The blend of nature and man-made recreations in San Francisco

A remarkable city which survived the devastation of a horrible earthquake and great fire with resilience, San Francisco is one of the popular tourist attractions in California. With tall elegant buildings, busy market areas, financial institutions, museums, parks and bay area, it has everything to offer to tourists. The architectural beauty today is matched by pursuit of arts, entertainments, education and relaxation.

The skyscrapers in San Francisco are remarkable. More than 40 out of nearly 400 high-rise buildings are above 400 ft. and it is a visual treat to see the cluster of tall, elegant, beautiful, ornamental yet highly functional buildings. Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest among the lot towering a height of 853 feet! The One Rincon Hill, 101, California Street, McKesson Plaza is some other breathtaking buildings. The Bank of America Centre 555 ft. high is the second highest one. Many such buildings add charm to the skyline. There are many interesting neighbourhoods like the Chinatown, Japantown and places where immigrants from Europe and Mexico are concentrated. The city has a blend of not only a great past and present but a melting pot of many races and geographical distribution represented as well.

Ocean Beach is a prominent hunt for surfers and is much sought after by avid surfers. The Golden Gate National Recreational Area  in San Francisco comprises many beach areas, parks and recreation grounds which include Alcatraz and Lands End. In fact there are more than 200 beautiful parks maintained by the city council and the most remarkable called Golden Gate Park is renowned for its beauty and repose. The San Francisco Zoo in the vicinity has more than 250 species of animals and is worth a trip. These areas of recreation are true to their intent and offer solace to the troubled minds and wearied bodies. Amidst concrete elevations man has not forgotten the art of preserving nature’s contribution like the trees and the grass!

In the recent times financial and business interests have made the city very costlier and it is said that many middle class families, unable to bear the cost of living, leave the city centre and shift to the suburbs! The affluent nature of the city accordingly offers a great standard in night life with exceptionally well maintained bars, restaurants, dance floors and other recreations. There are plenty of boutiques and restaurants in many localities attracting the wealthy locals and the curious visitors. Union Street, Cow Hallow and similar places fill the tourists with enough attractions. A certain international norm is also maintained due to historical legacy of San Francisco. For example the celebration of the Chinese New Year here is considered a very great event and justifiably draws largest attention outside China for its sync with Chinese traditions.

War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco is recognised as the second great such centre in the whole of North America. Fillmore, San Francisco Ballet, American Conservatory Theatre are some of the renowned names in the world of culture sustaining the interest of diverse people in the rich cultural traditions of the West.

There are some great museums in San Francisco like the Museum of Modern Art, the Palace of the Legion of Honour, de Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences. These invigorate the intellectual curiosity of mankind in knowing about its own evolution and its diverse talents.

While the very rich will find no problem in getting accommodation of star status in many parts of the city, there is no dearth of accommodation for the budget class either. Though basically a costly city to move about, nevertheless, accommodation can be had for ordinary middle class tourists without any difficulty either for an individual or a family or for a group. Food and other comforts are a treat by any standards. Similarly though many places are a delight to walk by limos or other types of transportation are available for the convenience of the tourists.

San Francisco has much in the way of healing the mental and physical strains of work-a-day world and a holiday there puts a new vitality in the hearts of the visitors.