Welcome

A Mecca for culture, San Francisco is rich in diversity. Luckily, for those of us with curious pallets, it gives us an array of culinary experiences to choose from without too tedious a journey from any given location in the city, as it is only 47 square miles in area (rounding up). From North Beach, for example, which offers a utopia of romantic, Italian cuisine, to neighborhoods like China Town, which is as different from North Beach as it is close, offering the spices and noodles customary to Asian dishes. Food not your thing? Fear not imminent boredom. San Francisco also offers wondrous sights, if the neighborhoods alone are not satisfying to the exploring soul. Among these attractions is the notorious Alcatraz. An ex-maximum security prison, and now historical monument, this ghostly island offers tourists the freedom to feel as confined as possible while pretending to be legendary gangster, Al Capone during the later years of his life. However, if the luxuries of prison life don't fascinate you, the world-famous Golden Gate bridge might be a more worthy attraction. One of the world's foremost marvels, the vigorously red suspension bridge is not only mesmerizing, but, in many ways, useful. You can drive it, walk it, run it, scooter it, and the list goes on! Just don't jump it.

New Years Eve is right around the corner, HOTTEST SF NYE

History

The California gold rush starting in 1848 led to a large boom in population, including considerable immigration. Between January 1848 and December 1849, the population of San Francisco increased from 1,000 to 25,000. The rapid growth continued through the 1850s and under the influence of the 1859 Comstock Lode silver discovery. This rapid growth complicated city planning efforts, leaving a legacy of narrow streets that continues to cause traffic problems today. San Francisco became America's largest city west of the Mississippi River, until it lost that title to Los Angeles in 1920. To learn more, continue reading.

Maps and Facts

CLICK HERE to learn interesting facts about SF!

CLICK HERE for a map of the entire bay area.