Neighborhood Highlights
Explore Haight-Ashbury
This famous neighborhood was home to the ‘Summer of Love’ in 1967. Called “The Haight” by locals, it’s considered the birthplace of hippie culture. Although a significant amount of time has passed, the hippie vibe is still unmistakable today. Snap a photo of the iconic Haight and Ashbury street signs, walk in the footsteps of the Grateful Dead, marvel at the colorful Victorian homes, and shop some of the colorful boutiques along Haight Street.
San Francisco’s Chinatown
Find the entrance of Chinatown at Bush Street and Grant Avenue, called Dragon’s Gate. Inside you’ll find 24 blocks of delicious eats, interesting shops, food markets, and temples. Enjoy a dim sum lunch, watch how fortune cookies are made, and more. For a truly immersive experience, sign up for a walking tour.
Alcatraz
Book a tour to one of the most famous former prisons, Alcatraz. Located on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, notorious criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly once served time here. No inmate ever made a successful escape from Alcatraz, although some tried. Visitors can take a tour to explore the island’s buildings and cells or book a boat cruise that circles the island.
A Brief History of San Francisco
In its early days, San Francisco Bay was home to Native American tribes. Later it became a Spanish mission and pueblo, then moved under the control of Mexico. California ultimately declared its independence from Mexico, becoming a U.S. territory in 1846.
The area’s original name wasn’t San Francisco either. It was called Yerba Buena, taking its name from the aromatic herb of the same name. Spanish colonists founded the Presidio of San Francisco and Mission San Francisco de Asís, officially establishing the name San Francisco in 1776.
The 1848 discovery of gold resulted in a massive influx of residents looking to strike it rich. Even after the gold boom was ending, San Francisco continued developing. The city’s first cable car service started in 1873.
The 1900s kicked off with one of the worst disasters in California history — the devastating 8.25 earthquake of 1906 that resulted in an unknown number of deaths. However, the city went on to erect some of its most iconic landmarks, including the Coit Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island.
From a cultural standpoint, San Francisco has been the epicenter for numerous important events and movements, cementing it as one of the most influential cities in the country.
