In the Wake of the Pandemic, San Francisco Goes Al Fresco

Innovative San Francisco found creative ways to adapt to the new way of life
Innovative San Francisco found creative ways to adapt to the new way of life | © Martina Birnbaum / Alamy

Now the US finally has more relaxed travel restrictions, the major cities are gearing up to welcome visitors once more. Culture Trip takes a look at how San Francisco – where pandemic projects included slow streets and pop-up outdoor dining – has reinvented itself for 2022.

In November, the US borders were opened to international travelers from several countries after almost two years of strict Covid-19 regulations. Major cities such as San Francisco – which generates 25 percent of its economy from international tourism, according to SF Travel Association – is preparing for visitors again.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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San Franciscans embraced the outdoors like never before during the pandemic

So what’s changed? One thing’s for sure: it pays to be vaccinated here. In August 2021, it became the only US city to enforce a vaccine mandate, making it impossible to enter most indoor venues – restaurants, bars, museums and more – without proof of full vaccination. Wearing masks is also widely observed and mostly unchallenged.

It isn’t only the collective adherence to precautions that has helped San Francisco adjust so quickly to the new normal. There’s also been a focus on constructing and enhancing outdoor spaces across the city, allowing people to spend more time in the fresh air.

The Presidio is one of the great green spaces in the city

With more than 200 parks and open areas, San Francisco is already one of the greenest cities in the US. On its northern tip is the Presidio, a sprawl of forest, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, the sandy Baker Beach and cosy hotels in former military buildings (including the closest hotel to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Lodge at the Presidio).

This green oasis is expanding even further in 2022 with the opening of the Presidio Tunnel Tops in spring. Designed by the firm behind the High Line in New York, this 14-acre (6ha) park on top of roadway tunnels will connect the heart of the Presidio with the waterfront at Crissy Field. It’s set to become a San Francisco must-visit with meadows, plazas, campfire circles and unmatched Golden Gate views.

The Presidio Tunnel Tops will connect the Presidio to the waterfront at Crissy Field

It joins the likes of Salesforce Park – an elevated park tucked between skyscrapers atop the four-block Transit Center (opened pre-pandemic) – in an ongoing effort to maximize outdoor space in the famously dense metropolis.

City planners bolstered this effort by using quieter roads during lockdown to improve and expand the bike lanes of downtown San Francisco. More than 30 “slow streets” were also established across the city to create additional space for residents to gather, exercise and generally spend more time outside. Four of them have already been made permanent features.

The expansion of bike lanes and slow streets is welcomed by Nick Hormuth, owner of Dandyhorse SF Bike Tours. While the pandemic forced many tourism businesses in San Francisco to close, he used the time to build electric bikes that had the power to glide up the highest hills in the city. The one-man company now offers a series of hyper-local electric bike tours, with a focus on authentic local food and culture.

Outdoor tours will take you to some of the best murals in the city

A similar approach was taken by Allan Graves, founder of San Francisco Love Tours. Graves used the time to double down on his business idea, repainting his 1960s-themed Volkswagen busses and investing in more vehicles and people. After a pause in tours during a stay-at-home order, the company officially reconvened in March 2021.

Graves is confident his business will outlast the pandemic and that his “hippied-out” bus tours will become a must-do San Francisco activity. “I want the Love Tours to become the staple tour company of San Francisco,” says Graves. “When I die, I want these Volkswagens to continue to roll around the city, making people happy.”

While the San Francisco restaurant scene was hit hard by Covid, one saving grace for the hospitality industry has been the widespread prevalence of parklets. Much like the slow streets initiative, these open-air dining and seating areas were installed during the pandemic and have since been made permanent. As a result, the city is enjoying a burgeoning al fresco dining scene, with bustling parklets on almost every sidewalk in foodie hotspots such as Chinatown and North Beach. Though this offers a lifeline to many restaurants, that’s not to say they’re without their issues.

Al fresco dining has become a big part of the offering in Chinatown

As for the arts scene, the city continues to be one of the great creative hubs in the US. There are, of course, a handful of world-class museums here, but outside the MoMA and the de Young is an incredible selection of free, open-air, publicly accessible art.

Annual festival of light Illuminate SF will enjoy its 10th anniversary in 2022, featuring large-scale light installations across the city from renowned international artists. Meanwhile, colorful murals adorn walls all over, with the most notable found in the Mission’s Balmy Alley. These powerful works of activist art tell the story of the neighborhood over the last 50 years.

Illuminate SF returns to the city for its 10th iteration in 2022

Despite the downfalls of the city (unaffordability being the most common qualm), San Franciscans are palpably proud of it. At a Sunday evening performance of ‘Dear San Francisco‘ at Club Fugazi in early December, acrobats paid homage to the city while masked and vaccinated locals cheered loudly from their designated seats. It is a fitting representation of the creativity, community and collective consciousness found here, and an example to the world of how to embrace our new normal.

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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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