GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. Our landmark Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 and connects San Francisco to Marin County (Hwy 101). The distinctive rust-colored towers and graceful cables of the Bridge make this famous symbol of San Francisco the most photographed bridge in the world. It is visible from many high points in the city, although it is often shrouded in fog. Spanning the 2 mile mouth of the bay, it is built to withstand winds of over 100 mph. The color “International Orange,” was chosen as a complement to surrounding scenery. Car toll is $6 and is collected southbound only. Vista points, parking areas and rest rooms are located at the northeast and southeast ends of the bridge (look for the sign “Last SF exit” on the south side; Vista Point exit on the north). Getting to the Golden Gate Bridge by car: Follow the signs from anywhere in the city, taking Lombard Street (US 101) west, and then to reach the south vista point, take the exit marked "Last SF Exit," just before you get to the toll booths. You can avoid busy traffic by taking Lincoln Avenue through the Presidio. South Vista Point parking is metered and there are only 81 parking spaces. If you find this parking lot full, or want to spend more time than the meters will allow, there are two options: Drive down the hill, and turn left out of the parking lot onto Lincoln. You will find gravel lot not far down on your left. If you are approaching from the Presidio on Lincoln, the lot is just across from the former officer's quarters. Turn right out of the parking lot onto Lincoln, and then turn right again at the next opportunity (after you pass under the bridge approach). There is free parking uphill from the toll plaza, and you can get back to the pedestrian side of the bridge by walking through the tunnel under the tollgates. North (Marin Side) Vista Point parking is free up to four hours, and there are restrooms. This lot is accessible only from northbound US 101. By bus, Muni's #28 and 29 lines go to the south side.Walk onto the Golden Gate Bridge if you can. You can't really appreciate the size and height unless you've walked on it, at least a little way. At mid-span you are 220 feet above the water's surface, and passing ships below look like small toys. The distance from one vista point to another is 1.7 miles, but even a short walk will be interesting. Pedestrians are allowed only on the east (city side) sidewalk, during daylight hours, and pets are not allowed for safety reasons. Pedestrians can access the east sidewalk from 5am to 9pm (6am-6pm Nov-May). Cyclists can use the Bridge during the same hours, but which side they are allowed on varies; check the posted signs. The historic “Roundhouse” at the southeast end offers information and souvenirs. Call 415-923-2342 for details.

Explore Fort Point, a Civil War-era fort located at the south end of Golden Gate Bridge on Long Avenue. This gives you the same spectacular view of the bridge as seen in Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo. Take a guided tour, view videos and visit the military museum (open 10am - 5pm); call 415-556-1693 or visit http://www.nps.gov/fopo for information. Walk the Golden Gate Promenade, a 3 1/2 mile scenic shoreline walk beginning at Fort Point and ending at Aquatic Park near Fisherman’s Wharf.

GOLDEN GATE PARK. Golden Gate Park is the largest man-made park in the world with lakes, waterfalls, bridges, lawns, trails, gardens, and public art, all within an area three miles long and a half mile wide. The De Young Museum, located on the Concourse at the intersection of JFK Drive and Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, showcases the City’s collection of 20th-Century Art, Art of the Americas, Oceanic Art, and African Art, plus special exhibits. Adjacent, the picturesque Japanese Tea Garden is open 8:30am to 6pm; tea served 10:30am to 3pm. 415-752-1171. The Botanical Gardens at Strybing Arboretum is a 70-acre area with over 6000 plant species. Free guided walks daily at 1:30pm. The Conservatory of Flowers, historic Victorian glass house, houses thousands of rare plants. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4:30pm. $5-$3. 415-666-7001. Children’s Playground, off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, has play areas and a carousel. Rent a rowboat, motorboat, or peddle boat at Stow Lake and take a leisurely cruise. Two Dutch Windmills, dating from 1902, which pumped water to help create the park out of sand dunes, stand at the west end of the park adjacent to the historic Beach Chalet, 1000 Great Highway, with WPA-era murals, a visitor center and restaurants. Order a copy of San Francisco Guide® for a map of Golden Gate Park, points of interest, and transit lines.

HAIGHT ASHBURY. Haight Street, off the east end of Golden Gate Park (between Stanyan and Buena Vista Park), famous for the intersection of Haight & Ashbury Streets, the “Summer of Love (2007 marked the 40th anniversary!),” and hippies, now includes an interesting collection of cafes, vintage clothing stores, nightclubs, and colorful residents.

JAPANTOWN & THE FILLMORE. The City’s Japantown, known as Nihonmachi, covers roughly seven blocks bordered to the north by Bush Street and to the west by Fillmore Street. Japan Center, at Geary & Fillmore Streets, is a complex of buildings with shops selling unique items from the Orient, restaurants, and movie theaters. The Peace Pagoda, pictured, in the plaza is always a photo favorite. Visit www.sfjapantown.org or www.californiajapantown.org for more information.

An adjacent area the locals call The Fillmore offers a smorgasbord of boutique shopping and dining (2000-2200 blocks of Fillmore). At 1805 Geary Street, you’ll find the world famous Fillmore, known for showcasing rock and roll greats. This dance hall turned rock club, still features top acts. 415-346-6000.

LOMBARD STREET. Lombard, the "Crookedest" Street, is neither the crookedest street (that honor would go to Vermont Avenue near 20th Street) nor the steepest in San Francisco-- but it's the best-known. The "crooked" section is the block between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets built with eight hairpin turns on a 40-degree slope. The Powell-Hyde cable car stops at the top of Lombard Street. You can also get there by walking up Hyde (very steep) from Ghirardelli Square, or by walking west from North Beach on Lombard Street.

If you plan on driving down Lombard Street, approach it from Hyde Street. Lombard Street is one-way, and you can't drive up from from Leavenworth. There are pedestrian stairways on either side. Running west from Van Ness through the Marina, Lombard Street becomes the major conduit to Golden Gate Bridge.

THE MARINA. The Marina District is one of the city’s prettiest neighborhoods, with lovely homes and remarkable views of the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands. Marina Green, a mile-long stretch of green grass running along the edge of the Bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying. At the west end of Marina Green, explore the Presidio and Fort Point. At the east end, Fort Mason Center, at Marina Boulevard & Buchanan, is a complex of former military warehouses and piers now housing museums, cultural groups, and pavilions for special events. From Marina Green, walk one block south on Baker to the Palace of Fine Arts, pictured. This Greco-Roman structure built in 1915 for the Panama Pacific International Exposition now located on Marina Boulevard at Baker Street, is home to The Exploratorium, called “the best science museum in the world.

MISSION DISTRICT. This area, roughly bordered by Mission, Potrero, Dolores, and Caesar Chavez, owes its name to Mission Dolores, pictured below, the city’s oldest building built by the Spanish Franciscans in 1776. Take a self-guided tour of the Mission, at 16th Street and Dolores, daily 9am - 4pm; 415-621-8203. Mission Street, the main thoroughfare through this vibrant neighborhood, reflects the area’s Mexican and Latino heritage as do the murals on building walls. Call 415-806-0049 (www.jwalks.com) for Mission walking tours; or 415-285-2287 for tours of the local mural art.

NOB HILL & RUSSIAN HILL. To the north of Union Square, at the top of California Street is Nob Hill, the site on which San Francisco's early millionaires Gold Rush and railroad nabobs (slang for wealthy men, which gave Nob Hill its name) built their mansions, now established as some of the city's finest hotels: the Fairmont, the Mark Hopkins and the Huntington. Russian Hill sits to the north of Nob Hill, south of Fisherman's Wharf, west of North Beach. The famous curves of Lombard Street are here. The city's Grace Cathedral, at 1100 California Street, famed for its Ghiberti doors ("The Gates of Paradise"), labyrinths, varied stained glass, and medieval furnishings, as well as its organs and choir has become an international pilgrimage center for church-goer and visitor alike.

NORTH BEACH. Centered along Columbus Avenue just south of Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach is known for its Italian heritage, as the birthplace of The Beat Generation, and for its restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and nightlife. You won’t turn a corner without enjoying the smell of freshly roasted coffee from local roasteries. Visit the Beat Museum at 540 Broadway with exhibits about the writers, artists, and political activists from “the era that changed the world.” Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-7pm. Ask about their Literary and Beat Walking Tours. 800-KER-OUAC. www.thebeatmuseum.org. Stop by historical City Lights Booksellers on Columbus Avenue, founded by Lawrence Ferlenghetti, the first all paperback bookstore. The majestic towers of the Church of Saints Peter & Paul overlook Washington Square, at Stockton and Union Streets, a popular park to relax and take in the sights. Two blocks away at 610 Vallejo Street is the Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church, dedicated to the city’s namesake. Visit daily 11am-5pm to view historic murals.