San Francisco, California, USA

Golden Gate Bridge

If you look at the Google map, you can understand why the «Golden Gate» bridge (which is by no means golden, but rather red-rust) is called exactly “the Gate.” The main local attraction seems to “invite” the Pacific Ocean into San Francisco Bay, linking the city with Marin County. In windy weather, the bridge swings strongly. To feel the vibrations, you need to stand still closer to the middle of the «Golden Gate»-your heart goes into your heels! The two-kilometer giant is often covered in fog, but on clear days, the views from the bridge are impressive: bays, beaches, the hills of San Francisco, and far below-brave surfers who aren’t scared of sharks and underwater currents.

Painted Ladies

Once upon a time, there were 50,000 mansions in San Francisco built in Victorian style. In 1906, a terrible earthquake destroyed about half of them, but some survived and can still be seen today. Most of the painted houses with turrets, round balconies, and bright verandas are located in the upscale and pricey neighborhood of Nob Hill. The most popular attraction here is the seven tiny houses that are very much alike; they are officially called the “Painted Ladies” and, in the local vernacular, are known as the “sisters.” It’s best to view the “Ladies” from Alamo Square-then all seven mansions fit into a single frame. Guided tours are offered inside one of the homes where the old interior has been preserved.

Coit Tower

The construction of the memorial dates back to 1933. The tower received this name in honor of an eccentric lady, Lillie Hitchcock Coit. At the time, she volunteered to help firefighters and left a large fortune for the memorial. It is believed that the shape of the tower is modeled on the nozzle of a fire hose. The height of the structure is 64 meters; from its observation deck, numerous piers in the bay, the bridges of the Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate, Alcatraz Island, Treasure Island, the Marine National Park, and other city attractions can be seen. Tourists are also drawn here by the original frescoes by California artists, which are displayed inside the tower. These wall paintings depict life in California during the Great Depression.

Alcatraz Prison

Dozens of criminals tried to escape from Alcatraz, but almost all of them died-either shot by guards or drowning in the cold currents. The island is almost as if it were made to host a strict prison: the icy bay water with strong sea currents gives Alcatraz natural isolation. Al Capone and many other Mafia “big shots” were once held here, but it was a trio of criminals who managed to flee that succeeded in permanently etching their names into the prison’s history. They dismantled a concrete wall using a homemade drill, built a raft from 30 rubber ponchos, and set off back to their own lives. The escapees were never found. Their “feat” is commemorated in the Hollywood film Escape from Alcatraz, in which the leader is played by Clint Eastwood. Today, a superb museum has been created in the former prison.

Fishing Pier

The old port district is bustling yet very charming. In the local restaurants there are two signature dishes: a red boiled crab and the seafood soup “Clam Chowder,” served in a round bun, which you absolutely must try. At Fisherman’s Wharf, there’s a wax figure museum and Pier No. 39, where a group of sea lions loves to doze in the sun. Near the Hyde Street Pier, old schooners and ferries are put on display in a quirky way-vessels that served the Yankees during World War I (entry to the pier is free, and you can board for $5). Among the unusual souvenirs at the shops in Fisherman’s Wharf are colorful sea salt bath salts, sold by weight from huge barrels, and Ghirardelli chocolate from the local factory. And there’s also caramel, vanilla, and chocolate sherbet.

Napa Valley

Napa Valley (an hour and a half drive from San Francisco) is a mix of hundreds of vineyards and wine restaurants. It is believed that thanks to the climate and rich soils, ideal conditions for California winemakers have been created here. Francis Ford Coppola founded his winery here (equipped with a movie museum). Also in the valley are the properties of Walt Disney’s family. Both estates are available for visits. The most popular way to travel around the valley is the retro Napa Valley Wine Train, whose passengers drink and eat to their heart’s content, and during stops they explore the picturesque vineyards. In Napa Valley, you can also rent a bicycle, a jeep SUV, and even a horse for a horseback ride.

Aquarium

A huge transparent aquarium tunnel is literally built into the ocean. That’s why, in the enclosed tank, it’s not the fish that are on display, but the viewers themselves-watching through thick glass as enormous jellyfish, wide-eyed crabs, and other residents of San Francisco Bay are seen up close. Special telescopes let you examine the underwater landscape in every detail-no diving is needed! The main entertainment: watching the feeding of marine creatures and the chance to tap a tiger shark on the back of its neck, as they swim in a separate, shallow pool.

Lombard Street

Lombard Street is one of those places that everyone has seen, but at the same time didn’t know what it was called. Its fame for the famous winding street in San Francisco came thanks to its appearance in countless feature films. Nevertheless, the street’s distinctive shape was not created for shock value, but to smooth out the 27-degree incline of the hill on which it is located. Lombard Street began to be settled in the 1920s. Of course, many residents wanted to have their own vehicles, but the steepness of the hill made even dreaming about such luxury impossible. The city administration stepped in: it decided to create the most winding street possible, which made it possible to reduce the slope to a tolerable 16 degrees.

Cable car

The calling card of San Francisco is the cable car network, which has been operating since 1873. These cars are at once a means of city transport and a historic landmark. The cable car system was invented by General Ebenenezer Doubleday. After retiring at the end of the war, he obtained a patent for a cable-driven tram. In the first half of the 20th century, the network of cable trams gradually fell into disrepair, and in almost all of San Francisco these trams were replaced by buses. The three remaining cable lines, which the townspeople themselves saved, are still in operation today. San Francisco’s cable car network is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and you can learn about the history of their creation and buy a variety of souvenirs at the Cable Car Museum.

San Francisco City Tour

You will travel across the famous Oakland Bay Bridge to Treasure Island, from where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful city panoramas in the world. Then visit the city center-downtown-where you will see the magnificent City Hall, the Mission of Saint Dolores, where San Francisco was founded. From the top of Twin Peaks, you’ll be able to admire a stunning panorama of the bay and the city, and then you will head to Golden Gate Park, see the Presidio, and the world’s most famous bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge. You will also visit the popular Pier 39, tour Chinatown, and visit Little Italy-just like in New York, they are located close to each other. You’ll see Coit Tower and Russian Hill-another famous elevation in San Francisco, with yet another beautiful city panorama. And finally, you’ll stroll along Lombard Street-the world’s most crooked street.

Muir Woods National Monument and Sausalito

On the territory of 224 hectares grow unique relict trees-sequoias and eucalyptuses-trees of enormous size, whose age spans thousands of years. During the excursion you will learn what makes these trees unusual, and what special properties they have. A walk among these giant giants, through a fairy-tale forest where you can see deer and squirrels, is full of pleasant surprises. One of them is a mountain river where salmon rise to spawn. Crystal-clear air will charge you with vigor and energy. The city of American bohemia-magnificent and refined Sausalito- is famous for its art galleries. You’ll be able to wander the streets of this beautiful city, visit the galleries and enjoy wonderful views of Richardson Bay, on the shore of which lies Sausalito.

Whale Safari

Powerful mammals churn the waters of the local bay all year round, with each day bringing something new. First, a good hundred humpback whales line up “train-style,” their glossy bodies gliding one after another. Then, a humpback whale, seeing that it’s being filmed, swims up close to the boat and blasts the bewildered tourist with a powerful fountain. Due to the variety of underwater terrain, the seabed of Monterey Bay is known as the Underwater Grand Canyon. Whale safaris take place here every day, and the organizers assure guests that on a yacht cruise you can be absolutely sure to see blue, gray, or humpback whales. And if you’re lucky-see them all together. Along with them, dolphins too. Boats depart from Fishermen’s Wharf fishing pier.

You can find a more detailed list of excursions and their prices after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account.”