Lifestyle / Hot Spot: San Francisco

Hot Spot: San Francisco

Lifestyle Jan 15, 2015

by Naemah Abid

California Is Home To Many Sunny West Coast Cities, But San Francisco Is The Most Magical Of Them All

San Francisco has it all — art, culture, history, exquisite dining and exciting nightlife. It houses a lot more than just the iconic Golden Gate Bridge — which is enough to make tourists flock here. California has the largest South Asian population in the United States — adding to San Francisco’s diversity. It has the world’s largest Chinatown outside of Asia and is one of the top five cities in America densely populated with South Asians. But San Francisco also has a romantic side as well. Its bay, hills, foggy summers and scenic wineries make it one of the dreamiest cities in the world.

The pier, boats and sunsets

The best way to enjoy San Francisco Bay is taking a stroll down the pier. There are lots of restaurants along the path and attractions to see — especially Fisherman’s Wharf. It's home to Pier 39, where sea lions just hang out all year round on the docks! The Aquarium on the Bay is at this pier as well. Make sure to check out the Boudin sourdough bakery and places serving up fresh seafood.

The majority of the short boat cruises depart from here as well. They're a great way to see the San Francisco skyline and ride underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. A lot of these boat services offer sunset cruises and Valentine’s Day cruises to enjoy the Bay. Another way to catch the glorious sunset is by taking a romantic walk on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Some cruise lines also offer boat tours to Alcatraz Island. If you have the courage, then definitely plan to check out the infamous haunted prison to spice up your stay.

Hills, parks and fog

San Francisco is built on hills, which makes for an interesting walk or drive. Within the city, the best way to enjoy the hills is by riding on a cable car — open to the sights and sounds. If you're interested in learning more about the San Francisco cable car system, be sure to check out the Cable Car Museum close to Chinatown. It's free!

There are also many parks around the city where you can plan for a romantic picnic. One of the popular hiking destinations is Twin Peaks, the second-highest elevation in San Francisco with breathtaking views of the city. It's also a good spot to view the fog as it settles in on the city.

Wine country

Just an hour's drive outside of the city are the Napa and Sonoma valleys — home of renowned Californian wines. There are daily tours leaving San Francisco — perfect for a day trip or spending a night at a quaint bed and breakfast. Here you can take in the lush views of the vineyards — even atop a hot air balloon! Or you can take a romantic stroll, taste some wine and learn about the art of wine making.

This is just a glimpse of all this city has to offer. Be sure to consider San Francisco next time you plan a romantic getaway.

^{_{Feature Image Courtesy of Anthony Quintano

Pier 39 Image Courtesy of Airwolfhound

Alcatraz Island image provided by Naemah Abid

Cable Car Image courtesy of Alfonso Jimenez

Napa Valley Image courtesy of Malcolm Carlaw}}

Naemah Abid

Author

Born in Saudi Arabia and originally from Pakistan, this Canadian immigrant is all too familiar with airport life. After taking her first pleasure trip abroad post-graduation, Naemah was hit with the travel bug. Find this frequent traveller sharing pictures and experiences, offering up advice and tra...

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