, as well as an emerging (pre-Castro District) gay and lesbian community.

With the onset of the Vietnam War, many white middle class college kids derailed by the draft now began to move into the Haight, identifying with the counterculture trends already taking place in the neighborhood and adopting Hippie ideologies and alternative lifestyles. Many thrived while other lives were ruined by destructive drugs such as speed, heroin and cocaine, and some remain committed to the Hippie dream to this day. While gentrification has turned the Upper Haight into something of a counterculture theme park (although it is also home to many young, homeless drug addicts, though no longer of the peaceful, Hippie variety), there are still plenty of eclectic finds to uncover here and one can still can get a sense of the once-bohemian nature of this area.

By car
Fell and Oak Streets, parallel one-way streets running east-west across the northern edge of the district, offer a relatively easy way to get into the district via car from Downtown to the east. A few major north-south streets which pass through Haight are Fillmore Street, Divisadero Street (which merges into Castro Street to the south) and Masonic Avenue. Parking in the area can be very limited, however, and it's far preferable to use alternate transportation for the Upper Haight area.

By public transit
MUNI operates the 7-Haight/Noriega bus route (plus the 6-Haight/Parnassus east of Masonic) running the length of Haight Street, connecting the area to Downtown. Nearby streets parallel to Haight also serve the area, for example the 5-Fulton and 21-Hayes north of the Haight district. Additionally, a few lines run north-south through the district: 22-Fillmore, 24-Divisadero, 33-Ashbury/18th and 43-Masonic.

The -Judah Muni Metro line (partially underground) also runs parallel to Haight Street several blocks to the south. An easy way to access the western portion of the Haight district (near Cole Valley) from Downtown is to take the N-Judah outbound to Cole Street, then get off and walk north. It runs under the hill topped by Buena Vista Park. The N-Judah continues westward, stopping at University of California, San Francisco before heading into the Sunset neighborhood.

Get around
If you are walking really quickly, it will take about 20 minutes to walk from the Lower Haight to the Upper Haight - and it will be good exercise going up a large hill.

Do
While there are a number of fun walking tours, this is also a good place to simply sit in a cafe, have a few cups of coffee, and watch other people walk the streets.

Buy
Haight-Ashbury has more shopping and variety of shops than Lower Haight, with great record stores, book stores, fabric stores, shoe stores, cafes with music and poetry, a free clinic, and head shops from the 1960s.

There are several places worth checking out, including:

Stay safe
The Haight has been a magnet for wandering youth for decades and that continues today and is part of the neighborhood's character. Some of the people can behave poorly - aggressive panhandling and obnoxious behavior sometimes happen, but it's more likely you'll be asked for money or to buy soft drugs. However, these people are almost never violent. Either ignore them or be brave and strike up a conversation - they might have an interesting story. Both areas of the Haight can be dangerous late at night after the bars close. Travel smart when on foot at night. There are always other people walking up and down Haight Street so you won't be alone.

title: San Francisco/Haight


text:
San Francisco/Mission

The Mission District is a district of San Francisco noted for its ethnic diversity, in particular the neighborhood's large Hispanic community. Though the district has gentrified and is among the more expensive areas for real estate in the city, many urban artisans and immigrants still make their home here, and the restaurant and nightlife scene here is among the best in the city and perhaps the most locally oriented one. The district is bounded roughly by the 101 freeway on the east and north, Dolores/Church Streets on the west, and Cesar Chavez Street on the south.

Understand
The Mission District (fit in with the locals by just calling it "The Mission") lies to the east of the oldest building in San Francisco, Mission Dolores. The area was the site of the Spanish mission that was the kernel of the city San Francisco is today. The mission was secularized in the 1820s, and the lands were given to the Native Americans who lived there. Many sold or lost the land in later years.

During the 19th century, the Mission District was physically separated from San Francisco proper, which mostly clustered around the seaport on the San Francisco Bay. The district's area was a pleasant country day trip for San Franciscans, and soon grew into a small village. By the end of the 1800s, the area had been assimilated into the rest of the city.

By the early 20th century, after the 1906 earthquake that destroyed several blue-collar neighborhoods, Irish and Italians relocated to the quickly expanding Mission District. From the 1940s the district gradually became more populated with Mexican/Latin-American immigrants creating a strong counterculture in the arts and politics during the civil rights movement. Following this era, the Mission remained a strongly Chicano and Latin-American neighborhood, but also with a great contingency of African-American, Asian-American and European-American driven by the relatively cheap rents in the neighborhood. In the 1980s and early 1990s, it attracted an influx of new artists, musicians, and other counterculture types.

By the turn of the 21st century, the district experienced an increased gentrification. Expensive restaurants and the construction of "live-work" spaces were moving in to the area, displacing hundreds of residents. However, the Mission continues to be a place for multicultural encounters, where long term residents, immigrants, hipsters and yuppies are living side-by-side.

Get in
From other parts of San Francisco and the Bay Area, BART serves the Mission neighborhood with stations at 16th Street and Mission (served by the MUNI 14, 22, 33, 49 and 55 bus lines) and 24th Street and Mission (served by the MUNI 14, 48, 49 and 67 bus lines).

The MUNI Metro Church line runs along the western edge of the area from downtown between the Mission and the Castro and Noe Valley neighborhoods, and passes within a block of the Mission Dolores that gives the Mission neighborhood its name. From the J line you can just walk into the area or easily transfer to one of the following MUNI bus lines:
 * 22-Fillmore from the Church Street Metro station. From the station, the #22 will travel down Church Street, then turn left onto 16th Street and travel across the Mission neighborhood to Potrero Hill on the other side.
 * 33-Ashbury/18th from the Church and 18th Metro station. From the station the #33 will head east on 18th Street before turning left on Mission, then turning right onto 16th Street. Then it will turn right again onto Potrero Avenue and head south to 25th Street before turning around again.
 * 48-Quintara/24th Street from the Church and 24th Metro station. Through the area, the #48 travels east-west along 24th Street.

Other bus routes which serve the area include the 14-Mission and 14R-Mission Rapid buses, which run right down Mission Street from the north and south, the 49-Mission/Van Ness, which comes down Mission Street from Van Ness near Fisherman's Wharf, the 9-San Bruno which runs along Potrero Avenue through the Mission neighborhood, the 12-Folsom/Pacific which heads down Folsom through Mission to Cesar Chavez before looping back to the 24th St BART station, and the 27-Bryant which runs along Bryant Street through Mission to Cesar Chavez.

For cars, the Cesar Chavez Street exit from highway 101 comes right into the Mission, and the San Jose Avenue exit from Highway 280 North brings you past Bernal Heights and onto Guerrero Avenue.

Get around
The Inner Mission is only about 20 blocks by 10 blocks, and is easily navigated by foot. The Mission is generally safe for walking (even though 16th and Mission remains a major drug dealing corner). It's not dangerous, but you should expect a certain amount of urban grittiness at night up and down Mission Street near 16th. Valencia Street, just one block over, is much more gentrified and is filled with bars and eateries.

By car: You will find that people attending religious ceremonies at one of the churches dotting the Mission will park down the center lane of Valencia. This is not a common practice at any other time and not advised as the police will not hesitate to have you towed. A popular dinner destination neighborhood, street parking is difficult to find in the early evenings. There are two cheap parking garages, one at 21st Street and Bartlett between Valencia and Mission and another on 16th and Hoff St also between Valencia and Mission.

By bicycle: You'll see many people using the dedicated bike lanes on Valencia Street, but the entire neighborhood, with the exception of the Dolores Park area, is flat and easy to navigate.

Buy
Valencia Street between 16th and 24th streets is a major shopping corridor packed with boutiques, thrift stores, and more. Mission Street, one block to the east, is also a commercial center, but more focused on the Latino community.

Drink
While you're in SF, a shot of Fernet Branca with a ginger ale chaser is a must. Also try beers from two great local microbreweries: Anchor Steam (once described as "sex in a bottle") and Speakeasy's Prohibition Ale and Big Daddy IPA.

title: San Francisco/Mission


text:
San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill

Atop the hills overlooking the bay and bustling downtown San Francisco are two adjacent neighborhoods famed for their wealth, panoramic views, and the historic cable cars which still climb the steep streets of the area. Nob Hill is an affluent neighborhood dating back to the gold rush, today renowned for its lavish hotels and charming shops and restaurants. Just to the north is Russian Hill, a quieter residential area most well known for its pleasant walks and the famous crooked section of Lombard Street. The district is bounded roughly by Van Ness Avenue to the west, Bay Street to the north, Sutter Street to the south, and Powell Street and Columbus Avenue to the east.

Nob Hill
Nob Hill is one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods. The advent of the Cable Car made this hilltop accessible, and the city's early railroad and Gold Rush millionaires rushed to settle here, far away from the unruliness of the Waterfront and Barbary Coast. In fact the hill derived its name from a slang term used to describe men of wealth and prominence -'Nabobs'. Today, it is most renowned for its famous hotels and for city landmarks such as the impressive Grace Cathedral. At its peak is Huntington Park, with the Roman "Fountain of Tortoises" located at its center. The area was almost completely destroyed in the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, but ensuring its survival were a host of luxury hotels that were built over their charred ruins. Given its lofty elevation, the hill has great select views over the city and bay.

Russian Hill
Russian Hill is a hilly residential neighborhood located west of North Beach (and Telegraph Hill) and north of Nob Hill. These three hills have largely given San Francisco its "hilly" charm. The boundaries of Russian Hill are generally considered to be Van Ness Avenue on the west, Pacific Avenue on the south, Columbus Avenue on the east (northeast), and Bay Street on the north. In spite of the hilly terrain, the streets of Russian Hill are laid out mainly in a grid pattern, resulting in some of the steepest grades in the city, e.g., Filbert between Jones and Leavenworth. Because of the steepness of the hill, several streets, e.g., portions of Vallejo, Green, Greenwich and Larkin are blocked to motor vehicles and replaced by staircases. There are also beautifully landscaped pedestrian-only lanes such as Macondray Lane and Fallon Place. The most touristy block in Russian Hill is the winding Lombard Street, between Hyde and Leavenworth, with eight switchbacks, beautiful landscaping, and an arresting view of Telegraph Hill, Alcatraz Island and the East Bay. The hill's name goes back to the Gold Rush-era when settlers discovered a small cemetery at the top of the hill which contained Russian colonists who had created a settlement here during the 18th century. The cemetery was removed, but the hill's name remains to this day. There is no significant Russian presence here as the city's Russian community is located primarily in the Richmond District.

By car
Driving into this district is not recommended due to the steep hills, narrow and dead-end streets, lack of parking, and sometimes confusing traffic diversions. Avoid any street that is also a cable car line (Hyde between Washington and Fisherman's Wharf, Mason between Columbus and Washington, and Jackson/Washington between Powell and Hyde), as the cable cars stop at every intersection, and they usually stop in the intersection.

If you must drive in, the best streets to take are Van Ness Avenue (running north-south along the western edge of the district), Columbus Avenue (running northwest-southeast through the northeastern corner of the area) and the east-west Broadway Street, which becomes a tunnel between Powell and Larkin Streets. When parking in this hilly district, remember to always apply that parking brake and turn your wheels so that the tires are against the curb.

By cable car
All three Cable Car lines cross at Powell and California. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable car lines run between Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. The Powell-Hyde line runs on Powell Street, Jackson/Washington Streets, and Hyde Street, running up and down Nob and Russian Hills and stopping at the top of the crooked section of Lombard Street. The Powell-Mason line runs on Powell and Mason Streets on the east edge of the district. The California cable car line runs east-west on California Street between Market Street in the Financial District and Van Ness Avenue.

By bus
MUNI bus routes #1-California, #10-Townsend, #12-Folsom/Pacific, #19-Polk, #27-Bryant, #30-Stockton, #41-Union, #45-Union/Stockton, #47-Van Ness and #49-Mission/Van Ness pass through the district. The #1, #10, #12, #41 and #45 run east-west through the district, the #19, #47 and #49 runs along the western edge of the district, the #30 runs on Columbus through the northeastern corner of the district, while #27 crosses across the southwestern part of the district.

Get around
This district is small enough for walking, but being very hilly, it can be somewhat strenuous.

See

Eat
There are many great options in these two neighborhoods -- lots of smallish, cozy eateries. Frequently the nicer restaurants require reservations.

Connect
There are many cafes in Nob Hill which provide internet service.

title: San Francisco/Nob Hill-Russian Hill


text:
San Francisco/SoMa

SoMa, short for South of Market, is San Francisco's urban renewal district and an extension of downtown San Francisco, with brand new condominiums, office buildings, and a thriving club scene, the result of real estate speculation and the Bay Area's technology sector. Some of the city's newest attractions can be found here, including several museums, the convention center, and the ballpark for the San Francisco Giants, which has only furthered the gentrification of the area. The neighborhood is bordered roughly by Market Street on the northwest, the 101 Freeway (from Market Street to I-80) and 16th Street (from 101 to the San Francisco Bay) on the south, and the San Francisco Bay on the east.

Understand
Once home to warehouses and dilapidated Victorian houses, SoMa saw an artistic and club culture revival in the 1980s. By the time of the Internet boom of the 1990s, the "live-work" buildings of this area had become prime real estate, and the artists and musicians who had made it cool could no longer afford the sky-high rentals.

With the burst of the dot.com bubble, SoMa has become somewhat more affordable, but has also lost many of the businesses that made the area attractive during the boom. Some of the best clubs are still in SoMa, but a taxi is recommended for getting around, especially after dark as some areas are still a bit dangerous.

Get in
Being at the San Francisco end of the Bay Bridge and the heart of San Francisco's public transit network, there are extensive transit options to this district.

By rail
Caltrain, a commuter rail line between San Jose and San Francisco, terminates at the at 4th & King Streets, just down the street from Oracle Park.

Bordered by Market Street on its northwest side, SoMa is within easy walking distance of all MUNI Metro lines and the several BART lines which run under Market Street. Running on Market Street is the F-Line Streetcar which stops frequently on its route from the Castro to the Ferry Building, then north on the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf.

Additionally, the MUNI Metro T-Third and N-Judah lines emerge from the Market Street subway and travel through the SoMa district, stopping at a few places along the Embarcadero south of Market, including Oracle Park. The N line stops at the Caltrain station, while the T line continues south down 3rd Street into Southeast San Francisco.

By bus
MUNI offers extensive bus service through SoMa, with nearly every street having a bus line of some sort. Routes 10-Townsend, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 30-Stockton, 45-Union/Stockton and 47-Van Ness are the best bets for getting down from the neighborhoods to the north, like Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. Routes 1-California, 5-Fulton, 6-Haight/Parnassus, 38-Geary and 7-Haight/Noriega are some of the best for getting in from eastern neighborhoods like The Avenues, while routes 9-San Bruno, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 14-Mission, and 27-Bryant come up from Southern San Francisco through the Mission district.

Nearly all intercity bus service into San Francisco runs into the Transbay Terminal in SoMa, including Megabus, Flixbus, Cabin, Greyhound, MUNI, and various other Bay Area transit services (AC Transit, samTrans, Golden Gate Transit, and WestCAT). It's on Beale, between Mission and Howard, a short walk to Market Street and Embarcadero Station. It's big, spanning all the way to 2nd Street.

By car
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, which is part of Interstate Highway 80, offers a direct connection from the cities of the East Bay area (such as Oakland) to SoMa. After getting into San Francisco, any of the first three exits (Fremont/Folsom, 5th Street, 8th Street) will lead you into SoMa before I-80 terminates at US-101.

From the south, there are two freeways running into SoMa: I-280 dead ends near the Caltrain Station - stay in the right lanes to get onto 6th Street, or stay in the left lanes to get onto King Street and past the Caltrain Station and Oracle Park. US-101 comes up from the south to merge into I-80, where you can get off onto I-80 and take one of the two eastbound exits into SoMa, or stay on US-101 (stay in the left lanes) and exit at 9th Street or Mission Street before the freeway terminates at Market Street (US-101 continues north as Van Ness Avenue).

SoMa is also well-connected to other San Francisco neighborhoods by surface streets. From the north, The Embarcadero is the best one for getting down from Fisherman's Wharf, while Van Ness Avenue is the best for getting from the Golden Gate area. Between those two are a number of other major thoroughfares, such as Montgomery, Stockton and Hyde Streets, which will also do nicely. From the south and southwest, 3rd Street, Mission Street and Market Street all work well.

Parking here, as anywhere else in San Francisco, can be a challenge, but there a number of parking garages in the district, including a large one at Mission between Fifth and Fourth streets for the Moscone Center. People driving to a Giants game are advised to park at the large parking lot along 3rd Street just south of Oracle Park, just across the canal.

By boat
In addition to the regular ferry service provided to the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street in the adjacent Financial District, two ferry companies offer special ferry service to Giants home games at Oracle Park: Golden Gate Ferry from Larkspur, and San Francisco Bay Ferry from Alameda, Oakland, and Vallejo.

Eat
In addition to the numerous restaurants listed below, there are also food courts in the Metreon and the Westfield San Francisco Centre, both of which are large and offer a variety of restaurants; although in the case of the Metreon, be sure to avoid the food court during lunch hours of any major convention, when the lines for each restaurant will get very long.

Clubs
Many of San Francisco's best dance clubs are in SoMa.

title: San Francisco/SoMa


text:
San Francisco/Southeast

Southeast San Francisco is made up of several mostly residential neighborhoods of San Francisco bounded on the north and west by I-280, the 101 highway, and 16th Street, the east by the San Francisco Bay, and on the south by the city limits.

Understand
Bayview-Hunter's Point is bounded roughly by Cesar Chavez to the north, the 101 freeway to the west, and the San Francisco Bay to the east. When the Navy closed the Naval Shipyard (the site of the first dry-dock on the West Coast and a major population draw), it also cut the jobs that the Shipyard provided. As jobs left, crime rose, and Hunters Point is now one of the worst neighborhoods of the city. It is however turning around slowly, and people who live there say it's not as bad as it was 10 years ago. New apartments are being built and the Muni Metro (public transit) has been extended.

Dogpatch is a diverse neighborhood on the eastern edge of Potrero Hill, recognized as a historic district by the city in 2003.

The Excelsior is part of the area known as the Outer Mission. The district is a mostly residential and filled with working-class neighborhoods. Mission and connecting streets have a variety of Asian and Latinx eateries, bakeries, and markets.

Portolá is a mostly residential district bounded by 101, 280, University Ave and Mansell St. San Bruno Avenue has many Asian and a few Latinx eateries, bakeries, and markets.

Potrero Hill is a district located east of the Mission District and south of SoMa. It is bordered on the north by 16th Street, on the west by Potrero Avenue (U.S. Route 101), and on the south by Cesar Chavez Street.

Visitacion Valley is a district bordered roughly by John McLaren Park to the west, Mansell Boulevard to the north, Bayview Hill and Candlestick Cove to the east, and the San Francisco/San Mateo County line to the south.

Get in
The MUNI Metro serves several neighborhoods of Southeast San Francisco. The -Third line light rail runs the length of 3rd Street from Downtown through Potrero Hill and Bayview-Hunters Point to its southern terminus at Bay Shore Blvd and Sunnydale Avenue in Visitacion Valley. On the other side of Southeast San Francisco, the, and  lines meet up at the Balboa Park BART station near Ingleside. The and  lines run west through Ingleside, while the  line runs north through Noe Valley and the Castro.

BART, the regional metro system, stops at the Balboa Park station as well as the Glen Park station (also serviced by MUNI Metro J line) just to the north, before continuing on through the Mission district to Downtown and across the bay. Caltrain, a commuter rail running south from Downtown to San Jose, has two stops in Southeast San Francisco: the 22nd Street station on Pennsylvania and 22nd Streets, and the Bayshore station on Tunnel Avenue south of Bayshore Blvd, near the end of the MUNI Metro line.

The area is also serviced by the 9-San Bruno, 14-Mission, 19-Polk, 22-Fillmore, 23-Monterey, 24-Divisadero, 29-Sunset, 43-Masonic, 44-O'Shaughnessy, 48-Quintara/24th Street, 49-Mission/Van Ness, 52-Excelsior, 54-Felton and 56-Rutland MUNI bus lines.

By car, I-280 and the 101 Highway provide easy freeway access to the area.

Sleep
There are few lodging opportunities in this area, and those that are here are often run-down motels along the main streets which unfortunately have a reputation for attracting drug dealers, crime, and general uncleanliness of the motels themselves; not to mention that they are far from the city's main attractions. There are some very affordable and generally nicer accommodations closer to the tourist neighborhoods and just south in Daly City.

title: San Francisco/Southeast


text:
San Francisco/The Avenues

Lush Golden Gate Park, foggy Sunset, hilly Richmond, and the steep cliffs of Lands End make up The Avenues of western San Francisco. A mostly residential area, this is where you will find one of the most ethnically-diverse populations of the city, San Francisco's main beach, charming shops and restaurants, spectacular coastline scenery, and the massive Golden Gate Park with its many gardens, lakes, pastures, and forests. The area is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west, Lake Street on the north, Arguello Blvd and Stanyan Street (from Lake to Frederick Street) and 7th Avenue (from Lincoln to around Golden Gate Heights Park, or about Quintara) and 19th Avenue (from Quintara to Sloat) on the east, and Sloat Blvd on the south.

Understand
The Richmond is a neighborhood bordered on the north by Lincoln Park and the Presidio, Arguello Boulevard on the east, Golden Gate Park on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The Richmond is divided into the eastern Inner Richmond and western Outer Richmond by CA Highway 1 (Park Presidio/13th Avenue), which runs north-south.

San Francisco's Sunset District covers a large, mostly residential area on the west side of San Francisco. It is bordered on the west by Ocean Beach, on the north by Golden Gate Park, on the south by Sloat Boulevard, and on the east by a vague boundary roughly around 7th Avenue. It was built on a grid pattern and the vast majority of the housing in the area was constructed between 1920 and 1950. Sunset is divided into the eastern Inner Sunset and the western Outer Sunset by CA Highway 1 (19th Avenue).

The Sunset's majority population is Asian-American, and this increases west of 19th Avenue in the Outer Sunset, where Chinese and Chinese-Americans make up a little bit less than 40% of residents. A sizeable Irish and Irish-American population also exists in the Sunset.

On clear days you will see many locals and tourists watching the sunset at Ocean Beach; still, the name "Sunset" is a bit of a misnomer as the area is often covered in fog due to its proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean. However, whether or not the sun is shining, it is a charming neighborhood to visit.

By Muni
Richmond's central east-west artery is Geary Boulevard. Frequent bus service from downtown via Union Square is provided by the 38-Geary and the 38R-Geary Rapid buses. Even though the district only spans eight blocks from north to south, there are also parallel bus lines 1-California and 2-Clement north of Geary and lines 31-Balboa, 5-Fulton and 5R-Fulton Rapid south of Geary Boulevard.

Much of the Sunset neighborhood is accessible via the N-Judah and L-Taraval Muni Metro light rail lines. East-west bus lines through Sunset include the 23-Monterey, 48-Quintara/24th St, 66-Quintara and 7-Haight/Noreiga.

North-south bus lines which connect Richmond and Sunset through Golden Gate Park include 18-46th Ave, 28-19th Ave and 29-Sunset. Additionally, the 44-O'Shaughnessy runs up from Twin Peaks to the southeast and through Golden Gate Park past the de Young Museum, continuing up 6th Avenue into the Richmond neighborhood.

By car
Running north/south through the area and serving as the major traffic artery is Highway 1 (19th Avenue). In Sunset is another major road called Sunset Boulevard, located between 36th and 37th Avenues and running north/south from Lincoln Way to Sloat Boulevard. On the western edge of the district is The Great Highway, which runs north/south along Ocean Beach. Geary Street is the central east/west artery through Richmond. Fulton Street runs east-west, marking the northern edge of Golden Gate Park while Lincoln Way runs east/west along the southern edge of Golden Gate Park. The southern border is marked by Sloat Boulevard which runs east/west.

Golden Gate Park

Lands End
A component of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Lands End defines the extreme northwestern corner of San Francisco, with majestic views of the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge from the ocean side, and the Pacific Ocean itself. A portion of the Coastal Trail runs along the steep, rocky coastline of the area, from the Cliff House north to the Golden Gate, providing a spectacular hike with views of shipwrecks and jagged coastline. Atop the hill overlooking the coast is the famed Legion of Honor art museum, surrounded by the spacious lawns and the golf course of Lincoln Park, so named because it was the end point of the transcontinental Lincoln Highway.

The #18 Muni bus terminates at the Legion of Honor museum at the center of the park, traveling south through Richmond and past Golden Gate Park, while frequent service to downtown is offered by the #38R Geary Rapid buses, which terminate at Point Lobos Avenue and 48th, next to Sutro Heights Park and right around the corner from the Lands End Lookout and the Cliff House. Drivers will want to take the El Camino del Mar Drive through the small Seacliff area on the northwest side to view some fancy mansions between Lincoln Park and the Presidio.

Eat
A thriving restaurant area is to be found in the Inner Sunset around 9th Avenue and Irving Street. There is also a major Asian shopping district in the Outer Sunset on Irving from 19th to 27th Avenues with restaurants, supermarkets, a Taiwanese bakery, and tapioca drink places. Another small restaurant and shopping district in the Outer Sunset is located along Noriega Street.

In the Richmond district there is a major Asian shopping district on Clement Street from 2nd to 12th Avenues with restaurants, markets, a number of dim sum (Cantonese snacks, literally `touch-the-heart') vendors, Hong Kong style bakeries, as well as Japanese, Thai, Burmese, and Korean restaurants, and tapioca drink places. Most other ethnic cuisines are represented as well. Not many tourists here.

Food Markets

title: San Francisco/The Avenues


text:
San Francisco/Twin Peaks-Lake Merced

Southwestern San Francisco is made up of several hilly neighborhoods that include some of the city's highest peaks, beautiful parkland, and tranquil neighborhoods tucked in the hillsides, where you'll find spectacular views and quiet parks. Running from the Twin Peaks to Lake Merced at the very southwestern corner of the city, the area includes the Twin Peaks neighborhoods, West Portal, and Miraloma Park before stretching southwest to Ingleside, SFSU and Lake Merced. It is bordered by the Sunset neighborhood on the northwest, the Castro-Noe Valley district to the northeast, and I-280 to the southeast.

Understand
The name Twin Peaks stems from the fact that it consists of two almost identical peaks. It is practically at the geographical center of the city, and at an elevation of over 900 feet it offers spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the city and the bay. Although the peaks remain undeveloped, the foot of the hillside is peppered with residential houses, taking advantage of the spectacular vistas.

The weather in Twin Peaks is always markedly windier and chillier than in neighborhoods at lower altitudes, so bring along appropriate cool-weather dress and err on the side of excess.

Miraloma Park is a quiet, pleasant residential district of single-family homes on the east side of Mt. Davidson. Homes were first built in the neighborhood in the late 1920s and construction continued in waves through the 1950s. The neighborhood therefore offers a variety of architectural styles: from 1920s classic to mid-century modern.

West Portal is a small business district on the western side of San Francisco's largest hills. The name refers to the western end of the Twin Peaks Tunnel, a subway tunnel which runs under the Twin Peaks and connects to the Market Street subway tunnel to Downtown.

Forest Hill is an often overlooked neighborhood atop the Twin Peaks Tunnel, with a subway station on the way out to West Portal. One of the first neighborhood developments on the west side of the city, Forest Hill's first houses were built in the 1910s with the opening of the Twin Peaks Tunnel. The neighborhood is beautifully landscaped, with wide, curving streets, terraces, parks, and elegant stairways with ornamental touches.

Lake Merced is a freshwater lake which now serves mainly as a recreational spot, surrounded by much parkland. It was the last area of San Francisco to develop, making it the best place to put the large San Francisco Zoo and the campus for San Francisco State University, which is the heart of another small business district.

Ingleside is a mostly residential neighborhood tucked between San Francisco State University on the west and City College of San Francisco on the east. Ocean Avenue is the main commercial corridor of this neighborhood. A new shopping district on Alemany Boulevard in the southern section of this neighborhood promises several restaurants as well as shopping.

Get in
MUNI Metro, and  lines serve the area. From Downtown, all three lines travel underground through the Twin Peaks Tunnel, stopping at the Forest Hill station before emerging aboveground at West Portal station. After West Portal, the lines run on the surface. The line runs west through the Sunset neighborhood to the San Francisco Zoo. The and  lines split up as they head through Ingelside, with the -line stopping at the San Francisco State University, before meeting up again at the Balboa Park BART station near the City College. The and  lines overlap in the Twin Peaks tunnel, so "K" trains inbound to Downtown will be redesignated "T" as they pass through West Portal station.

Muni bus lines which serve the area include the 36-Teresita, 37-Corbett, 43-Masonic, 44-O'Shaughnessy and the 48-Quintara/24th Street lines in the Twin Peaks area, and the 18-46th Avenue, 23-Monterey, 28-19th Avenue, 29-Sunset and 57-Parkmerced lines in the Lake Merced and SFSU area.

title: San Francisco/Twin Peaks-Lake Merced


text:
San Francisco/Union Square-Financial District

Union Square-Financial District is an area of Downtown San Francisco, made up of two neighborhoods: the bustling shopping and theater district surrounding Union Square, and the central business district where Market Street meets the bay. This is where you will find many of the city's office buildings, luxury hotels, and department stores, where tourists riding in on cable cars and streetcars cross paths with the weekday commuters who come in through the Market Street Subway. The area is bounded roughly by Market Street to the south, the San Francisco Bay to the east, Chinatown and Taylor Street to the west, and Bush Street (between Taylor and Kearny) and Washington Street (between Kearny and the bay) to the north.

Union Square
Surrounded by upscale hotels, Union Square is one of the largest shopping areas in the U.S. and is home to some of the nation's finest department stores, malls and specialty stores. As if that wasn't enough, it also boasts many fine art galleries, some of the best restaurants in the city, and it also serves as San Francisco's main theater district, featuring many Broadway and off-Broadway shows. The city earmarked the area as a park in 1850, and its name was derived from the many lively, pro-Union Civil War demonstrations that were held there. The square itself, a public plaza, which is bordered by Post, Stockton, Geary, and Powell streets, got a major refurbishment in 2002 when most of its grass was paved over with granite stone. Built in 1903, the monument dedicated to the Goddess Victory still remains at the heart of the square. Today, people use the square mostly as a space to relax and soak up a bit of sun, and to wallow in the atmosphere created by the surrounding cable cars, hotels and shoppers.

Financial District
The Financial District is among the top financial centers in the United States and its many skyscrapers add a very impressive skyline to the city. It is home to the headquarters of the 12th District of the United States Federal Reserve, as well as the iconic Transamerica Pyramid building. It also houses the corporate headquarters of many financial giants such as Visa, Wells Fargo Bank, Mckeeson Corporation and Charles Schwab Corporation. Despite the fact that the area was almost completely destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and fire, many of its original skyscrapers have survived. Today the architecture reflects a mix of both contemporary as well as more historic buildings such as the Merchant and Exchange building, the Bank of America building and the Russ building. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities in the area with centers such as the Embarcadero Center and the Ferry Building. It begins at Montgomery, which was once known as the "Wall Street of the West," and ends at the Embarcadero.

By ferry
Several ferry companies operate service from around the bay to the Ferry Building on the waterfront and offer a scenic bay crossing.

By public transit

Extensive public transit is offered through the neighborhood, provided either by the regional BART system or the city-wide MUNI system, which encompasses the MUNI Metro, buses, cable cars, and the F-Line streetcar.

The MUNI Metro line stops at Union Square/Market Street Station.

BART and all other MUNI Metro lines run under Market Street with three stations serving this part of downtown: the Embarcadero, Montgomery Street and Powell Street. Powell Street Station is just a few blocks from Union Square. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable car lines run from Powell and Market past Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf. From the Embarcadero station you can catch the California cable car line.

The F Streetcar Line runs along Market Street and up the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf. There are several streetcar stops along Market Street. Numerous MUNI bus lines run through the area as well starting at the Ferry Building or Transbay Terminal and radiating out to other neighborhoods. They include the 38-Geary (which runs past Union Square) and the 1-California (which runs through the Financial District past the Embarcadero Center). The 10-Townsend, 30-Stockton and 45-Union/Stockton lines run north-south through the district, connecting to Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman's Wharf to the north.

On foot
From Fisherman's Wharf, take a 25-minute walk down the Emabarcadero, which will take you all the way down to the Ferry Building, at the edge of the Financial District.

From west of the area, it is also easily accessible by getting first to Market Street and then walking eastbound.

By taxi
This is the CBD for San Francisco, so taxis are easy to hail at any time anywhere in this area. Taxi stands exist at major hotels, stores and some tall skyscrapers.

By bike
Market Street is now closed to private cars, which makes biking much easier. Elsewhere, bike lanes are limited and traffic is heavy.

Bike share is available from Bay Wheels, Lime and Bird.

By car
On-street parking is all but non-existent. Parking garages, while plentiful, can be expensive. Major parking garages for the Union Square area can be found at the NE corner of Sutter and Stockton, between Ellis and O'Farrell between Stockton and Powell, on Sutter between Kearny and Grant, and under Union Square.

Get around
To help you navigate around there is a run by the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, located at 900 Market St on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza, next door to the cable car turntable at Powell and Market streets. The V.I.C. is open M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa, Su, and holidays 9AM-3PM, PST. Telephone inquiries may be made M-F from 8:30AM to 5PM PST, by calling +1-415-391-2000 or +1-415-392-0328.

Market Street is a joy to walk down. Wide sidewalks, low traffic, street trees and endless stores offer a pleasant stroll.

See

 * Water fountains. A quick overview of San Francisco geography is provided by the on the steps of the Grand Hyatt on Stockton just north of Post. This massive wall of sculpture was created by Ruth Asawa, using schoolchildren's bread dough models as a basis for the casting. Another famous water feature is, at the intersection of Geary, Kearney, and Market. Donated by singer Lotta Crabtree in 1875, it is the city's oldest piece of public art. You can also see the controversial  at Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street, believed by many to be a parody of the former (and much loathed) Embarcadero Freeway.
 * Privately-owned public spaces, various locations downtown. Local building codes have, for many years, required developers to include public spaces in their buildings. Some of them offer great views of downtown, such as the terrace on the 15th floor of . Others are just a nice place to take a break and sit, like the Redwood Forest at the bottom of the Transamerica Pyramid. A complete guide, entitled "Secrets of San Francisco", has detailed descriptions on each one.
 * Water fountains. A quick overview of San Francisco geography is provided by the on the steps of the Grand Hyatt on Stockton just north of Post. This massive wall of sculpture was created by Ruth Asawa, using schoolchildren's bread dough models as a basis for the casting. Another famous water feature is, at the intersection of Geary, Kearney, and Market. Donated by singer Lotta Crabtree in 1875, it is the city's oldest piece of public art. You can also see the controversial  at Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street, believed by many to be a parody of the former (and much loathed) Embarcadero Freeway.
 * Privately-owned public spaces, various locations downtown. Local building codes have, for many years, required developers to include public spaces in their buildings. Some of them offer great views of downtown, such as the terrace on the 15th floor of . Others are just a nice place to take a break and sit, like the Redwood Forest at the bottom of the Transamerica Pyramid. A complete guide, entitled "Secrets of San Francisco", has detailed descriptions on each one.
 * Water fountains. A quick overview of San Francisco geography is provided by the on the steps of the Grand Hyatt on Stockton just north of Post. This massive wall of sculpture was created by Ruth Asawa, using schoolchildren's bread dough models as a basis for the casting. Another famous water feature is, at the intersection of Geary, Kearney, and Market. Donated by singer Lotta Crabtree in 1875, it is the city's oldest piece of public art. You can also see the controversial  at Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street, believed by many to be a parody of the former (and much loathed) Embarcadero Freeway.
 * Privately-owned public spaces, various locations downtown. Local building codes have, for many years, required developers to include public spaces in their buildings. Some of them offer great views of downtown, such as the terrace on the 15th floor of . Others are just a nice place to take a break and sit, like the Redwood Forest at the bottom of the Transamerica Pyramid. A complete guide, entitled "Secrets of San Francisco", has detailed descriptions on each one.
 * Water fountains. A quick overview of San Francisco geography is provided by the on the steps of the Grand Hyatt on Stockton just north of Post. This massive wall of sculpture was created by Ruth Asawa, using schoolchildren's bread dough models as a basis for the casting. Another famous water feature is, at the intersection of Geary, Kearney, and Market. Donated by singer Lotta Crabtree in 1875, it is the city's oldest piece of public art. You can also see the controversial  at Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street, believed by many to be a parody of the former (and much loathed) Embarcadero Freeway.
 * Privately-owned public spaces, various locations downtown. Local building codes have, for many years, required developers to include public spaces in their buildings. Some of them offer great views of downtown, such as the terrace on the 15th floor of . Others are just a nice place to take a break and sit, like the Redwood Forest at the bottom of the Transamerica Pyramid. A complete guide, entitled "Secrets of San Francisco", has detailed descriptions on each one.
 * Water fountains. A quick overview of San Francisco geography is provided by the on the steps of the Grand Hyatt on Stockton just north of Post. This massive wall of sculpture was created by Ruth Asawa, using schoolchildren's bread dough models as a basis for the casting. Another famous water feature is, at the intersection of Geary, Kearney, and Market. Donated by singer Lotta Crabtree in 1875, it is the city's oldest piece of public art. You can also see the controversial  at Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street, believed by many to be a parody of the former (and much loathed) Embarcadero Freeway.
 * Privately-owned public spaces, various locations downtown. Local building codes have, for many years, required developers to include public spaces in their buildings. Some of them offer great views of downtown, such as the terrace on the 15th floor of . Others are just a nice place to take a break and sit, like the Redwood Forest at the bottom of the Transamerica Pyramid. A complete guide, entitled "Secrets of San Francisco", has detailed descriptions on each one.
 * Privately-owned public spaces, various locations downtown. Local building codes have, for many years, required developers to include public spaces in their buildings. Some of them offer great views of downtown, such as the terrace on the 15th floor of . Others are just a nice place to take a break and sit, like the Redwood Forest at the bottom of the Transamerica Pyramid. A complete guide, entitled "Secrets of San Francisco", has detailed descriptions on each one.

Performing arts
Most of the theaters and performance spaces are located just to the west in the Civic Center-Tenderloin area, but there's still a few theaters surrounding Union Square:

Buy
The purpose of Union Square is shopping. Most upscale national chains can be found in the neighborhood, including western flagship store on the south side of the square,  on the southeast corner,  on the north side, and  two blocks south, on Market opposite the cable car turnaround. Other chains include Victoria's Secret, a four-level Ross, Forever 21 in a restored bank, Armani, Crate and Barrel, and numerous upscale stores at Westfield San Francisco Centre. More interesting are the stores that can't be found in every suburban mall. There are numerous art galleries and a fascinating selection of local or unusual businesses. The Financial District also has some decent shopping centers to choose from.

Eat
Though Union Square appears to be awash in cafes, it's one of the more difficult neighborhoods for good eating. Dining selections are crowded and geared toward the tourist market, though there are a few iconic restaurants that have must-see status just from their fame and age. It's also a center of high-end hotel dining. However, a short side trip west on O'Farrell or Geary to the Tenderloin for bargain Indian or Vietnamese food, a quick walk up Grant to Chinatown or (further) to North Beach may be worthwhile alternatives to fast food, long waits, or $200 a plate meals. In the Financial District there are various restaurants catering to those who work in the surrounding buildings although many close at the end of the business day and offer few dinner choices.

Sleep
Without a doubt, this is the primary hotel district for San Francisco. While some of the main hotels are in the neighboring Tenderloin district (although they'll vehemently deny it) their proximity to Union Square and public transportation is hard to beat. The range varies greatly from large, international chains to smaller boutiques. With any of these hotels, you are always advised to book far in advance for better prices and selection due to their overall desirability for anyone visiting the city.


text:
San Francisco/Western Addition

A mostly residential area of San Francisco, Western Addition stretches west from downtown's Civic Center area to Arguello Boulevard north of the Panhandle parkway. Here you'll find some of the more notable examples of Victorian architecture in a city full of them, namely the "Painted Ladies" of Alamo Square, one of the city's most famous landmarks, as well as the historical centers of the city's Japanese and African American communities, with lovely shops and restaurants reflecting the area's heritage.

Nihonmachi
Nihonmachi, also known as Japantown, the Japan Center, and Little Osaka, is a neighborhood of the Western Addition that is roughly within the confines of Sutter Street to the north, Geary Street to the south, Fillmore to the west and Laguna to the east. It is one of only three Japantowns left in the continental United States — others are in Los Angeles and San Jose. Nihonmachi was formed after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Most Japanese immigrants entered the United States through San Francisco and many settled either south of Market Street or in the Chinatown area. With the 1906 earthquake, Nihonmachi, for a time, became home to the largest Japanese-American community in the United States.

When the U.S. entered World War II, the government took Japanese Americans into custody and interned them in concentration camps. As many large sections of the neighborhood remained vacant, the void was quickly filled by thousands of African Americans who had left the South to find war-time industrial jobs in California. Following the war, some Japanese Americans returned, and the city made efforts to rejuvenate the neighborhood. Most former Japanese-American residents of San Francisco chose not to return after the World War II related relocation, and the largest Japanese-American community in San Francisco today can be found in the Sunset neighborhood.

Japantown was also negatively impacted by redevelopment in the 1950s with the widening of Geary Boulevard resulting in the destruction of dozens of Victorians. During the massive redevelopment initiated by Justin Herman in the Western Addition in the 1960s through the 1980s, large numbers of African Americans were pushed west towards the Fillmore neighborhood, east towards the Tenderloin, or south towards Hunters Point where the majority of the city's African American population resides today. Some Japanese returned, followed by new Japanese immigrants as well as investment from the Japanese government and Japanese companies. Nihonmachi remains a social and shopping center for the city's Japanese-American population.

Hayes Valley
Hayes Valley is generally considered to be the area around Hayes Street from Fillmore Street on the west to Gough, Franklin, or Van Ness on the east. Northward and southward, it extends a few blocks away from Hayes Street in either direction.

Hayes Valley is getting rapidly gentrified. It has a curious mix of boutiques, high end restaurants, hip stores, condominiums, and Victorians coupled with public housing and some mixed, probably one-time rough, neighborhoods.

At one time the Central Freeway ran though the neighborhood, but it was closed and later demolished after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. In 2005, a section of the freeway branch from US 101 was rebuilt to exit at Market Street, with a boulevard running north from the exit at Market Street through the Hayes Valley along Octavia Boulevard to Hayes Street.

By car
This part of town is very accessible by car and public parking lots are abundant compared to the surrounding neighborhoods. When coming by car from U.S. 101 towards the Golden Gate Bridge one gets on Octavia Boulevard after Market street. It is important to escape the main traffic flow by turning east or north. There are also taxis readily available at almost all hours on Fillmore and Geary Streets. Though street parking can be slightly easier to find than many other areas of the city, you should still allot 5 or more likely 10 minutes to your search for a space. There is abundant public paid parking at the Kintetsu Mall garage (discount with validation from mall and Japan Center merchants) - and limited street parking. To park your own car it may be wise to go a few blocks further to the Civic Center just to the north and east, where there some parking garages and lots. A few busy restaurants provide valet parking.

By Muni
Several bus lines from Downtown run through Western Addition, including the 2-Clement, 3-Jackson, 5-Fulton, 21-Hayes, 31-Balboa and (most frequent of all) the 38-Geary. Running north-south through the neighborhood are the 22-Fillmore, 24-Divisadero, and 43-Masonic lines.

Eat
There are many, many noodle shops and restaurants to explore in Japantown. There's also some fabulous BBQ along Fillmore Avenue south of Geary, in this traditionally multicultural part of town. The Japan Center is packed with restaurants, particularly in the Kintetsu Building. More Japanese restaurants can be found along Post St and in the Buchanan Mall, across Post Street.

title: San Francisco/Western Addition


text:
San Francisco Gotera

San Francisco Gotera is a city in Morazán Department.

Understand
It's also just known as Gotera.

By plane
The Comalapa Airport serves the city. You can go by plane with Avianca.

See
Although a departmental capital, there is not a great deal to Gotera. It's handy stopping off point for a trip to the Museum of the Revolution further north, in Perquín, which is worth a visit.

Do
The town is quite sleepy, especially at night, but has an active market in the mornings, where the main products seem to be nylon hammocks and bags.

Learn
Otherwise, use it as a base for a trip to the Revolution Museum, an hour north. This museum is located in the old radio station of Radio Venceremos, which was the broadcasting base for the FMLN during the civil war. As well as telling the story of the struggle, it also contains items from around the world which give an insight into how other countries viewed the conflict. There are good English translations throughout. The photographs of the soldiers involved, including women and children, are excellent.

Eat
There are plenty of decent comedores around, where you can pick up a plate of beans, rice, eggs, various meat and vegetable dishes for next to nothing. There is also a fast food chicken restaurant. Comedor Melita was good for a filling breakfast. And there are plenty of pupusa stalls everywhere, some veggie if you ask.

Drink

 * Horchata is a local drink

Sleep
Hotel San Francisco is adequate, with basic rooms with a fan for $5 a night, but you can pay a bit more for a private bathroom.

Go next
There is no bus station as such, but buses will leave from the street corners in the centre for Perquín in the north, about an hour through lovely pine forests, and San Miguel to the south.

title: San Francisco Gotera


text:
San Gabriel

San Gabriel is a city in the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California.

Via automobile
San Gabriel is north of Interstate 10 from the New Ave. exit about 9 miles (14 km) east of downtown Los Angeles.

title: San Gabriel


text:
San Gabriel Valley

The San Gabriel Valley in Southern California is a region of Los Angeles County. Stretching from Pasadena to Pomona at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, the valley encompasses numerous suburban communities to the northeast of Downtown Los Angeles.

Cities

 * – home to a large Chinese-American population and a major Lunar New Year celebration.
 * Altadena – home to Christmas Tree Lane, the Cobb Estate's botanical garden, hiking trails, and even The Bunny Museum, which is the world's largest collection of rabbit-themed objects
 * – contains the historic Santa Anita horse racing track and the large Los Angeles County Arboretum botanical garden.
 * Azusa
 * – home to a large Hispanic population and the first In-N-Out Burger.
 * - Home to the prestigious Claremont Colleges and a charming downtown area.
 * Glendora
 * – home of the Hsi Lai Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in North America.
 * Industry
 * Irwindale - the site of Santa Fe Dam and Recreation Area, a reservoir that allows for fishing and is home to many ducks and other waterfowl.
 * - a wealthy suburban community home to a private botanical garden and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
 * La Puente
 * - holds a small Old Town district with a number of historic buildings.
 * - a center of Los Angeles' Asian-American population, with many Chinese and Japanese businesses and celebrations.
 * - the main population center of the San Gabriel Valley, home to a charming old town area, several small museums, and the famous Rose Bowl football game and its associated parade.
 * - a major population center at the eastern end of the valley, host to the annual Los Angeles County Fair.
 * - contains the massive and popular Raging Waters waterpark.
 * - home to the Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, one of the oldest of California's Spanish Missions
 * - a wealthy community home to many gardens and historic sites.
 * - a major population center at the eastern end of the valley, host to the annual Los Angeles County Fair.
 * - contains the massive and popular Raging Waters waterpark.
 * - home to the Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, one of the oldest of California's Spanish Missions
 * - a wealthy community home to many gardens and historic sites.
 * - home to the Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, one of the oldest of California's Spanish Missions
 * - a wealthy community home to many gardens and historic sites.

Get in
Several major freeways criss-cross the San Gabriel Valley. I-210 cuts across the foothill communities of the valley, connecting to the San Fernando Valley to the west and San Bernardino to the east. I-10 and CA-60 run through the middle of the valley between Downtown Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. I-605 and CA-57 run north-south through the valley, linking to Long Beach and Orange County, respectively. Further west, CA-110 links Downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena.

A couple of rail lines serve the San Gabriel Valley. The regional rail service Metrolink runs the San Bernardino Line between Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles and San Bernardino, which passes through much of the San Gabriel Valley and stops in El Monte, Baldwin Park, Covina, Pomona, and Claremont. The line runs nearly every hour on the weekdays, with some weekend service. Further north, the frequent Metro Gold Line light rail service connects Downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena, continuing east along I-210 through Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, and Azusa.

Get around
Several main freeways run through this area, including the I-210, I-10, I-605, I-5 and CA-60. As for mass transit, most of the San Gabriel Valley (or SGV) is serviced by either Foothill Transit or Metro for buses, or the Metro "A" Line on the north side of the valley between Pasadena and Azusa, with an extension to Montclair in the works.

Go next

 * San Fernando Valley - The San Gabriel's more famous sister valley, home to many major Hollywood studios and the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.
 * Inland Empire - East beyond the LA County line lies this suburban region stretching inland to the California desert.
 * Eastside - The Eastside of Los Angeles encompasses the hilly neighborhoods that separate the San Gabriel Valley from the Los Angeles Basin.
 * Angeles National Forest - Encompasses the San Gabriel Mountains north of the valley.

title: San Gabriel Valley


text:
Sangay National Park

Sangay National Park is in the eastern Andean Highlands of Ecuador. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Understand
Sangay National Park contains many mountains and has several hiking opportunities.

Landscape
Sangay National Park encompasses several major volcanoes and mountains. Tungurahua is the northernmost volcano, located near the town of Baños. El Altar is located just south of Tungurahua. Volcano Sangay is still farther south and is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Flora and fauna
In the lower valleys of the park there are many farms and the vegetation is fairly lush and forested. The higher you go the less vegetation there is. At about 3500-3650 m (11,500-12,000 feet) you encounter the paramo, a high grassland used for grazing.

Climate
The climate is mild at lower elevations, but above the treeline is chillier. Nights in the high grassy paramo can be below freezing year round.

Get in
There are many access points to the park, depending on what you want to do.

Fees and permits
There is supposed to be a $10 fee to enter the park, which is valid for 2 weeks. However, some routes into the park bypass the ranger stations.

Do

 * One popular hike takes you from the small village of Candelaria to the crater lake in the middle of the extinct volcano El Altar. El Altar used to be the tallest peak in Ecuador until a massive explosion blew out the center of the mountain, leaving 9 snowcapped peaks in a horseshoe shape.  To get to the start point of the hike, take the $0.80 bus from Riobamba to Candelaria.  These buses leave several times a day from Terminal Oriental.  There are also some buses that go to Candelaria from Penipe.  Get off when the bus turns around, which should be at the sign for El Altar and Parque Nacional Sangay.  After a short walk up the side road, you come to Hacienda Releche.  It is possible to spend the night here for $12 or to spend the night in the hacienda's refuge, located much closer to the mountain, for the same price.  Horses can be rented for $10 a person, plus $10 per guide.  You will need 1 guide per 3 people in your group.  The hike itself is very muddy, as it is trampled by horses constantly.  Rubber boots are recommended, although you can get by with hiking boots as long as you have good footing.  The hike to the refuge takes between 5 and 7 hours by foot or 3 hours on horseback, and involves many hours of relentless steep climbing.  You will travel up the side of the valley containing Candelaria, and after a few hours will turn into a side valley, at which point you will be able to glimpse El Altar.  If you hiked to the refuge, you will likely want to sleep before attempting the 4/5-hour round trip to Lago Amarillo, the crater lake.  Sleeping in the refuge is chilly- bring a sleeping bag and be prepared to huddle together for warmth.  Mattresses are provided, as are pillows, but these are often cold and damp.  There is a kitchen available for a fee, but if you complain about the price to the owner of Hacienda Releche you might be able to use it for free.  The kitchen has a gas stove and lots of cooking utensils, as well as solar-power-heated hot water. The hike to the crater lake involves a leisurely walk up the river valley, and then a very steep climb.  The valley can be extremely wet, so try to jump a small stream and walk in the drier, stonier center of the valley.  The path to the crater can be hard to find at first, but after a while becomes clear.  It is located on the left of the main river.  The climb is extremely difficult and it will take at least 2 hours to reach the crater rim.  However, the views of the lake are spectacular and are well worth it.  It is surrounded by glaciers and cliffs, and the water is dull yellow from sulfur and other minerals.  The return trip is faster, and if you hurry can get to the refuge from the rim in 1½ hours. If you hike both ways, you will likely not have enough time to see everything you want to if you only spend 1 night.  If you only want to spend 1 night, it is recommended that you ride horses up and see the lake that same day, then ride or hike back to Candelaria in the morning. Although some sites say that you will pass a ranger's station on the way to El Altar and will have to pay the $10 park entrance fee, this is outdated, no fee was collected as of July 2010.

title: Sangay National Park