San Francisco City Add-On
USA
Known for its diverse neighbourhoods, iconic Golden Gate Bridge and mild coastal climate, San Francisco is an essential add-on to any Californian ski holiday.
- Luxury
- Honeymoons
- Culture
- Nightlife
- Family Friendly
San Francisco is a city that blends iconic landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, with stunning coastline parks and a renowned food scene - perfect for a memorable city break to supplement your time on the slopes.
The city’s compact layout is ideal for short stays - you can still enjoy a full taste of this incredible city without having to travel too far. From the energy of Chinatown to walking the impressive coastal trails, you won’t have a shortage of things to do.
While strolling the city’s streets, keep an eye out for San Francisco’s iconic cable cars. Similar to trams, they are pulled along by cables embedded in the street and are the last manually operated service of this kind! Hop on board if you want a change from walking some of the city’s most hilly roads, such as the steep hairpin turns of the infamous Lombard Street, which attracts pedestrians and drivers from all over the world.
Wander through Fisherman’s Wharf for souvenirs and seafood restaurants, stroll through parks, or spot the colourful Painted Ladies, also known as ‘Postcard Row’, for picturesque Victorian architecture.
While Reno is the closest airport to Lake Tahoe ski resorts, San Francisco often offers a cheaper direct flight from the UK. Why not hire a car and turn your journey into a California road trip? There’s plenty to visit on the way to entertain all members of your group, including Napa Valley’s vineyards and even the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory.
San Francisco features in our California Ski Safari itinerary, and extending your stay with extra nights is easy. Alternatively, fly into San Francisco for a vibrant West Coast break before heading to the snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains for our Lake Tahoe Ski Safari.
"San Francisco is such a fantastic city - there's so much to see, explore, taste and drink... and it has a great, chilled-out atmosphere. I recommend staying here at least one night before or after your Californian ski trip!"
Attractions
Sightseeing
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Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco’s emblematic bridge, which is actually painted “International Orange” despite its red appearance! For the best views, head to Fort Point below the bridge.
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Palace of Fine Arts - a tranquil, Roman-inspired architectural masterpiece in the heart of the city, perfect for a stroll with coffee in hand.
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Presidio of San Francisco - a national park on the Northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, home to the beautiful Baker Beach and Marshall Beach. You’ll also find The Walt Disney Family Museum and Yoda Fountain in this area for any film fanatics!
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Alcatraz Island - take a ferry to the infamous former prison. Night tours provide an eerie experience, with stories of notorious criminals and stunning panoramic views of the bay.
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Golden Gate Park - this huge park covers a whopping 1,017 acres - bigger than New York City’s Central Park! Enjoy strolling scenic, winding paths and spotting temples and shrines on a sunny day.
Dining and shopping
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Chinatown - discover the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Visit the fortune cookie factory and explore the vibrant streets filled with markets, shops, and murals.
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Fisherman’s Wharf - a bustling hotspot for fresh seafood, iconic sourdough bread, and local coffee. Don’t miss the famous Boudin Bakery for its sourdough bread bowls!
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Ghirardelli Square - a haven for chocolate lovers. Enjoy sweets from the iconic chocolate factory and shop, or relax in cafés with views of Alcatraz. If you’re a coffee enthusiast, head one block east to reach The Buena Vista for delicious Irish coffee.
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North Beach - San Francisco’s Little Italy is packed with delicious restaurants, lively bars and espresso spots.
Urban exploring
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Cable cars - experience San Francisco's iconic cable car system - the last in the world to remain manually operated! Visit the free Cable Car Museum to learn more about this historical transport.
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Bike rental - pedal along the city’s many cycling paths for stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the city skyline.
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Haight-Ashbury - a hippie haven from the 1960s with vintage stores, funky cafés and street art. Explore the birthplace of the Summer of Love and visit the homes of legendary musicians.
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Painted Ladies - these colourful Victorian houses are one of San Francisco’s most famous landmarks. Don’t forget to snap a photo with the city skyline in the background.
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Lombard Street - the ‘crookedest street in the world’, a must-see landmark, best visited early in the morning for a quieter experience.
Beyond the city
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Napa Valley - for a change of scenery, take a day trip to the famous wine region. Explore vineyards, enjoy wine tastings, and indulge in world-class dining.
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Santa Cruz - journey down the world-renowned Pacific Coastal Highway to one of America’s surfing capitals. This stretch of driving features stunning views of dramatic cliffs, enormous redwood trees and beautiful beaches.
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Jelly Belly Factory - located on the way to any Lake Tahoe resort, sweet lovers can enjoy a self-guided factory tour and visit the gift shop.
Our prices
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you.
To give you the most choice and best value, we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique, based on your preferred departure dates, group size and holiday preferences.
We save you time and get the most for your money.
We sift through the prices and promotions for every airline, hotel and resort, exploring all options. We don’t publish all our prices online. Instead, we give personal quotations within 1-2 days of receiving your request.
