One of America's signature cities, San Francisco is wonderfully cosmopolitan, encompassing vibrant Asian and Hispanic communities, as well as a famously robust gay community. As the birthplace of the hippie and Beatnik movements, its seductive, laid-back, left-of-centre spirit is a huge part of its charm.
Whatever you want to take in, give yourself plenty of time - this city's made for soaking up, not tearing through. From the clamour of Chinatown and the groove of North Beach to the buzz of the Mission, San Fran is everything to do with experiencing and little to do with ticking off the sights.
Whatever you want to take in, give yourself plenty of time - this city's made for soaking up, not tearing through. From the clamour of Chinatown and the groove of North Beach to the buzz of the Mission, San Fran is everything to do with experiencing and little to do with ticking off the sights.
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San Francisco flights
Fly direct with UNITED
from £437
Travel dates: until 16 Dec 11 and 1 Jan to 31 Mar 12
Book by: 26 Oct 11
Fly daily with UNITED from London Heathrow direct to San Francisco, or connect through New York/Newark from one of their UK regional airports
- Complimentary meals and
soft drinks - Complimentary audio/video entertainment
- Multi-adjustable winged headrests
Nob Hill
One of San Fran's swankiest areas, Nob Hill still hides vintage barber shops and faded cocktail bars amongst its genteel apartments and famous hotels. Attractions include a stunning view of the bay and the Cable Car Museum, plus of course cable car rides up the hill.
| Hotels | From |
| Fairmont San Francisco 5* | £130 |
| InterContinental Mark Hopkins 4* | £126 |
| Executive Hotel Vintage Court 3* | £86 |
Fisherman's Wharf
Considered the city's tourist centre, Fisherman's Wharf is packed with attractions including an aquarium, a sea lion colony and fresh seafood stands, along with dozens of bars and restaurants. The ferry to Alcatraz departs from one of its piers.
| Hotels | From |
| Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf 3* | £123 |
| Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf 4* | £116 |
| Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf 3* | £119 |
Union Square
If you're partial to shopping, there's no better place for you than Union Square and its surrounding area, which is rammed to the rafters with department stores and designer outlets. Theatres, galleries and restaurants round off one of SF's busiest neighbourhoods.
| Hotels | From |
| Sir Francis Drake - a Kimpton Hotel 3* | £117 |
| Hilton San Francisco Union Square 4* | £128 |
| Parc 55 Wyndham Union Square 4* | £127 |
Sights and sounds of the city
Must sees
Chinatown
It feels like China, looks like China, and smells like China but no: it's San Francisco's Chinatown
Golden Gate Park
Bigger than NYC's Central Park and even home to a herd of bison
Alcatraz by evening
Explore the prison cells, once home to the likes of mobster Al Capone, as the sun sets
Mission District
Vibrant Hispanic neighbourhood where you'll find the best Mexican food in town
- Food, glorious food
SF has more restaurants per capita than any other major US city, and its trendsetting dining scene isn't just about quantity: fresh Dungeness crab and the bounty of the Pacific is a net's throw away, and the city is surrounded by lush vineyards, orchards and farms. Local ingredients grace food trucks and Michelin-starred restaurants alike. There's no shortage of culinary variety in San Francisco: a single day of foodie finds can yield a breakfast burrito, midday dim sum, and gnocchi by candlelight.
+ Romance
There are plenty of reasons why "the cool grey city of love" wins over hearts. Get lost and explore the nooks and crannies of the city. Charter a sail boat and pack a picnic for two, or reserve that corner table with a view of the bay. And could anything be more romantic than a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge? Stay out past your bedtime and catch the last cable car halfway to the stars.
+ Family
Where to start? The California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, San Francisco Zoo and Zeum are all great for kids. At Fisherman's Wharf children can see the sea lions at Pier 39 or take a spin on the carousel. Toddlers will feel right at home at The Randall and Marin's Bay Area Discovery Museum. Golden Gate Park is a playground in every sense of the word – or for something more man-made: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and California's Great America theme parks are both nearby
+ Night owls
As you'd expect from the city that produced Bimbo's 365 Club in the 30s – where gin was poured into coffee cups and naked girls swam in a fish tank behind the bar – San Francisco knows how to have a good time. The SoMa (South of Market Street) neighbourhood is good for electronic music clubs and chill-out lounges, as well as stylish restaurants and theatres. The Castro district and Polk Street are the main gay hangouts, while Nob Hill boasts upscale lounges with stunning views. If you're keeping very late hours, head to North Beach for its dive bars and clubs. + Action
Just wandering up a few of the city's 43 hills would count as a workout, but there's plenty more action on offer for those who want it. There are over 100km of signed bike routes, five public golf courses in the city (and another 130 in the Bay Area) and great jogging routes along beaches or across the Golden Gate Bridge. Or if you'd prefer to watch someone else working up a sweat, catch a baseball game with the San Francisco Giants, a football game with the 49ers or basketball with the Golden State Warriors.
Terms and conditions: Please note that all offers are subject to availability. Places are limited and can't be guaranteed. Flight offers may contain blackout periods within the listed date range. Weekend supplements may apply for travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Taxes and charges are outside of Opodo's control and may vary day to day, and according to routing and flight number. Flight + Hotel prices quoted are person based on two people sharing a standard room.United is the new airline created by the merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines. The two airlines will operate separately as they begin to integrate key customer services, marketing activities and airport processes during this year. Flights to New York/Newark are operated by Continental Airlines, Inc.