A Quick Orientation of San Francisco
Situated on a peninsula between the Pacific and San Francisco Bay, San Francisco occupies about 46 square miles in total, but the majority of places of interest and visitor attractions are packed into a smaller area of roughly seven square miles. San Francisco's Market street is one of the main routes between the financial district and San Francisco's neighborhoods to the south and the west. The area to the south of Market street is known as SoMa, a fashionable district with quirky cafés and fashionable bars and restaurants.
For unsurpassed nightlife and decent dining, head to Castro street, the heart of San Francisco's gay scene, where you'll find night clubs, bars and restaurants. From Castro street you can walk to Liberty street and over the hill to Noe Valley for a spot of gourmet dining at one of the area's superb eateries.
For all things Chinese, head to San Francisco's huge Chinatown. It's densely populated and crammed with Chinese restaurants and shops. If you're looking for great shopping, make your way to Union Square at the centre of the city's downtown area, where you'll find many boutiques and department stores.
Many of San Francisco's biggest attractions are situated in Golden Park, including the Japanese Tea Garden and the deYoung Museum. The park also offers a range of outdoor recreational activities.
However, there's much more to San Francisco than this and fortunately much of the city can be explored on foot due to its relatively compact nature.
United States Map
California Map
San Francisco Map
Useful San Francisco Links
Guide to San Francisco - detailed travel guide to San Francisco, California (CA), USA
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - Guide to San Francisco (SFO) Airport