About San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is an amazing city that seems to emit charm and warmth to everyone who visits, leaving a lasting impression and a desire to come back soon! It’s also a great place to start a California road trip, and we’d recommend spending time here at the beginning of your family vacation to give you time to explore the urban environment before heading out into the national parks.
San Francisco is a city for which you won’t need a vehicle, as parking is difficult to find and expensive. So leave the vehicle behind and stay in either the downtown area or popular Fisherman’s Wharf. You can make use of the city’s excellent transit system, including the famed San Francisco cable cars. For the true tourist experience (though not a totally cheesy one!), Fisherman’s Wharf is the top spot to enjoy the fabulous fish restaurants, great little stores, and a range of attractions. It’s also the place to be for catching a ferry across to famous Alcatraz Island.
Other San Francisco highlights not to be missed include North America’s largest Chinatown where you can grab a great meal, do some shopping, and admire the colorful architecture. Also head to the famous Presidio, and of course admire the views of the timeless Golden Gate Bridge.
Interesting Facts About San Francisco
- San Francisco is home to the world’s crookedest street. The section of Lombard Street on Russian Hill has 8 switchbacks and certainly shouldn’t be attempted in an RV!
- The official color of the Golden Gate Bridge is International Orange. Rejecting the black and yellow color scheme proposed by the U.S Navy, architect Irving F. Morrow chose this color because it blended well with the nearby hills and contrasted with the ocean and sky.
Available Trips in this Region
- Yosemite National Park
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks