San Francisco - A Vivid Mixture of Modernity, Tradition and Allure

San Francisco is a city California that is famous as the romantic capital of the United States. It is one of the most charming, most scenic and most visited places in the USA. The city has been an inspiration for many artists and the background for many world-famous movies. If you have never seen it, visit, and you will understand what inspired so many artists and what catches the eye of so many directors. San Francisco is one of the dream towns where everyone can find what he seeks, as it has everything!

Located on the West Coast of the United States and on the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco is one of the biggest ports. The main features of San Francisco can be gathered in the frames of its numerous cultural and historical sightseeing spots, the Golden Gate Bridge, the countless exquisite restaurants, various outdoor activities, the pleasant parks and last but not least the remarkable view towards the nearby hills.

The old name of San Francisco is Yerba Buena. The name comes from a bush that used to grow a lot here. The Spanish settlers gave the city that name, though it now belongs to an island not far from the city. Actually, Yerba Buena and the Bay Bridge are the connection between San Francisco and Oakland.

However, the star attraction is the smaller Golden Gate Bridge. It is one of the most notorious architectural landmarks in the world. Called a "wonder of the modern world", the Golden Gate Bridge is a creation of engineering genius that was unmatched in its time. Various travel magazines state that this is the most spectacular bridge in the world, and it deserves irst place before masterpieces like the Tower and London Bridges. Golden Gate is a suspension bridge, which adds more allure to its stunning appearance.

On the other hand, the Bay Bridge is another miracle of modern architecture. It is the largest bridge in California. Bay Bridge is the natural rival of Golden Gate, but it has its own uniqueness.

The Victorian architecture of the city will impress you. Even new houses are built in this style to preserve the authentic look of San Francisco. The St. Francis of Assisi Mission from the 18th century is a necessary stop in your tour of San Francisco. This church gave the city its name.

For a little rest, head to Presidio, Buena Vista Park, Alamo Square Park or Dolores Park which are only a few of the nice places for outdoor recreation in San Francisco. Don't miss the chance to take the cable cars or trolleys that travel around the city. Each and every one of them is different as it was a gift from a different city.

San Francisco can boast a really spectacular list of museums. Start with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum of the African Diaspora, the Asian Art Museum, the Museum of Craft and Folk Art and the Yerba Buena Center of Arts. Then continue to the Randall Museum, the Cable Car Museum, the California Palace of the Legion of Honor and the M.H. De Young Memorial Museum.
One extraordinary place to visit is the Alcatraz Prison located on a small island near San Francisco.  The prison was active until the mid-20th century and some of America's most wanted criminals were held there - for instance, Al Capone. Today Alcatraz is a tourist site. You can enter the former prison and see the authentic cells of the prisoners.

Because of San Francisco's perfect location, there are various hikes, interesting birds and plants to explore. San Francisco is like an infinite city where you can discover something new every day for the rest of your life!