The fourth most populated city in California, San Francisco straddles the northern end of a peninsula which separates San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
San Francisco now spreads across 40 steep-sided hills, though the city was originally developed over just seven - Mount Davidson which is SF’s highest natural point, Telegraph Hill topped by the stunning art deco Colt Tower, Mount Sutro owned by the UCSF, Twin Peaks a large natural park, Russian Hill named after Russian fur traders, Nob Hill affluent and exclusive and Rincon Hill now turning into a popular residential neighborhood.
San Francisco’s history starts in 1769, when Spaniards sailing from Mexico explored the bay. Based on their report of the area’s great potential, an expeditionary party was sent from San Diego to found a military station. The outpost was transferred to the US in 1848. In the very same year that SF changed ownership to the US, gold was found near to the city, attracting the attention of large numbers of speculative gold miners. Thanks to the predictable gold rush which followed the small settlement quickly became a city as the population increased from 1300 to 24000, which included large numbers from Asia.
From the 1860s through the 1890s San Francisco grew quickly with several ambitious building projects. The city’s finances flourished when the arrival of the transcontinental railroad spurred the establishment of revenue generating assembly line industries.
San Francisco's growth was curtailed in 1906 when a major earthquake wrought terribe destruction on the city. The tremor was so powerful it was felt as far away as Nevada. Due to the earthquake and the subsequent fires, about 3000 people perished and over two thirds of the city was destroyed including almost all of the city's center. Within just a few weeks reconstruction began, and soon San Francisco's famous cable cars were carrying passengers up and down the city streets again.
The 20th century saw good times come back to San Francisco. In the 1960s the city was the origin of the laid back Hippie Generation, a philosophy that was followed around the globe.
Today San Francisco is a global center for manufacturing, commerce and banking, and is also the home of a thriving port.
San Francisco offers 2 cruise terminals, Pier 27 used for cruises which turnaround at the city, and Pier 35 a back-up facility used for some day-calling cruises.
For a calendar of cruises, see cruises from San Francisco.
Late in 2014 the new James R. Herman International Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 came into operation as the city’s primary cruise terminal. Pier 35 and Piers 30-32 are kept as backup cruise moorings.
Services include toilets, information point, cafe, customs clearance and seating area.
Whilst in not such a great location as the old Pier 35, Pier 27 is still near to the celebrated Fishermen’s Wharf area, so it is still easy to promote the terminal as very convenient to SF’s celebrated sights.
The terminal is next to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, and within walking distance of hotels, downtown, attractions and theatres.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is a touristy section of San Francisco’s north-east waterfront, between Pier 39 to the east and Aquatic park to the west.
Favorite attractions comprise Aquatic Park, the SS. Jeremiah O'Brien (Pier 45), a two layer carousel (Pier 39), the USS Pampanito (Pier 45), bay cruises (Pier 43), a sea lion colony (Pier 39) and the cable car turntable (Beach and Hyde).
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. Incredibly on the day before it was opened to vehicles, nearly 180,000 people crossed the bridge by foot.
The bridge is easy to access for both bicyclists and pedestrians, and was built with sidewalks on both sides of the six vehicle traffic lanes. The east sidewalk is given over to people on foot, the west to bicyclists.
To visit the southern end of the bridge via public transport take a Golden Gate Transit bus (route numbers 101, 80 and 70) at Van Ness & Union near Fisherman’s Wharf.
Cablecars
The inventor of SF’s cable car network, Andrew Smith Hallidie, was set to the task by seeing the horrible deaths of five horses who fell down a steep slippery slope while towing a large load.
Today three original cable car lines are still in operation, the Powell-Mason, the Powell-Hyde and the California Street. Of the 3 the California Street line is the least busy, and is the easiest one to catch assuming you want to beat long queues.
Don’t miss out on the wonderful Market and Powell Street cable car turntable, one of the city’s unforgettable attractions.
Alcatraz
During the 29 years the island was served as a federal jail Alcatraz served as home to some 1576 of America's worst hoodlums including Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), Al Capone, Alvin Karpis, Arthur R. Barker, James Whitey Bulger and Rafael Cancel Miranda.
A guided tour of the prison includes the New Industries Building, the Library, Building 64, the Water Tower, the Main Cellhouse and the Warden's House.
Alcatraz Island is located in SF Bay, just over a mile from shore. An every half hour ferry service leaves from Pier 33, starting at 9.30am. Advance booking is preferable.
Chinatown
Even though many of the buildings in San Franisco's Chinatown may not be truely Chinese in design, the customs, food and inhabitants bring a genuine quality to the neighborhood.
The main area of interest to the tourist centers on Grant Av, where the colorfully ornamented road is lined with all kinds of oriental markets, eateries and shops.
Another idea is a trip to the Golden Gate Cookie Factory, the sole remaining fortune cookie factory in San Francisco where the cookies are hand made. Watch the process of making the cookies, take some pictures and purchase a packet.