What you need to know before you book your airfare and tickets
San Francisco is one of those few American cities that have a very European feel to it. It is quite easy to spend a couple of days exploring the hilly streets and admiring the colorful Victorian homes that are so typical of the City by the Bay. Browse through second hand shops in Haight-Ashbury or feast on an Italian meal in the North Beach district. (Try Enricos or Cafe Trieste.) Label lovers should go to Union Square to fill their suitcase with designer duds or head to Westfield San Francisco Centre to get a hold of clothes at more affordable prices. Finish your day enjoying a cocktail with a view at Harry Penton's Starlight room on the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake hotel. Hired a car and want to see more of California? Drive to Napa Valley to taste some of California's wines or drive down towards Los Angeles on Highway 1 along the coast. Mesmerizing views guaranteed. Stop at Hearst Castle and gawk at the over the top decor of this publisher's family estate. Prefer to stay in the city? Ignore the many touristy boat tours and take the ferry that runs to Sausalito. It is a lot cheaper and you can even get off at Alcatraz and look around at this former prisoner's island. Finish your day with dinner at Horizons Restaurant in Sausalito overlooking the bay. Have you booked that cheap ticket to San Francisco yet?
