To take a quick look around Bay City - that's what the locals call their town - you have two options:
- climb one of Twin Peaks. The northern one is best - you can see all of San Francisco from here (just be warned: it's windy and cold on the mountain);
- walk around sights with a map of San Francisco. You can get it in Russian at one of the tourist kiosks.
There are a lot of interesting places in the city: Golden Gate Park, Painted Ladies, Pier 39, the Transamerica Pyramid, other monuments of ancient and modern times. They're scattered throughout the city, so it's easy to get lost without a map of San Francisco.
If you're staying in a hotel, take a map of San Francisco with hotels, not just sights. The latter can "take you" very far.
Where is the best place to live in San Francisco?
There are almost as many neighborhoods in the city as there are hills. To decide which San Francisco neighborhood to stay in, use these tips.
Union Square Union Square
It's considered a hub of shopping, theater and culture. Life in the neighborhood is bustling around the clock. The plaza is home to major department stores, boutiques with collections of famous designers, galleries, salons, restaurants, hotels, and a number of attractions.
Nob Hill (California Hill)
Of all the neighborhoods in San Francisco, this is the most luxurious. It attracts rich people and tourists. There's a cable car. There's a neo-Gothic cathedral, swanky hotels and Victorian-style homes.
China Town (China Town)
One of Frisco's most visited neighborhoods is about 150 years old. Its entrance is guarded by the Dragon Gate, which reads in hieroglyphics, "Everything under the roof of heaven is made for good." There are tea clubs, bakeries, traditional medicine pharmacies, St. Mary's Cathedral, Ross-Elly Lane, where the fortune cookie factory is located, and other interesting sites.
Raschen Hill (Russian Hill)
Prestigious neighborhood with the world's curviest street. The hill offers beautiful views of the bay.
Castro.
Freedom of manners reigns here. Houses are decorated with rainbows, the official symbol of the gay movement. The Castro is home to Twin Peaks Tavern, the first of the gay bars, Cliff's Variety gay supermarket, one of the oldest movie theaters in the country, and the first USA museum of LGBT history. Locals are fine with visitors of any orientation.
Hate-Ashbury
The neighborhood is popular with creatives and vintage lovers. Stores are full of trendy clothing and other items from the second half of the twentieth century.
Sunset (Sunset)
The city's largest neighborhood faces the Pacific Ocean. It's home to Golden Gate Park, the University of California with a recreation area, farm produce stands, and cafes.
Richmond.
The neighborhood has the largest population of Russian speakers and Asians. The city's only Russian Orthodox church was built here. Richmond is quiet and has restaurants with good food.
SoMa (South of Market).
This neighborhood in downtown San Francisco is interesting with new buildings, a stadium for the local baseball team, museums of cartoon art, modern art, etc. There are many good hotels, clubs, art venues, restaurants.
Mission (Mission).
It's mostly populated by hipsters and migrants from Spain. Mission can't be described as rich or poor - it has everything. There are many galleries, art studios, and exhibition spaces. There are parks, of which Dolores is the most famous. In May, Mission hosts a carnival similar to the Brazilian carnival. This neighborhood of San Francisco is not considered particularly dangerous, but you should be careful when entering it.
Fisherman's Wharf.
There are no fishermen left in this old harbor area, but mostly tourists. They go to Pier 39 to see the sea lions, the Wax Museum, the Mechanics Museum, the Chocolate Factory, the Oceanarium, the Maritime National Historical Park, or to restaurants for seafood specialties. From Fisherman's Wharf, pleasure boats leave for Alcatraz, the prison island now a museum.
