DK Travel : San Francisco

San Franciscans will, rather candidly, admit that they are the most fortunate people on earth, the occasional earthquake notwithstanding; and most visitors, after a few days of taking in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city, will agree. Ask anyone who has been here and they will tell you it’s their favorite US city. The geographical setting evokes so much emotional drama, the light seems clearer, the colors more vivid, the cultural diversity of the ethnic neighborhoods so captivating and inviting, that it’s a place almost everyone can fall in love with at first sight.

Keur Baobab

West-African rhythms in the heart of the Mission. Senegalese decor, featuring masks and low tables, and cocktails made with fresh ginger and exotic juices.
Kokkari Estiatorio

This upscale Greek taverna is a fun and spirited place that might have you imagining yourself to be somewhere in the Aegean. Don’t bypass the appetizer sample, which includes homemade pitta bread, and various artfully delicious spreads.
Kong Chow Temple

The oldest of Chinatown’s temples is dedicated to Kuan Di, a male deity (see Chinatown).
La Honda

The most picturesque way to make the approach to the tiny community of La Honda and the Skyline Boulevard (seeLa Honda & Old La Honda Roads) is Old La Honda Road.
La Honda & Old La Honda Roads

Behind Stanford University (see Palo Alto and Stanford) is the quiet town of Portola Valley. From here, these picturesque switchback roads ascend to meet Skyline Drive. They are very narrow in places, and you can’t go more than 10 mph (16 kmph), but the timeless beauty of the Bay Area forests makes it worthwhile.
La Rondalla

Kitsch and fun, this lively place serves Tex-Mex food until 3am. Wash it down with their potent margaritas.
Labyrinths at Grace Cathedral

Ignore the meditative people shuffling around like they've had too much cold medicine, and let your children have fun solving this puzzle with their feet. There are two labyrinths at Grace Cathedral---we recommend the outdoors one. Climb the steps, turn right, and you're there.

Nob Hill is pretty posh, but there's a nice children's playground across the street in Huntington Park if your kids have extra energy to burn afterwards.
Lafayette Park

This is another of Pacific Heights’s double-blocked hilltop gardens – a leafy green haven of pine and eucalyptus. Steep stairways lead to the summit, with its delightful views. The city did not manage to set aside these oases without a fight. Squatters’ buildings occupied some of the land in the center of this park until as late as 1936, when they were finally pulled down, liberating the lush gardens for all to enjoy.
Lake Merced

Located at the beginning of scenic Skyline Boulevard, this attractive lake, set amid verdant hills, extends across the southern end of the Sunset District. Relatively undeveloped and certainly under-used, it nevertheless gets its share of recreation enthusiasts. They come for the municipal Harding Park 18-hole Golf Course, and the biking and running trails that circle the lake’s green shoreline.
Land’s End

Although extremely beautiful in a wild, untouched way, this tiny, rocky beach is only for the hardiest nature-lovers. It’s quite a hike to get here, although taking the trail up above it is quite a bit easier than going by the lower, coastal trail. Many habitués have built little sun-traps for themselves, by piling up rocks to wall-in their patches of sand (see Oceanfront Parks).

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under $20
- $20-$40
- $40-$55
- $55-$80
- over $80