Embrace the Eccentric

by Stephanie Elgin

Submerse yourself in diversity.  Indulge in the richness of culture.  In a little less than five hours, you can drive to San Francisco and experience the magnificence that the “City by the Bay” has to offer. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a returning guest, the beauty and treasures of San Francisco await you.  
The beauty actually starts with the drive.  But instead of taking congested freeways, try the Pacific Coast Highway.  It gives you an opportunity to enjoy the California coastline and though it may not be the quickest way to get to San Francisco, it surely is the prettiest.
And where should you stay once you arrive?  If you’re willing to spend a little extra on luxurious accommodations, be sure to check out the finest hotels on Nob Hill.  Seated on one of the city’s highest hills, The Stanford Court, is a sophisticated retreat with extraordinary courtyards, fountains and elegant guest rooms.  Another top choice for hilltop luxury is the world-renowned, recently restored, Fairmont San Francisco.  The hotel is central to the Financial District, Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf and the only spot in San Francisco where each of the city’s cable car lines meet.  And finally, experience historic grandeur at the venerable Mark Hopkins San Francisco.  This landmark has perched atop Nob Hill since it opened to great fanfare in 1926.  Blended with sophistication and superb service, it surely is one of the city’s finest hotels.
Once settled, there are endless possibilities of places to explore.  Let’s begin with the city’s most famous landmark – the Golden Gate Bridge.  Completed in 1937, this engineering feat magnificently connects San Francisco’s peninsula with Marin County to the north.  Walk onto the bridge and enjoy the breathtaking views as you stand 220 feet above the water’s surface. If you’re not up for the round trip stroll (1.7 miles), a short walk will do.
But to experience the magnitude of San Francisco’s culture, Fisherman’s Wharf is the place to go.  See what all the hype is about.  Begin at the Maritime Museum and enjoy the 19th century renderings of the old waterfront.  Walk around Aquatic Park and venture out onto Municipal Pier, where it leads you to the edge of the harbor and into the bay.  Say hello to a local fisherman or two.  From there, take a stroll to famous Pier 39, where the streets are lined with free acts to entertain and over 110 stores in the market place to shop. You can follow the sounds of the sea lions on the west-side docks, or even take a boat tour to the inescapable Alcatraz. 
Waterside entertainment is only part of the San Francisco experience. Be sure to take a tour of the city on a historic cable car.  With bells clanging, hold on as the cable car descends down San Francisco’s steep hillsides.  And if all that doesn’t make you dizzy, Lombard Street surely will.  Known as the “Crookedest Street in the World,” the world-renowned hairpin turns are only part of its charm.  The block is lined with beautiful Victorian mansions that have front row seats to the breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay. 
From breathtaking to mouthwatering, San Francisco has it all. There’s an abundance of  world-class culinary delights in this beautiful City by the Bay.  Enjoy some of the freshest seafood at Fisherman’s Grotto, or if you’re in the mood for Chinese food, don’t miss the House of Nanking in Chinatown.  For an Italian flair, visit Caffe Sport in North Beach.  This authentic Scilian restaurant has been serving family style dishes since 1969.  “Follow your nose” to another North Beach attraction—The Stinking Rose: A Garlic Restaurant.  Contemporary Italian cuisine adorned with garlic, The Stinking Rose serves over 3,000 pounds of the “odor-iffic” herb each month. 
In addition to superb fine dining, San Francisco is home to all sorts of cafés and delis.  Did you know that Irish Coffee was first introduced to the United States in San Francisco at the Buena Vista Café located just to the left of the?Powell-Hyde Cable Car’s last stop in Fisherman’s Wharf.  To find your favorite deli, restaurant, or café, you’ll just have to visit San Francisco and explore for yourself.
San Francisco invites you to experience a city with impressive architecture, exciting attractions, great restaurants and exquisite hotels. It is a city packed with places to see and things to do.  The sights, the sounds and the flavors of the community are alive with eccentricity, diversity and culture.
For more infomation, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com and www.sfcvb.org.