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| Quality of Life |
Fisherman’s Wharf is also home to hundreds of sea lions that can be observed from the surrounding docks. The year 2010 marked the 20th anniversary of their arrival to Fisherman’s Wharf. Despite a brief disappearance in the winter of 2009, the sea lions are here to stay. On weekends, the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito provides docents for visitors interested in learning more about the sea lions.
San Francisco’s cable car system is the largest in the world. Even so, it comprises only three routes, making it more of a tourist attraction than a regular mode of transportation for locals. The Cable Car Museum is an extensive historical tribute to the cable car’s presence in San Francisco and features an array of mechanical devices and photograph collections in addition to three authentic cable cars dating back to the 1870s.
Ghirardelli Square is known for its charming and piquant atmosphere. This historic square was once the home of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company headquarters, but now is the site of several fine-dining establishments and retail shops. Still, no visit to the square is complete without the treat of a hot fudge sundae or a piece of gourmet chocolate from the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop. The company’s original manufacturing equipment is on display, giving visitors an inside look into how these sweets were created more than 150 years ago.
SHOPPING DESTINATIONS
The Bay Area is a top destination for world-class shopping excursions where residents have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of shopping experiences, including indoor, outdoor and outlet malls. Located in the Financial District, the Crocker Galleria, modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, houses a breathtaking collection of the best clothing boutiques in the city. Underneath the glass dome of the Crocker Galleria, shoppers can find international names in fashion and everything else one needs to live a first-class cosmopolitan life of style.
Union Square is another of San Francisco’s marquee shopping attractions. Department stores that can be found in Union Square include Barneys New York, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s West, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Restaurants found in its vicinity include Morton’s The Steakhouse, Le Colonial, E&O Trading Company and Mocca.
Located just two blocks from Union Square, Westfield San Francisco Center is a metropolitan marvel of high-end shopping. The vertically designed shopping center has nine stories of retail options that are connected by a spiral escalator. The mall features the second largest Nordstrom in the United States as well as the West Coast flagship of Bloomingdale’s. Its roster of more than 170 stores includes ALDO, American Eagle Outfitters, Aveda, Bath & Body Works, Calvin Klein, Express, Movado, Nine West, Sanrio and Zara.
The Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas features 1,357,000 square feet of retail space, including 11 anchors and 200 other stores. Previously a Ford automobile assembly plant, the Great Mall is the largest mall in Northern California. Its status as an outlet mall ensures customers a significant concentration of brand names at low prices. Major names found at the Great Mall include Banana Republic, Burlington Coat Factory, Gap Outlet, Kohl’s, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Old Navy and Sports Authority.
Of course, these are just the major malls in the San Francisco area. The shopping options throughout the Bay Area are extensive. From small boutique shopping centers to large-scale outlet malls and grand shopping centers, there’s never a shortage of retail opportunities in the Bay Area.
DINING
San Francisco and the Bay Area represent a wealth of richness when it comes to local dining. Thanks to world-class wineries, small local farms and close proximity to the sea, San Franciscans enjoy a variety of high-quality cuisine. Restaurants in the Bay Area are known for their farm-fresh, ingredient-driven menus as well as a particular attention to detail that makes dining in San Francisco not just eating but an experience. The myriad of high-end restaurants allow for maximum culinary variety for eating that never tasted so good.
Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, Alioto’s is the restaurant of choice for seafood. Established in 1925, Alioto’s has nearly 90 years of excellence under its belt, and the famed quality of its cuisine hasn’t wavered at all. Its world-class entrees are enhanced by the tranquil views of the surrounding wharf. Plus, if you want the best seafood available without the fine-dining price, Alioto’s outside crab shack, Café 8, offers great-tasting food on the cheap and on the go.
The Cliff House is one of the city’s iconic dining experiences. With stunning views of the California coastline and a history that goes as far back as the 19th century, the Cliff House is a favorite dining destination for both residents and visitors. The Cliff House specializes in seafood and traditional steakhouse favorites, and its Terrace Room is a popular private dining room for hosting social events.
Despite many name changes since its establishment in 1867, Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant continuously has offered fresh oysters and other delectable seafood delights to local San Franciscans through the years. Continuously voted as one of “The Bay Area’s Top 100 Restaurants” by the San Francisco Chronicle, it has been at its current location since 1946.
San Francisco’s cable car system is the largest in the world. Even so, it comprises only three routes, making it more of a tourist attraction than a regular mode of transportation for locals. The Cable Car Museum is an extensive historical tribute to the cable car’s presence in San Francisco and features an array of mechanical devices and photograph collections in addition to three authentic cable cars dating back to the 1870s.
Ghirardelli Square is known for its charming and piquant atmosphere. This historic square was once the home of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company headquarters, but now is the site of several fine-dining establishments and retail shops. Still, no visit to the square is complete without the treat of a hot fudge sundae or a piece of gourmet chocolate from the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop. The company’s original manufacturing equipment is on display, giving visitors an inside look into how these sweets were created more than 150 years ago.
SHOPPING DESTINATIONS
The Bay Area is a top destination for world-class shopping excursions where residents have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of shopping experiences, including indoor, outdoor and outlet malls. Located in the Financial District, the Crocker Galleria, modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, houses a breathtaking collection of the best clothing boutiques in the city. Underneath the glass dome of the Crocker Galleria, shoppers can find international names in fashion and everything else one needs to live a first-class cosmopolitan life of style.
Union Square is another of San Francisco’s marquee shopping attractions. Department stores that can be found in Union Square include Barneys New York, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s West, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Restaurants found in its vicinity include Morton’s The Steakhouse, Le Colonial, E&O Trading Company and Mocca.
Located just two blocks from Union Square, Westfield San Francisco Center is a metropolitan marvel of high-end shopping. The vertically designed shopping center has nine stories of retail options that are connected by a spiral escalator. The mall features the second largest Nordstrom in the United States as well as the West Coast flagship of Bloomingdale’s. Its roster of more than 170 stores includes ALDO, American Eagle Outfitters, Aveda, Bath & Body Works, Calvin Klein, Express, Movado, Nine West, Sanrio and Zara.
The Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas features 1,357,000 square feet of retail space, including 11 anchors and 200 other stores. Previously a Ford automobile assembly plant, the Great Mall is the largest mall in Northern California. Its status as an outlet mall ensures customers a significant concentration of brand names at low prices. Major names found at the Great Mall include Banana Republic, Burlington Coat Factory, Gap Outlet, Kohl’s, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Old Navy and Sports Authority.
Of course, these are just the major malls in the San Francisco area. The shopping options throughout the Bay Area are extensive. From small boutique shopping centers to large-scale outlet malls and grand shopping centers, there’s never a shortage of retail opportunities in the Bay Area.
DINING
San Francisco and the Bay Area represent a wealth of richness when it comes to local dining. Thanks to world-class wineries, small local farms and close proximity to the sea, San Franciscans enjoy a variety of high-quality cuisine. Restaurants in the Bay Area are known for their farm-fresh, ingredient-driven menus as well as a particular attention to detail that makes dining in San Francisco not just eating but an experience. The myriad of high-end restaurants allow for maximum culinary variety for eating that never tasted so good.
Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, Alioto’s is the restaurant of choice for seafood. Established in 1925, Alioto’s has nearly 90 years of excellence under its belt, and the famed quality of its cuisine hasn’t wavered at all. Its world-class entrees are enhanced by the tranquil views of the surrounding wharf. Plus, if you want the best seafood available without the fine-dining price, Alioto’s outside crab shack, Café 8, offers great-tasting food on the cheap and on the go.
The Cliff House is one of the city’s iconic dining experiences. With stunning views of the California coastline and a history that goes as far back as the 19th century, the Cliff House is a favorite dining destination for both residents and visitors. The Cliff House specializes in seafood and traditional steakhouse favorites, and its Terrace Room is a popular private dining room for hosting social events.
Despite many name changes since its establishment in 1867, Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant continuously has offered fresh oysters and other delectable seafood delights to local San Franciscans through the years. Continuously voted as one of “The Bay Area’s Top 100 Restaurants” by the San Francisco Chronicle, it has been at its current location since 1946.
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