San Francisco is one of my favourite USA cities. I personally feel like it caters for everyone. City is located in the sunny California region however if you are like me and do not enjoy more mild weather without hot summers and harsh winters it is a place for you. Besides the ‘prefect' weather, I feel like city has so much to offer - starting from being right in the middle of nature, having multiple trails and hikes along the Pacific Coast to also not being too far from one of the most beautiful if not the most beautiful USA National Park - Yosemite.
Why San Francisco and Yosemite? If you enjoy colourful architecture and national parks.
Top Things to see - Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Lombard Street, Pier 39 for sea lions and Yosemite National Park.
Best time to visit - Summer, although I visited Yosemite in December and it had amazing views and felt like winter wonderland.
Safety - You have to be cautious at certain areas in San Francisco, but overall it is safe. Yosemite is very safe.
Costs - On the pricier side.
I have been to San Francisco twice with my job for 2 and 4 days. I have not explored more outskirts of San Francisco but I know there is much around if you are a nature lover. And if you are like me - loving both cities and nature this is a perfect spot. City has beautiful architecture, great shopping, it is located right by the ocean and surrounded with hills. Shopping is also great in San Francisco. I have spent there a few days and I found there was so much to do. Visiting Golden Gate Bridge of course is a must and it is doable by either taking a public transport or hiring a bike or it is about 1.5hr walk from the city centre. The Baker beach is a perfect photo spot. Besides visiting the famous bridge I definitely recommend visiting the Alcatraz.
As it can get busy a booking in advance is highly recommended. Price is approx. $50. Here is their official website https://www.alcatrazislandtickets.com/. Ferry leaves from Pier 33 roughly ever 30 min and takes a short ferry ride to the island. You are then given a free unlimited time to explore the island and prison itself where you can join the free guided audio tour which took around an hour. After visiting the famous prison where America’s most dangerous prisoners were kept, I recommend walking alongside the waterfront and visiting sea lions in Pier 39. Of course you have to also visit famous Lombard street and just wander around the city to admire architecture that is built on very steep hills.
Yosemite is around 4 hour drive away from San Francisco. As I was in the city only for a few days I did not hire a car and joined an organised tour. Besides I was there during the winter and all cars were required to purchase winter tyre chains that cost $140 so it worked out much cheaper for me to join a tour. It does cost a lot but is so worth it. I believe the tour I joined was around £150. I was picked up in the early morning from the city centre and returned late evening. The drive is around 4 hours to the park and then another half an hour ton reach the visitor centre. There are many hikes you can do in Yosemite if you have more time than I did. I only had time to visit some of the most famous view points overlooking Half Dome and El Capitan. We were given around 3 free hours to explore the park around the visitor centre finishing the walk with a hot cup of coffee by the fireplace. I definitely felt it was worth visiting the park even though only for a day. I definitely felt like it is one of the most impressive natural wonders I have seen in the USA. I will sound very cliché but Grand Canyon and Yosemite have impressed me more than anything else I have seen in this part of the world.
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