The Top 5 Reasons to Visit San Francisco, California Now
BY TRIPVEEL EDITORIAL STAFF | February 2020
The Gold Rush. The Summer of Love. Rice-A-Roni. Situated on a peninsula with forty hills of varying heights, San Francisco, California is a city unlike any other city in the United States. While the notoriously steep streets are traversed by the famous cable cars, the city is known for its ethnic diversity.
Image courtesy of San Francisco Travel
1. THE HIKING
In the Sutro District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, there is wild and windy trail with stunning views at every turn that is known as one of the best places in San Francisco for a hike. Experience four scenic miles at Lands End Trail that wind their way around rocky cliffs above the ocean, moving through shady stands of cypress and eucalyptus.
Image courtesy of San Francisco Travel
From here to Lands End Point, the trail continues relatively flat and covered in trees with quick glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge through the foliage. A trip down the trail is also a journey through the history of Lands End, offering glimpses of the past at every turn and provide fantastic examples of coastal terrain and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge from many different angles.
2. THE ART
San Francisco’s Mission District has one of the highest concentrations of street art of any neighborhood in the world. Over 500 murals have been created since the early 1970s—using a variety of themes from the social and political, to the historical and fun.
Down alleyways, on main streets, in full view on large buildings and hidden in unassuming spots—artistic street murals are everywhere you turn throughout San Francisco. Beyond art, residents and visitors alike stroll along the sidewalk frequenting nearby cafes, bars and shops. All the while they are able to admire the art that surrounds them. Proof that infrastructure and art can do wonders for a neighborhood.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Designed as one of the top "must see" attractions in San Francisco, the 46th floor Cityscape Lounge at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel affords 360-degree panoramic views of the sights that make San Francisco so unique. Sit back, relax and soak in the stunning views all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge with a handcrafted cocktail in hand. Favorite libations include the Dolores Park concocted with Junipero gin infused with sage and butterfly pea tea, Lillet and Fever Tree elderflower tonic water, as well as the Marina Daiquiri with Plantation pineapple rum and fresh squeezed lime or the 1919 concocted with Zacapa 23, Bulleit Rye, Antica Carpano and Benedictine.
If the views of San Francisco’s iconic landmarks from Cityscape Lounge do more than quench your thirst—be sure to enjoy their signature smalls plates and desserts, such as the Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board and Chorizo Skewers. So, which artisanal cocktail will you start off with?
4. THE GARDENS
Created in the 1870s, Golden Gate Park is home to gardens, lakes, windmills, bison and other wild animals such as coyotes and mountain lions. As the oldest building in Golden Gate Park, The Conservatory of Flowers is also one of the world's largest conservatories, as well as one of few large Victorian greenhouses in the United States.
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Inside the conservatory you’ll find the Potted Plant Room, which holds various unusual plants—the pots and urns were created by artists from around the world. The Lowlands Gallery contains plants from the tropics of South America such as bananas, coffee and cinnamon while the Aquatics Gallery is similar in conditions as those near the Amazon River.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
San Francisco is a city known for its neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own character. As you walk from neighborhood to neighborhood the city’s facade changes with varying architecture.
Image courtesy of San Francisco Travel
