San Francisco Tourism

How San Francisco Tourism Started

In retrospect, the arrival of Spain's Juan Gaspar de Portolá on November 4, 1769 marks the beginnings of San Francisco tourism. On that day, assuming that Monterey down the coast was not big enough or spectacular enough to in fact be Monterey, the frustrated Spanish explorer kept going north. On that aforementioned day, he spotted this future Golden Gate tourist destination from the top of the present day Sweeney Ridge which is just south from San Francisco in San Bruno. While it is true that there had been indigenous tribes living in the area, Portolá's visit marked the beginnings of foreign visitors coming and falling prey to San Francisco's charms.

The ensuing visitors over the next 2-3 centuries have included notable privateers (Sir Francis Drake), sardonic novelists (Mark Twain), U.S. Presidents (Warren G. Harding), scandalous thespians (Fatty Arbuckle), British invading rock bands (The Beatles), classy pop singers who leave their hearts (Tony Bennett), and eye-raising organic farming British royalty (Prince Charles with Camilla). You don't have to be a celebrity, royalty, or a political bigwig to visit San Francisco, the City hosts events and welcomes tourists of all persuasions, nationalities, and various levels of ignobility. Whatever the reason, San Francisco is not only one of top tourist destinations in the U.S., but also for the rest of the world.

Euro Flavor with California Twist

San Francisco has long been known as a Californian West Coast city with an urban European flavor and a place distinctly out of the mainstream of U.S. cities. The City's cosmopolitan air can in some part be attributed to the countless immigrants who have come and settled here. Over the years people have emigrated from all over the world. Name a country and you can find one of their expatriates here.

One gets a sense that people from all over the world are in San Francisco It is a surround-sound theater of foreign tongues. Close your eyes and it's not difficult imagining you are walking down the Champs-Élysées in Paris or shopping at Mitsukoshi in the Ginza.

If You Cook They Will Come

One of San Francisco's biggest draws is its food and restaurants. Missing Roma? Head to North Beach and you will find a plethora of Italian trattorias and coffees houses to satisfy your desire for Tagliatelli or passion for Saltimboca. Try Steps of Rome for some simple but delicious Cucina Italiani or saunter over to Rose Pistola for a Mediterranean angle on Italian with a lively atmosphere. Afterwards, linger at Caffe Greco for a cappuccino and a cannoli. There are more than just Italian Restaurants in San Francisco, name a cuisine and you'll find it here. You can find some of the best Chinese food outside of Hong Kong.

You like French? Then you'll love Hubert Keller's Fleur de Lys.

Thai? No problem!

Indian? Of course!

Can't make up your mind? A good solution is to head over to Belden Place a few blocks north from Union Square. It's an alley that is lined with eight restaurants. Choose from Italian, Catalan, French, Mediterranean, and we can't leave out American it's there too. Most of the restaurants in this closed-off alley have outdoor dining with awnings and heaters. It's a very lively spot in the evening and it gets over-the-top giddy on Bastille Day with a spillover of celebrants. These spots only scratch the surface for dining in San Francisco. There are many well-known restaurants with big-name chefs that hold their own against the best of the world. The City is made up of neighborhoods and there are countless intriguing local restaurants just waiting to be found.

Sights and To-Dos

San Francisco guidebooks will recommend a litany sights to see. Yes, there's the Golden Gate Bridge, of course there's Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, and a visit would just not be complete without a drive down the self-proclaimed Crookedest Street in the World. Is that all there is? No, that's just a start. If you feel like having someone else show you the way, there are many San tours that will take over and let you sit back and enjoy. For the intrepid who want to steer their own tourism boat, the following are some ideas to pursue:

Shopping

Besides restaurants, San Francisco is full of shopping opportunities. Union Square is the traditional shopping area with its high brow boutiques and department stores but there are plenty of other options. There's the Westfield Shopping Mall on Market Street with Bloomingdale's just down the block.

The Embarcadero Center at the east end of California Street has blocks of shops and restaurants under the complex of high rise office buildings. Then there's Fillmore Street in the Pacific Heights area which is upscale but without pretense. Of course there's the Marina district and Union Street to shop, hang out, dine, drink, and watch everyone watch each other.

Nightlife

The City doesn't roll up the sidewalks when the sun goes down. Check out for a few suggestions for bars, nightclubs, and companionship. If you are seeking high culture activities, there's world-class opera, classical music, ballet, and museums to visit. Music? There are many small clubs that feature jazz, folk, rock, alternative, and you name it music. A good place to find out what's going on is at San Francisco Chronicle's website under events.

Don't Hold Back

There are plenty of things to do within San Francisco and surrounding areas. So much that it's practically impossible to do it all. If you are trying to squeeze in a walk through Muir Woods, a trip to Alcatraz, a Wine Country tour, a Giants game and San Francisco all in 2-3 days you will too tuckered out to pack to go home. The best advice is to make a list of things to do and plan to save a few on the list for your next trip. If you assume you will be back you often do.