San Francisco Live Cam

San Francisco tourism information wouldn't be complete without the top sights. I'll tell you about the most famous attractions and give you the true picture. Which ones are a real kick and how to avoid the tourist traps. Should you take a tour, or do it on your own? You'll hear the pros and cons.

- Alcatraz. Spooky but cool. One of the wonderful views of the city.

- Fisherman's Wharf. It's the 1º tourist attraction in beautiful San Francisco City. So why do the locals avoid it?

- Pier 39. Check out our enormous seal colony!

- The Golden Gate Bridge. Walk or cycle across - and bring your jacket!

- The most famous San Francisco hotels. Should you stay in one of them?

- Ghirardelli Square. Love chocolate? Come see how it's made.

- And of course, the Cable Cars. The best spots to catch them and which routes to skip.

There's something here for everyone who loves experiencing San Francisco: first-timers, repeat visitors and, of course, my fellow Bay Areans. Here's to a wonderful adventure!

Are you looking for reliable advice on San Francisco travel to plan your next trip or get some ideas?

Come and join us. Sit in a cosy cafe, order an Irish coffee, and listen to the foghorns while the mist swirls outside. See a show, go shopping, ride the cable cars, and best of all, eat!

San Francisco's Secrets Revealed

I'll let you in on our "secrets", the ones most visitors never hear about:

- Our favorite restaurants, with great local atmosphere and the tastiest food. From haute cuisine to the funky little dives.

- The best hotels and bed and breakfast places that won't max out your credit cards.

- Buffalo, wind mills, carousels and coyotes - all in Golden Gate Park.

- San Francisco shopping gems, the one-of-a-kind stores you won't find elsewhere.

- What areas tourists should avoid - have fun, but be safe.

- Quaint cafes, bars, and bistros where the locals hang out.

- Parking secrets (should I really share these?) and how to get around on public transportation - why we don't go crazy living here.

There's a unique atmosphere here that is mysterious and full of enchantment, and I hope you'll get to experience it yourself. Even though I've lived in San Francisco for over 20 years, I still get a thrill watching the fog come rolling in through the Golden Gate.

Find out what a local San Franciscan would recommend. I've been there and can tell you what they're really like:

The best museums, galleries, parks and beaches. Original, offbeat San Francisco tours. Plays, shows and concerts. How to get good tickets. The charming neighborhoods that most visitors never hear about. The most breathtaking views. Really cool stuff for kids to do that grownups will actually enjoy. Day trips out of the city that you really shouldn't miss.

San Francisco is a magical place. The city of seagulls, sourdough, fog and cable cars. There's really no other place like it on the planet!

San Francisco is a city rich with cultural history and events. Whatever your interests, you'll always be able to find something new and exciting to do here. Please explore the links below to discover how great living in San Francisco can be.

San Francisco offers many recreational activities. In fact, San Francisco's diverse and creative people have made the City a cultural capital of the world. These links provide just a glimpse of our unparalleled cultural wealth.

San Franciscans believe that education empowers people to achieve goals they thought unimaginable. Keeping with a tradition of investing in education, this page provides links to the City's educational resources and extensive public library system.

San Franciscans care deeply about the environment and the City reflects these values in its public initiatives. On this page we have placed links that provide an overview of how hard the City works to protect our unique environmental resources.

In an effort to ensure the well being of its citizens, the City and County of San Francisco provides a broad array of health and social services. These links will help you identify how you may be able to benefit from them.

Several City agencies work to manage and preserve San Francisco's publicly owned properties. Others serve citizens by providing safeguards and housing services, including low-cost loans and housing opportunities, thus enhancing the quality of life for all in the City.

San Francisco manages and maintains a comprehensive public transportation system. The San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) operates the cable cars, buses, street cars, and light rail in San Francisco. Other City agencies serve citizens by enforcing parking and traffic laws aimed at guaranteeing public safety.

As a former boom town, built on the riches of the California Gold Rush, it retains some spectacular palace hotels and mansions built to serve those newly wealthy citizens

San Francisco is a great weekend getaway destination, located within a few hours of many Western cities by car or plane. With a nice selection of luxury hotels, great shopping and fabulous restaurants, it has a luxury travel infrastructure that will please even the most discerning visitor.

As a former boom town, built on the riches of the California Gold Rush, it retains some spectacular palace hotels and mansions built to serve those newly wealthy citizens.

Fly or drive into the beautiful city by the bay on a Friday. For airline passengers, the area's BART train system includes a stop inside the airport, taking you into downtown San Francisco in 25 minutes. For a luxury driving experience in San Francisco, rent a beautiful Audi A8 L from the Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise (233 Ellis Street).

For the city's best accommodations, choose the Nob Hill area and the classic InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco (999 California Street). Built after the 1906 earthquake, the neighborhood, then and now, is one of the city's most exclusive, as is the hotel. The Mark, as it's known, sits high on a hill, providing dramatic views of the city and the Bay to the guest rooms and suites.

For dinner, a visit to the Four Seasons San Francisco's rustically delicious MKT Restaurant (757 Market Street) offering quality farm-to-table cuisine. That means the chefs personally work with the region's ranchers and farmers to choose fresh, local items, from meats and cheeses to vegetables. They are then freshly prepared, so the food comes directly from the farms it's grown on.

A tour of the city's Haas-Lilienthal House (2007 Franklin Street) is a good way to start a Saturday, offering a realistic view of how a wealthy Victorian family would have lived. Luxury shopping would probably be a good thing to do on a Saturday afternoon and the Union Square shopping area and surrounding streets have some of the best shopping in the country.

All the big luxury brands are represented with Chanel (156 Geary Street) and Tiffany and Co. (350 Post Street) being two highlights with spectacular, showcase locations. For a great dinner combined with some serious local history, Tadich Grill (240 California Street) has been feeding locals since 1849 and continues to offer some of the best, authentic food in the city.

For Sunday Champagne Brunch in San Francisco there is but one "best place to go" and it's the Top of The Mark, the restaurant high atop the InterContinental Mark Hopkins. Sunday Champagne brunch with jetliner views is served from 10 AM - 1 PM.

A great end-of-day drive up to the Marin Headlands in the Audi, which offers postcard views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Bay and the city skyline makes for a perfect ending to a weekend getaway in San Francisco.