Evidence shows that San Francisco was inhabited as earl as 3000BC. But it was the Spanish explorers who arrived in 1769 that put San Francisco on the map.
In 1776 Spain established a fort at Golden Gate and established Presidio of San Francisco in March 1776. In 1821 this city became part of Mexico and was claimed by the US in 1846. The name was changed from Yerba Buena to San Francisco in 1847.
In 1849 the San Francisco population grew from 1000 people to a staggering 25 000 people in one year, but sadly three quarters of the city was destroyed by an earth quote, which resulted in devastating fires in 1906, where 498 people lost their lives.
Port San Francisco was established in 1860 and the cable cars started in 1873. Chinatown started by the Chinese workers who were working on the railroad in those early years.
San Francisco is known for its gay rights movements, which started in the 1970’s. Now San Francisco is a bustling tourist destination with the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown attracting most of the holiday visitors to the area.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area attracts thirteen million visitors each year, while others enjoy the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. These are the perfect locations to go with the family and spend the day in the sun and have a relaxing picnic.
Ocean Beach and Baker Beach are famous for surfing, but spending the day soaking up with sun is just as enjoyable
Spend an evening enjoying the performing arts that is available in the city at the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, the War Memorial Opera House, the Davies Symphony Hall, Herbst Theatre or the American Conservatory Theatre.
If you enjoy art, then this city has so much to offer you from the Palace of Fine Arts, Museum of Modern Art, Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, de Young Museum and the Asian Art Museum.
Have a day out with the family and visit the California Academy of Science, where you will find the Morrison Planetarium and the Steinhard Aquarium or visit the Exploratorium, a science museum with a twist.
There is always a tour around Alcatraz which is always a big hit with the family as you travel by boat to and from the island. Have a laugh at the Wax Museum or see the 250 species of fish at the Aquarium on the Bay.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom theme park is a must to visit while in San Francisco and is fun for children and adults alike.
If you are planning your trip, you have a wide choice of hotels to choose from and you are bound to find the perfect one within your budget. One of the cheapest offers is the Citi Garden Hotel. This two star hotel has a restaurant, outdoor pool and fitness facility. Its room are all air conditioned and have courtyard views. The hotel does offer a complimentary airport shuttle during limited hours, so please confirm before booking. An ideal hotel to use as a base at an affordable price.
The slightly higher priced Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel is three star hotel close to Crystal Springs Golf Course. It offers four restaurants, fitness facility, complimentary airport shuttles and a library. All rooms have air conditioning, microwaves, refrigerators and wireless internet.
The Fairmont San Francisco is a four star luxurious hotel situated close to Grace Cathedral and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. It has a restaurant, coffee shop, lounge bar and twenty four hour room service. It also has a health club, fitness facility, steam room and sauna. There is a full service health spa on site. This beautiful hotel also offers valet parking.
Visit San Francisco and lie on the beach or visit the interesting museums that this city has to offer.