Holidays to San Francisco

An exceptional city!

Holidays to San Francisco are an adventure for all the senses. A chilly summer fog rolls in out of the bay as you climb one of the steepest roads in the world, overlooking the most photographed bridge in the world!

San Francisco is a cultural gem in the American West Coast; home to eclectic architecture, a liberal attitude, major public cultural institutions like the ballet and symphony and, of course, home to the whole hippie explosion generated out of Haight-Ashbury.

Here at Holiday Supermarket San Francisco flights are easy to find - the city is a major local and international hub, being the 33rd most visited city by tourists in the world!

San Francisco holidays can take several forms. The sheer pleasure of discovering the city itself over a week or so and seeing and living the joys of Chinatown, the Golden Gate, visiting Alcatraz, the Coit Tower, Nob Hill and Fisherman's Wharf. Or you can use San Francisco holidays as a chance to explore some of the outer reaches; places like Napa Valley and Monterey are deservedly world famous.

There's a thriving live music scene in San Francisco and holidays to San Francisco should include plenty of local restaurants. There's a wonderful organic, simple approach to produce which local restaurants and cafes have picked up on. Food is fresh and good.

San Francisco holidays are for the fit - you'll do a lot of walking up very steep hills. You'll stand on a lot of cable cars, and you'll climb to the top of several viewing points - don't say we didn't warn you!

Hints and tips for your San Francisco Holiday

Eating

Eating out in San Francisco – cheap, expensive and everything in between

San Francisco is awash in eating choices for every budget! Chinatown is a good source of quality food at reasonable prices and many neighbourhood bistros in the inner city are famed for their fresh, yet reasonable fare. There are serious splurge restaurants too and one or two icons that you must visit when in town.

The budget options - treat yourself to Giordano Bros in North Beach. What you'll find here is a good, hearty meal in a sandwich. Bread, meat, coleslaw and fries in a sandwich - they call it the all-in-one and it's yours for around $7. Elsewhere, you'll find Mel's Drive In (of course!) in a couple of locations, but notably 2165 Lombard Street. It's your classic 'American Graffiti' diner and serves up authentic malt's 'n fries diner food.

Mid price options - Memphis Minnie's Bar-B-Que at 576 Haight, between Steiner and Fillmore is a taste sensation. They say Texans do the best barbeque, but this place is near the top of the tree. Delicious, marinated meats charred to perfection. The Crepe House at 599 Post Street serves...crepes. Delicious, fluffy crepes with a dozen different fillings, sweet ones too!

Splurge - you're spoilt for choice in arguably America's best foodie destination. The grand hotels all do exquisite very well, there are numerous hotspots you must try, but there's one restaurant in particular that exemplifies the new approach to San Francisco food - which is simple, local produce, perfectly made. Quince is at 1701 Octavia St and it is no big, fancy glamour place. It's a tiny restaurant that has sourced the most amazing produce and not overdone it in any way.

Things not to miss

San Francisco loves it's culture

This is where liberal politics took off in the US with the whole summer of love thing and San Francisco's culture reflects that thoughtful feel. The opera and symphony here are world class. The galleries and museums are of high quality.

Golden Gate Bridge - this iconic bridge notable for the russet colour of its protective paint is as cool in person as it looks in every disaster movie you've ever seen it exploding in. You can bike it, go across in a bus or just jump in a cab.

Presidio - this area of SF houses the military and a base but you can stroll the parklands at leisure and take in the views of the waterfront. It's a good place for an early morning run or a casual after lunch stroll.

The Walt Disney History Museum - is in San Francisco! Who'd have thought? It's a building in the Presidio dedicated to the life and times of a visionary man. There are lots to see and do and you'll come away with a new appreciation for a giant of the 20th century.

AT & T Park - if you want to get your head around that most American of sports - baseball - take a visit to AT& T Park, home to the San Francisco Giants. You can tour behind the scenes, see the dugouts and watch the history of the team in the various exhibits.

Ferry Building Marketplace - down in The Embarcadero at Market Street is this old time building and its wonderful enclave of food markets, restaurants and flea market wares. It's a fun morning, filled with people and great food.

Ride a Cable Car - hey! You're in San Francisco home to the cable car, so climb aboard. It's a cheap, fun way to see the city, if a little touristy these days. Climb aboard at Union Square and travel all the way to Fishermans Wharf. Stop off on Nob Hill and continue the journey later if you wish. You'll see a great part of the city.

Weather in San Francisco

What to wear, when to go

San Francisco is famous for its weather. Unstable, four seasons in one day - they all fit. Summer can mean chilly fogs rolling in off the bay. Winter can mean rain for days. That said, it's neither too hot nor too cold.

San Francisco goes from an average of 14 in winter to about 21C in summer - see not hot, not cold! Spring and autumn are lovely periods, and the weather really means you can visit any time of year and be comfortable.

SAN FRANCISCO WEATHER

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