Visit USA 2020 Travel Planner

46 visitusa.org.uk Day one Morning: Start the day with a slap-up breakfast at a favourite such as Dottie’s True Blue Café in SoMa (South of Market). Hop on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars to Fisherman’s Wharf for its eclectic attractions and for selfies with Pier 39’s sea lions, stopping off to see the famous “world’s crookedest street”, Lombard Street. Afternoon: Head along the Embaradero to the iconic Ferry Building, with its host of lunch venues. A farmers market takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Then allow three hours to make the most of a cruise over to former island prison Alcatraz, where you get the added bonus of great views of both the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge. EVENING: Take another cable car ride up to Nob Hill for cocktails and snacks for gorgeous 360-degree sunset views over San Francisco at the Top of the Mark bar, perched atop the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel. Stroll through nearby Chinatown, occupying some 20 city blocks, to soak up the sounds and atmosphere and to enjoy a dim sum dinner. Day two Morning: Get up bright and early to visit the Presidio National Park and stroll along the beach at Crissy Field. You can rent a bike there to cycle across nearby Golden Gate Bridge and back. Alternatively, rent a bike from Fisherman’s Wharf and cycle over the bridge to Sausalito and catch a ferry back. Afternoon: Explore the living rainforest, aquarium, planetarium and natural history exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, with lunch of local, sustainable ingredients in its Academy Café. Swing by Alamo Park to take in one of the city’s most photographed spots – the graceful Painted Ladies row of Victorian houses. EVENING: Follow early evening shopping in Union Square with well- earned cocktails in Bourbon & Branch, a 1920s-style speakeasy where the password “books” will get you ushered into a secret library bar. There are restaurants galore in the area or savour pasta or pizza at an Italian eatery in San Fran’s Little Italy, North Beach. Sip a nightcap at classy bars such as Tenderloin’s gin-only Whitechapel. S a n F r a n c i s c o 4 8 h o u r s i n . . . “Hop on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars to Fisherman’s Wharf for its eclectic attractions and for selfies with Pier 39’s sea lions ”