San Francisco

San Francisco, US

"San Francisco is adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay." It's the financial center of the western United States, and in particular, the center of the IT industry – it is home to Silicon Valley. San Francisco is a popular tourist destination, known for its cool summers, steep hills, interesting architecture and famed landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.

Getting around

• Golden Gate Bridge

  This iconic bridge completed in 1937 is one of the world's largest single-arch suspension bridges. It was likened to the gate of access to gold during the Gold Rush years, hence the name.

• Fisherman's Wharf

  It used to be a wharf mostly used by Italian fishermen but later evolved into a spot for leisure. Seafood restaurants, alfresco cafés and souvenir shops abound.

• Chinatown

  It's one of the biggest Chinese communities outside of Asia and also one of the main attractions in San Francisco. Along crowded streets are numerous Chinese eateries and shops.

• Alcatraz Island

  The 25-acre, rocky island, known as The Rock, used to be a federal prison incarcerating many legendary prisoners. It's also been the venue of film shoots for many Hollywood blockbusters.

• Coffee

  The locals are coffee lovers and tend to while away their happy times sipping coffee. They have invented dozens of ways to make coffee and have hundreds of coffee making formulas. Each café seems to be a socializing center.

  
  
  
• Cable Car

  Having been running for 140 years, the cable cars no longer represent a means of transportation, but a destination in its own right. Today, they operate on three routes, taking visitors to the city's oldest neighborhoods of European style.