15 of the Coolest Places to Visit in the USA Right Now
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Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco
San Francisco has all the energy of a big city combined with quirky and quaintness of a small town. Historical pastel-hued houses sit side-by-side with new American cuisine, hubs of creative communities and tech-giants. Nature lovers, art aficionados, foodies and those looking for romance, are all easily charmed by this classic coastal city. Plan where to go with our San Francisco travel guide.
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Places to stay
As the city where Airbnb started, there are plenty of non-touristy neighbourhoods for you to live like a local in. Find your home away from home in local boroughs like the trendy melting pot of cuisine, cultures and colourful characters that is Mission District, the fashionable and pop-up bar filled Hayes Valley or the family-friendly and laid-backed Noe Valley.
Want to feel the sea breeze or sneak a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from your window? On the edge of the bay, you’ll find the Marina District with its unmatched views, upbeat bars and boutique-lined streets.Embarcadero and North Beach are also lively waterfront neighbourhoods where you can match great views with diverse dining and entertainment options while still being in walking distance of the famed Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
If your idea of a holiday is a luxury hotel in an upscale neighbourhood, Nob Hill boasts excellent views, world-class restaurants and exclusive bars, all in the heart of the city. Retreat with a nice glass of wine to Napa Valley or Sonoma Wine Country where many vineyards have accommodation so you won’t have to worry about driving back to San Francisco after a few tastings.
Things to do
Considering San Francisco is just 7x7 miles, this small city has plenty of exciting things to do, and character-filled neighbourhoods packed into it. This compact design works in the favour of visitors as there's no chance you’ll miss out on sightings of classic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the iconic switchbacks on Lombard Street and the charming Victorian houses known as the Painted Ladies.
San Francisco is also home to an illustrious art collection. SFMOMA, the Legion of Honor and the Asian Art Museum all boast impressive collections that span across many different countries and centuries.
Visit the Mission District where you can find large-scale murals alongside the incredible Mission-style burritos at La Taqueria or the hard-to-get-into new American restaurant, AL’s Place. While it may be a small city, San Francisco is big on energy, invention and interesting places for you to visit.
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14 Amazing Things You Can Only Do in San Francisco
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15 of the Coolest Stays in San Francisco
Opens in a new tab or windowKnockout views and exciting eateries are just the start.
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Food and drink
Foodies flock to the Ferry Terminal Farmers Market where you can fill up on all the samples or try the phenomenal produce that’s highly sought after by local chefs.
The forward-thinking isn’t just reserved for tech-companies in San Fransisco. Restaurants like the whimsical Atelier Crenn and the stylishly seasonal Lord Stanley, are some of the most inventive and awarded kitchens in the world.
Join one of the many tour groups that head to the Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine Country for a drop or two of the region’s best.
Outdoor and adventure
Jump aboard one of San Francisco’s biggest icons - the Cable Car. One place you won’t be able to get to by Cable Car is the island of Alcatraz, so make sure to book your cruise tour out to this infamous attraction well in advance.
A trip to the SF Zoo is a must with its huge playground, animal watching and a historic carousel. Kids will also love driving through the ancient redwood forests of Muir Woods which is less than an hour away from San Francisco.
Getting around
From the airport: you can get to your hotel easily on the efficient Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system or via an arrival transfer.
In and around the city: once you're in the city, the cable car is both a tourist highlight and great way to see San Francisco. There are also bus, ferry, taxi, the BART and the San Francisco hop-on hop-off tour.
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Disclaimer: ^ Qantas Frequent Flyer members will earn 3 Qantas Points per A$1 value unless otherwise specified, for hotel stays booked through qantas.com/hotels, except Classic Hotel Rewards and Airbnb bookings. Points Club members will earn 25% more Qantas Points, and Points Club Plus members will earn 50% more Qantas Points. Qantas Points will be credited to your account at least 8 weeks after check-out. Qantas Points may be earned by the member in whose name the booking is made. Members will not be able to earn points on additional charges paid to the accommodation provider for extras (including cots, breakfasts and other incidentals) on check-in or check-out (as applicable).
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Disclaimer: ++ Status Credits are earned on eligible Qantas, Jetstar, oneworld® member and oneworld connect® airlines only - see the Airline Earning Tables and Qantas Frequent Flyer program Terms and Conditions for details. Status Credits may not be earned on some fare types and booking classes.
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Disclaimer: #You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership and Qantas Points are subject to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program terms and conditions.