Holidays in San Francisco

San Francisco has been named one of the happiest places to live on many occasions. Its location between the ocean and the hills offers a unique landscape, full of contrasts, and the fact that it is considered one of the most open and tolerant cities makes this Californian metropolis a truly magnetic place.

It has countless unmissable places to visit and, through them, you can explore the city's history and culture. To make your experience of San Francisco unforgettable, you have Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, which is located close to many points of tourist interest, such as Pier 39 where the famous sea lions

live, Coit Tower, the perfect place to marvel at panoramic views of San Francisco, and Ghirardelli Square, where the Ghirardelli store and restaurant serve up San Francisco's most famous chocolate.

Golden Gate and other unique sights in San Francisco

If there is one place that really symbolises San Francisco, it's the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous constructions in the world. This bridge, in its iconic orange colour, will charm you whether you visit on a sunny day or, as is very common in San Francisco, in the fog. We recommend crossing it by bicycle and taking the opportunity to enjoy the stunning views of San Francisco from the other side of the bridge, or even to explore the city of Sausalito.

As you move around San Francisco, you notice several classic features of the city, such as the contrast between the tall buildings and the Victorian houses - the most famous being the Painted Ladies - and the numerous parks where you can be surrounded by nature, as well as the steep streets that have formed the backdrop to countless movies. You mustn't miss the chance to go up one of those hills on the Cable Car, that iconic tram, or to explore San Francisco's most famous street, Lombard Street, which is known for its eight hairpin turns in just 125 metres.

Other places we would recommend are the Marina District, which is a great starting point for an excursion along the coast and where you can stop to immortalise the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Another suggestion is to visit Alcatraz Prison, one of the world's most famous jails, which you can access by taking the ferry from Pier 33 to the island where the prison is located. If you have a few more days in the city, you can visit other neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Mission District, North Beach, Barrio Castro and Haight-Ashbury, among many more, which are sure to charm you.

Golden Gate Park:

This park, with more than 400 hectares, is the largest in San Francisco and it is even bigger than Central Park in New York. It is well worth visiting and exploring some of its zones: the Japanese Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, the Garden of Fragrance and the herd of American bison that inhabit the park.

Twin Peaks:

If you want to enjoy the best views of San Francisco, these two hills are the perfect place. We recommend you visit them using public transport and enjoy a sunset with panoramic views of the city.

Muir Woods:

This national park is located on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge and it was declared a National Monument in 1908. If you like nature, you are bound to enjoy walking along its paths, surrounded by giant redwood trees aged between 700 and 900 years.