San Francisco, the best memory of my trip to the West Coast

A trip to the American West Coast cannot be imagined without a visit to San Francisco. It is a city of many hills and many facets. The City by the Bay, as it is called by the locals, makes many a traveler dream.
San Francisco is located in the north of the state of California, but does not benefit from the weather of its southern neighbor, Los Angeles. With a temperature almost equivalent from January to December, around 15°C, (Yes, even in summer, it can be that temperature!)

San Francisco, a human-sized city

During my trip to the USA, this city is probably the city of the American West that intrigued me the most and made me want to stay.
It is a city that, despite its size (about 870,000 inhabitants), did not seem suffocating or anxiety-inducing to me as some may find other cities. It seemed like a good blend between the cities of New York, Chicago in the American Northeast, and the cities of Los Angeles and Sacramento.
It is a sprawling city where getting around can be done both by car and by public transport. Like all American cities, San Francisco is divided into districts quite distinct from each other. The skyscraper district downtown or the neighborhoods with their famous sloping houses of all colors.

The most famous vertiginous street in Hollywood cinema

Russian Hill San FranciscoThe steepest street is the famous "Lombard Street". To reduce its gradient, the city has arranged for a winding road to slow down the descent.
Who has never imagined it or at least seen it in a photo or a film? The most famous part is located at Russian Hill between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street.
The entire road descends in large bends separated by central reservations covered with flowers.
The houses have the peculiarity of giving the impression of being slanted too. It is probably the most photogenic street in SF, and therefore very popular with tourists.

But among these neighborhoods, the one that impressed me the most is Chinatown. It is the oldest and second-largest Chinese district in the world (just after New York's). I absolutely did not expect to be so quickly projected into Asia during my trip to the American west coast!

Lanterns in ChinatownVisiting it, I did not feel like I was in the United States but on the other side of the Pacific, in China. Everything is done to remind you of this country, buildings with such particular architecture, red and gold hues everywhere, lanterns hanging above roads between each building and such typical smells... far from a trip to the west coast...

The Golden Gate, a symbol

But San Francisco wouldn't be San Francisco without this architectural element seen so many times in films and series? The famous Golden Gate Bridge.
This bridge painted red connects both sides of the Golden Gate Strait. The construction of the bridge took place in the thirties and its opening occurred in 1937.
For decades, the Golden Gate Bridge has fascinated people. Tourists come to admire and photograph it.

Where to take the best photos of the Golden Gate Bridge?

Baker Beach, located southwest of Presidio Park, north of the city. Easily accessible by public transport, this place will allow you to admire the most "classic" view of the bridge. Go there at sunset; it's just magnificent.

If you want a more original viewpoint, go to Vista Point on the other side of the bridge. You will have the entire city on the horizon with the bridge in the foreground.

Be careful; due to the bay's climate, the bridge often disappears into clouds. If you're lucky you might manage to capture it entirely in your lens; if not, let this structure's charm disappear into clouds and make you dream a little more.

Alcatraz, from infamous prison to paradise... for birdwatchers

Another iconic place in town, Alcatraz Island, just over a kilometer from town right in San Francisco Bay.
This island is famous for its history. Initially a military fortress in the mid-19th century until early 20th century; it then became a military prison before serving as a high-security civil prison. Its most famous inmate was Al Capone (Scar Face).

AlcatrazThen it was occupied by an indigenous autonomy movement for 19 months. Since then it has been managed as a tourist site protected by United States National Park Service offering a magnificent view over San Francisco besides being an excellent spot for observing regional birds.
A visit on this legendary piece of land allows better understanding part of the city's history.

A ride on historic Cable Car

Finally an unmissable attraction: Cable Car rides. Small cars allowing you move around town easily despite only having three remaining Cable Car lines, which still connect tourists spots like Chinatown or Pier 39.

View over golden gate ?? #quotatrip,#unitedstates #westcoast #customtrip #sanfrancisco #muni #cablecar #california #sf #sanfran #travel #bestcity

A post shared by Custom Trip (@quotatrip) on July 20th 2018 at 3:59 PDT

What remains vivid from my memories of this trip on west coast at San Francisco are diversity within city itself including colorful houses; majestic Golden Gate Bridge; exotic Chinatown neighborhood along climate so similar where I live back home France recommending anyone planning a trip across western U.S & California especially.