Thinking of San Francisco, some of the first things that come to mind are cool foggy summers, steep rolling hills, and some of the most famous and beautiful landmarks in the United States – in other words, the ideal city.  San Francisco’s feel-good vibe left me wanting to stay there forever.  I was fortunate enough to explore the place with my family this past summer.

When I arrived, my impression was that San Francisco was just an ordinary city.  But, little did I know that it was far from this.  I had not yet had the chance to explore its endless opportunities. One of the first things we did was to hop onto one of the city’s iconic cable cars.  The wait for the ride is not a short one, but it is definitely worth it – you will surely enjoy yourself as your car travels up the steep roads. And when I say steep, I mean steep; San Francisco is known for its dramatic hills.

The cars travel all over the city, but we took ours down to Fisherman’s Wharf. This waterfront neighborhood has fishing boats, seafood stalls, steaming crab cauldrons, sourdough bakeries, and sea lions basking in the sun. The Wharf is your key to some of the most genuine fun you will have in San Francisco.  Although we did not visit its famous aquarium, we did stop by the carousel, as well as the stairs… the giant piano flight of stairs, that is.  When you step on its “keys,” you will be amazed to hear them play! I also recommend visiting the mirror maze.

Perhaps our favorite part of Fisherman’s Wharf was a museum: Ripley’s Believe It or Not.  You will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun it is to walk through its collection of weird exhibits. We also thoroughly enjoyed the Musée Mécanique, an antique penny arcade. All of the games worked beautifully, and we had the chance to spend a solid hour walking around to play them all.

If you have had enough action, stop by Pier 39 and stand awhile: all you will be able to see and hear are dozens and dozens of sea lions on the docks. If you walk down to a different pier, you will be able to see Alcatraz, perhaps the world’s most famous prison, isolated on an island in the distance.  Want to get more up-close and personal? Schedule a tour, take a ferryboat out to the island, and explore the insides.

When you are ready to spend some time somewhere else, take a cable car over to the hippie neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury. With an entirely different feel than the crowded Wharf, you will not be able to be anything but happy.  Tie-dye shops, music stores, and bohemian clothing are just a few of the things you will notice amidst its friendly, laid-back vibe. Take some time to stop by some of the many shops or restaurants, and, of course, stop to snap a picture by the famous street signs where Haight and Ashbury Streets intersect.

The third and final neighborhood that is essential on your San Francisco itinerary is Chinatown.  In the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, you will be able to experience authentic Asian culture, music, and architecture.  Stop in the fortune cookie factory to see the cookies being made, and even try some fresh samples. At a nearby restaurant, you can also try some bubble tea, an interesting Asian specialty.

One last suggestion: visit the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a mild, scenic hike you can take to an overlook to see one of San Francisco’s most famous landmarks. You will not regret the decision. You will also have the opportunity to hike another five minutes down to a beautiful rocky beach, where the view is even better.

The extreme diversity of San Francisco allows visitors to experience a wide variety of foods, activities, and culture. From hanging out at Fisherman’s Wharf to strolling Haight-Ashbury to touring Chinatown, this ideal city is not to be missed.