By Althea Marie Tan
It is etched forever in a song. Tony Bennett has long hummed about how he left his heart in San Francisco. This bustling California city is one of the most widely diverse and densely populated-- it is impossible to box its 7.2 million people, the true mark of a modern cosmopolitan city.
Meanwhile, its openness to tourists (and Asian and Latin population) breathes life into this place. The tourism industry is the city's backbone, and for a good reason. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed structures in the world. Its art scene is dynamic and its architecture boasts of an eclectic mix of Victorian and modern style. These are some of the reasons why San Francisco is one of the most famous cities in the planet.
How San Fran used to be
However, San Francisco hasn't always been this vibrant. From the initial Spanish settlement some three centuries ago, the city has gone through its highs and lows. From the 1848 California Gold Rush that virtually transformed its landscape and economy to the historic 1906 earthquake and fires that prompted writer Jack London to say "San Francisco is gone," San Fran has surely risen to be a major American city by any standards.
Touring the city
Today, domestic and foreign tourists flock to San Francisco by the millions. It is always a top choice whenever people think of visiting or exploring the US. Because of this popularity, there is a lot of San Francisco tour packages that suit whatever desires you may have.
Some of the most popular San Francisco travel packages include visiting the city's famous landmarks, participating in events and festivals, pampering via spas and health clubs, enjoying the city's museums and art scene, and just loitering around the city. The exciting thing about the city is it keeps secrets and gems even your tour guide may not know about.
So, a quick advice: don't be tied down by your itinerary. Let loose (without breaking the law), explore the city yourself, and experience the light atmosphere that San Francisco offers. Although it is a city, it is not your typical noisy, crowded, and polluted metropolis.
Picking the perfect San Francisco travel package
If you are looking for the perfect San Francisco travel package, you must first determine what will make your trip (and money) worth it. If you're a bargain hunter, go for shopping packages. If you're on a romantic trip with your special someone, there are tour packages available for couples. If you are craving for sophisticated museums, operas, and performances there are also travel packages related to these. If you want to let your hair down and put on a pair of your most comfortable walking shoes, either take sightseeing packages or grab that map and explore on your own.
Of course, a San Francisco trip is also largely dependent on your budget. But, what these packages have in common is their price. They are rarely cheap. Take note that these prices still do not include accommodation, meals, and miscellaneous expenses. If you are conscious about your budget, there are numerous budget inns and hotels that you can stay in at a fraction of the price of a 4- or 5-star hotel. Activities such as SF duck and fire engine tours, Golden Gate cruise, China Town walking tour and dinner, SF Hop on Hop Off Troley tour and SF Foreign Language City Tour, are also readily available for less than $100 per person.
Traveling to San Francisco doesn't have to be expensive. If you are a wise traveler, you can easily find ways to stretch your budget and still enjoy all that San Francisco has to offer.
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Source:www.isnare.com |
