SAN FRANCISCO

If you’re goin’ to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you’re goin’ to San Francisco

You’re gonna meet some gentle people there …

#haightashbury, #hills,#colorful, #getlost, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast. #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning, #surprise — Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

Scott McKenzie’s song coming from my mom´s radio-cassette when I was a kid. Now I enter in the dreamy town with my mom driving through its hills and listening to our song. This is a dream come true!

I have always dreamt with coming to San Francisco. I have kept plenty of images in my head such as the spot under the Golden Gate Bridge where ‘Madeleine’ jumped into the water and ‘John’ (James Stewart) saved her in Hitchcock’s movie “Vertigo”.

Screen capture. Copyright © 1958 Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions, Inc.

Or while she’s watching across the street from her huge open windows at the top of the Empire Hotel. Actually, San Francisco has a rich filmic history- from well-recognized Film and Arts schools to iconic film locations.

We will explore together a city which features in major of the greatest movies such as: The Birds, Vertigo, Forrest Gump, and Interview with the Vampire among others. Check out this awesome post for more info about film locations.

The City by the Bay is a heaven for avid photographers and movie buffs. There is always a gem waiting around almost every corner.

Here are some highlights to pick out the best of the city as a good starting point for your explorations. I will try to cluster them by neighborhoods, because San Francisco is all about neighborhoods. Keep in mind that the choices are numerous and in order to visit all them, you will need at least one week and pretty itchy feet!

Following a film narrative, we will start from a general shot of the city’s surroundings to some city’s close-ups to dig into my faves.

Presidio

Rent a bike or drive leading up to the Golden Gate Bridge from the Fort Point. Looking up the mentioned ‘Vertigo’ setting above .

#Fortpoint, #GoldenGate, #bridge, #pacificocean, #sanfrancisco, #California, #Westcoast, ,#elenacuevass, #shooting, #photography#, #tips, #travel, #wanderlust, #highlights, #sfo, #CA, #explore, #learning — The Golden Gate from the Four Point, San Francisco, CA – 2015 by @elenacuevass

#aerialshot, #GoldenGate, #bridge, #pacificocean, #sanfrancisco, #California, #Westcoast. #tips, #travel, #wanderlust, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — The Golden Gate, San Francisco, CA – 2015 by @elenacuevass

Biking or walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a must-do in San Francisco!

Sausalito

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge all the way to Sausalito. From there you will have a panoramic view of the oldest part of the bridge, the North part of the bridge, and climbing gently up you will be able to catch a panoramic shot from the city.

#sausalito, #bay, #dock# #landscape, #panoramic, #pacificocean, #sanfrancisco, #California, #Westcoast, #shooting, #photography, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning ,#elenacuevass, #shooting, #photography, #wanderlust, — San Francisco views from Sausalito, CA- 2015 by @elenacuevass

My suggestions at Fort Baker spot are: 1) Go strolling around the army post and harbor. 2) Visit Cavallo Point, the Lodge at the Golden Gate, or 3) Sit by the dock of the bay as Otis Redding and enjoying the panoramic views of the Golden Gate separating San Francisco´s Bay from the Pacific Ocean.

#marincounty, #GoldenGate, #bridge, #pacificocean, #sanfrancisco, #California, #Westcoast, #tips,#elenacuevass, #shooting, #photography, #wanderlust, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning, #sfo, #bay, #dock — The Bridge from Marin County side, San Francisco, CA -2015 by @elenacuevass

#Sausalito, #GoldenGate, #bridge, #pacificocean, #sanfrancisco, #California, #Westcoast, #tips,#elenacuevass, #shooting, #photography, #wanderlust, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning, #sfo, #bay, #dock — Sausalito, CA – 2015 by @elenacuevass

A chilly, foggy day under the Bridge. Wouldn’t want to jump into the water today…

baydock — Elenacuevass, San Francisco, CA – 2015

Marina District

Situated nearby the Golden Gate, you catch a bus and visit the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. This is the only surviving building from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, which was held after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake in order to celebrate the rebirth of the city.

Twin Peaks

Here you will reach one of the best aerial views of the town. It´s pretty windy most of the times and you can easily find the fog covering your views. But take it easy, it will eventually clear up and you´ll have this stunning views in front of you.

Theatre District

Start with a breakfast at the Cheesecake Factory’s rooftop with a high-angle frame of Union square.

Cable car at Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

Continue towards Powell Street and catch the famous cable car traveling up to the neighborhoods of Nob Hill, Financial District and Russian Hill.

You can jump off the cable car in this last one in order to shoot Lombard Street from the top. You´ll catch a great shot of the packed town as well as the Coit Tower and the Palace of Fine Arts. In fact, I recommend you this spot rather than the one of Lombard Street from the bottom. Unless you’re catching a night shot, it is not worth it.

#lombardstreet, #nobhill,#russianhill,#presidio,#hills, #aerialshot,#croosked, #slopes, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

After shooting from the top of Lombard Street, go back quickly to the cable car and jump off on the last stop, “Fisherman’s Wharf”.

Fisherman’s Wharf

This a very touristic neighborhood. However, you can’t pass it up. Here, I would recommend you: 1) Eat a Clam Chowder creamy soup in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudin. 2) Take a walk around the Pier 39. 3) Go to see the famous sea lions and the Alcatraz Island in the distance. 4) Try the gourmet foods inside the Ferry Building. It’s 30 minutes walking distance from Pier 39.

#sealions, #Pier39,#fishermans #wharf, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — Sea lion at Pier 39, San Francisco, CA – 2014 by @elenacuevass

Civic center

My highlights here are: 1) The magnificent City Hall Building and 2) Stroll around Market Street enjoying the views of the impressive hotels towers and 3) Get some bargains at Ross stores.

#cityhall, #building,#vanness, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — City Hall Building, San Francisco, CA- 2015 by @elenacuevass

Telegraph Hill

Situated sort of between Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown, Telegraph Hill is worth a visit just because of Coit Tower. It offers of the best views of San of the Financial District and some amazing Works Progress Administration WPA murals.

#WPA, #murals,,#coit, #tower, #telegraph #hill, #bestviews,#financialdistrict,#lowshot, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — WPA murals of Coit Tower, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

#works, #progress, #WPA, #murals,,#coit, #tower, #telegraph #hill, #bestviews,#financialdistrict,#lowshot, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — WPA murals of Coit Tower, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

Chinatown

The most authentic Chinese neighborhood I have ever been in the US. While walking around its streets, it’s not difficult to convince yourself that you really are in China. You’ll find authentic Chinese architectural design in their buildings and wide variety of Chinese food and souvenirs shops. Buy your friends gifts in here. They’re way cheaper and exactly the same ones than those from those fancy stores in other areas of the city.

#Chinatown, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — Chinatown, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

Financial District

And, while you’re nearby, if you go towards Columbus Avenue, you’ll bump into a conglomerate of skyscrapers. Here, don’t miss out the view of Columbus Tower – today much of it occupied by Francis Ford Coppola’s studios – with the Transamerica Pyramid.

Little Italy

The twin brother of the Chinese neighborhood. They’re literally alongside the other. This is one of the major nightlife districts. My suggestions for this neighborhood include: 1) Check out the Beat Museum on Broadway. 2) Visit the City Lights bookstore alongside Jack Kerouac Alley. 3) Eat gelato, drink red wine and coffee – in this order-:) 4) And keep exploring around, you’ll always be pleasantly surprised.

Haight-Ashbury

My fav one in San Francisco! Remember the “Summer of Love” phenomenon? Yeah, it happened right here. It was instrumental in San Francisco’s counterculture movement. And today, it still retains such progressive ambience. In the 60s and 70s, the Haight was the center of sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll in San Francisco. Here you´ll find the houses of famous people like the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. It has a flavor of past times. Strolling around you will find lots of head shops, folk and costumes shops and record stores.

#store, #haight, #ashbury,#folk, #summerlove, #counterculture, #hippie, #freedom, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast. #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning, — Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

okhaightshouses — Victorian Houses at Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

If you find yourself in this neighborhood, be sure you dive in Decades of Fashion. This is a must go. It´s like traveling back in time in an active way. And if you don´t believe me, ask my mom who got dressed like a real cabaret dancer from the 20´s. Here you´ll find Edwardian and Victorian clothing and any kind of clothes and accessories from the 20´s until the 90´s.

Secret tip: Eat a Spanish seafood paella at the Cha Cha restaurant…YUM! Enjoy it! 😛

#music, #haight, #ashbury,#vinlys, #records, #store, #folk, #summerlove, #counterculture, #hippie, #freedom, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast. #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning, — Ameba Music at Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

Dive in Ameba Music store. Here you will find a large selection of used vinyls and cds for $1, fun store performances and live concerts. Such a great music experience! After walking in, I literally became a vinyl´s addict thanks to a new knowledgeable and hippie friend who taught me some little hints on how to discover the original and relic ones. He ended up giving some vinyls as a present.

Mission

It might be my second fav district. It is an artsy and Hispanic district with and amazing variety of creative street art. It is a neighborhood with a wild mix of traditional Chicano imagery and contemporary spray-can graffitis that could had been painted by any random tourist or other community members. I would encourage you to get lost in its streets full of art and enjoy this fantasy world where nature and art go hand in hand. Here, don´t miss: 1) The amazing street art at Balmy Street, the colorful and fun murals of Clarion Alley. 2) Eat a Mission Burrito. 3) Don’t miss out shopping at the indie stores of Valencia Street and 4) Enjoy people-watching wherever you turn.

#clarion, #alley, #streetart, #mural, #perspective, #wonderland, #missiondistrict, #visualeffect, #colorful, #getlost, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast. #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning, #surprise — Clarion Alley Street Art, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

mural2 — Clarion Alley Street Art, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

Western Addition

Get a more detail picture of the Victorian houses known as the Painted Ladies and the Alamo Square Park. These houses are still very well-maintained with their gothic and handcraft details. However, the highest point of the park is disappointing since it does not offer the views of the city that you´re used to see in the tourist guides.

Castro District

Last but not least, the vibrant gay neighborhood. I loved the chill vibe in here. I enjoy roaming in their cafes and trendy clothes stores. It is conveniently located across the F-line street car which takes from this neighborhood up to the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf.

#castro, #chillvibe, #streetcar,#shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast, #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — Castro, San Francisco, CA- 2014 by @elenacuevass

Between Castro neighborhood and Downtown was our hotel, The Edwardian Hotel, whose name comes from its architectural style -subsequent to the Victorian times-. It´s a well renewed and comfy boutique hotel with an enchanting mix of Edwardian style from the outside and modern deco in its interior. The hotel is pretty centric, located at Market Street, you can catch the major MUNI buses, METRO and street car lines from there. This is another virtue of the city, its great public transport unlike in the rest of California. Believe me, traveling around San Francisco is possible with a touristic map! – A person with a lack of orientation dixit. 🙂

San Francisco has an appealing mix of housing styles, just like multicultural people and lifestyles. Doubtless, the top San Francisco highlight is SFers (Bay Area and transplants alike). They reflect a cross-section of genres, neighborhoods and interests. They tend to be hospitable and culturally curious. My second time at the city, I met a stylist guy at the airport who directly drove me to Downtown, introduced me all his friends and ended up having red wine. We were a group of three people growing like mushrooms. Firstly, two new acquaintances joined us, then another three random people did and so forth until we became a worldly group of 18 people learning about our culture, history and behaviors. Whenever possible, share your experiences!

This kind of things are, to me, what makes San Francisco the most European of American cities and a great place to live in California. I’m not the one who thinks so! To give you a sense of density, the city is approximately 7 miles by 7 miles (121 km2) and there is about 18,187 people per square mile (7,022 people per km2)

Even though I have visited San Francisco several times, there is still plenty of spots and neighborhoods that I didn’t get the chance to explore. That’s a great excuse to always come back!

#fortbaker, #dock, #bay, #GoldenGate, #bridge, #pacificocean, #instapic, #shooting, #photography,#sanfrancisco, #traveladdictic, #travel, #wanderlust, #experiences, #California, #Westcoast. #tips, #travel, #highlights, #CA, #explore, #learning — Elenacuevass, San Francisco, CA – 2015

Looking for more favorites,

Elena

traveling, shooting & learning