By Tammy Vinson
San Francisco is just one of those cities that makes your heart swell. The City
by the Bay hosts numerous chiropractic events throughout the year, and for good
reason. There are landmarks, attractions and restaurants to suit anyone’s
tastes. And the challenging topography and variety of healthy pursuits make
San Francisco a vitalistic destination.
From the bustling streets of Chinatown to quaint European outdoor cafes and
the Golden Gate Bridge, we give you a taste of this international city in just
three days.
Day One: On the Docks of the Bay
San Francisco’s heart of tourism, Fisherman’s Wharf, lies right
on the bay. Whatever your thoughts are on being one of those “pesky”
tourists, the Wharf is definitely a place to visit at least once. Alongside
the souvenir shops offering mini cable cars and T-shirts are some must-see sites
like Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 and Alcatraz.
Some of the Fisherman’s Wharf’s most popular residents are the always-entertaining
sea lions. These barking California sea lions take refuge on the floating docks
near Pier 39. Aside from the sea lions, street performers keep the atmosphere
upbeat with their variety of talents, including everything from trumpet players
to living statues and photographers with stylish dogs. Lining the streets of
the Pier 39 area are 110 stores including 13 restaurants offering a great view
of the bay.
The multi-level mall at Ghirardelli Square is home to more of the Wharf’s
retail and restaurant opportunities. In the 1850s, Domingo Ghirardelli used
the area for his chocolate and spice factory. Now included in the midst of over
50 stores is the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop where world famous
chocolates are served. The Square is the Wharf’s center for shopping and
evening activities.
Isolated away from the Wharf’s excitement is Alcatraz Island, also known
as “The Rock,” which housed over 1,500 prisoners between 1934 and
1963. “The Rock” was a federal maximum-security prison, and home
to famous inmates like Al Capone and Robert Stroud. Today, the island serves
as a tourist attraction where visitors can see historic photographs, escape
materials and other prisoner collections. Standing at the island’s highest
point offers a great view of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. (TIP: Tour
tickets are sold at the Wharf, but get your tickets early. Tours tend to sell
out quickly.)
No visit to San Francisco is complete without a trip across the Golden Gate
Bridge. The 1.7-mile bridge is a must-see when visiting the city whether you’re
walking, driving or biking across it. (TIP: If you’re driving across,
bring $5 for the toll.)
Across the bridge lies Marin County, home of the Marin Headlands and Muir Woods.
The Marin Headlands are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and
offer a great view of the city and the Bay. Muir Woods is a National Park Service
monument featuring 560 acres of preserved redwood forest. With trees more than
360 feet tall, you’ll really get a taste of how huge California redwoods
really are. There are six miles of trails that wind through the great tree remnants
of the logging movement.
Day Two: Shop San Francisco
San Francisco offers a variety of shopping and dining experiences. For an international
collection of items, visit the Marketplace at the Ferry Building. On the bottom
level of this famous building, you’ll find everything from antiques to
fresh meats and fish. It’s a great place to shop for items for a gourmet
picnic in one of the city’s parks or grab a quick bite to eat.
For a truly authentic San Francisco experience, hop on a cable car at the Powell
and Market Street cable car turnaround and head to Union Square to continue
your shopping. In operation since the 1870s, the city’s cable cars have
given riders a great scenic view of the city while transporting them to their
destinations. (TIP: Stand on the outside versus sitting on the inside. You’ll
get a better view. Also check with the city’s public transportation system
for schedules and fares).
Union Square is home to an array of fine art galleries, theaters, shops and
great cafes. Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co. and Armani
are just a few of the stores in and around the nine-story San Francisco Shopping
Center. As the city’s art and theater district, you can get a dose of
culture at the Geary Theater, Curran Theatre, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre and
Golden Gate Theatre. The Xanadu Gallery provides another form of visual entertainment
through its colorful folk art exhibitions. The Martin Lawerence gallery is home
to the largest collection of Keith Haring and Andy Warhol exclusives. For emerging
Bay area artists, visit the galleries at 49 Geary and 77 Geary.
Just around the corner from the shopping center is Maiden Lane, home to exquisite
European-style bistros and boutiques. For more of a taste of the city’s
European culture, visit Belden Place. Belden Place offers a number of outdoor
cafes serving authentic French and Italian food. Whether you’re in the
mood for a French-style brunch featuring sweet crepes or eggs benedict at Café
Bastille or a true Italian evening at Café Tiramisu, which serves Italian
seafood and other specialty dishes from southern Europe; Belden Place offers
plenty to tempt your taste buds.
Day Three: Japanese Tea Gardens and Hippy Haight
Established in the late 1800s, Golden Gate State Park was California’s
first state park. Now the park covers 45 city blocks and hosts a variety of
activities and attractions. The beautiful scenery provides a great place for
a bike ride, walk or picnic. Strawberry Hill, a naturally formed island in the
middle of Stow Lake, is a great place for a day hike.
Aside from the park’s natural beauty, there are several attractions to
see. The Conservatory of Flowers is home to more than 10,000 plants from around
the world. The M.H. de Young Museum has been freshly renovated and features
permanent collections of American, Oceanic, American Indian, New Guinea and
Fillpino art. The Japanese Tea Garden features a number of specially selected
plants, rocks and shrubs. The garden also has several architectural monuments
and statues representing key pieces of Japanese culture.
The edge of Golden Gate State Park marks the beginning of the Haight-Ashbury
district. The protests of the Vietnam War may be long gone, but the 1960s hippie
spirit of the “Summer of Love” still lingers on Haight, the district’s
main street. You can find everything from record stores and high-end vintage
shops to modern boutiques in Upper Haight’s commercial district hosting
a magnitude of vintage and specialty shops.
In between Haight’s commercial and residential areas is Buena Vista Park.
At the top of this 36-acre forested parkland, you’ll find a great view
of the city. The area surrounding the park includes some of the city’s
classic Victorian homes. There are six restored houses known as the Victorian-Painted
Ladies. Postcard Row, as it is often called, represents some 48,000 Victorian-style
homes that were popular during the late 1800s.
Representing a different era, Japan Center resembles a modern Japanese town.
Japantown’s Japan Center is a five-acre complex of hotels, theaters, sushi
bars and restaurants centered around the areas of Post and Buchanan streets.
In this small neighborhood of San Francisco, you’ll be able to purchase
silk-embroidered kimonos, Japanese vegetable seeds for planting and other traditional
items.
For another kind of Eastern cultural experience, visit Chinatown. Walking through
the decorative gates known as the Dragon’s Gate, you’ll embark upon
Chinatown’s 24-blocks within the city. The oldest street in San Francisco,
Grant Avenue, is the center of Chinatown’s activity. You will find exotic
shops, food markets, authentic restaurants and temples representing Chinese
culture. At the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, you can pick up a bag of
handmade fortune cookies for $3.
A Fond Farewell
Don’t be surprised if your three days in San Francisco go by quickly.
You may even find yourself planning your next trip before they end!