San Francisco is an exciting city. I don’t know this firsthand, but it was a favorite of my grandmas, and she would tell us countless stories of the city; what she and my grandpa did while they were there, what she liked and disliked, and what they planned to do on their next visit. She loved the temperate climate and the coastline; I remember her describing the shore as rocky and steep, with little sand. My siblings and I thought a beach without sand was weird, but she assured us it was just as beautiful as the beaches we had seen in Florida. The only thing I remember her complaining about was the city’s many hills and even this was something that made the city what it was. I’ve always wanted to visit this city, and as I have done a little research on the sites and attractions offered, here are a few things to expect on your trip to San Francisco.

One thing that I have always found appealing about big cities is the culture. There’s just something exciting about whole neighborhoods consisting of people from other races and countries. To date, 39% of San Francisco’s population was born overseas, and there are many ethnic neighborhoods where visitors can shop, eat and experience a small taste of another culture. San Francisco is home to one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the United States, and remains a popular destination for shopping and dining. The large Asian population has also made festivals such as the Chinese New Year popular events. San Francisco is also home to a Japantown, a Little Saigon, and various other Asian cultures, as well as a Latin American population.

The arts also play a big part in San Francisco life. Several notable music groups make the city their home, including the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony. There are also several theater venues that produce stage plays, musical theater, and even improv. San Francisco has also been a leader in rock, pop, rap, and other popular genres, and is home to the Fillmore; a historic music venue that still hosts numerous concerts.

An important consideration in planning a trip or student tour is transportation. Within the city guests can ride the San Francisco Municipal Railway (the Muni), or take a bus. San Francisco is also home to cable car system that visitors will find especially intriguing. This system is the last fully operational cable system in the world, and run along three lines; a good option when you’re tired of walking the hills and need a quick rest.

Here are a few things to get you started. San Francisco also has a number of museums, an aquarium, and a zoo, as well as numerous sports teams, and magnificent shopping and dining. Visitors can take a peek at the Golden Gate Bridge, or walk the coastline. This city is a diverse and interesting place, and I fully intend to visit one day, and hopefully see some of the sites that impressed my grandparents so deeply.