Life here revolves around the waterfront. Watch windsurfers launch into the breeze at Crissy Field, cruise the bay on a ferry, or take in the wide Pacific on a hike at Lands End. Varied cultures and lifestyles are all welcome here - there's Hispanic flair in the Mission District, the authentic feel of Shanghai in Chinatown, and the Castro's gay community. Museums and parks could keep you busy for weeks: among the best are the new California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, with its living green roof, planetarium, and aquarium; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) for innovative, contemporary exhibitions and new rooftop garden; the de Young Museum (be sure to ascend the free tower for breathtaking citywide views); and the tiny Cartoon Art Museum, a hidden gem south of Market Street.
The city's much-heralded and excitingly eclectic restaurant scene is fueled by dozens of small artisan food producers, from jam to salami to gelato, all on offer at the Ferry Building Marketplace, a gourmet food hall. Downtown's Union Square is a brand-name shopper's dream, but exploring small boutiques in Little Italy's North Beach, the tie-dyed-hippy Haight-Ashbury, or sophisticated Hayes Valley can give you a dose of local style.
Los Angeles InformationLos Angeles - All the action under the sun.LA - it's as much an idea as a place. A city where..
Sacramento InformationTour elegant rooms depicting various eras in California's past.A walk through the lovely..
San Diego InformationKick back, sip on a margarita and feel the sand between your toes. Nearer to Mexico the pace..
Hollywood InformationProbably one of the world’s best known destinations, Hollywood lies to the north west of..
Orange County InformationThe orange orchards of Orange County are a little harder to find these days, but not so the ideal..
Central Coast of California InformationFind the perfect balance between urban and rural on California's Central Coast. Artist enclaves in..
Gold Country InformationYou may have missed your opportunity to strike it rich during the California Gold Rush, but local..
California's Deserts InformationThe warm air may draw you here, but any number of other attractions will keep you coming back. It..
High Sierra InformationThe hard part, when thinking about California's High Sierra, is deciding what to do during your..
Inland Empire InformationOntario, Riverside and San Bernardino are thriving urban centers in one of the fastest-growing..
North Coast California InformationFind yourself amid the nature preserves, forests and rugged trails of California's North Coast, and..
Shasta Cascade InformationIf you're looking to escape the crowds of California's better-known parks, the Shasta Cascade..
Central Valley InformationDrive through the Central Valley, and you'll see evidence of how life here has historically..
Yosemite National Park InformationMaybe you love Sierra snow for skiing, or snowmobiling, or making snowmen and sledding. Now you've..
Lake Tahoe InformationSee mansions, mountains, and an emerald bay.If you're pondering whether or not to drive the twisty..
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