The city of San Francisco has one of the most beautiful urban environments in the world and is an attraction in itself. There are architectural marvels such as the Golden Gate Bridge, wonderful green parks like the Golden Gate Park and dozens of world-class museums, art galleries and cultural centres. The city is made up of several distinct and fascinating neighbourhoods, all of which deserve in-depth exploration. What this boils down to, is there is simply too much to see and do in this incredible city to cram into one visit, so take your time and enjoy as much as you can. Remember, you can always come back.

Coit Tower
In a city known for its stellar views, Coit Tower offers the best of them all. Located on top of Telegraph Hill, this round stone tower gives visitors a panoramic view of the city and the bay. Adding to the beauty is a series of Latin-themed murals by more than 25 artists, many of whom studied under Diego Rivera. 
Phone: +1 415 362 0808; website: www.coittower.org

Conservatory of Flowers
One of the highlights in the Golden Gate Park is this gorgeous glass structure topped with a 14-ton glass dome built in the 1870s. The gardens in front are planted with seasonal flowers and towering cypress, pine and redwood trees surround the Dahlia Garden on the east side. Along the western flank is the famous Rhododendron Dell, with 850 varieties of this wonderfully colourful bush which blooms in the spring. Inside the conservatory are even more wonders of the vegetative world.
Phone: +1 415 666 7001; website: www.conservatoryofflowers.org

Golden Gate Bridge
Arguably the most beautiful and photographed bridge in the world, this is one of San Francisco’s trademarks. When the fog rolls into the bay, engulfing the ruddy red structure, it’s like something from another world. One of the best ways to experience the majesty of this bridge is to walk across it using the special pedestrian walkway. The two mile span offers some of the finest views in the city and makes for a fun and thrilling adventure. At a height of 746 feet above the water, with the slight vibration from the traffic below, it’s a memory you won’t forget. Website: www.goldengatebridge.org

Lombard Street
Another of San Francisco’s trademarks is this crazy, crooked little street which has starred in hundreds of movies, commercials and photos. If you are in the neighbourhood, it’s a quick and fun diversion. You can watch as motorists try to negotiate the zigzags of this impossibly steep section of street. The photo from the bottom of Lombard Street makes a great snapshot to show your friends back home.

The Neighbourhoods of San Francisco
If you really want to experience the mosaic that is San Francisco, you need to get out and explore the little neighbourhoods that make up the city. Ethnically and culturally diverse, you can wander the streets, grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant and browse the shops that reflect its character. San Francisco is one city which truly is the sum of its parts. 

North Beach is the where the Italians settled in the 1880s and even today the air is full of the smells of cooking pasta, aromatic spices and roasting coffee in the crisp morning air. Chinatown has one of America’s largest Chinese communities and really feels like you’ve been dropped off in Asia. Haight-Ashbury is the city’s hippie district, where the Summer of Love happened way back in 1967 and today seems intent on reclaiming that feeling. The Castro is San Francisco’s gay neighbourhood and one of the most colourful and fun parts of the city where just about anything goes. The Mission is the city’s Latin district, where you can find amazing Mexican food and plenty of Hispanic culture.

Have a ride on a cable car
Although they’re not the most practical means of transportation, the iconic cable cars of San Francisco are fantastically fun and one of the best-loved aspects of this city. No trip would be complete without a ride up the steep hills from the foot of Market Street. During the summer, you’ll have to wait a while to get on board, but it’s worth it. If you’re really interested, check out the Cable Car Museum, which is actually the living and working powerhouse, repair shop and garage of these great vehicles.
Phone: +1 415 474 1887; website: www.cablecarmuseum.com

Visit the ferry building marketplace
Strolling around this gourmet market, snacking your way from stall to stall is perfect for food and culture buffs with some of northern California’s finest produce, wines, and organic snacks being found here. Make your way to the building’s bay side, where you can sit on the benches with your food and enjoy the views of the Bay Bridge. The waterfront promenade offers a front-row picture of the sailboats, and ferries still ply the waters between Sausalito, Tiburon and Larkspur.
Phone:+1 415 693 0996; website: www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

Explore the farmers market
This local market is held several days each week. It’s a lively scene, as the city’s top chefs, local foodies and everyone else comes to sample and buy the finest fare northern California has to offer. On Saturdays, from 10:00 to 14:00, you can join the ‘Shop with the Chef’ tour, in which a local chef takes you shopping, interviews a local farmer and then prepares a food demonstration.

Golden Gate Park
You owe it to yourself to visit this amazingly diverse city park at least once during your visit. Conceived in the 1860s, Golden Gate Park continues to provide a natural refuge for the city’s residents. Wooded paths and paved lanes traverse past hundreds of little grassy lawns and flower gardens. Scattered around the vast park are a number of sights, such as the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, Strawberry Hill and Stow Lake. This is the best place in the city to meet the locals and spend some time relaxing in the crisp, clear air.