Category: san francisco

San Francisco is Tops in Romance

If you’re looking for a romantic vacation or honeymoon, perhaps you should consider visiting San Francisco, California. This great city offers a little something for everyone in addition to some very romantic destinations. There have even been songs about how romantic San Francisco is. Tony Bennett left his heart there if memory serves and who could resist a view of the Golden Gate Bridge when there’s a full moon?

San Francisco has been designated one of the most romantic cities in America don’t you think it’s time your found out why? It could have something to do with the climate, the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, the many beaches around that are great for talking long walks at sunset or the many parks in the area where romantic couples can walk together, hike, bike, and simply enjoy being together. In addition to activities such as this, there are other ways in which to enjoy the great outdoors of San Francisco as a couple. You could take a sunset cruise in the San Francisco bay is you want to make a very romantic night of it.

If you want to have a truly romantic experience you could schedule a couples massage at one of the many day spas in the area. This is an experience that neither of you would be likely to forget anytime soon. While there are spas across the country, there are quite possibly as many spas as there are Starbuck’s in the city of San Francisco so you can be a lot more selective in the one you choose.

Another romantic thing to do while vacationing in San Francisco is to tour the various vineyards in the area. While San Francisco is not literally part of wine country, it is only a stone’s throw away from some of the most famous vineyards in America. It would be a literal sin to come so close and not tour these American legacies. Check with the wineries you want to visit ahead of time, as some require appointments for tours. Rest assured that visiting the beautiful countryside and enjoying the tasting of various wines will make for quite the romantic outing. Be sure to taste responsibly.

Still need some romantic activities? Try a picnic in Golden Gate Park. After your picnic, perhaps you can rent a rowboat and take a trip around the lake or bicycles. Use your imagination and let your sense of romance rule the day. Walk into a flower shop and buy every daisy in the store (that may be a little dramatic, but you get the picture). The most romantic things that have ever happened in my life, were not planned, they were spur of the moment gestures that touched me far more than any contrived venture ever could.

Take your loved one to the Equinox, which is a revolving restaurant and bar at the top of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. While the dining experience can be pricey, the spectacular view will take some of the sting out of the meal. Besides is there really a price that is too high to pay for romance?

If either of you have the slightest interest in art, San Francisco is full of museums and galleries that should appeal to your artistic nature and provide plenty of topics for discussion. Even if you aren’t a fan of traditional art, you may actually surprise yourself by liking the art you find in this diverse city.

Any trip to San Francisco would have to be determined to be a romantic dud if it didn’t include a trip to either Fisherman’s Wharf, China Town, or Little Italy. These areas provide great food, beautiful and interesting sites, as well as a taste of cultural diversity that is hard to find in this day and age. It would be like traveling to New Orleans and not visiting the French Quarter. I whole-heartedly recommend devoting one entire day of your trip to one of these places if not each of them. Fisherman’s Wharf is by far my favorite to visit for the sights and sounds, but both China Town and Little Italy have great things to offer as well. Plus, the food is too good to pass on without at least giving it serious thought.

Romance is a state of mind; it’s just much easier to get to that mental place in a city like San Francisco. Take a trip with your beloved and see what all the talk is about.

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The Best Way to See San Francisco is from the Air

If you have plans of visiting San Francisco you really should consider seeing it from a birds eye view. There are many ways in which you can do this, but few, if any are more romantic than doing so from the basket of a hot air balloon. In fact, if you’ve never been in a balloon before, this is a great place to start.

There are many tours that are offered and each one offers spectacular views and a feeling of weightless wonder that is unrivaled by any other feeling on earth. Imagine watching, as everything on the ground gets smaller and feeling completely at ease with the process. It’s a truly amazing way to travel for those who have never experienced it. Young and old alike will thoroughly enjoy the awe of this particular form of travel.

Some of the tours linger along the coastline while others will take you up into wine country. You can even charter tours that will combine the hot air balloon excursion with ground transportation and accommodations at one of the many area bed and breakfast inns for a nice romantic weekend get away in California’s wine country.

Another great way to enjoy the beautiful views that abound in the bay area is to go hang gliding. There are several places in the area that not only offer lessons but will also take you up with a trained professional after cursory instructions. This allows you to enjoy the sensation and freedom that hang gliding affords without spending days or even weeks taking classes before you ever get to experience the sensation of soaring with the birds.

If that isn’t enough to get your adrenaline going and give you the best possible view of this great city, you can always try skydiving. Like hang gliding, sky diving offers tandem drops that mean that you can actually experience the freefall and enjoy the serene beauty of San Francisco without actually going through a rigorous training regiment. If you want the ride of a lifetime to make your trip more memorable, this is definitely the way to go.

Of course, there are those who prefer flight by mechanical means. There is absolutely no shame in that. The good news is that there are a couple of great ways to take in the scenery with machinery as well. There’s nothing to say that you can’t make your mechanical experience just as daring as any of the other experiences available. You could view the great scenes of Frisco from the cockpit of a biplane. In addition to the awesome scenery, you are perfectly free to book on of the aerobatic biplane rides, which will be best planned before meals rather than after them.

In addition to these exciting ways to tour the San Francisco area, you can always choose one of the many helicopter tours instead. This offers what many consider a more sane, I mean safe, mode of transportation while still providing the birds eye view that simply cannot be rivaled from the ground. There are many tours that are available and each one offers something exciting for the adventurous ones that choose to take them.

Each of these modes of transportation can be found in the San Francisco area and each one offers something valuable to those that will find them interesting. Not only the views but also the experiences in and of themselves will make this trip a memorable trip. Even if it isn’t your cup of tea, remember that someone you are traveling with could find one of them to be the memory of a lifetime and what greater gift can you really give someone?

I hope, more than anything, I’ve planted the seeds in your mind that will open your eyes to seeing this great city from an entirely different perspective. There is nothing quite as magnificent as enjoying the city lights from the sky or seeing endless miles of nature stretching out before you. I truly believe there is no better way to enjoy San Francisco than from the sky.

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Overbooking your Time is a Vacation Destroyer

When planning a vacation it is often very difficult to set priorities from a distance. San Francisco is really no different than any other vacation destination in that manner. In fact, as a vacation destination, this city has so much to offer that the problem isn’t finding enough stuff to do; it is limiting yourself to only doing the things you want most to do because of time constraints. Unless you are going to be in this great city for a month, it would be very easy to overload your itinerary.

Here are a few suggestions for pacing yourself while traveling as well as providing adequate downtime for all family members while visiting San Francisco.

1) Remember that this is a vacation not a military exercise. Be especially aware of young children as they can tire easily and aren’t much fun when overtired. Plan rest times in addition to activities in order to provide much needed breaks for everyone that is traveling with you.
2) Remember that the little ones have things that are important to them too and your ideas and their ideas about what will interest them the most aren’t always the same. You don’t want a child with hurt feelings, especially when that could have been so easily avoided by simply offering your child a choice.
3) Keep in mind that while most things are great to do as a family, some alone time or split time, isn’t necessarily a bad thing-even when on vacation.
4) Plan your day with extra time in between attractions to accommodate for transportation issues, bathroom breaks, and any number of things that can come up. There is no point in being frustrated over the unavoidable, especially when on vacation.
5) Limit yourself to activities in the same general area of town on a given day so that you aren’t spending the vast majority of your day getting from point A to point B or looking for a parking spot. It is best to park and walk as much as possible or rely on public transportation in San Francisco whenever walking is unavoidable.
6) Let your young ones select at least one place a day (within reason) to eat. Obviously no one wants to eat at McDonald’s every day of your trip except your little ones, but by allowing them to have a choice you are making them feel special and giving them something to look forward to when standing in a long line for something you want to do more than they do.
7) Plan activities for younger children in the middle of other activities. This will keep them somewhat appeased if they know they have something to look forward to later and will save you from a long line of endless tantrums.
8) Plan for some sort of restful activity in the middle of the day if you aren’t close enough to your hotel for an afternoon nap. Even if it’s ducking into a library or bookstore to read quietly for an hour. You will be amazed at how much just a quick rest can do to perk up the spirits of everyone in your group.

These things won’t guarantee a smooth trip but will greatly increase the likelihood of less bouts of angry, overtired children and fed up over tired mom and dad as well. The most important thing about any vacation is that you take the time to enjoy yourself and your time together as a family.

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The Incredible History of San Francisco

I grew up watching cowboy movies and tales of the old Wild West on weekend television with my dad. I can’t help but think of those old black and white movies whenever I think of San Francisco or California in general. Whenever I think of visiting San Francisco there is a part of me that visualizes the San Francisco of old, long before the earthquake of 1906, or not so long before actually.

If you share my vision of a Wild West San Francisco or just wonder what it would have been like to walk down the streets of old, then perhaps one of these museums will help give you a taste of the good ole west without the outhouses (the one thing I never really could wrap my mind around). Even if you can handle a world without indoor plumbing, the idea of enjoying the greatest of the past while still experiencing the comforts of modern existence is quite appealing to me.

That being said, the first Museum on my list is an outdoor museum known as The Gold Rush Trail. To walk The Gold Rush Trail is literally to follow in the footsteps of history. Even though it isn’t a museum that is filled with relics of the past, if you close your eyes and listen intently perhaps you can hear the ghosts of yesterday as they tell you the story of how this fair city began and what it has become today.

The next point of interest is The Society of California Pioneers. The society offers not only a museum but a library as well that are both open to the public and feature programs that focus on California. If you need snapshots of the vibrant history of California as well as San Francisco this is a good place to begin your search. If you don’t find what you are looking for in the museum check out the library and see if they have something that will quench your thirst for historical knowledge.

The Museum of the City of San Francisco is next on my list of places that offer a glimpse into the past of this phenomenal city. If you haven’t found what you are looking for on your first two stops, then perhaps this museum will provide the answers, or simply the moment in time, that you are seeking. This is by far my favorite for learning about the history of San Francisco specifically. With exhibits dedicated to events such as the Gold Rush, the earthquake of 1906, and the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, there is no doubt that you are getting the history of this city, not the state, and not the country. I think there is a lot to be said about history and how it always seems to have such a profound effect upon the future. If you are able to visit this museum I would certainly recommend it above most others in the area for an authentically San Francisco ambiance at the very least.

The history of any city is a vital ingredient in what makes that city the success or failure that it has become. Not only do the events in a cities history have a significant impact on the future of a city, but also the people of a city. It is the people of any city that recover, rebuild, and remain or pack up and leave. Isn’t it incredible that we have the opportunity to learn about these great people?

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Science Museums Teach Children to Seek Truth

If science is the language that moves you, and for many of us, it is just that, then you really might want to visit some of the San Francisco museums that focus on science more than art. I find both to be of equal importance but there are those, many in fact, that would disagree with me. Whatever your feelings about it, if you have a child that you want to encourage to pay more attention to science courses in school, it is an excellent idea to take them to a museum such as this in order to fan that flame of curiosity.

Science answers many questions about the past and offers many hints at the future of our world and universe. Without science there is much we wouldn’t know and even more that we would not understand. I think any of use would be hard pressed to identify the single most important scientific discovery throughout history. There are so many things that are all very significant to the very lives we enjoy today and yet each and every scientific discovery happened because someone, somewhere, asked a question.

I find that truly amazing. When you think about it; physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, none of these things would be studied today if someone hadn’t found them curious at some point in history. That is precisely why I believe that museums such as the Exploratorium are so important in developing future scientist. If we spark the curiosity in our children at young ages there is nothing to prevent them from great discoveries later on. The Exploratorium encourages children to explore the world around them, even how science affects other things they enjoy (such as skateboarding). If you can use a skateboard to teach physics, imagine what you can do with a car.

The Morrison Planetarium is a great place to take the family if you are truly interested in seeing the stars. I’m not talking Hollywood starlets but real stars. If you or one of your children has the slightest interest in studying the stars, this will be a treat for you all. I sincerely hope you will at least check it out.

The Natural History Museum offers many exhibits that deal with various aspects of life. Perhaps the neatest thing about the Natural History Museum is the fact that you are allowed a very hands on approach to learning here. From actually handling fossils and skulls to really cool artifacts, very little is off limits. This means that even the most difficult child to amuse might find something of interest here; at least, that is the hope.

Finally, there is the Steinhart Aquarium. This is not the Aquarium at the Bay but a municipal aquarium that holds the distinction of being the oldest operating municipal aquarium in America. Among the awesome exhibits that can be found here are several rare specimens that can no longer be found in the wild. The tide pool is perhaps one of the most anticipated attractions of this aquarium. This is where little hands actually get to touch some of the animals that their little eyes are watching in the tanks. Just be careful that you aren’t going home with a car full of future marine biologists as this experience can ignite a passion for marine life that will last for quite a while.

Science is a great thing to be studied and explored. I can think of few things I would rather see my children pursue than an endless search for truth and the evidence to support those truths. I hope that by introducing them to opportunities such as these I will have contributed to a life long process of seeking answers that will serve them well. And it can all be owed to a trip to San Francisco.

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Fun Museums for the Child in all of Us

If you are bringing young ones on your visit to San Francisco, you’ve probably wracked your brain trying to find activities and events that will not only be fun for them but also provide much needed mental stimuli as well. Well, look no further. I have five museums that are guaranteed to be completely kid friendly and fun for the entire family.

Gone are the days of stuffy museums that are cold and unfeeling. These museums of old have been replaced with modern day museums that offer areas that encourage hands on activities and promote learning and education through activities that are well disguised as fun. Your children will have no idea what just happened and you will be able to rest comfortable in the knowledge that this event that they considered so much fun will remain with them for a long time to come. Knowledge is a great gift to pass on to your children, especially when they don’t realize what it is that you are giving them.

The first of these museums is the Cartoon Art Museum. You may wonder what your children can possibly learn from a museum such as this, but as with all art, comics often imitate life and this museum shows how comics have evolved and morphed over time. In addition to that, anything that will encourage your children to read is a good thing in my opinion, even if it is comics that they are reading.

Next, there is the Bay Area Discovery Museum. This museum offers hands on entertainment for children of all ages. While most exhibits are designed with children ages 1-10 in mind, there are plenty of activities and exhibits that will appeal to older children as well as those entertaining the notion of a second childhood. This museum offers many activities and adventures both indoors and out that will appeal to your children while teaching them about other creatures, cultures, technology, and the world at large around them. This is definitely worth having a look. Be sure to check and see if there are any events being offered while you are visiting.

If the Bay Area Discovery Museum isn’t enough to get your little one’s creative juices flowing and put you all into the supreme spirit of learning, then perhaps you should check out Zeum. Zeum is a multimedia arts and technology museum. By allowing visitors to hands on use of their equipment they are fostering imagination and igniting curiosity in the young minds of their guests. This is definitely unique enough for a closer look. I hope it spikes your inner techno guru as completely as it reached mine.

There are many more places than this that you can visit in San Francisco that offer an equal spark for the minds and imaginations of your little ones. But the fact remains that you know your child’s interests and talents better than anyone else. Find those things that will appeal to each child’s personality and that above anything else will make this trip special for him or her.

I also believe that it is important to allow your children an opinion on what to do and see while on vacation. You may be surprised to find the things that will appeal to them as well as the fact that they really do on occasion think about what you as a parent want for them. By giving choices and a voice you are teaching your children that they are important to you and that their opinion matters.

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The Teen Scene in San Francisco Offers Many Opportunities for Fun

Teens are beautiful and unique creatures. At least this is what we as parents keep telling ourselves. The problem with teens is that their tastes and wants change almost hourly so it is quite difficult to determine at lunch what will appeal to them at dinner. Fortunately, if you are planning a visit to San Francisco, California, there is most likely something that will appeal to them no matter what mood they are in at the moment.

I always recommend allowing older children and teens (even younger children in a limited capacity) to have some voice in deciding what activities to do while on vacation. After all, it is their vacation too and just because we think they will like it doesn’t necessarily mean they are remotely interested in it-this goes back to the beautiful and unique creature statement.

The great thing about San Francisco is that while your teen may swing in vicious cycles between being a child and thinking he or she is grown, there is quite a lot that will appeal to both sides of your teen’s personality. Fisherman’s Wharf is probably my favorite San Francisco destination. Pier 39 offers a great number of attractions for teens. From Frequent Flyers where your teen can experience the feeling of being air born to the Riptide Arcade, with shopping, sea lions, and entertainers in between there is a lot that this area has to offer the teen in your family. You can also rent a kayak and let your teen do the navigating, if you’re really brave that is. Another attraction at Fisherman’s Wharf that your teen might find more enjoyable than anyone else in the family is the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.

I think even a teenagers won’t find trolley tours beneath them. In fact, your teenager might have a great deal of fun taking one of these tours as well as accidentally learning some small nugget of information about San Francisco history that will stay with them long after the vacation is over.

If you feel up for a ride, you might consider taking your teen to Paramount’s Great America in San Jose. In fact, this is a trip that the entire family might enjoy. Little kids can enjoy the Nickelodeon characters and the rides that are designed especially with them in mind. Teens and adults can enjoy some of the more thrilling rides created for the adrenaline junkies in your life.

Your teen might get a kick out of a trip to the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf. This museum offers realistic recreations of people, events, and horrors beyond imagination-well my imagination. This is definitely one of the more interesting destinations in San Francisco. Take a walk through history or onto the set of the latest horror movie. It all seems so real and the characters so life like.

Your teen may really enjoy one of the Alcatraz tours. They offer a day tour and an evening tour. I seriously recommend the evening tour if at all possible as there are more features than on the day tour and it makes a much more ‘thrilling’ experience. You may also wish to combine a tour to Angel Island with your trip to Alcatraz. Angel Island also has a rich history as well as some breathtaking views and great trails for hiking and biking. You could also consider making a day of your trip to Angel Island, especially if your teen enjoys either of these activities.

And then there’s the shopping, a favorite pastime for teen girls and a potential bonding experience for mothers and daughters. Conversely, men can bond with teenaged sons and/or daughters over a nice sports game. The bay area offers many options for sports lovers.

No matter what your teenagers tastes at the moment, I have no doubt that you will find something in this great city that you can all agree on. Be sure to work in attractions that you wish to enjoy between the attractions of your teen. This will make the interests of the other more tolerable for everyone.

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San Francisco offers a Little Fun for Everyone

San Francisco is perhaps one of the most diverse cities in America. With the vast diversity among the people that make this great city what it is today, San Francisco really is a melting pot. Not only have the different cultures and flavors had a great effect on what this great city has become, they also have an incredible impact on the city that is seen by those visiting. There is very little you can look for in a vacation that can’t be found in San Francisco.

The real appeal of San Francisco as a vacation destination is that it has a little something to offer everyone. From families with small children, families with teens, young couples, older couples, to those of different lifestyles and ethnicities there is a little something that should appeal to all.

San Francisco has a great history that celebrates its diversity and a future that looks, well, golden. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf and everywhere in between San Francisco has a lot to offer visitors in way of art, entertainment, shopping, and incredible, mouth watering food. You don’t have to take my word for it though, wander on over to Fillmore Street and see for yourself. If you’ve been having too much fun taking in the sights and playing in the wonderful parks that can be found throughout this fabulous city, take a trolley on over. Just make sure you bring your appetite.

If you have young kids along there are both fun and educational adventures that abound in this great city. If you aren’t careful, you just might find that you can’t really tell the difference between the two. More importantly, neither can they.

Even skeptical, difficult to impress teens will be hard pressed to pretend to be bored throughout your entire trip to San Francisco. Between the interesting cultures, the good food, and the hip trendy atmosphere of local shopping centers, there is something that will be likely to appeal to your teens. They just might find themselves having a lot of fun at some of the plays, museums, and parks in the area too.

For the just married, there is a ton of romance in this fair city. From the exhibits and museums dedicated to the perseverance of the people of this great metropolis, to the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge and the many parks in the area. There is also the great food and shopping to consider. From trendy small boutiques to national chain stores San Francisco has it all.

For more mature crowds this city is hard to beat when it comes to arts and entertainment. Not only are their shows playing almost nightly, there is also a great cultural arts community here as well. There are enough museums here to make a great vacation in and of themselves. Add to that the great food and the little boutique shops that abound and you are well on your way to having a great time.

The cultural diversity of San Francisco, California could be a book in and of itself. In fact, there are probably several books on the matter. There is a rich history of many cultures here that is readily available for exploration. From China Town to Little Italy and a stop in the Castro District in between there is a vast treasure trove of cultures, ethnicities, and fabulously wonderful people to investigate.

If visiting San Francisco, California is something that you’ve been considering, what are you waiting for? Check out all the great things that this city has to offer and keep in mind that when it feels like it’s a thousand degrees outside in the South or forty below in the north, it’s probably a fairly mild day on the Frisco bay. The temperatures year round here are generally within the realm of comfortable which makes it that much more appealing. Add the pleasant temperatures to the beauty and fun that is waiting, I can’t believe you’re still here and not booking your trip already.

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San Francisco offers Great fun for Kids of All Ages

If you are looking for a great place to visit and bring the kids, look no further than San Francisco, California. This city is a wonderful vacation destination not only for grownups for little ones alike. There is so much to see and do that will appeal to young and old alike.

The real beauty of San Francisco to me is the fact that many of the best attractions for kids are also educational as well. Even better is the fact that the educational values are so cleverly disguised as fun, your kids won’t even know what hit them. In fact, mom and dad might find themselves learning a thing or two along the way. You might even find yourselves having just as much fun as your little ones are.

My suggestion though is to be careful not to overdo it. We all want our kids to have fun and enjoy the vacation experience but if you cram too many activities into a small span of time, you will have children who are overloaded, cranky, and tired. This will make your day miserable and will affect their memories of the time they spend here. I will give a brief overview of several great things for kids and families to do in San Francisco, hopefully this will help you choose more selectively the activities you feel are can’t miss activities and those that you can live without. Also remember if you don’t get to do everything this trip, don’t try to force activities in. Consider is a good reason to come back.

The first thing that I want to tell you about is the Exploratorium. This is definitely one of those destinations that disguises education as fun. The great thing about this one is that it will not only appeal to the little ones but also offer education and fun for the grown ups as well. If I were to point out one ‘must do’ thing for your family trip to San Francisco this would be it.

If you’re planning to be around Fisherman’s Wharf (which I highly recommend) you might find Pier 39 to be an excellent destination. The Magic Carpet Ride is sure to please everyone in the family and the little ones will love the San Francisco Carousel. The Pier 39 Marina offers powerboat and sailboat rides that are sure to please the entire family and the Riptide Arcade will delight the little gamers in the family. Perhaps the biggest attraction though, is the Aquarium of the Bay. This is another activity that I highly recommend. There are many more activities available at Pier 39, you’ll just have to check it out and see what you find most appealing to you. I could personally plan a trip to Frisco and never leave the Fisherman’s Wharf.

Fairyland is a great destination if you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive day of fun. With the admission price for everyone over the age of 1 being 6 dollars, it is a really inexpensive way to spend the day. A day at Fairyland will definitely be a highlight of your trip for younger children and will provide parents and other family members with some fond memories as well.

Another fun thing to do for the entire family is to take a Jelly Belly Factory Tour at the Jelly Belly Candy Company. The tour is free and offered daily between the hours of 9 am and 4pm. While it isn’t the height of educational fun, kids will definitely think it’s cool to see how these tasty treats are made.

I saved the best two for last. The San Francisco Zoo and Six Flags Marine World. I cannot say enough about either of these attractions. The magic they hold for children is undeniable and well worth the price of the tickets. The best advice, by far that I can give you about bringing your children to San Francisco, California is to relax and have a good time. Everyone will have a much better vacation experience if you take that advice.

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Walking Tours give Unique View of San Francisco History

If your boots were made for walking, then a walking tour of one of San Francisco’s many fascinating neighborhoods or districts may be the perfect activity for you while visiting San Francisco. Even if you aren’t all that into walking but enjoy learning about an area and the things that make that area unique, this is the tour for you.

Combining education and entertainment with physical activity is a great way to trick your body into getting out, getting a little sun, and having a lot of fun. The best thing about these tours for me is the fact that they are free. Don’t get me wrong, I love learning about the history of the areas I visit. Even more than that, I love hearing about the great and quirky people that made the history; but I have to admit, I love doing things that provide entertainment and don’t cost a great deal of money. A donation is recommended and I can honestly appreciate that much more than an overpriced amusement park ride (or worse paying that much just to walk through the gate and never actually riding a ride).

Not all walking tours of San Francisco are free, but the ones that are led by the San Francisco city guides are. You really should check them out at some point during your visit. They offer a great selection of walking tours each and every day that will appeal to a very diverse audience. In fact, there are tours that are geared towards specific groups of people so if you are with your family, it might be a good idea to allow each member of your family to select at least one of these walking tours that is of interest to him or her. That way, everyone is motivated to sit through the selections of the other in anticipation of the trip he or she selected.

The tours typically begin in easy to identify and very public places and most of them even meet near access to public transportation in order to accommodate visitors coming from other areas of the city. The tours go to great lengths to avoid being overly strenuous but the Streets of San Francisco are not always accommodating, as they are well known for their steep hills. I think taking one of the walking tours early in the day is a great way to start the day. You get to get a little fresh air, a little exercise, and you are enjoying these things before the day gets too terribly warm. Not to mention the fact that starting your day off with something that is fun and free is a really good way to start your day.

If you are among the really brave, you might want to try one of the many ‘Ghost Walking Tours’ that are available. There are ghost walks of City Hall and the Palace. If you prefer something a little mellower, there are plenty of walks from which to choose. Some of the more popular walks are the Golden Gate Bridge walking tour (this tour provides great insight into the mind of the man who dared to dream of this bridge and tells the story of what it took to build this bridge it is very much a tour worth taking if you have any love for the many great bridges of the world), the Ferry Building walking tour (recently renovated, this building was once of major importance to San Francisco, it has now been replaced by roads and bridges but remains an important component in the history of this great city), and the Coit Tower Murals walking tour (the tour allows peeks at murals that aren’t always opened to the public as well as a glimpse into the murals that depict famous scenes from the 1930’s).

While visiting San Francisco, there are few better ways to completely enjoy your trip than taking one of the many walking tours available in the city. Finding one of the many free walking tours is even better. You will not only get a unique insight into the city or for the icon you are touring, but you will also get a much better view than if you were simply driving by.

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