Vacation Time: San Francisco

The Golden City

REPORTING BY Elena M. Zepeda

ONE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S most vibrant coastal cities, San Francisco delivers world-famous landmarks, diverse neighbourhoods and standout cuisine. Built on steep hills, the city never feels flat or predictable. Victorian homes cling to near-vertical roads, cable cars negotiate tight corners, and nearly every turn reveals a different view of the bay.

REACH ALCATRAZ ISLAND by crossing the cold waters of San Francisco Bay. Once home to some of the nation’s most infamous criminals, Alcatraz has become one of America’s most haunting landmarks. Walk through the narrow cellblocks, get to know the former inmates’ life stories, and learn about their most daring (though always unsuccessful) escape attempts.

SAN FRANCISCO’S CHINATOWN is one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant neighbourhoods, established in the 1850s. Enter through Dragon Gate to explore streets hung with lanterns, and lined with shops, markets and, of course, restaurants. From historic temples to bustling food spots, Chinatown is a wonderful area to explore at your own pace while experiencing a strong sense of culture.

ESCAPE TO GOLDEN GATE PARK: San Francisco’s largest at 1,000 acres, it offers a mix of gardens, walking paths and open green spaces. The Japanese Tea Garden is a highpoint known for its koi ponds, curved bridges and traditional tea houses, as is the Botanical Garden featuring plant collections from all around the world.

VISIT THE PAINTED LADIES on Steiner Street, one of San Francisco’s most photographed and film-featured landmarks. Colourfully painted Victorian homes crop up throughout the city but the ‘ladies’ on ‘postcard row’ are a must-see, fronted by picturesque Alamo Square Park and backed by the city’s ultramodern skyline.

FISHERMAN’S WHARF is where all the fun happens, complete with shops and arcades, historic ships and scenic bay views, seafood restaurants and street performers. Make your way to Pier 39 to watch sea lions lounging on floating docks, and ride the two-storey carousel. This is the place to try San Francisco’s famous and comforting clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.

THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, built in 1933, is best experienced up close. Rent a bike and ride across it, passing beneath the iconic red towers, and enjoying the fresh ocean breeze. You can stop at scenic viewpoints to watch the fog roll beneath your feet, before continuing on to the charming coastal town of Sausalito for a relaxed waterfront break.