San Francisco

San Francisco: history

The Spanish built a mission and a fort here in 1776. The Gold Rush of 1849 turned a village into a city within a few years. The cable cars first ran in 1873.

The earthquake and fire of 1906 destroyed most of the city, and it was rebuilt quickly. The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. Alcatraz was a federal prison from 1934 to 1963.

San Francisco: tourist attractions

• Golden Gate BridgeWalk or cycle across, or see it from the viewpoints at each end.
• AlcatrazThe ferry and the audio tour of the prison. Tickets sell out weeks ahead.
• Cable carsThe ride over the hills from Union Square to the bay.
• Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39Sea lions, street performers and bay views.
• Lombard StreetThe steep street with eight sharp bends.
• ChinatownThe oldest Chinatown in North America.
• Palace of Fine ArtsA domed monument beside a lagoon.
• Twin PeaksThe view over the whole city.

San Francisco: excursions nearby

• Sausalito about 10 milesA waterside town across the bridge, also reached by ferry.
• Muir Woods about 17 milesA grove of giant coast redwoods. Parking must be booked.
• Silicon Valley about 35 milesStanford University and the visitor centres of the technology companies.
• Napa Valley about 50 milesVineyards and the Wine Train.
• Monterey & Carmel about 120 milesThe aquarium and the 17-Mile Drive.
• Yosemite about 170 milesGranite cliffs and waterfalls.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.