As many times as I have been to San Francisco, the city by the bay still holds a magnetic lure for me. It is the most beautiful American city, and I say that as someone who has visited cities in all 50 states. Somehow the hilly topography, the majestic structures, the slight chill in the air, and the afternoon fog combine for an idyllic ambience.
San Francisco's physical beauty encompasses one of the most diverse populations anywhere. The city has a strong sense of culture and cultural identity. Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Latinos and Italians all have a palpable presence. This rich cultural diversity brings with it an amazing array of culinary delights. Food establishments in neighborhoods such as Chinatown, North Beach and the Mission District serve up bountiful portions of delectable dim sum, ravioli and rancheros, respectively.
Adding to the cosmopolitan potpourri is the largest gay and lesbian population of any U.S. city. Many of San Francisco's most prominent businesses, including hotels, restaurants, shops and services are owned and operated by gay people. The gay community enjoys a high level of visibility, acceptability and political clout.
I always make a point to walk through the second largest Chinatown in the country, the bustling hub for the city's Chinese population. As you stroll down Grant Avenue, the street immortalized in the 1961 movie Flower Drum Song, you will pass shops and sidewalk displays lined with tacky goods, as well as restaurants and open-air markets. I enjoy dining at Empress of China while looking out at the view from its picture window.
Another favorite experience is taking in the scene from Telegraph Hill. The Bay and the architecture of Telegraph Hill and nearby Russian Hill can best be described as uniquely San Francisco. The much-photographed Coit Tower crowns Telegraph Hill. Take the number 39 bus to the top of the hill and then walk down on the Greenwich Steps, a brick staircase lined with ivy and roses. And, if you worked up an appetite during your descent, take the short walk to the Fog City Diner on Battery Street for some of the city's finest comfort food.
The arts flourish in San Francisco with major museums, a world-class opera house, a symphony and a ballet company. Moreover, the Mission District is a melting pot of more than 60 public murals in an eight-block area. SoMa, short for South of Market Street, has enjoyed an arts renaissance and is home to the Museum of Modern Art and the Center for the Arts. In the shadows of these two new venues, numerous galleries have sprung up. Moreover, San Francisco's distinctive Victorian houses are as much of the arts scene as the museums and gallaries.
I have barely skimmed the surface of the treasures that await you in San Francisco. Some of my other favorites are the beautiful expanse of Golden Gate Park, the deluxe houses in Pacific Heights, and the cafes and bars of North Beach.
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From the majesty of the Golden Gate Bride to the colorful Mission District, the breathtaking beauty of San Francisco will make your vacation one of the best ever.
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Friday, December 18, 2009
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