Getting to Know San Francisco

This section offers useful information on how to become better acquainted with San Francisco, even though half the fun of becoming familiar with this city is wandering around and haphazardly stumbling upon great shops, restaurants, and vistas that even locals might not know about. You'll find that although the city is metropolitan, San Francisco is still a small town -- one where you won't feel like a stranger for long.

If you get disoriented, just remember that downtown is east and the Golden Gate Bridge is north -- and even if you do get lost, you probably won't go too far, since water surrounds three sides of the city. The most difficult challenge you'll have, if you're traveling by car (which I suggest you avoid), is mastering the maze of one-way streets.