Are you going to San Francisco? (San Francisco)

Member Name: kca101

Product:	San Francisco
Date:	08/09/00 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Multi-cultural, tolerant and vibrant

Disadvantages: Much building work being carried out

San Francisco is well known for amazing landscapes and tolerant population, but I was still not prepared for some of the sights that met my eyes.

As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world San Francisco is rich in culture and the mix of Latin, European and Native American is compelling. You can find yourself in a French bistro, turn the corner and be entertained by an energetic Mexican band. It ‘s the kind of place you just love to visit, but to stay too long would have you yearning for the history behind these transplanted cultures.

It’s a city of contradictions. With Silicon Valley just 25 miles away from San Francisco International Airport you expect more when you get off the plane than the 70’s architecture that greets you. Driving down highway 101 reveals more building and demolition work than impressive buildings. It’s a place that never seems to have a centre but still remains endearing.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a prime spot for visitors, and rightly so. Interesting restaurants and souvenir shops are complimented by truly original art and pottery shops – although these are often hidden behind the main street. It is certainly worth a day visit just looking round the area and talking to the genuinely friendly people.

Shopping in San Francisco was different to how I expected. No factory shops except the large complex just past San Jose (about 70 miles away), but Bloomingdales and Frys are places you should visit for great value designer clothes and electronic goods respectively.

There are two words that people say to those travelling to San Francisco for the first time – “expect fog”. More often than not a thick covering of fog masks the view of the impressive Golden Gate Bridge, so it’s important you are not disappointed.

All in all, this was a great trip full of interesting sights, and San Francisco is a place I will definitely be v
isiting again.

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