San Francisco
 Ever
since gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848, visitors from all
over the world have flocked to San Francisco. Today, it's still possible
to find gold in the "City on the Bay" in its numerous restaurants,
beautiful neighborhoods, and world-class cultural attractions. San
Francisco hosts a number of national landmarks, from the famous
Telegraph Hill and old-fashioned trolley cars to the Golden Gate Bridge
and Alcatraz, that help make any trip special.
San Francisco Bay was the source of the city's livelihood for a very
long time, and it remains the key to the city to this day. The Golden
Gate Bridge, a San Francisco icon, is 1.7 miles long and frames the Bay.
Located around the Bay are several remarkable beaches and parks. Golden
Gate Park contains several museums, gardens, and open spaces. The
Presidio, a 200 year old Spanish Fort, is also a well-known Bay Area
attraction. Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are national landmarks,
offering breathtaking views, fine restaurants and great shopping.
Steinhart Aquarium is the oldest municipal aquarium in America,
featuring a wide selection of creatures from both the Bay and the
Pacific Ocean. Of course, no tour of the Bay would be complete without
mentioning Alcatraz, America's most famous prison, and now San
Francisco's number one tourist attraction.
Moving away from the Bay, San Francisco only gets better. The city's
famous steep hills and trolley cars run back and forth between museums
like the Museum of the Legion of Honor and attractions like the San
Francisco Zoo, which houses over 1000 animals on 65 acres. The
world-famous San Francisco Opera is also a perennial favorite among
visitors, as are the city's numerous restaurants. In fact, inhabitants
of San Francisco spend more on dining out per person than any city in
America.
For a few lucky miners, San Francisco in the 19th century was the
gateway to an unforgettable experience. Today's visitors to the Bay Area
feel the same way.
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