WHY GO THERE?
San Francisco is the jewel of California’s Bay
Area and ticks all the boxes in terms of scenery. It offers an enticing mix of soaring skyscrapers and hilly streets, while the Pacific
Ocean and Napa vineyards are both on the doorstep of this
West Coast hotspot.
Its laid-back vibe and liberal attitude are evident in its ethnically diverse neighbourhoods.
Visitors can enjoy dim sum at Eastern Bakery in Chinatown, browse the vintage stores in Haight-ashbury, check out the graffiti art in the hip Mission District and take a ride on one of the antique cable cars that criss-cross the city (who can forget that Mustang crash scene in The Princess Diaries?).
However, at the top of most tourists’ to-do list is Alcatraz, once America’s most notorious high-security prison. A 20-minute boat trip from Fisherman’s Wharf – a series of waterfront piers lined with restaurants – takes you to the infamous island, where you can sign up for a guided audio-tour and hear all about the harsh conditions, poignant stories and an ingenious escape from The Rock.