San Frantastic Holiday

The entire North American land mass is no small obstacle. Both in financial and geographical terms it can make a significant difference when planning a holiday. Given that flying to the US is relatively expensive anyway, crossing the width of a continent once you get there is one step too far for many.

Given that America's east coast has so much to offer – from Boston and New York in the North to Miami and Orlando in the south – perhaps that should come as little surprise. But those who do stretch their wallets and their flying times will be richly rewarded.

One of the most popular destinations on the west coast is San Francisco, a city famous for its absurd geography, iconic landmarks and hippy roots. The spiritual home of 1960s free love and what many people regard as the cultural capital of the entire country, San Francisco has much to offer foreign visitors.

From the alternative music and second-hand T-shirt stores of Haight and Ashbury to the up market shopping district of Union Square, San Francisco can cater for most tastes. Like many American cities you will need more than your legs to get you around. Thankfully the bus network is reliable and reasonably easy to understand and the trams are as much a tourist attraction in their own right as a means of navigating the hilly streets.

Earthquakes in 1906 and 1989 have left their marks on the city, creating ridiculously steep hills where pedestrians can touch the pavement as they walk and drivers can earn a ticket for not turning their wheels into the kerb when they park.

From the peaks of these geological oddities you can take in a great view of the bay area, which is likely to be shrouded in fog. The climate is pleasant but rarely hot. The best weather is in September when the mist burns off to allow temperatures to surge into the 70s.

In the city itself there is plenty to see and do. Chinatown is a must for an authentic lunchtime snack, while the parks around Golden Gate Bridge offer a great way to relax in the afternoon.

The chain stores are around Union Square, but for a taste of the real San Francisco you should head to Haight and Ashbury. At night, North Beach is worth a visit with its Italian restaurants and classy nightclubs. Fisherman's Wharf and the world famous Pier 39 are also good for eateries but bars tend to be a bit thin on the ground.

As with any large city, San Francisco has its fair share of crime although much of it involves gangs fighting one another rather than hassling tourists, while the city's homeless people are intimidating only in their sheer number.

During the day, the Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps San Francisco's most famous landmark, is well worth a visit. The bridge spans the 4,200 feet between San Francisco and Marin County and has been carrying traffic since 1937.

Out in the bay sits the world's most notorious prison, Alcatraz. Now a full time tourist resort, visitors can learn about some of the island's most famous residents, including Al Capone and the various escape attempts. There is also a chance to put to rest some of the myths surrounding the prison and experience what it was like to spend time in a cell.