Haight Ashbury
San Francisco is arguably one of the most romantic cities in the US. Many people say this quintessential city is very European -- it has a joie-de-vivre atmosphere, style, many Victorian-style houses, narrow streets, farmers markets, and great food. The surprisingly compact city is great to hang out in if you are a honeymooner. If you plan to take a long walk, make sure you don't wear high heels, as the city is renowned for its hills. Here are some very romantic attractions in San Francisco.
Palace of Fine Arts
Perched on a swan-filled lagoon near the Marina's yacht harbor, this charming terra cotta-colored dome is a San Francisco's equivalent of a Roman ruin. The palace was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal. The stunning romanesque palace has been used in countless fashion layouts, films and wedding photo shoots.
3301 Lyon St
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 563-6504
The Western Shoreline
There are official hiking trails but many local people come here just to enjoy the view and the sunset. To get the Western Shoreline from downtown, get on the 30 Geary bus and get off just east of the Cliff House. After strolling down the beach, have a nice meal and toast the sunset at the Beach Chalet. From Lands End in Loncoln Park, you have some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge -- when it is not foggy. Bring some warm jackets with you as it gets often windy and chilly even during summer months.
The Haight
Haight Ashbury is called for the intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets. Commonly called the Haight, this area is where you can find great restaurants, bars, cafes, vintage and unique shoe shops, and experience the vibrant night life. As the heat of hippy culture since the sixties, the Haight Ashbury community is universally recognized for its creativity and diversity. The Summer of Love may be over, but it still offers peace, love and happiness to all who visit.
Mt. Davidson
The highest point in San Francisco is not Twin Peaks but Mt. Davidson. The entrance to the mountain is at Dalewood and Myra ways. Mt. Davidson is visible from all over town when it is not foggy. It is quite obvious as it has the huge concrete white cross on top of the mountain. The cross is now owned and managed by the Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California and it is used as a memorial for the victims of the 1915 Armenian genocide. Mt. Davidson is topped with a eucalyptus-filled park and once you get there, the views are fantastic.
Wine Country
Visit Napa or Sonoma while you are in San Francisco. Both of the valleys are about an hour by car from San Francisco. You don't need to rent a car as there are countless tours that offer a day tour in the wine country. A quarter of California's 1300 commercial wineries are located in the area. The region is warmer than San Francisco. Enjoy Wine Country's sun-honeyed fields, breathtaking scenery and a great glass of wine.
Tags: Haight Ashbury, Western Shoreline, when foggy, Wine Country