San Francisco Things to Do

San Francisco has a great reputation going for it for being a young, hip town. A big city with a small city feel, there’s always something going on in San Francisco. And if you’re headed to town, it might be in your best interest to see these wild and animated youths in their best – during one of the area’s many street fairs.

Though you might not think it at first blush, the city of seven hills, aka San Francisco, is actually a great biking town. Not only do the streets and drivers naturally yield to those on two wheels (the limited parking and sheer numbers lend them favor), but there’s lots to see and plenty of pit stops to be had along the way. If you’re interested in seeing San Francisco on the power of your own two feet and you don’t like walking, here’s some insider tips.

San Francisco, with its eclectic neighborhoods and love of the original and unique, is a natural nomination for one of the great American literary cities. From pirate bookstores to good old-fashioned holes in the wall, San Francisco bookstores reflect the vagaries of the city. If you’re one of the book-reading public and love nothing better than to find an old dusty bookstore with esoteric reads, unique ambiance, and some of the best minds there can be held within the written word, you’ve come to the right place.

Just south of San Francisco, a little outside of San Jose lies the local curio and general oddity that is the Winchester Mystery House. What is the Winchester Mystery House and why do so many fall in love with its walls? A long and oft-disputed story made short, the Winchester Mystery House came into existence when the wife of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester was told by a Boston medium that she must move West and build, constantly, lest she die and fall victim to the spirits of those slain by the terrible weapon her husband helped build (the Winchester rifle). As a result, this mansion was built incessantly, around the clock, from 1884 until her death on September 5th, 1922, at which time work abruptly ceased. The cost for this relentless construction? In today’s terms, roughly $72 million). The house has its own history and has been visited by many notable people, all perplexed by the seemingly random order of construction and sheer abandonment with which it was built. Windows within the house look-out to other windows and sprawling additions to the seven-story mansion.

Yes, San Francisco is a seven-by-seven mile stretch of teaming urban jungle, but it is also the origination of some great wines. How? Well, not only is it neighbor to the all-popular Napa and Sonoma regions, but it’s also got some winemakers dwelling within its foggy shores. Bluxome, Wattle Creek, and Dogpatch come to mind, but there are others, and that’s how the region is coming to life in terms of the great California wine trail.

Few cities in the world can claim the young, fun-loving crowd that San Francisco can. If there’s one city that knows how to have a party, it’s San Francisco, and for this reason, as well as others, San Francisco is a great time to sport green, get in with the locals, and celebrate the world-famous St. Patrick’s Day. The highlight of this coastal town is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival where thousands come out to watch the celebration. So big is this event that it’s repeatedly hailed as the biggest Irish celebration west of the Mississippi – and that’s saying something.

Often overlooked as the big little brother to San Francisco, there’s actually an awful lot going on in San Jose and the savvy traveler will know that this city is not to be overlooked. Located just south of Mountain View and Milpitas, San Jose has seen a steady rise in tourism in recent years, due partly to the efforts of recent developers and city planners, due also in part to the excellent eateries and wonderful natural weather.

Ah love! It’s in the air in San Francisco. Though the city of seven hills might make for a daunting walking experience, it is rife with charm, fun things to do, and is a vibrant and active city. Thus, it is a great city for young sweethearts. If romance is on the agenda, here are some great romantic things to do in San Francisco.

What’s that famous Mark Twain line? Never have I a spent a colder winter than a summer in San Francisco? It’s something thereabouts, anyway. And while funny, it’s not entirely off-mark. In the summertime the clouds hang low inland, fresh off the ocean and hide the sun and enwrap San Franciscans in a damp blanket of grey. So what’s wintertime like then, you ask?

Chinatown in San Francisco is always a big deal/time/event. With quite possibly the biggest Chinese population outside of China, San Francisco’s Chinatown has a whirlwind of culture all its own. And come the beginning of the Chinese New Year in February, this event is one event you shouldn’t miss. Perhaps the biggest celebration for most Chinese throughout the world, the Chinese New Year is a family time, a time to eat traditional foods, set off fireworks, and attend the annual all-out blow-out Chinese New Year’s Parade. San Francisco’s Chinatown during Chinese New Year is the best of the best as far as celebrations are concerned.