Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    DK San Francisco and the Bay Area
    DK San Francisco and the Bay Area
    DK San Francisco and the Bay Area
    Ebook580 pages3 hours

    DK San Francisco and the Bay Area

    By DK Travel

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    This area offers everything from historic sights to stunning natural scenery.

    Whether you want to take a ferry out to the infamous Alcatraz Island, weekend in the Wine Country or hike through the Muir woods, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that San Francisco and the Bay Area have to offer.

    A city famed for its seven steep hills, San Francisco's peaks offer unparalleled views over its diverse neighbourhoods, from the historic houses of Alamo to the lantern-adorned alleys of Chinatown. In the surrounding Bay Area, visitors will find lush vineyards, picturesque towns and breathtaking natural wonders.

    Our newly updated e-guide brings San Francisco and the Bay Area to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed information on all the must-see sights, inspiring photography and our trademark illustrations.

    You'll discover:

    -our pick of San Francisco and the Bay Area's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems
    -the best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay
    -detailed maps and walks which make navigating the region easy
    -easy-to-follow itineraries
    -expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe
    -color-coded chapters to every part of San Francisco and the Bay Area

    Want the best of San Francisco in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 San Francisco. Seeing more of the state? Try our DK Eyewitness California.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDK Travel
    Release dateMar 1, 2022
    ISBN9780744061598
    DK San Francisco and the Bay Area

    Read more from Dk Travel

    Related to DK San Francisco and the Bay Area

    Related ebooks

    United States Travel For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • UNLIMITED

      The City By The Bay

      Mar 14, 2023

      Famous for its beautiful waterfront, steep, rolling hills, eclectic mix of architecture and of course the historic prison island of Alcatraz, San Francisco is home to some of America’s most iconic sights. The hardest part is deciding where to go firs

      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Explore SAN FRANCISCO

      Dec 13, 2022

      Explore SAN FRANCISCO
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      California

      Jul 20, 2023

      California
      22 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      CALIFORNIA Along The Coast

      May 31, 2023

      CALIFORNIA Along The Coast
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      California CALLING

      Aug 17, 2021

      California CALLING
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Savouring San Francisco

      Oct 16, 2018

      Savouring San Francisco
      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Direct Connections

      Mar 1, 2023

      With its reggae music, turquoise water, green mountains, and tropical landscapes, Jamaica has much to offer beyond the resorts. Montego Bay, situated on Jamaica’s north coast, is the capital of Saint James Parish and a major cruise ship stop with ton

      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      City Life Cape Town

      Apr 6, 2023

      City Life Cape Town
      7 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Return to San Francisco

      Jun 18, 2024

      Return to San Francisco
      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The city BY THE BAY

      Jan 28, 2020

      The city BY THE BAY
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Classics

      Sep 12, 2018

      The Classics
      6 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      What’s New & Classic: San Francisco

      Jun 12, 2019

      If you’re an architecture buff who is also a foodie – and happens to love the great outdoors – it’s hard to beat San Francisco. The city by the bay is one of the most beautiful destinations in America, thanks to its mix of Victorian homes, cable cars

      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      San Diego

      Aug 27, 2020

      San Diego
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      American BEAUTY

      Aug 19, 2020

      American BEAUTY
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      San Francisco

      Apr 13, 2023

      San Francisco
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      San Francisco Rolls Out The Welcome Mat - Where To Eat And Drink In California’s Bohemian Central

      Oct 27, 2022

      THE majority of Australians flying to the US make landfall in Los Angeles. But leading airlines competing on the trans-Pacific route have ramped up the number of flights to San Francisco. United Airlines now flies daily from Sydney and three times a

      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Cultural oasis

      Apr 24, 2022

      Cultural oasis
      6 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Summer Get Aways

      Apr 26, 2022

      Start your adventure on the water, with a cruise led by tour agencies First Lady or Wendella. From there, take a stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk, where you can grab a kayak or a beer. See the Cloud Gate sculpture, more commonly known as “The Bean.

      7 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      PORTS of CALL

      Jun 7, 2024

      PORTS of CALL
      7 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Mystery In The Maritimes

      Oct 27, 2023

      Mystery In The Maritimes
      1 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      SMALL-TOWN Getaways

      Jul 30, 2019

      SMALL-TOWN Getaways
      4 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Antiquing Destinations

      Feb 10, 2024

      Antiquing Destinations
      4 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Tales from VANCOUVER

      Jan 31, 2024

      Tales from VANCOUVER
      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for DK San Francisco and the Bay Area

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      DK San Francisco and the Bay Area - DK Travel

      DK

      SAN FRANCISCO AND THE BAY AREA

      Inspire / plan / Discover / experience

      Contents

      g Contents

      key to main icons

      g Contents

      price guide

      Throughout the guide the following price categories have been applied:

      \\\ On a budget

      \\\ Mid-range

      \\\ Splurge

      g Contents

      key to maps

      g Contents

      DISCOVER San Francisco and the Bay Area

      alt image

      t The San Francisco skyline at sunset

      g Discover San Francisco and the Bay Area g Contents

      Welcome To

      San Francisco and the Bay Area

      alt image

      t The Oakland Bay Bridge, lit up at dusk as it stretches across to San Francisco.

      Iconic bridges and staggeringly steep streets. Diverse neighborhoods rich with history and accessible public parks. Major museums and teeth-rattling cable cars. Whatever your dream trip to San Francisco includes, this DK Eyewitness travel guide is the perfect companion.

      alt imagealt image

      Fingers of fog drift beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, sliding over the hills and welcoming newcomers to the City by the Bay, as they have since the days when fortune-seekers flocked here during the Gold Rush. But Karl the Fog, as it’s affectionately known, can’t hide San Francisco’s beauty for long; from its seven steep hills, you’ll find yourself confronted with stunning views at almost every turn.

      The City, as it’s concisely known to locals, is a place of many nicknames – and many neighborhoods. Track down delicious Italian food in the vibrant North Beach area, or head to Chinatown to experience the spectacular Chinese New Year parade. For those in search of culture, the city’s four principal art museums – SFMOMA, the Asian Art Museum, the Legion of Honor, and the de Young – will prove a highlight; if you’re looking for nightlife, the Mission District, Lower Nob Hill, and The Castro are famous for their bars.

      Down on the water, two iconic bridges and a flotilla of ferries connect to lively bayfront cities such as Oakland and Berkeley. The lush vineyards of California Wine Country also lie within easy reach, while the coastal wonders of the Monterey Peninsula make for breezy weekend getaways.

      From the Presidio to Alcatraz, we’ve broken San Francisco and the Bay Area into easily navigable adventures, with expert local knowledge, detailed itineraries, and colorful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. Whether you’re staying for a week, a weekend, or longer, this DK Eyewitness travel guide will ensure that you see the very best that San Francisco has to offer.

      1 A vintage cable car, making its way up one of the city’s many hills.

      2 PIER 39, still thronged with visitors at sunset.

      g Discover San Francisco and the Bay Area g Contents

      Reasons To LOVE

      San Francisco and the Bay Area

      Iconic bridges, multicultural neighborhoods, a world-famous foodie scene and mild maritime weather. There are so many reasons why San Franciscans love their city. Here are some of our favorite reasons to visit.

      1 Wine country Weekends

      006_reasons_to_love_Eifel_Tower

      t Take a balloon trip above the vineyards, taste the grape at welcoming wineries, and sink into a hot-springs spa in the Napa and Sonoma valleys.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      2 Ferry building Marketplace

      alt image

      t Shop for treats at this soaring indoor food hall, located in the Embarcadero. On Saturdays, it expands into a lively outdoor farmer’s market on the pier.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      3 GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

      alt image

      t Every first-time visitor to San Francisco walks or bikes across the red-orange expanse of this suspension bridge, a world-famous gateway to the vast Bay Area.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      4 hilltop vistas

      006_reasons_to_love_Eifel_Tower

      t Keep your camera close to hand as you wander the city. Legendary photo ops abound, from Pacific-side Land’s End, to Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill, and the city skyline from the Marin Headlands.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      5 cable-car Tours

      alt image

      t Climb aboard this National Historic Landmark for an open-air, rattling and bell-ringing ride, from Fisherman’s Wharf, over Nob Hill, and down to Union Square in the heart of the city.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      6 Fabulous food

      alt image

      t Discover some of the city’s best eateries amid its vibrant and diverse neighborhoods; choose from French bistros, Italian pasta palaces, Mexican taquerias, and Chinatown dim sum joints.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      7 First-rate museums

      alt image

      t San Francisco offers a rich museum scene – four major museums (SFMOMA, the Asian Art Museum, the Legion of Honor, and the deYoung) showcase ancient and modern art.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      8 redwoods in Muir Woods

      alt image

      t These woods are one of the world’s few remaining stands of old-growth coast redwood trees. For bird’s-eye views, hike the Dipsea Trail.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      9 pier 39

      alt image

      t A carousel, an arcade, and live outdoor entertainment lure fun-seekers to the most visited attraction in town, complete with exhibitionist sea lions only too ready to pose for photos.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      10 Treasures of Golden Gate Park

      alt image

      t You don’t need a plan when you visit Golden Gate Park, just venture in and start exploring. Even a quick walk can turn up everything from world-class museums to wonderful wildlife.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      11 San Francisco Pride

      alt image

      t San Francisco Pride was first held over half a century ago and is now one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the entire world. It’s also the city’s largest outdoor event.

      Discover Reasons to Love San Francisco and the Bay Area

      12 Historic Houses

      alt image

      t Having survived the 1906 earthquake, Painted Ladies line Alamo Square and parts of Broadway in Pacific Heights. Some houses can be toured; all can be admired.

      g Discover San Francisco and the Bay Area g Contents

      Explore

      San Francisco and the Bay Area

      This guide divides San Francisco into eight color-coded sightseeing areas, as shown on the map below. Find out more about each area on the following pages. For the Bay Area.

      n Double-tap image to read the labels

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      Presidio and Richmond

      Once a major army post, the Presidio is now a National Park bounded by beach, bluff, and stunning views. Thousands of people visit every year to enjoy a vibrant mix of museums, hiking trails, and recreational destinations. The adjacent Richmond district is a multicultural hub where a casual wander will turn up stunning architecture and restaurants serving cuisine from around the world.

      Best for History and outdoor recreation

      Home to Golden Gate Bridge

      Experience Exploring Fort Point and Crissy Field to find the perfect photo op of Golden Gate Bridge

      Go To: Presidio and Richmond i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      alt image

      t The central rotunda at the Palace of Fine Arts

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      Pacific Heights and the Marina

      Kites fly and wind surfers skim the bay beyond the city’s front lawn: Marina Green. Along the waterfront are busy yacht harbors and historic Fort Mason – now a top spot for seeing the sun set over the Pacific. Heading away from the waterfront you’ll find interesting spots like Japantown, as well as beautiful streets recalling past glories in their splendid architecture.

      Best for Architecture and parks

      Home to Fort Mason and Japantown

      Experience A short walk around Pacific Heights to admire the architecture, crowned by the Queen Anne-style Haas-Lilienthal House

      Go To: Pacific Heights and the Marina i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      alt image

      t The Wave Organ, designed by Peter Richards and George Gonzalez

      Getting to Know San Francisco

      Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach

      One of the most famous spots in town, PIER 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf is loaded with cafés, knick-knack stores, and legendary seafood restaurants. The cultural history of North Beach, also known as Little Italy, lives on in the Beat Museum and City Lights Bookstore. Nearby are iconic San Francisco sights such as Art Deco Coit Tower, twisting Lombard Street, and the infamous prison on Alcatraz Island.

      Best for Iconic attractions and Italian cuisine

      Home to Alcatraz Island and Exporatorium

      Experience Hopping on a cruise from the wharf to explore the iconic Alcatraz Island

      Go To: Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      alt image

      t A hazy Alcatraz Island, iseen from atop Hyde Street

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      Chinatown and Nob Hill

      Between Stockton Street and Grant Avenue, the alleys of San Francisco’s famous Chinatown are strung with red lanterns, and full of restaurants, Asian markets, and Chinese-inspired architecture. This is also the best place to see the city’s historic cable cars trundling through the streets, as they take passengers high above downtown to Nob Hill. Rising above the city here are five iconic hostelries and a towering cathedral, as well as a charming park anchored by an elaborate replica of a 14th-century fountain.

      Best for Skyline views and Asian restaurants

      Home to Cable Car Museum and Grace Cathedral

      Experience A walk around Nob Hill to see its historic hotels, elevated city parks, and boutique shops

      Go To: Chinatown and Nob Hill i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      alt image

      t Chinese-inspired architecture and street decor ion Grant Avenue

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      Downtown and SOMA

      The city’s business and financial center has gleaming skyscrapers on either side of Market Street, the main attraction. Nearby Union Square is the city’s fashion center, encircled by department stores and shopping malls, and designer boutiques. To the south, SOMA (South of Market) is a hotspot for museum, galleries and nightlife.

      Best for Galleries, theater, and shopping

      Home to Ferry Building, SFMOMA, and Yerba Buena Gardens

      Experience The excellent museums and galleries of SOMA, ending with a drink at Cityscape Bar & Lounge

      Go To: Downtown and SOMA i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      portrait_image

      t Facade of SFMOMA on 3rd Street

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      civic center and hayes valley

      The buildings in the civic center are an outstanding example of the Beaux Arts style. It is perhaps the most ambitious and elaborate city center complex in the US and well worth an extended visit. The stunning architecture continues if you head up Fulton Street, which climbs gently to nearby Alamo Square where you’ll find the iconic row of late Victorian houses known as the Painted Ladies.

      Best for Architecture and music venues

      Home to Asian Art Museum

      Experience A picnic at Alamo Square as you take in the amazing view of the modern city skyline behind old Victorian houses

      Go To: civic center and hayes valley i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      portrait_image-narrow

      t The beautiful Beaux-Arts City Hall

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      Haight-Ashbury and the Mission

      Vintage clothing, tattoo parlors, and record stores left over from the hippie-era Summer of Love comprise a colorful collage in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. The oldest neighborhood, the Mission District, remains a multicultural area with a large Latin American community, as reflected in the political and cutural murals that decorate the buildings.

      Best for Art and LGBTQ+ culture

      Home to Castro Street and Haight-Ashbury

      Experience A walk down Castro Street, the heart of the city’s world-famous LGBTQ+ hub

      Go To: Haight and the Mission i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      portrait_image-narrow

      t Colorful exteriors of Haight-Ashbury’s Victorian houses

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      Golden Gate Park and sunset

      A masterpiece of 1890s landscaping, natural environments, and botanical gardens, Golden Gate Park sweeps to the Pacific. It encompasses three major museums, an outdoor concert plaza, biking and walking trails, and a lake where rowboats and pedal boats cruise. On the western edge of the Sunset district, Land’s End offers miles of coastal footpaths, and the stunning Ocean Beach.

      Best for Nature and museums

      Home to California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum and Legion of Honor

      Experience Warming up with a sunset bonfire on Ocean Beach

      Go To: Golden Gate Park and Land’s End i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      portrait_image-narrow

      t The arched drum bridge int he Japanese Tea Garden

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      the Bay area

      North of San Francisco is Marin County, covered in beautiful parks and forests. The cities of Oakland and Berkeley take up much of the East Bay area, while farther south along the peninsula are beautiful beaches and the tech enclaves of Silicon Valley Stanford. Napa Valley and Sonoma County will be well known to wine lovers, while farther afield there are plenty of new places to discover, like the tiny town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and the delights of Old Town Sacramento.

      Best for Beaches and national parks

      Home to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Half Moon Bay, Napa Valley Wine Country, Healdsburg, and Monterey

      Experience A hike in the Marin Headlands to see the Golden Gate Bridge against the San Francisco skyline

      Go To: the Bay area i

      DISCOVER Getting to Know San Francisco

      portrait_image-narrow

      t The gorgeous, rugged Sonoma County coastline

      g Contents

      San Francisco and the Bay Area Itineraries

      alt image

      t The Bay Bridge and downtown skyline, lit up at dusk.

      San Francisco is a treasure trove of things to see and do, and its compact size means that the city and its surrounding area can be easily explored. These itineraries will inspire you to make the most of your visit.

      g Discover San Francisco and the Bay Area g Contents

      Discover Itineraries

      1 Day

      in San Francisco

      Discover San Francisco and the Bay Area Itineraries

      alt image

      t Visitors at the fantastic SFMOMA gallery.

      g Discover San Francisco and the Bay Area g Contents

      Discover Itineraries

      3

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1