December 2019 – San Francisco Travel

The Golden Gate Bridge, the most famous bridge in the world, manages to impress even the most experienced travelers with its stunning 1.7-mile span. Approximately 120,000 automobiles drive across it every day. A pedestrian walkway also allows crossing on foot, and bikes are allowed on the western side. The Golden Gate Bridge is said to be one of the most photographed things on Earth, so ready your camera of choice and be sure to share with #AlwaysSF.

In a destination with more than its fair share of world-famous icons, San Francisco’s Ferry Building stands out for its two-fold celebrity status: it’s both a historic architectural landmark and a pillar of the city’s celebrated culinary scene. The Ferry Building Marketplace and its adjacent farmers market serve in an equally outstanding capacity as places to eat and immerse yourself in the local community. Spend some time browsing the vendors lining the Nave, the market’s central indoor thoroughfare, and you’ll experience one of San Francisco’s most-vibrant gathering places, while discovering the bounty of Northern California’s artisan food and wine producers.

Located blocks from Union Square, The Moscone Center is about as central as it gets in San Francisco’s seven-mile-by-seven-mile grid. It’s walking distance to hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, public transit and more. The recently completed Moscone expansion has added more than 170,000 gross square feet of flexible meeting space to the Center, including a 50,000-square-foot ballroom. The center now also features an enclosed pedestrian bridge connecting the North and South buildings above Howard St., featuring light art by famous creator Leo Villareal.

Why choose San Francisco? Flexible venues in vibrant neighborhoods. Luxury hotels surrounded by fine dining and gorgeous public art. Green spaces and an innovative spirit. It’s for all these reasons and more that you should be planning your next meeting in San Francisco. Read through for more of the benefits of meeting in the City by the Bay, and then start a conversation with our expert Convention Sales and Services teams. We can’t wait to host you!

One of the most photographed locations in San Francisco, Alamo Square’s famous “postcard row” at Hayes and Steiner Streets is indeed a visual treat. A tight, escalating formation of Victorian houses is back-dropped by downtown skyscrapers, providing a stunning contrast. The grassy square itself is an ideal midday break. One of 11 historic districts designated by the Department of City Planning, the area includes several bed and breakfast inns.

Cable cars have been transporting people around San Francisco since the late 19th century. The cars run on tracks and are moved by an underground cable along three routes. Their familiar bells can be heard ringing from blocks away. Each one-way ride will provide spectacular views of the city’s celebrated hills, as well as an exhilarating ride.

The entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street is called the “Dragon’s Gate.” Inside are 24 blocks of hustle and bustle, most of it taking place along Grant Avenue, the oldest street in San Francisco. This city within a city is best explored on foot; exotic shops, renowned restaurants, food markets, temples and small museums are all found within its boundaries. Visitors can buy ancient potions from herb shops, relax and enjoy a dim sum lunch or witness the making of fortune cookies.

More than 75 percent of San Francisco’s visitors include Fisherman’s Wharf on their itinerary. The Wharf’s famous fishing fleet make for a terrific fish story, while souvenir shops in the waterfront marketplace and historic ships add to the atmosphere. Fishing boats, sea lions basking in the sun, seafood stalls and restaurants, steaming crab cauldrons, family entertainment and sourdough French bread bakeries … you know you’re in world-famous Fisherman’s Wharf.