2.
San Francisco was the first city in the world to operate cable cars and the last. Some 100 cities around the world have had cable cars but no longer use them as part of their public transportation system. The San Francisco Cable Cars are the only mobile national monuments.
3.
Lombard Street known as the "crookedest street in the world" is just one block long but makes drivers maneuver eight winding turns before reaching Leavenworth Street. Although popular belief doesn't acknowledge it, Vermont Street between 20th and 22nd is actually more crooked. (It contains six curves in less than three quarters the distance of Lombard.) Accuracy aside, lovely public gardens and breathtaking views have made Lombard the popular destination it is today.
4.
Celebrate the New Year in February the Chinese New Year, that is! Lasting two weeks, this San Francisco celebration is the largest one of its kind. The city's Chinatown is also home to one of the largest Chinese populations outside of Asia.
5.
Stretching nearly two miles, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world's longest. It connects San Francisco with Marin County and is strong enough to withstand 100-mile-per-hour winds.
6.
Stuck in a time warp? Then visit the Haight, just east of Golden Gate Park. Once home to some of the '60s most popular bands (including the Grateful Dead), the Haight continues to be a comfortable place for Deadheads to dwell. In fact, its shopping venues sell everything from incense and tie-dyed apparel to vintage clothing, books, and records.
7.
Thanks to the Bay area's mix of cultures, San Francisco restaurants have a lot to offer. With more restaurants per capita than any other US city, the City by the Bay boasts as much diversity in food as in people. So, go, enjoy, and let your tastebuds be tempted by the ethnic and American cuisines throughout the area.
8.
Play it again, Sam. Or not quite... Actually, the piano accordion (not the piano) is San Francisco's official musical instrument.
9.
San Francisco's diversity spills into every aspect of life, and its hotels are no exception. Some Bay area properties are ranked among the finest in the world. Know, however, that you've gotta pay to play. The city tacks on a 14% transient occupancy tax that can really add up over the length of a vacation.
10.
Variety is the spice of life of nightlife, that is and San Francisco's got it all! From folk music and cabaret to dance and comedy clubs, you'll find lots to keep you entertained. If you're looking for something more cultured, take in a performance by the city's nationally renowned opera, symphony, or ballet companies.
