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

Food & Drink

Places to stay

These tenrestaurants showcase the best of local cuisine from Tohoku’s Akita prefecture.

Asia

Japan

The 10 Best Restaurants in Akita Prefecture

The glowing kamakura or snow huts of the Yokote Kamakura Festival in Japan have a rich and beautiful history dating as far back as the Heian period.

A Brief History of Yokote Kamakura Festival

Take a virtual ride on the backs of Akita Prefecture's adorable puppies as they gallop through the northern corners of Japan.

You Can Now Explore Akita From a Dog's Eye View

You Can Now Explore This Japanese Town From a Dog's Eye View

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