Each year San Francisco tops the list of most desirable places to live, not only in the United States but all around the world. People from every continent on the planet want to come here and when you plan your trip to San Francisco there are several key things you will want to remember.
First thing to remember is that you want to bring some warm clothing such as coats, overcoats, and even rainy wear apparel. You also need some summer type clothes because the weather in San Francisco can change dramatically from morning to afternoon to evening. A typical day can start with overcast skies and clear up by the middle of the afternoon. When the sun comes out it can get pretty warm and the jackets will definitely come off, especially when you are walking around sightseeing. When the wind kicks up however it can get very cold very quickly so it is a good idea to bring your coat or sweater. Scarves are seen almost year round in downtown where the business folks dress up a bit more than in other parts of the city.
Make sure to drive your rented car up Divisadero Street until you get to Pacific Heights. The views of the bay from the top of the hill are truly spectacular and make this some of the highest priced real estate anywhere in the U.S. There are numerous ten million dollar and even twenty million dollar mansions in Pacific Heights that will blow your mind. Drive around on your trip to San Francisco and you will see beautiful homes in many districts, including posh Pacific Heights and the nearby Marina.
In the Marina, close to beautiful Marina Greens you will find the Palace of Fine Arts. You can park and walk and even sit around the artificial lake and have a picnic or feed the ducks. The Palace was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition and is comprised of several gorgeous porticos and domed buildings surrounding a lovely lake with a neo-classical fountain.
Fishermans Wharf is a must visit for any trip to San Francisco. You can walk along the piers and see the old ships and stop at sidewalk stands and eat fresh steamed crab or clam chowder in a bread bowl. Delicious.
The nearby Embarcadero is a great walk with stunning views of the bay. On a clear day you can see the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. On the Embarcadero itself is the world famous Ferry Building. Go inside and you can shop at many one-of-a-kind boutiques or eat gourmet foods at any of several culinary delight restaurants. You can eat the freshest oysters, buy rare mushrooms, and sample gourmet cheeses from around the world.
Keep walking on the Embarcadero and you will get to AT&T Park where the San Francisco Giants play all of their home games. You can walk all the way around the park and actually see inside from one of the viewing areas located outside the park. No trip to San Francisco would be complete without seeing this modern day marvel.