Thinking of visiting San Francisco without setting foot in one of its vintage trams, it could be almost a heresy!

With about 150 years of history, the typical Cable cars represent a real travel experience, more than a simple means of getting around the city. They move around the city, overcoming the many differences in height of the city streets; you can catch them on the fly at the stops, or after a short row at the station. Obviously, being a tourist attraction, you will have to take into account any queues. Especially at peak times.

Cable cars are mainly used by tourists. Only the inhabitants of Nob and Russian Hills use them on a daily basis to move from one point to another of their neighborhoods.

Coit Tower is one of the most scenic places in San Francisco, a true city symbol. Built between 1933 and 1938 in Pioneer Park, on top of Telegraph Hill. Spectacular observation point, this white tower in Art Deco style, was built in honor of the firemen. From here, you can admire the view from the Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge. You’ll enjoy fantastic views of the slopes of Nob Hill and Russian Hill, which descend to North Beach.

Its interiors are decorated with splendid frescoes from the 1930s.

You can reach the Tower by bus 39, or by taxi. The more trained, they can get there on foot from Union Square in less than half an hour. Open Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00.

Prices: adults 10$ with lift, Senior and children 7$, children 3$.

Official website: www.sfrecpark.org

After relaxing in one of the most beautiful places in San Francisco, the descent from Telegraph Hill begins. Along the way, you may hear the parrot humming. At some point, the famous Lombard Street begins, in which to admire the particular Victorian-style houses and, above all, one of the most iconic streets in America.

Lombard Street is famous for the famous stretch of Russian Hill, between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street, consisting of 8 steep hairpin bends and a slope that reaches 20%. Incredibly tortuous, it has been immortalized, on several occasions, by many film directors.

Impossible not to drop by. Equally impossible, do not take a souvenir photo in a symbolic and particular place like this. Arriving from the lower part, the climb is quite tiring; it is advisable, at least, to use side steps. The effort, however, is rewarded by a breathtaking view. At the top, you can admire the picturesque street, all curves, and colorful flowers.

From Hyde St. on your left. A relaxing walk will take you to the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, passing by Russian Hill Park, and Ghirardelli Square.

Domenico Ghirardelli, born in Rapallo in 1817, represents a piece of the history of California and of Italian emigration to the United States.

His arrival in the city dates back to 1849, during the “gold rush”; only 3 years later, Mr. Ghirardelli founded his chocolate shop, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company.

The brand soon became a successful brand. The products were exported to China, Japan and Mexico. In the 1960s the company was sold to a multinational company and the plant moved to nearby San Leandro, California.

Photo ©, Thomas Hart

Today, Ghirardelli Square is one of San Francisco’s favorite shopping malls, much visited also by tourists. The square is Victorian in style; the famous chocolate shop is always there.

The square is located on Beach Street a few steps from the famous Pier 39; you can also get there on foot. Or by Tram, from Union Square, getting off at the terminus, Hyde St. & North Point Street.

Fisherman’s Wharf is an area of San Francisco near the coast, probably one of the areas most loved by citizens and tourists. Many of its attractions, such as the Pier 39 shopping center, are located right here.

You will find numerous picturesque shops, scenic restaurants, and pubs. You can stop off at one of the classic clam kiosks, or the famous Dungeness Crab.

One of San Francisco’s main attractions is a giant colony of seals and sea lions.

These cute mammals have chosen the port of San Francisco as their home; love to lie in the sun, one on top of the other. Tourists love to see them do nothing and, in some cases, even quarrels between seals, for the place on the pier. In our opinion, it is a truly unmissable show.

In the evening, in the distance, you can admire the large and impressive Golden Gate Bridge.

From this area, and from the docks, excursions leave every day for Alcatraz Prison, located on an island just a few minutes away from the coast of San Francisco.

Alcatraz was one of America’s most important prisons, where the most dangerous criminals in history, including Al Capone, were imprisoned.

For an excellent day trip to Alcatraz, you can refer to the following site: www.Alcatrazcruise.com

Golden Gate Bridge has been the symbol of the city since 1937, built on the strait that connects the Pacific Ocean with the San Francisco Bay. Engineering pride, it was completed after 4 years of struggle against strong gusts of wind, rain, rock and storm surges.

2.7 kilometers long, it connects San Francisco with the Marin County area, distinguished by its dark orange color. The numbers are impressive; the 2 pillars that support the structure, are 230 meters high, with 128,000 km of cables, firmly stretched, and anchored to the two banks.

There are 6 lanes per car. During the day, pedestrians and cyclists can safely walk the bridge along the sidewalks dedicated to them. The viewpoints are located both south and north of the bridge, with ample parking to relax and take the inevitable photos.

From Downtown, take the 38 Geary Boulevard bus to the Park Presidio stop; then, take bus 28, heading north. In a short time, you will be at the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Also, you can also take the Golden Gate Transit.

In choosing to visit San Francisco, you can opt for some real musical institutions: San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet. Exploratorium and The Walt Disney Family Museum, on the other hand, are two museums that are nothing short of innovative, not to be missed.

Visiting San Francisco offers the possibility to admire fantastic panoramas and unique sunsets.

Photo ©, Joe Parks

Nob Hill is the most snobbish neighborhood in San Francisco. Winding roads and, in some cases, incredibly steep, with slopes, in some cases, almost 80%! From here, you will admire the most fascinating scenery in this great city of California.

Kanoa recommends that you not miss a visit to the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco. From Nob Hill, taking Bus No. 27, heading south, you will be in Mission District in about 35 minutes.

Mission Discrit, is the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco.

Houses and palaces painted to say the least extravagant; the inhabitants are of various ethnic groups, including Latinos and Asians. The crime rate, too, is above the average of the rest of the city. It is advisable to visit the area during the day or, at most, in the afternoon.

If you decide to visit San Francisco, take some time to relax from the fatigues.

The Golden Gate Park, in this regard, is ideal. It is the largest “green lung” in the United States. Just over 4 square kilometers, it is larger than Central Park (New York); every year it is visited by over 10 million people. Impressive numbers.

It is the favorite park of the inhabitants of San Francisco, much loved for its originality, the redwoods, the bison and the frequent performances of all kinds of music. All this attracts many people, especially when the climate is not very cold, so as to enjoy its wonderful nature.

Not to be missed, inside, MH De Young Memorial Museum, the Conservatory of Flowers and the California Academy of Science.

How to get:
Bus: 1 or 38 from Downtow, 5, 21, 71.