Read our guide for why San Francisco is the best place to go for fresh seafood, world-class art, thrilling wildlife experiences, and so much more.

California

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit San Francisco

From history and art, to music, theater, hiking and food – here are 16 reasons why you need to visit LA.

16 Reasons Why You Should Visit Los Angeles at Least Once in Your Lifetime

A rare view from a helipad, a beam of light illuminates a lava tube, and who says SoCal has no seasons?

23 Shots of Southern California Like You've Never Seen It

From mountain retreats to peaceful coastal gems, discover California’s many picturesque towns and villages.

The 10 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in California

It’s no secret that Northern California has some of the best wines in the country and even in the world. Here's your guide.

The Best Wineries To Visit In Northern California

Foggy and progressive, San Francisco is the crown jewel of Northern California. This compact, hilly city at the center of the wider San Francisco Bay Area has witnessed many of America’s most influential cultural moments, from hippie counterculture in the ’60s to the dot-com revolution at the turn of the last century and today’s tech boom.  

Though characterized by its history of resistance, San Francisco is struggling against the pull of a tech-driven future. The impact of gentrification can be seen in the city’s soaring house prices and the rapid transformation of neighborhoods like SoMa and the Mission, where the friction between old-school San Franciscans and the influx of young professionals is palpable.

Introducing San Francisco

Even with all its hills, San Francisco’s small size makes it a walkable city. Those with calves of steel are rewarded with a showcase of its architectural splendor; the view from Alamo Square – brightly colored Victorian houses against a backdrop of Downtown skyscrapers – is particularly iconic. Of course, taking in the Art Deco masterpiece that is the Golden Gate Bridge is a must on any San Francisco trip, as is a visit to the former prison on Alcatraz Island. 

Every neighborhood has a story to tell. The heart of the ’60s hippie revolution, Haight-Ashbury, is the place to go to relive the Summer of Love all year round, while the nearby Castro district is one of America’s first gay neighborhoods and a magnet for LGBTQ+ travellers to this day. North Beach, the birthplace of the Beatnik movement and home of the City Lights bookstore, is equally historic. SF also boasts the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America, which explains the city’s reputation for great dim sum.

San Francisco attractions and sightseeing

San Francisco neighborhoods

From the Hollywood hills to the Venice Beach boardwalk, Los Angeles is a cinematic city of dreams, where every sunset feels like a scene from a movie. The center of the entertainment world, La La Land may be home to countless celebrities, television studios and film sets, but it’s not all about star-spotting and brunching in Beverly Hills. 

LA is a sprawling county with myriad different cultures and communities: the coastal enclaves of Long Beach and Santa Monica; the built-up, bustling Downtown and Arts District; Compton, birthplace of some of rap’s biggest names; bohemian Venice; and the trendy neighborhoods of Silver Lake and Echo Park. Attracting the world’s most ambitious and extravagant characters, every neighborhood in this eclectic, showy city is prime for people watching.

Introducing Los Angeles

A must-visit on any LA trip is Hollywood Boulevard, home to the legendary Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre. Movie fans will also enjoy the rides at Universal Studios and the resting place of the stars, Hollywood Forever Cemetery; art lovers should make a beeline for the Getty Center, a hilltop gallery that houses an impressive permanent collection of European and American works. LA’s urban sprawl is flanked by golden beaches and spectacular hills and canyons, making surfing and hiking popular pastimes among Angelenos. Try Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park for relatively easy trails that take in views of the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory. There are plenty of great beaches to catch a wave, but first-time visitors should hit the sands in Malibu, where LA’s surf culture began.

Best of LA tourism

Los Angeles neighborhoods

Things to do

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Meet the Reykjavik Queer Choir, purveyors of songs and acceptance in Iceland’s capital since 2011.

Europe

Iceland

Reykjavik

Songs of Love: Reykjavik’s Queer Choir

Read our guide to discover which unique gifts from Iceland you can't find anywhere else.

11 Things You Can Only Buy in Iceland

Discover the places that, for their beauty and intrigue, are not to be missed when visiting Iceland.

20 Unmissable Attractions in Iceland

From modern downtown hotels to cozy wilderness lodges, these boutique hotel varieties offer a great base while you explore Iceland.

11 Best Boutique Hotels in Iceland

Here's Culture Trip's pick of the best restaurants in Reykjavik, where traditional Icelandic dishes are served with a contemporary edge.

Discover the Best Restaurants in Reykjavik

Waking up in Reykjavík means crusty rye bread and smoked salmon in the morning. Here are our picks of the capital’s best breakfast and brunch spots.

Eat Like a Local: Reykjavík’s Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots

From seafood to lamb and open sandwiches, Reykjavik's Scandinavian cuisine will delight any visitor. Read on to discover the best places to sample Iceland's regional cuisine.

The 10 Best Scandinavian Restaurants in Reykjavik, Iceland

Here are the essential places Game of Thrones fans need to visit on any trip to Iceland

The Stunning 'Game of Thrones' Locations of Iceland

Read about some of the most amazing hikes to take in Iceland, both day trips from Reykjavik as well as longer hikes, both for the experienced and not.

The Best Hiking Trails in Iceland

Iceland is more than just gorgeous landscapes – check out the 10 most beautiful towns must-see towns.

11 Beautiful Cities and Towns in Iceland

Read our guide to discover the best way to begin your journey in Reykjavik, the cultural capital of Iceland.

10 Top Things to See and Do in Reykjavik

Find out how to get the most out of 48 hours in Reykjavik, from taking thermal baths to hunting down the Northern Lights.

How to Spend 48 Hours in Reykjavik

Read our guide to find out what you can experience in Reykjavik that is hard to find anywhere else.

The Most Unique Experiences You Can Have in Reykjavik

Read about some of the most unique things to do while you are in Iceland, visit an ice cave, bath in the midnight sun or go horseback riding!

10 Unique Things to Do in Iceland

We travel to Reykjavik and explore 10 unmissable things to do in and around the city, from a culture lover's perspective.

11 Life-Changing Experiences You Can Only Have in Reykjavik, Iceland

Discover hidden stairwells, breathtaking views and fascinating secrets, all while exploring San Francisco on foot.

Why You Need To Go Urban Hiking in San Francisco

Beautiful and fascinating natural treasures can be found throughout the great state of California, if adventurers know where to look.

10 Beautiful Places in California You Didn't Know Existed

Los Angeles's top attractions include a cemetery-cinema, unconventional museums, a mega-shopping destination and outstanding urban hiking.

20 Must-See Los Angeles Attractions

The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for California, USA - Local News & Top Things to Do