San Francisco California

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San Francisco

There’s more to San Francisco and its surrounding area than trolleys and Alcatraz. Beyond its Golden Gate Bridge is a city brimming with brilliance, things to do and the best restaurants in the country. Take a map of San Francisco and you’ll a find a compact city of international influences and cultural attractions spanning from Haight-Ashbury to Fisherman’s Wharf. Whether you are taking to an afternoon of shopping at Union Square or riding cable cars up to Chinatown, San Francisco’s hilly interior reveals something new to do at each glance. Also, just over one of the amazing bridges, artsy San Jose and Oakland await a visit. When it comes to the bay area, let Hyatt guide you to some of the best places to visit in San Francisco—and rightly, in the world.

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ARTS/CULTURE

Asian Art Museum

200 Larkin Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 581 3500

It's no surprise that a city home to one of the largest Asian-American populations in the U.S. also has the best Asian art museum-in the Western world, that is.

Ballet San Jose

40 North First Street

San Jose, CA

+1 408 288 2820

On the southern end of San Francisco Bay, the area's premier ballet floats effortlessly on its reputation of good taste and a 25-year tradition of eloquence.

The Beat Museum

540 Broadway

San Francisco, CA

+1 831 372 4911

When Jack Kerouac went On the Road, he never imagined where it would lead. The hippies may have made the '60s, but the Beatniks started it all.

Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia

214 California Drive

Burlingame, CA

+1 650 347 2301

Popping into the Museum of Pez Memorabilia may result in the urge to pop candy pellets in your mouth while perusing vintage posters that really pop.

Cable Car Museum

1201 Mason Street

San Francisco , CA

+1 415 474 1887

The Cable Car Museum was a true San Francisco treat before any TV commercial made it famous. This free museum also doubles as a living repair and storage shop for trolleys.

Chinatown

Grant Avenue and Jackson Street

San Francisco, CA

Chinatown is chock full of treasures, including the covertly located Golden Gate Fortune Cookie factory (56 Ross Alley), where some 20,000 cookies are made daily by hand.

Coit Tower

1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 362 0808

As part of the New Deal's Public Works of Art project, artists adorned the inside of this stately structure with bright murals that echo an era gone by.

de Young Museum

50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 750 3600

Friday nights are the new hotspot at one of the city's oldest museums. On select evenings, see free live music, artistic demonstrations, poetry and film-all on your way to the observation tower.

The Exploratorium

3601 Lyon Street,

San Francisco, CA

+1 425 474 1887

An experiment in interactivity, this science museum is also home to the Tactile Dome-a multi-sensory walking tour through total darkness.

Musée Mécanique

Pier 45 Shed A, Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 346 2000

While you're waiting for the fortune teller to grant you your wish, you can try the other 159 working machines at this penny arcade museum.

Red Vic

1727 Haight Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 668 3994

The couches here are cushy enough for napping, but we suggest watching cult movies instead at this Victorian movie theater parlor.

Beach Blanket Babylon

678 Green Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 421 4222

Selling out performances for 35 years, snagging a ticket to this music revue requires skill, but the scathing, hilarious take on pop culture headlines are worth the trouble.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

151 3rd Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 357 4000

It's collections of modern photography and paintings impress, but SFMOMA's rooftop sculpture garden may be its truest tranquil treat.

PLACES

Alamo Square

Steiner and Hayes Streets

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 614 2526

"The Painted Ladies" helped make this Haight-Ashbury park famous. They're Victorian Row houses, of course, and you can see them perfectly right here.

Alcatraz Island Prison

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 981 7625

Taking a sleek ferry to Alcatraz's Spartan confines may seem criminal-but there's no better way to see this archaic lock-up.

Baker Beach

Presidio National Park

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 831 2750

Activities like nude Frisbee and sunbathing are the main attractions at this San Francisco beach. The more bashful can admire Golden Gate on the south end.

Dolores Park

18th and Dolores Streets

San Francisco, CA

While you're hanging with local musicians on a Sunday afternoon, take a moment to catch the coastal view-or even a free outdoor movie screening.

Haight-Ashbury

Haight and Ashbury Streets

San Francisco, CA

Memories of a cultural movement still swirl through fair trade coffee shops and dime stores on the haunting streets of The Haight.

Point Reyes National Park

1 Bear Valley Road

Point Reyes Station, CA

+1 415 464 5100

Thirty miles up Highway 1, the views at this northerly, coastal beach park are more wondrous than a Human Be-In.

St. Mary's Cathedral

1111 Gough Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 567 2020

This cathedral is easy to spot, thanks to its Tokyo-inspired architecture that redesigned historic traditions.

Twin Peaks

501 Twin Peaks Boulevard

San Francisco, CA

One of the best things to do in San Francisco is ascend 922 feet to the city's most beloved viewpoint. And you thought the city's hills were rough?

Muir Woods

Mill Valley, CA

+1 415 388 2596

Walk amongst the storied ancient redwoods, a tree lovers monument. After, relax at the Pelican Inn, which specializes in country English fare with a full service pub.

EAT/DRINK/PLAY

Bar Tartine

561 Valencia Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 487 1600

The Tartine bread, from the Bakery of the same name, is to die for, along with exotic wines by the glass and a revolving menu reserved for seasonal-only ingredients.

Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 648 7600

This Mission District star serves Oscar-worthy cuisine-but foreign and independent film screenings inside a covered court yard deserve our nod.

Bix

56 Gold Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 433 6300

A throwback to super club elegance, Bix boasts live jazz bands, dirty martinis and cuts of steak that are more Midwest than West Coast.

Dojima-Ann

219 O'Farrell Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 956 0838

An authentic foray into Japanese comfort food includes curry udon and donburi-a bowl of steamed rice, vegetables and meats. Japanese locals flock here, which is definitely a good sign.

Home

2100 Market Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 503 0333

We can't resist a fireplace patio and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Set in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro District, the elevated comfort food is relaxed and done right, from brunch to late-night dining.

Hooker's Sweet Treats Café

442 Hyde Street

San Francisco, CA

Sea-salted, dark chocolate caramels are divine-just ask the young hipster whipping up your French press behind the counter.

Monk's Kettle

3141 16th Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 865 9523

Giant pretzels, cider-brined pork chops and pan-seared lamb burgers set a decadent standard. The beer selection is equally rich and comes bound in the form of a book.

The Pork Store Café

1451 Haight Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 864 6981

This former Czech butcher shop serves one of the best breakfasts in the city. Pork chops and other swine-related specialties dot the menu-and there's a second location in The Mission District.

Press Club Wine Lounge

20 Yerba Buena Lane

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 477 5000

This classy Union Square lounge is more of an urban retreat than an after dinner spot. You're not far from Napa Valley, so expect world class service and vino knowledge.

Otis

25 Maiden Lane

San Francisco, CA

Tucked away from the bustle of Union Square, this intimate lounge has a dance floor, a DJ and an unpretentious air of casual elegance-if you can find it.

SPQR

1911 Fillmore Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 771 7779

Think Italian cuisine that's more twist than rotini. The minimally designed space has featured wild boar and sea urchin alongside traditional pastas and fennel salads.

Shine

1337 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 252 1423

You may find yourself taking incriminating pictures in the photo booth after midnight. It's understandable-you're in one of the city's best dance clubs and the DJs prove it.

Umami

2909 Webster Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 346 7529

There's a reason behind all this maki madness and its name is Umami. Try edamame hummus and check out its "Sumo Hour" (happy hour) specials.

The Slanted Door

One Ferry Building

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 861 8032

This Marina restaurant is all about Vietnamese cuisine. Using locally raised meats and vegetables make this Asian-fusion restaurant very local indeed.

SHOPPING

Burlingame Avenue

San Francisco, CA

Consider a leisurely day trip 30 miles south of San Francisco, where boutiques and al fresco cafes are the old-timey stars.

Hayes Valley

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 255 9307

Chain stores are banned in this hip shopping and dining district of San Francisco. Expect the unexpected, from artisanal meats to designer lingerie.

City Lights Booksellers & Publishers

261 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 362 8193

Three levels of unique titles and anti-authoritarian politics are a perfect way to pass a foggy San Fran afternoon.

Ferry Building Marketplace

One Ferry Building

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 693 0996

As far as attractions go, this one is the freshest, thanks to its Parisian approach to breads, cheeses, chocolates and more. The Farmers Market here is one of the country's best, open 3 days weekly.

Global Exchange

4018 24th Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 648 8068

Socially responsible gifts are right at home in San Francisco. Brightly colored bowls, woven purses and aromatic coffees fill the shop with fair trade, international flair.

Gimme Shoes

416 Hayes Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 864 0691

This San Francisco shoe institution has so much sole, it needs three locations. One-of-a-kind finds will make your kicks the talk of the town.

International Orange

2044 Fillmore Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 894 8811

Quench your skin with crushed fruits and essential oils at this Fillmore Street find. The spa's product line is named after the Golden Gate, but we promise, it will not turn your skin orange.

Loyal Army Clothing

1728 Haight Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 221 6200

Staying loyal to this store is easy thanks to its cozy hoodies and t-shirts styled in the Kawaii tradition of Japanese cuteness.

Mingle

1815 Union Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 674 8811

Union Street is brimming with boutiques, but Mingle's is the main attraction with its passion for emerging San Francisco fashion designers.

Paxton Gate

824 Valencia Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 824 1872

This place bills itself as a natural sciences store, which sounds way better than a taxidermy store with really cool finds.

The Perish Trust

728 Divisadero Street

San Francisco, CA

An exercise in the obsolete, this San Francisco shop has typewriters, Victorian books and that gun lamp you've been wanting for decades.

SFMOMA Museum Store

151 Third Street

San Francisco, CA

+1 415 357 4000

Many of SOMA's former warehouses have been transformed into retail shops, but few are as intellectually provocative in their selection of books, jewelry and gifts.