San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Ghosts: Gold and Ghouls Tour
From $25 / person
8PM
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl
From $29 / person
5:30PM
San Francisco, CA
Taste of San Francisco: Flavors of the Mission District
From $75 / person
11:00AM
San Francisco, CA
Gold, Greed, and Gunslingers: Forging San Francisco
From $25 / person
Mid-Day
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Ghosts: Gold and Ghouls Tour
From $25 / person
8PM
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl
From $29 / person
5:30PM
San Francisco, CA
Taste of San Francisco: Flavors of the Mission District
From $75 / person
11:00AM
San Francisco, CA
Gold, Greed, and Gunslingers: Forging San Francisco
From $25 / person
Mid-Day
San Francisco By Junket
Did you know much of San Francisco was built with parts from abandoned ships? Or that it is where both blue jeans and the fortune cookie were invented? Or that burials are outlawed within the city limits?
San Francisco is a destination city that lives in our collective imagination as a romantic, hopeful seaport whose steep hills offer breathtaking views of an azure blue bay. With distinctive historical architecture featuring pastel-hued Victorian homes, a micro-universe of distinctive neighborhoods with Michelin-star dining and authentic emporiums, and a bohemian spirit that is at once classic and counterculture, San Francisco offers an undeniably significant cultural experience that draws people to the California coast as if by magic.
The Golden City by the Bay
Whether you’re wearing flowers in your hair or sittin’ on the dock of the Bay, San Francisco has long been a beacon for adventurers, dreamers, and rebels, with a spirit of acceptance and inventiveness that looks forward to a brighter future. From the iconic suspension bridge to the rush to riches that swelled the city’s population, the Golden City lives up to its nickname, reflecting the stunning sunsets that light up the surrounding waters.
The tapestry of San Francisco is iconic, with instantly-recognizable landmarks made popular by history, movies, music, and television.
San Francisco History
The area that became San Francisco was inhabited by Native American tribes like the Ohlone for thousands of years, until 1542, when Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo became the first European to set foot on Californian soil.
England’s Sir Francis Drake arrived in the area in 1579 and spent time with the natives, taking stories of the land’s natural beauty back to his homeland. The Spanish would find the entry point to the bay in 1769 and recognize the area, with its large natural harbor, to be of strategic significance. In 1776, a group of Spanish Jesuits led by explorer Juan Bautista de Anza set up missions and military settlements in the area, including the Presidio of San Francisco.
Gold Rush Growth
In 1792, British explorer George Vancouver established a small base near the Spanish mission, where many colonists from England, Russia, and other European countries settled. By the early part of the 19th century, numerous problems plagued Spain, which caused little attention to be paid to the local missions, and by 1822, Mexico gained its independence from Spanish rule and seized control of the land, with the missions becoming abandoned in the process.
Street plans were drawn up with the help of English residents, and the settlement expanded to a town, which was named Yerba Buena after the herb that grew abundantly around it.
San Francisco Today
Frontier of the Future
A city of instantly recognizable features and untold stories, San Francisco is a city in constant evolution – a juxtaposition of cutting-edge technology against a backdrop of iconic architectural design. Famous urban landmarks stand in contrast to stunning natural wonders, creating a captivating setting for countless entertainment opportunities, such as a rollicking ferry ride across the chilly bay or a tranquil picnic in front of the city’s “painted ladies.”
Its diverse cultural influences and fresh natural resources have transformed San Francisco into a world-renowned dining destination, with its dynamic neighborhoods offering a wide range of flavors and ingredients sure to satisfy every palate. For a relatively compact area, San Francisco surprises with a selection of elite museums and cultural experiences that rival any in larger cities, from the family-friendly Exploratorium to the award-winning symphony, and so much more.
“You wouldn’t think such a place as San Francisco could exist. The wonderful sunlight there, the hills, the great bridges, the Pacific at your shoes. Beautiful Chinatown. Every race in the world. The sardine fleets sailing out. The little cable cars whizzing down the city hills… And all the people are open and friendly.” – Dylan Thomas
Locals advise dressing in layers while enjoying the city’s charms, as San Francisco’s constantly changing weather can vary from block to block.