Have you lost your sense of romance, place or even
hope? There is no better city to reclaim
them than San Francisco. Bravely and
dramatically facing the Pacific and drawing in and attempting to coddle its
restless and luring bay, San Francisco calls to the adventurous and aching
heart as well as to those seeking comfort and a sense of home. It is a paradoxical city. The birthplace of the hippy movement and
eclectic crossroads of the American West Coast is now home to some of the most
expensive real estate in the United States.
The iconic, Victorian architecture, ever welcoming, is out of reach
financially for the average citizen; yet, you do not need to set foot in one of
these beautiful homes to feel received.
Very few American cities elicit such a feeling.
Home to just over 800,000 people, San Francisco’s relatively
modest population surprises most. Yet within a somewhat small geographical
area, there is no place more alive.
Chinatown
For a sojourn into the truly exotic, all you have to do is
visit Chinatown. Chinatown has the
largest Chinese community outside of Asia.
Restaurants, shops specializing in embroidered linens, and Asian
pharmaceutical-type stores with remedies of pungent, dried roots for all sorts
of ailments transport you into a lively dream. Bring your walking shoes for a vigorous stroll up and down
hills.
Little Italy
Home to numerous cafes and restaurants, Little Italy is a
favorite destination of both San Franciscans and tourists. There is a bright and open feeling to many of
the cafes—a strange contradiction in that it is the birthplace of the restless
Beat movement. City Lights, the
bookstore and publisher that first introduced Allen Ginsberg’s visceral poem, “Howl” still thrives. Founder Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poetic dream
breathes in the 21st century.
The Financial
District
To experience the rhythm of the city, go to the financial
district on a weekday. Busy,
well-dressed sorts walk quickly to their next appointments; however, California
being California, there always seems to be time for a quick jog at lunch.
Sausalito Ferry
The Sausalito Ferry takes you across San Francisco Bay to
where else? Sausalito. Even if you don’t disembark in Sausalito, the
ride across the bay is worth it. You get
a closer view of the infamous, former prison Alcatraz in the middle of the bay
(truly eerie).
Sausalito itself has a long tradition of drawing artists,
and a walk through town yields sightings of many eclectic, creative treasures.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf offers tasty and fresh seafood most of its
lively day. For a reasonably-priced and
fun lunch, buy off of the street and watch the human parade go by. For a more sophisticated meal, try dinner in
one of the Wharf’s many restaurants overlooking the bay.
Ghirardelli Square
Even if you’re not a fan of Ghirardelli chocolate,
Ghirardelli’s famous square is both energetic and one of the best places in the
city to sit down with a good cup of coffee and look out onto a spectacular view
of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Thank you to travel
writer Sona Schmidt-Harris - You can
follow her on Twitter @Sonag2000
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