San Francisco

From the delirious highs brought by the California Gold Rush to the mass destruction caused by great earthquakes and fires, San Francisco has been through it all. After sawmill employees spotted gold flakes floating in the water, San Francisco was thrusted from remote port base to central hub almost overnight. The flood of treasure hunters and the prosperous spirit they brought carries on today in the Silicon Valley, where the world’s leading tech companies and their optimistic CEOs conglomerate. Elsewhere, the city is known as the nexus of counter culture that revolves around freedom of expression, playing a crucial role in the Civil Rights movement during the 1960s.

The peninsula of San Francisco measures just 7 x 7 miles but it’s loaded with its share of beautiful nature, cultural sites and delicious eats. There’s no shortage of typical tourist attractions, with Alcatraz and the California Academy of Science drawing tons of daily visitors. The cross-cultural DNA of San Francisco is seen in the variety of top-notch food options, while the city has set a high standard for organic, sustainable and seasonal plates. Elsewhere, the thriving cocktail and bar scene has completely redefined neighborhoods such as Mid Market and SOMA.

San Francisco is a pleasant destination to visit year-round thanks to its mild California climate. The crowds are large in the summer, but you’ll have your pick between a number of cultural events and city-wide concerts. Don’t forget to pack an extra layer as the microclimates tend to change on a whim and even vary as you travel from one neighborhood to the next. Since a large number of inhabitants have Asian roots in one way or another, San Francisco boasts some of the best Asian-influenced food on the continent. You don’t have to look very far to find your choice of first-grade dim sum or kim chi.