Page 143 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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CITIES

Fresh fruit and local produce stalls at the Farmers Market set up on the
Ferry Plaza
Residential Telegraph Hill topped by the Art Deco 64-m (210-ft)
Coit Tower
Food and Drink Antique streetcar, part of a vintage transportation system at a
Grand Views
station near Embarcadero
With the bountiful produce of northern California Transportation
and the fine wines of Napa Valley and Sonoma Rising over 900 ft (274 m), Twin Peaks is the most
County close by, not to mention the culinary popular – and crowded – spot for sweeping city
influence of the Pacific Rim, it’s not surprising that A ride on the famous cable cars is a must in San views. The road to the top is often clogged with
San Francisco has one of the best dining scenes in Francisco, but there are plenty of other fun ways of traffic, and parking is limited to just 20 minutes.
the country. Top chefs shop alongside local food- getting around the city. The F-line streetcars are Check out some of the city’s other, lesser-visited
lovers at the Ferry Building Marketplace, a gold another vintage transportation system much loved hilltop vistas instead.
mine of gourmet goodies, set inside a historic by locals. Each of these colorful electric trolleys is South of Twin Peaks, near the city center,
waterfront building on the Embarcadero. The Ferry different, with historic cars dating from the 1890s Mount Davidson is San Francisco’s highest peak at
Plaza Farmers Market operates outside on Tuesdays to the 1950s. They run 6 miles (10 km) each way, 925 ft (282 m). The surrounding hillside is part of a
and Saturdays, selling everything from organic along Market Street from the Castro to the municipal park, covered in eucalyptus forest with
produce and flowers to artisan breads and cheeses. Embarcadero and on to Fisherman’s Wharf. ivy, ferns, and brambles creating a wilder landscape.
Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, With Silicon Valley at its doorstep, it’s no The peak offers grand views to the south and east.
tucked away down an alley in Chinatown, for a wonder that there are also high-tech transportation Although it’s smaller and lower in elevation,
peek at how these traditional treats are made. options. Take a City Segway Tour and glide along many locals rate Tank Hill, directly north of Twin
Tours and samples are free, but few can resist the waterfront on your own super-cool personal Peaks, as having the best view of the city. You can
buying a bag to take home. transporter. The 3-hour tour takes in many historic see both the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge,
Only in San Francisco would you find a non- sites. Or you can let a talking car be your guide – a the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. It is also a
profit restaurant founded by Zen Buddhists and GPS-guided GoCar, that is. You can rent these jolly haven for 60 species of native plants.
serving some of the most acclaimed vegetarian three-wheeled, two-seater yellow convertibles by Another wonderful, if windy, spot lies to the
food in the country. At Greens Restaurant, enjoy the hour, and choose from several free GPS tours. west on Grand View Hill, also known as Turtle Hill.
fabulous views of the marina and Golden Gate If climbing the hills becomes too much of a Topped by remnants of dune habitat, it offers
Bridge, along with the exquisite dishes made from strain, take to the air for a bird’s-eye view of the stunning ocean scenery and a panoramic view
organic produce grown on their Green Gulch farm. city with San Francisco Helicopters. Tours range that takes in Golden Gate Park.
Despite the vineyards just across the bay, wine from the 20-minute Vista Tour of the major city Buena Vista Park in Haight-Ashbury is one of
isn’t the only drink in town. Set in a 1907 saloon, landmarks to a half-day tour which heads north the finest city parks for its large, beautiful trees and
the San Francisco Brewing Company is the city’s for a delicious picnic lunch in Napa Valley. winding paths. The steep bits are worth the climb
original brewpub and the only bar from the wild You can also cycle across the Golden Gate for the fine city views framed by lush foliage.
days of the notorious Barbary Coast. Try their fresh, Bridge. A bike path through Presidio National Park Beat the crowds at Coit Tower by walking up
handmade beers brewed by traditional methods takes you along San Francisco Bay and safely across Telegraph Hill. Filbert Street leads to the Filbert
in a copper brew kettle and aged on site. the 1¼-mile (2-km) bridge, allowing for photo Steps and Greenwich Steps, which take you past
stops. Blazing Saddles offers bike rentals, organized lovely old houses and gardens, and under leafy
PRACTICAL INFORMATION tours, self-guided tours, and maps and information passages, opening on to splendid views of the bay.
Ferry Building Marketplace Embarcadero; www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com on other popular routes throughout the city.
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Embarcadero; www.ferryplazafarmersmarket.com
PRACTICAL INFORMATION PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory 56 Ross Alley, Jackson St, Chinatown; Buena Vista Park Haight St and Buena Vista Ave East, Haight-Ashbury
tel. +1 415 781 3956 F-line Streetcars 870 Market Street, Suite 803; www.streetcar.org
Greens Restaurant Building A, Fort Mason Center, Marina District; City Segway Tours 505 Beach Street, Suite 50; www.citysegwaytours.com Grand View Hill 14th Avenue at Moraga Street
www.greensrestaurant.com GoCar Tours Fisherman’s Wharf, 2715 Hyde Street; www.gocartours.com Mount Davidson Access at Dalewood Way and Lansdale Avenue
San Francisco Brewing Company155 Columbus Ave, North Beach; San Francisco Helicopters PO Box 280776; tel. 800 400 2404 (toll free); Tank Hill Belgrave Avenue, Clarendon
www.sfbrewing.com www.sfhelicopters.com Telegraph Hill Filbert Steps

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