{"id":93,"date":"2013-07-10T00:47:55","date_gmt":"2013-07-10T00:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/five-ways-to-finding-the-heart-of-san-francisco\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:18:31","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:18:31","slug":"five-ways-to-finding-the-heart-of-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/five-ways-to-finding-the-heart-of-san-francisco\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Ways to Finding the Heart of San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"

A world-famous bridge, heaps of sprawling green spaces, the thriving arts scene and a fiercely independent, fun-loving streak. San Francisco never fails to win over Expedia\u2019s Aussie travellers, who usually spend 3-4 days checking out the city by the bay.\u00a0When it comes to exploring hip and unconventional San Fran, there are plenty of options.<\/p>\n

Here are some of our favourite sightseeing stops with, of course, where to eat and drink along the way.<\/p>\n

Walk through the Castro neighbourhood<\/h2>\n

San Fran is celebrated the world over for its liberal outlook and advocacy of social revolution. Starting with the hippie movement and anti-war demonstrations during the 1960s and 70s, this is a place where passionate locals strive to make real changes. That includes locals like civil rights leader Harvey Milk \u2013 learn more about the camera store-owner turned gay rights activist on the\u00a0Historic Castro Neighbourhood Walking Tour<\/a>. It\u2019s a humbling afternoon. As for where to eat, Chef-owner Melissa Perello named her restaurant after her grandmother\u00a0Frances<\/a>\u00a0(3870 17th St) and the Michelin-star venue serves locally sourced ingredients on its unfussy share plates.<\/p>\n

On your bike \u2013 cycle to Sausalito<\/h2>\n

Not so much a suburb as a charming little village situated across the bay, Sausalito makes for a great lunchtime excursion. The waterside community is all about the good life and great views. And getting there is a great opportunity to pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge.\u00a0Hire a bike or join a guided group\u00a0<\/b><\/a>for a cycle along the South Bay shoreline before crossing the 2737m-long iconic structure. If you get a clear day, you\u2019ll be able to see for miles \u2013 stop for photos before speeding downhill to lunch.\u00a0Park your bike at\u00a0Copita<\/a>\u00a0(739 Bridgeway), a new Mexican restaurant serving tacos, ceviches and a host of fiery mains, made from ingredients grown in the onsite organic garden.<\/p>\n

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Get your culinary culture fix<\/h2>\n

Start your evening tucking into baskets of perfectly plump steamed dumplings and finish it off feasting on pasta and pizza \u2013 a\u00a0Culinary Tour<\/a>\u00a0is a great way to get under the skin of two of San Fran\u2019s most lively districts. Hidden between colourful temples and under the red lanterns that line the streets of Chinatown, Dol Ho (808 Pacific Ave) is a\u00a0no-frills eatery renowned for dim sum, hot sauce (take a jar to take home with you) and a killer chicken and rice cart. Finish up in North Beach \u2013 the home of the beatnik subculture depicted in Jack Kerouac\u2019s modern classic\u00a0On The Road\u00a0<\/em>and a\u00a0large Italian-American population. It’s \u2018Little Italy\u2019 and great for a late-night espresso and a slice of tiramisu.<\/p>\n

Ride the trolley to Nob Hill<\/h2>\n

From Alamo to Washington Heights, San Fran is spread across 47 hills, which can make getting around on foot a little exhausting. Luckily, the city\u2019s streetcars (that\u2019s trams to me and you) are as numerous as its steep inclines. There\u2019s a great hop-on hop-off\u00a0Trolley Tour<\/a>\u00a0 that takes in several must-visit neighbourhoods, with commentary along the way. Check out Union Square (a shopper’s paradise, but return after dark when the theatres come alive), the hip South Of Market area (SoMa) and nearby Financial District, before making a pit stop in Nob Hill. Once the home of Gold Rush barons, the impressive properties lining Huntingdon Park are interspersed with boutiques and bars.<\/p>\n

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Go \u2018under the bay\u2019 at Fisherman\u2019s Wharf and Pier 39<\/h2>\n

Wander along the city\u2019s famous waterfront, Fisherman\u2019s Wharf, until you reach Pier 39, home to a colony of rather smelly sea lions. Most days they can be seen sunning themselves on the dock. For more marine life, walk through a 300-foot-long glass tunnel as jellyfish and sharks glide overhead at\u00a0Aquarium of the Bay<\/a>. Fishermen\u2019s Wharf is one of the hotspots for Expedia\u2019s Aussie travellers, with plenty of popular 3.5 star hotels. While you’re in the area, check out\u00a0Forbes Island<\/a>. This restaurant in a lighthouse floats on the water and, unsurprisingly, serves a fish and shellfish-focused menu. From the dining room there\u2019s great views of Alcatraz, San Fran\u2019s infamous offshore prison.<\/p>\n

Where to stay?<\/h2>\n

For us it had to be in SoMa and the uber-stylish\u00a0Hotel Zetta<\/a>. Its vibrant decor and green credentials were a big draw, as was the location \u2013 it\u2019s only a five-minute drive or a 30-minute walk from one end of Mission Street to the other and you\u2019re in Mission District. Thanks to its Latino heritage and recent dot-com wealth, the suburb offers an exhilarating mix of grungy bars and smart boutiques.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to exploring San Fran, there’s plenty of options. Here are some of our favourite sightseeing stops with where to eat and drink along the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,2,3,39,14,20],"tags":[40,137,138],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-93","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-destination","category-experiences","category-explore","category-food-and-wine","category-interests","category-usa","tag-foodie","tag-historic-sights","tag-san-francisco","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFive Ways to Finding the Heart of San Francisco - Expedia AU Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When it comes to exploring San Fran, there's plenty of options. 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