San Francisco is best known for its openness, architectural beauty, and diversity. One of the most popular cities in the US, San Francisco derives its name from Francis of Assisi, a friar of the Roman Catholic order, who happened be the founding father of the Order of Friars Minor, also known as Franciscans.

There is plenty to do in San Francisco; it is a city that never allows you to get bored. You can mark your calendar with at least one special event every month. In February, for instance, you can join in with gusto devouring crab delicacies of every hue and girth in the city’s legendary crab restaurants. In October, you can become part of the celebrated ‘Oktoberfest by the Bay’.

You get to sing and dance with the revelers all day and all night long and consume great food and beer along with them. Then there is the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival where you get to taste chocolates to your heart’s content. The holiday season commences from the Ghirardelli Square courtesy of the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This festival is truly imposing with myriad lights garnishing a fifty-foot tall Christmas tree. Huge chocolate bars, colored ribbons, and decorations hang from tree’s boughs making it look even more impressive and colorful.

The city, known to be culturally evolved, also celebrates the San Francisco Blues’ Festival with great spirit and zest. The literary-minded should not miss, at any cost, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival in the month of September. In the autumn setting you watch Shakespeare’s immortal characters like Julius Caesar, Othello, Romeo and Juliet come alive as never before.

When in San Francisco, you just have to visit the Golden Gate Bridge, hailed as a technical wonder the world over. The best way to enjoy the bridge is to walk rather than drive over it. Another great sight is the Union Square which happens to be the third-biggest shopping center in the country. It was set up as a public plaza by the mayor of San Francisco in 1849. It became a major shopping centre in the early 1900s and features high-end stores mainly having to do with clothing. We don’t advise you to loosen your purse strings here, though, for you could end up burning quite a large hole in your budget. Within the square itself, you will be able to watch plays at great concession rates if you line up early.

The one place you absolutely cannot afford to miss while in San Francisco is the Alcatraz Island in the center of San Francisco Bay. An infamous prison which nobody wanted to visit once, it is now a major tourist attraction thanks to its lovely gardens, bird colonies and exotic scenery.

Known for its swinging culture San Francisco’s night life is as assorted as its famed diversity. If you love hip hop music you could try SOMA which is also famous for its electronic music. If you prefer something quieter you should try the Rockit Room in Clement Street. But if you are looking for a classier joint, don’t think twice before entering Dolce on Broadway Street. Just let it all hang out!

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What is the first word that comes to mind the moment someone says ‘Los Angeles’? Hollywood? Beaches? More likely than not. But did you know it is a city steeped in history? Los Angeles, which is Spanish for ‘angels’, was part of the Spanish colony from 1781 till 1821 when it became annexed to Mexico. It became part of the United States in 1848, subsequent to the Mexican-American War. Californians are intensely proud of their capital, it being a major center in terms of world trade, culture, and technology.

The moment you get off the rather enormous Los Angeles airport, you will be completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of the city’s attractions and activities. The nearest point is the Howard Hughes’ Promenade which is a smallish mall but serves an outlet for the latest brands in clothing. If you are hopping between flights and have little time, Howard Hughes’ serves as a pretty nice stopover. But if the break lasts the entire day and you have time hanging heavy on your hands, we strongly suggest you take the Lot C shuttle to the Farmer’s Market where you can sample California’s fresh fruits, wines, its assortment of cheeses, and ice creams. You might also want to visit a shopping district called The Grove replete with high ranking stores and restaurants. If you have time, you might like to go to the theatre here.

If you are staying on for a while well then, you’ll be surprised at the sheer number of things you can do and the sights you can see. But where would you like to start? If you’d like to sample European hospitality in a US setting, we recommend the rather quaint Alpine Village hailed for its music festivals including the greatly-celebrated Oktoberfest, sumptuous European cuisine, and beer.

One in Los Angeles, or LA, as it is more popularly called, how can you go away without visiting Hollywood? Tour operators will only be too glad to book a studio tour for you. You will never forget the historic visit to Sunset Strip, Melrose, Rodeo Drive, etc. Visit the famed Hollywood Boulevard to get a feel of the ‘celebrity’ aura that pervades Hollywood. Do bear in mind, however, that the tour needs to be booked at least 72 hours in advance.

Certain places in LA present a happy amalgam of shopping with outdoor activity. One such place is Catalina Island where you can go on exciting boat-rides, moonlit walks and also swim in cool, clear sea-waters. You can also go shopping for electronic goods and jewelry. The art-minded might also like to visit the Catalina Art Gallery located in the gorgeous Casino Building.

Very high on the popularity list of tourists’ interest is Disneyland and its sister park known as California Adventure. You might also want to visit the Knott’s Berry Farm which is not too far away. This is an amusement park which is hailed for its ‘Wild West’ theme.

Going around the city is quite easy as the public transport system is pretty nifty. Yet you are best advised to rent a car so that you can visit far-flung areas without worrying how to get back. Good luck with your trip to good old LA!

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