San Francisco has many faces. Once a hippie haven for revolutionaries and rockstars, now a start-up sanctuary for Bay Area whiz kids, this Californian city’s culture shifts as swiftly as its weather of sun and fog. Some things never change: its free spirit and open mind, permeating through winding streets, defining diverse neighbourhoods and influencing the latest ground-breaking inventions.
Visit San Francisco: get started
Things to do in San Francisco? Marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge or chow down at Fisherman’s Wharf. Take a cable car to San Francisco tourist attractions, like the colourful Painted Ladies, or hop aboard a boat to Alcatraz. Whatever you do, don't skip on a San Francisco trip! Choose from our array of travel packages and hotels that include the best places to stay in San Francisco.
Featured hotel: RIU Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco travel guide
Destination facts
Language
English
What to bring back
Sonoma valley wine, fortune cookies from the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, Anchor Steam beer, tie dye apparel from Haight Ashbury and a book from the legendary City Lights bookshop.
What to eat
Clam chowder in a bread bowl from Fisherman’s Wharf, burritos from the Mission District, oysters and delicious Asian food from the city’s buzzing Chinatown.
Fun fact
The Golden Gate Bridge is a marvel of civil engineering. Designed by Joseph Strauss, construction began in 1933, finished four years later, cost $35 million, and was the longest suspension bridge in the world until 1964 (it now ranks 15th). During construction, a large safety net was placed under the bridge, leading to the creation of the “Half Way To Hell Club,” comprised of workers who survived the fall.
Important info
For more information on all necessary travel documents, visa, taxes and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
