San Francisco facts
INTRODUCTION
So famous are the images of San Francisco that the city hardly needs an introduction.
Whether it is passengers hanging from the side of a historic cable car or motorists attempting to navigate their vehicles down the near vertical, winding streets.
Perhaps the most enduring image is that of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge enveloped in blanket of fog as it stretches across the bay.
San Francisco may have some of the most instantly recognisable sights in America but there is a certain character to the city that speaks as loudly as the landmarks and draws visitors back time and again.
The chic yet laidback vibe on the streets can be largely attributed to the cosmopolitan inhabitants who revel in the diverse cuisine, happening nightlife and glorious views of their hometown.
TRAVELLERS TIPS
Flight Time
It is approximately a 14 hour flight from Sydney to San Francisco
Climate
The annual average temperature is 10 – 17 degree Celsius. You’ll find June – August is the mildest time of the year and the most likely time to witness that spectacular fog rolling into town. April and May and September and October have predominately clear days with little fog.
Getting Around
Wear comfortable shoes because walking is the best way to explore the diverse neighborhoods of this compact city. San Francisco also has good public transport so a car is not necessary.
Tipping
Base salaries in the United States are very low and hospitality workers rely heavily on their tips to make a living. Normal tipping levels are:
15% to 20% for table service food and drink
Housekeeping – a $2 tip per day is generally left in the room
Taxi drivers – usually receive a tip of $1 to $2
Tour guides receive $1 to $2 per person for tours with a lot of people or 10 % for more individualized tours.
San Francisco Must Sees
- Take the lift to the top of Coit Tower for panoramic bay and city views. The hills don’t look as steep from above!
- Hire a bike and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge for a different perspective of this icon.
- To pick up some quirky novelty gifts or just have a giggle browse the shops on Castro, the heart of gay life in the city.
- Catch the ferry to Sausalito to dine at outdoor cafes, browse art galleries, eat ice cream on the wharf and generally just fall in love with this charming town.
- Order Clam Chowder in San Francisco’s famous sourdough bread bowls at Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Do as the locals do and stroll around the markets at the Embarcadero Ferry Building on a weekend.
- Avoid trekking up San Francisco’s steep hills by catching a historic cable car.
- The M H de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park is well worth a visit.
- Watch the long-running show Beach Blanket Babylon, it truly captures the essence of this eccentric city.
- Break the budget or just window browse the designer name boutiques and department stores on Union Square.
DID YOU KNOW?
- San Francisco is built on 43 hills.
- The original United Nations charter was drafted and signed in San Francisco
- Denim jeans were invented in San Francisco for the Gold-rush miners who needed tough, comfortable clothing.
- San Francisco is on a constant caffeine buzz because of over 200 coffee houses within the city limits.
- The first 'Chinese fortune cookies' were created at Golden Gate Park’s tea garden. In true San Franciscan multicultural style they were actually invented by the Japanese Hagiwara family.
JUMP IN YOUR CAR
California is a state designed for driving – most of the scenic beauty and character lies outside of areas easily accessible by public transport and getting amongst it is easy with the range of cheap hire cars available. Here is a selection of diverse destinations all within half a days drive from San Francisco:
Tips for driving in California
A valid Australian driver’s licence is sufficient to drive in California.
Lost? www.mapquest.com is a great resource for directions, maps and estimated driving times.
1 mile is equal to 1.6 kilometres
Don’t forget to ‘drive on the wrong side of the road’.
The Sonoma and Napa Valleys
Drive Time: approximately 90 minutes
California boasts eighty percent of the United States wine production and much of it comes from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. This is wine country as you imagine it, rolling hills and deep valleys, charming towns and quaint wineries nestled amongst rows of vineyards. The locals are all passionate about good food and wine and you’ll never drink wine the same way after a visit.
Lake Tahoe
Drive Time: approximately 3 ½ hours
Surf, sun and…snow? Many people don’t associate winter recreation with California but Lake Tahoe is a Nirvana for both summer and winter recreation seekers. North Lake Tahoe has the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America and because Lake Tahoe doesn’t freeze over in winter it provides spectacular vivid blue backdrop to the snow capped mountains. Perhaps the best known resort is Squaw Valley which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Highway 1
Drive Time: 2 hours and up to 8 - as long as your time allows!
South of San Francisco is the ultimate California road trip. Drivers will be greeted by rugged coastline, national parks, picturesque towns and twists and turns of scenic highway one. The jewel in the highway one crown is certainly Big Sur where dramatic sheer cliffs are on one side and the vast blue Pacific Ocean on the other. The charming Monterey and Carmel make an ideal stopping point but the natural marvels continue all the way to Los Angeles.
Yosemite National Park
Drive Time: approximately 3.5 hours
This is truly the great outdoors in the sense that everything is immense and plentiful, not to menton really, really big. There is nowhere better to immerse yourself in the grandeur of waterfalls, granite cliffs, giant trees and lakes. It was for this reason that it was declared America’s first official national park. People have long considered Yosemite to be one of the United States’ most majestic parks.