San Francisco

San Franciscans will, rather candidly, admit that they are the most fortunate people on earth, the occasional earthquake notwithstanding; and most visitors, after a few days of taking in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city, will agree. Ask anyone who has been here and they will tell you it’s their favorite US city.

The geographical setting evokes so much emotional drama, the light seems clearer, the colors more vivid, the cultural diversity of the ethnic neighborhoods so captivating and inviting, that it’s a place almost everyone can fall in love with at first sight.

Top 10 Must-See Sights

1. Golden Gate Bridge
The uch-loved symbol of the city and of California’s place on the Pacific Rim, the Golden Gate Bridge is the third-largest single span bridge in the world, connecting San Francisco to Marin County.

2. Cable Cars
San Francisco’s little troopers have endured technological progress, and are now the only system of the kind in the world that still plays a daily role in urban life.

3. Fisherman’s Wharf
Despite rampant tourism and commercialization, the saltiness and authenticity are still to be found here if you take time to look. The views of the bay are unmatched, and you’ll have an opportunity to sample some great seafood.

4. Alcatraz
Although it was a federal prison for just under 30 years, the myth of “The Rock” continues to capture the imagination of visitors. Even if exploring prison life holds no appeal, the ferry ride makes it well worth a visit.

5. Chinatown
The exotic feel of one of the world’s largest Chinese communities outside of Asia makes this a magnet for locals and visitors alike.

6. Golden Gate Park
The city boasts one of the largest public parks in the world, with natural beauty and fine museums.

7. Grace Cathedral
Dominating Nob Hill with its timeless beauty, San Francisco’s favorite cathedral offers a host of awe-inspiring and historic treasures, including Italian Renaissance masterpieces and stained-glass windows.

8. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Second only to New York City’s Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco’s newest architectural landmark houses 20th-century masterworks of painting, sculpture, and photography, and the edgiest digital installations.

9. Mission Dolores
The city’s oldest building is also the only intact chapel among the 21 California missions that Father Junipero Serra founded in the late 18th century. Its founding just days before the Declaration of Independence makes San Francisco older than the US.

10. The Wine Country
So internationally recognized have the wines from this region become that French, Italian, and Spanish winemakers have all established vineyards here. A day trip or a longer stay shouldn’t be missed.

Discover more to see and do in San Francisco at www.traveldk.com/san-francisco.

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